Since Intel launched the ATX2.0 power supply unit (PSU) specifications in 2003, the PSU landscape remained relatively unchanged for almost 20 years. However, in March last year, Intel and PCI-SIG released their jointly developed ATX3.0 Power Supply Guide, designed to accommodate the escalating power demands of modern graphics cards. The ATX3.0 defines a new 12V high-power 16-pin connector (12VHPWR) that can provide up to 600W to PCIe 5.0 graphics cards and other devices. Besides enhancing GPU power delivery, ATX3.0 also raises the efficiency requirements for low-power outputs (10W, or 2% of rated power for 500W+ PSUs) in Idle Mode. The timing specifications for the PWR_OK and PS_ON signals have also been shortened, resulting in more responsiveness and faster system wake-up. Notably, ATX3.0 requires PSUs to be able to handle at least 175,200 power on/off cycles per year, making them more durable and energy-efficient than their ATX2.0 counterparts.

The load test conditions for each output channel of ATX3.0-compliant PSUs need to reference document #338448, titled 'Desktop Platforms Power Supply Test Plan'. This guide specifies over 60 load conditions that need to be set, each of which requires complicated calculations. Therefore, to facilitate PSU manufacturers in calculating these test conditions, Intel has helpfully released a 'PSU Test Plan Companion Calculator' spreadsheet. Still, manually inputting all these conditions into an automated test system and setting up the corresponding test items remain tedious and time-consuming. To address this, the Chroma 8000 ATS, widely used for automated testing of power products, features a load vector parameter editor that allows users to edit test parameters in Excel and import them into the 8000's test program. Chroma has already integrated the content of Intel's Test Plan Companion Calculator into an Excel-compatible vector file. Users only need to input the PSU's power and per-channel output current specifications, and the load conditions for the relevant test items will be automatically calculated and imported. This reduces the time required for configuring at least 90% of the test parameters, greatly expediting PSU testing and verification.

Does your PSU comply with Intel's latest ATX3.0 design guidelines? Can it meet the requirement of sustaining a “power excursion” of 200% for 100 microseconds? To learn more about ATX3.0 power testing and related test & measurement system configurations, please visit the website below and leave your contact information. We will be happy to be of service and discuss your ATX3.0 testing needs.