Introduction and Features
Great performance, now in a smaller chassis.
Introduction
2016 has been another busy year for EVGA as they continue to expand their product offerings. EVGA recently introduced five power supplies in the new Supernova G3 Series. Compared to the original G2 Series, these new power supplies offer improved performance, a smaller chassis, and incorporate a hydraulic dynamic bearing fan. We will be taking a detailed look at the entry level 550 G3 in this review.
• EVGA SuperNOVA 550W G3 ($89.99 USD)
• EVGA SuperNOVA 650W G3 ($109.99 USD)
• EVGA SuperNOVA 750W G3 ($129.99 USD)
• EVGA SuperNOVA 850W G3 ($139.99 USD)
• EVGA SuperNOVA 1000W G3 ($159.99 USD)
The Supernova G3 Series is based on EVGA’s popular G2 series but now comes in a smaller chassis measuring only 150mm (5.9”) deep. The G3 Series also uses a 130mm cooling fan with a hydraulic dynamic bearing for quiet operation and extended life.
The Supernova G3 series power supplies are 80 Plus Gold certified for high efficiency and feature all modular cables, high-quality Japanese brand capacitors, and EVGA’s ECO Intelligent Thermal Control System which enables fan-less operation at low to mid power. All G3 series power supplies are NVIDIA SLI and AMD Crossfire Ready and are backed by either a 7-year (550W and 650W) or 10-year (750W, 850W and 1000W) EVGA warranty.
EVGA SuperNOVA 550W G3 PSU Key Features:
• 80 PLUS Gold certified, with up to 90%/92% efficiency (115VAC/240VAC)
• Highest quality Japanese brand capacitors ensure long-term reliability
• Fully modular cables to reduce clutter and improve airflow
• Quiet 130mm hydraulic dynamic bearing fan for long life
• ECO Intelligent Thermal Control allows silent, fan-less operation at low power
• NVIDIA SLI & AMD Crossfire Ready
• Active Power Factor correction (0.99) with Universal AC input
• Heavy-duty protections: OVP, UVP, OCP, OPP, SCP, and OTP
• 7-Year warranty with unparalleled EVGA Customer Support
Here is what EVGA has to say about the new Supernova G3 power supplies: “EVGA SuperNOVA power supplies are well known for their extreme efficiency, performance and reliability. In fact, over the last 3 years EVGA SuperNOVA power supplies have won over 70 awards from leading review sites. It is EVGA’s dedication to performance that has created the latest power supply platform; the EVGA SuperNOVA G3 Series. With these new power supplies, we take the best features from our award winning G2 lineup and make them even better. A smaller size, improved performance and a new Hydraulic Dynamic Bearing fan giving you ultra-quiet performance and an increased lifespan.”
EVGA was founded in 1999 with headquarters in Brea, California. They continue to specialize in producing NVIDIA based graphics adapters and Intel based motherboards and keep expanding their PC power supply product line, which includes over forty models ranging from the high-end 1,600W SuperNOVA T2 to the budget minded EVGA 400W power supply.
(Courtesy of EVGA)
As you can see in the table above, EVGA currently offers three different 550W power supplies. Let’s get started with the review and see if the new 550W G3 model can deliver the same great performance we have come to expect from the previous G2 Series.
Thank for the great power
Thank for the great power supply review Lee! I am using the G2 650w version in my rig right now, based on your review of it, and love it. So this new version just has different fan, and perhaps slightly better performance than the G2?
Mostly it’s just a smaller
Mostly it’s just a smaller chassis for the unit. No real gains otherwise.
Jonnyguru reviewed it 200
Jonnyguru reviewed it 200 years ago. And by review, I mean a proper one. Pcper late to the party with laughable tests, as usual. Stick with your nvidia sponsored Geforce “reviews”, thanks.
You obviously have no clue as
You obviously have no clue as to what testing methods that Lee uses, so I took the time to find the video where they go over his testing methods and setup:
https://youtu.be/2UnhzoRf4C4
go to about 50 min into the video where they go over Lee’s setup and methods.
Now as to the rest of your statement, I get it, we all know that the way PCPer presents content about AMD, Intel, and Nvidia tends to be biased one way or another, and I do agree with that part of it. But the claims you make about their PSU testing is false.
EVGA are well known for their
EVGA are well known for their PSU quality so i wasn’t expecting anything less from this G3 series . I personally own an 1000W P2 and it has been flawless since 2 years now.
The only thing that i would like to change are cables. In my opinion flat cables should be standard .
I have the 1500watt monster
I have the 1500watt monster they discontinued awhile ago bought when the 4960x dropped for my monster rig back in those days been absolutely flawless.
The plug is like a oven plug massive but can tell high Quality all around its got a nice 10 year warranty which is actually almost half way up.
Good to see they upgrading there PSU lines I’ll have to buy another 1500+ Beast when pcie 4 comes out and nvdimms gota make sure all my hardware has a plethora of room to breathe.
By all means post the specs
By all means post the specs of this hardware so we can see you love to buy way more PSU than required.
Asus Rive Be 4
intel 4960x
Asus Rive Be 4
intel 4960x oced 4.8 ghz
64 gb ddr 3 2400 mhz Corsair Dominator Platinum
EKG 360 AIO with 6 Noctua Industrial fans
4 8Tb Hdds Raid 5
2 Samsung 850 pro 250gb
1 Intel 910 800gb pcie ssd
2 Asus Titan X (Maxwell)
i also have it linked to my cyber power backup system software says its only drawing 410-440 watts which has to be a bug, but i got it so the rig gets clean power with pure sinewave 2.
suprisingly only thing i need to change out is the ssds as there not enough for my os drives, ill replace with pcie adapter and a 1Tb 960 pro for nvme.
Last 2 EVGA PSUs I got were
Last 2 EVGA PSUs I got were both DOA. Won’t buy them again. use Corsair for my builds now.
heard the horror storys of
heard the horror storys of the corsair psu’s causing shortages, must been there cheapo 650 watt mx line, heard there was a paticular series to avoid if your building HEDT systems, DOAS happen iv had 5 at one point, but Evga psu last like Tanks, this one hasnt skipped a beat in nearlt 4 years of harsh service, love this thing, cant wait till nvdimm/pcie 4 then ill upgrade, turn this beast to a server.
Is it properly wired for the
Is it properly wired for the 6 pin pcie (GPU)
That dam connector pcie configuration has one pin not connected or optional from maker . Most power supply maker use a 6+2 config and in this situation you got to make sure it’s doing the proper thing other wise it will rise the volt amp etc value too high and you GPU will have a tendency to be hot and be very often in protection mode . Often the optional used by maker are not properly maintained so it tend to go ride the pcie firmware instead of simplifying thing .If you can’t stay away from the GPU with 6 pin connector.most power supply vendor don’t bother and this is a huge issue causing trouble
Nice review. So, even 550W G3
Nice review. So, even 550W G3 can power crossfire/sli configuration. That is nice. But, I’ll rather hook up the second pcie to a nice sound card
We live in a world where
We live in a world where companies strike it rich on the gullibility of American market segment. They are all made in China, with just big words to lure you all fools in.
Unbranded PSU is the way to go! 🙂
I OC my 3.5ghz to 4.6ghz 🙂 the magic of some tender love, a mini-fridge where i keep my PC for cooling, and the unbranded PSU. Sometimes i plug my powercable directly into the wall and i get 5.5ghz OC 🙂