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Is It Worth Investing In a High-Efficiency Power Supply?

MrSeb writes "If you've gone shopping for a power supply any time over the last few years, you've probably noticed the explosive proliferation of various 80 Plus ratings. As initially conceived, an 80 Plus certification was a way for PSU manufacturers to validate that their power supply units were at least 80% efficient at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of full load. In the pre-80 Plus days, PSU prices normally clustered around a given wattage output. The advent of the various 80 Plus levels has created a second variable that can have a significant impact on unit price. This leads us to three important questions: How much power can you save by moving to a higher-efficiency supply, what's the premium of doing so, and how long does it take to make back your initial investment?"

4 of 328 comments (clear)

  1. I'll bet... by msauve · · Score: 4, Funny

    we could probably use a computer to figure out the answers to those questions!

    --
    "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
  2. Re:IMG Tag? by feedayeen · · Score: 5, Funny

    I tried to include an image of the formula using the IMG tag instead of text, but it wouldn't display. :( Any tips on how to include an image in a comment on /.?

    I've never seen an image in a slashdot comment before, I think it's for our own safety.

  3. Re:More maths by hamster_nz · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hey! That's the same formula for calculating swap space! Must bee something deep going on here. :-0

  4. Re:The Maths by DarwinSurvivor · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or subtract all year long in Canada!