Voltage ripple is a technical specification that casual users often overlook when they buy a PSU for their system. Yes, it plays a crucial role in your PC’s overall performance. PSU voltage ripple has more significance, especially if you’re an overclocker or an enthusiast.
Key Takeaways
- Voltage ripple in a PSU is the unwanted fluctuation in the DC voltage output, which means an AC component is present.
- Lower voltage ripple is crucial for system performance. Otherwise, it can cause system failure and become a hurdle in overclocking.
- High-quality power supplies have voltage ripples lower than 20 mV, but below 30 mV are also acceptable for 12V PSU rails.
What Is PSU Voltage Ripple?
A PSU voltage ripple is the unwanted fluctuation in the DC voltage output of a power supply unit. We can also say that the output power has an AC component[1].
However, due to the nature of AC-DC conversion, slight variations in voltage always occur[2]. These fluctuations are measured in millivolts (mV), the difference between the highest and the lowest voltage points in the cycle[3].
Why Does PSU Voltage Ripple Matter?
The voltage ripple might seem like a minor specification, but it drastically impacts your PC performance. Here’s why:
- Stability: The higher voltage ripple can stress the sensitive components of your PC, such as your CPU and GPU. Premature component failure, crashes, and instability may occur due to voltage ripple.
- Overclocking: As you know, overclocking involves pushing the component beyond its default factory setting, so it requires a stable and potent PSU. Higher voltage ripple can sabotage overclocking and limit the maximum stable frequencies.
What Is Good Ripple Performance?
According to the ATX specifications[4], the ideal voltage ripple for:
- 12V rails have a maximum of 120 mV peak-to-peak and for the
- 3.3V and 5V rails, the ripple is a maximum of 50 mV.
However, this is a rather far-fetched case. In fact, as per our testing, a high-end stable PSU will showcase a maximum ripple of below 20 mV, while a decent (average) PSU can have up to 30 mV of voltage ripple. Take a look at some of our test results:
Helpful Resources By Tech4Gamers:
References:
- POWER SUPPLY BASICS – Wavelength Electronics. (n.d.). https://www.teamwavelength.com/power-supply-basics
- Understanding AC/DC Power Supply | Article | MPS. (n.d.). https://www.monolithicpower.com/en/ac-dc-power-supply-basics
- Lee, Y. S., & Chow, M. H. (2011, January 1). Diode Rectifiers. Elsevier eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-382036-5.00010-0
- INTEL – ATX Specification (n.d.). https://edc.intel.com/content/www/us/en/design/ipla/software-development-platforms/client/platforms/alder-lake-desktop/atx-version-3-0-multi-rail-desktop-platform-power-supply-design-guide/2.0/2.01/output-ripple-noise-required/
Frequently Asked Questions
The ripple voltage in a PSU is simply a residual periodic variation or fluctuation in the DC voltage.
Considering the actual scenarios, the ripple lower than 30mV in the PSUs is acceptable. However, ATX specifications have a maximum limit of 120 mV.
You can reduce the voltage ripple in your PSU by stabilizing the AC frequency and load. However, you can’t directly modify the specifications, so buy a good PSU instead.
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