80 Plus

80 Plus (trademarked 80 PLUS) is a voluntary certification program launched in 2004, intended to promote efficient energy use in computer power supply units (PSUs).

[9] However, this is not the case as one could easily modify the test unit to be more enhanced than production models in order to slightly raise numbers.

For instance, a 600 W power supply with 60% efficiency running at full load would draw 1000 W from the mains and waste 400 W as heat.

A 600 W power supply with 80% efficiency running at full load would draw 750 W from the mains and waste only 150 W as heat.

Reduced heat and resulting in lower cooling demands may increase computer reliability.

[14] The testing conditions may give an unrealistic expectation of efficiency for heavily loaded, high power (rated much larger than 300 W) supplies.

For instance, generation of standby power may still be relatively inefficient, and may not meet requirements of the One Watt Initiative.