In May 2024, Micro-Star International (MSI) and the PPLP (PSU Performance Level Plan) laboratory jointly announced a close collaboration. To further promote standardization within the PC power supply industry and increase transparency in the parameters of PC power supply products, as of January 7, 2025, MSI has invested four products in the PPLP Power Efficiency Star Rating Program, covering all power supply products in MSI’s MAG series. These products have all obtained the 115V/230V PPLP GOLD star rating.
However, in addition to electrical performance, the silent performance of the power supply also has a great impact on the consumer’s use experience. Therefore, after conducting a large number of actual measurement projects and integrating the feedback from consumers and industry R & D personnel, the PPLP laboratory has recently officially finalized the standards of the PPLP Power Supply Silent Star System. Moreover, the PPLP Power Supply Silent Star System was officially launched yesterday(January 8,2025). The MSI MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 power supply has obtained the “3S” (medium – load: S – level; heavy – load: S – level; ultra – heavy – load: S – level) silent star rating from the PPLP laboratory, and it is also the first power supply product to obtain the “3S” silent star rating after the launch of the PPLP Power Supply Silent Star System, which proves that it is a landmark product with excellent silent level in PC power supplies.
The Scientific Nature of the PPLP Power Supply Silent Star Rating System
The noise of switching power supplies varies with changes in operating conditions, and the output load of a power supply primarily depends on the platform configuration and application it is paired with. However, according to extensive real-world testing conducted by the PPLP laboratory, the output load conditions of power supplies with different rated powers are inconsistent when running the same project on different configured platforms. Therefore, in order to more closely align with consumers’ daily usage scenarios, ensure consistent load conditions during testing, and scientifically reflect the differences in noise levels among various power supplies, the PPLP Power Supply Silent Star Rating System adopts a segmented evaluation approach. It uses three levels—medium load, heavy load, and extreme load—to rate the silence level of power supply noise. Medium load simulates the condition of the tested power supply paired with a mid-range computer (Core i7-12700K+RTX 4060 Ti) running a 3A game. Heavy load simulates the condition of the tested power supply paired with a top-tier configured computer (Core i9-14900KS+RTX 4090) running a 3A game. Extreme load simulates the condition of the tested power supply paired with a top-tier dual-GPU configured computer (Core i9-14900KS+2×RTX 4090) performing a rendering project.
In addition, because the actual output power consumption is not constant when the PC power supply is running a project, its noise value in a certain working condition is also constantly fluctuating. In order to scientifically, objectively and comprehensively reflect the comprehensive noise level of the tested power supply, the PPLP laboratory adopts the equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq) indicator as the power supply mute test result. The equivalent continuous sound level is an indicator of noise intensity, which indicates the average noise level heard by people over a period of time. This concept is used in mechanical engineering, environmental engineering and other fields. The calculation of the equivalent continuous sound level is based on the average method of sound energy in the same period of time, which is used to represent the equivalent amount of unsteady noise. It expresses the noise in that period of time by using the intermittent changing sound level in a sound level.
The Rating Rules of the PPLP Power Supply Silent Star System
To further align with consumers’ actual usage scenarios, in the PPLP Power Supply Silent Star System, power supplies below 850W only participate in medium load noise evaluation. Power supplies ranging from 850W to 1200W will participate in both medium and heavy load noise evaluations. Power supplies of 1200W and above will participate in all three types of load noise evaluations: medium load, heavy load, and extreme load. If a power supply cannot participate in all three load silence evaluations, the missing star rating will be replaced with an asterisk (*). The MSI MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 power supply, however, can participate in all three load silence evaluations, and the test results for all load conditions meet the PPLP silent star S standard. Therefore, the PPLP silent star rating for this power supply is described as: SSS.
The Significance of the PPLP Power Supply Silent Star System
The PPLP Power Supply Silent Star System is an integral part of the PPLP Power Supply Efficiency Star Program. The testing model of this system can simulate most of the operating conditions under which consumers use PC power supplies, and its rating system can intuitively, scientifically, and comprehensively reflect the silence level of PC power supply products. It provides consumers with a reference for silent experience when purchasing PC power supplies.
In addition to the MSI MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 power supply, the electrical performance reports of MSI’s MAG series power supply products are also available on the PPLP official website. In the future, MSI will continue to maintain close cooperation with the PPLP laboratory, constantly pay attention to consumer feedback, continuously upgrade and optimize MSI’s PC power supply products, and strive to promote healthy competition and excellent development in the PC power supply industry.
The official website of the Power Supply Performance Level Plan (PPLP) is: https://www.pplp.info/#0
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