There really is a difference
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But what makes a good power supply, anyway? Most assume that power supplies carrying higher wattage ratings are superior, but as the collapse of the so-called "megahertz myth" illustrates, higher numbers aren't always better. First and foremost, a power supply should deliver clean, consistent power to system components. Power supply efficiency is also important; an efficient power supply can save you money on every electricity bill, especially if you have your system running 24/7. Environmental variables like temperatures and noise levels matter, too.
Armed with a couple of test systems, temperature probes, noise level and power consumption meters, an oscilloscope, and an all-important bathroom scale, we can test all those metrics, plus a few others, ourselves. There's no need to rely on manufacturer spec sheets, marketing claims, or wattage ratings. Are cheap, generic power supplies really that much worse than high-end models that cost twice as much, or more? And among those high-end power supplies, is there really much difference from manufacturer to manufacturer? Let's find out.
