Elevate PSU to ATX 3.0 with Precise Testing Solutions from Preen

Evolutionary Trends of PC Power Supplies: The Key Role of ATX 3.0

As the power consumption of discrete GPUs and CPUs continues to rise, increasing the number of 12V circuit and output power of power supplies has become the main revision direction for ATX 2.x. This ATX 3.0 revision is aiming for better PC power supply (PSU) to provide independent power supply for the CPU and GPU, while continuing to improve the efficiency of the PSU. This trend has also boosted the growth of the PSU industry.
The most eye-catching feature of the ATX 3.0 is the addition of an independent high-power 12V connector to cope with the extremely high-power demand of discrete graphics cards, to ensure the stable operation of the entire computer platform. The key factor is that the power consumption requirements of discrete graphics cards continue to rise. Taking the previous generation of NVIDIA flagship graphics card RTX 3090 as an example, when executing Triple A-level games, the average power consumption exceeds 450W (the peak value exceeds 900W). If the power consumption of the CPU is added, the overall demand even exceeds 600W. With the launch of the RTX 40 series graphics cards at the end of 2022, power consumption has further increased, and new power supply standard must be introduced.
Precisely Simulate ATX 3.0 Standard with Preen's AFV-P series
The AFV-P series programmable AC power sources deliver stable power for PSU testing, ensuring the PSU can undergo assessments without being affected by disturbances. AFV-P series allows users to precisely set output voltage within the range of 0V to 310V, output frequency between 5Hz to 2000Hz (optional), and output current. It could accurately simulate abnormal voltage and frequency scenarios. With the "Transient" function of the AFV-P, users can easily configure transient parameters such as transient voltage, transient angle, and transient duration, effectively simulating test items of the ATX 3.0 standard.


Referring to '4.3.1_PWR_OK,' users can use the AFV-P series to verify outputs within the low-end nominal range, including 115 VAC/47 Hz or 230 VAC/47 Hz. Through the Transient function of the AFV-P series, users can simulate power disturbances to confirm whether the PSU being tested can sustain power output for at least 17ms under maximum continuous load, meeting the UPS switchover time. Additionally, the PSU should be in a high state and comply with the specified regulation thresholds (+12 VDC, +5 VDC, and +3.3 VDC as listed in Table 4-2), ensuring that the converter has stored enough energy for uninterrupted operation within the specified range.


Via AFV-P's Start/End Angle function, users can simulate the electrical and timing characteristics of the PWR_OK signal (Table 4-10). When the start angle is 90°, users can test the maximum inrush current; or set the end angle as 0°, which allows the input power instantaneous drop to 0V, to further verify whether the PSU can continue to provide power during power outages.
Preen's High Power Solution: Idealize Variety of Test Requirements For Power Supplies
The emergence of ATX 3.0 will drive an increase in the power of future power supplies. The specification of 350W to 450W is unable to meet the demand for mainstream PSU gradually. Now, the current market's mainstream products have surpassed 550W, with a growing trend towards 1000W. Other than the AFV-P series, Preen also offers high power models with single-phase 10kVA, such as the AFV+ series and AFV series High Power Programmable AC Sources. Users can choose suitable products to verify the performance of PSU power supply in maintaining stable power delivery.
Source: 
Chiu, C. (2023, January 3). Key Report: What is ATX? Understanding the Latest Power Supply ATX 3.0 Specifications and Investment Opportunities. Direct from Fuguo. https://blog.fugle.tw/atx-power-supply/

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