Summary of "Walmart Great Wall Power Supply Test - Overpowered DTW PSU"
Product reviewed
Great Wall 500W power supply (model mentioned as GW 6000; referenced in the context of Great Wall used in Walmart “Overpowered” PC systems).
The unit appears unbranded / “no sticker” in the context of the review, with 80+ labeling referenced as “technically says 80+”.
Key features / what was tested
- Efficiency testing across load levels using a load generator and measurement gear (efficiency vs. % load curve).
- Voltage ripple on the 12V rail, with a note that other rails are less important; the worst-case ripple observed was on 5V near the end of testing.
- Over-current protection (OCP) behavior by pushing the 12V rail up to and beyond the manufacturer’s stated current capabilities.
- Mentions of additional/future testing areas: fan speed/noise, transient response, and thermal testing (not fully included in the video).
Main results (performance numbers)
Efficiency
- 2% load: 55.2% (noted as failing low-load expectations; implies a newer guideline not yet applied to this class)
- 10% load: 77.7%
- 20% load: 83.1%
- 30% load: 84.6%
- 40% load: 85.0% (peak region)
- 50% load: 84.9%
- 60% load: 84.4%
- 70% load: 82.0%
- 80% load: 83.4%
- 100% load: 80.3%
Overall conclusion: “at least 80+ White” efficient and bordering on Bronze, though it lacks official certification/branding.
Voltage ripple (12V)
- ~39 mV at 20% load
- ~43 mV at 50% load
- ~59 mV at 100% load
- Peaked at ~89 mV under 120% load
Conclusion: Ripple is acceptable for a “dirt cheap” budget PSU—not amazing, but not high enough (in the tested scenario) to predict instability.
Over-current protection (OCP) / safety behavior
- Great Wall claims at least 40A on the 12V rail.
- Test setup: set 3.3V/5V rails to 3.4A / 1.5A, then raise 12V.
PSU behavior:
- Did not shut down immediately at 40A
- Breaking point (for their unit): about 56A
- ~672W down the 12V cables
- ~707W total
- ~123% total load
- It ultimately tripped OCP and shut down when pushed hard (around 50A / 123%), but survived long enough to show it’s not instantly catastrophic.
Conclusion: It can handle more than advertised, but OCP trips beyond ~50A.
Overload / hold-through
- Measured survival to ~123% load before OCP shutdown.
Pros (as stated in the video)
- Does not “blow up” in testing; survives aggressive overload long enough to show it’s not immediately dangerous.
- Ripple is acceptable for the price/class (especially on 12V).
- Efficiency is roughly “80+ White”-level in the midrange; peaks around 40–50% load.
- Described as not the worst among low-end units; “fine” functionally.
Cons (as stated in the video)
- Not impressive, including:
- Low efficiency at 2% load (55.2%)
- Weaker behavior at the extremes
- No official 80+ certification/branding emphasized (despite the “GW 6000” naming and “technically says 80+” reference).
- Ripple peaks high under extreme loading (up to ~89 mV at 120%).
- Described as cheap/unexciting and not “high quality” build.
- In the broader Walmart “Overpowered PC” experience, the PSU is only one redeeming part; other components/case choices are criticized.
User experience / build-context notes (Walmart “Overpowered” PC)
- The PSU is framed as one of the only redeeming components in these builds.
- Criticisms of the overall system (not solely the PSU):
- Bad / suffocating case design: removing the glass panel reduced internal temperatures by a large amount (described as ~40°C or 30+°C delta, “huge delta”).
- Poor value (“price was really bad,” though discounted slightly later).
- Mentions other creators (LinusTechTips, Bitwit, etc.) reporting issues like cables disconnecting on arrival, used as a broader support/quality indicator.
- Visual/aesthetic complaint: messy visible internal cables; noted as partly subjective.
Comparisons made
Versus EVGA 500W (older 80+ model, ~2014; made by HEC)
Efficiency curve comparison (midrange focus):
- EVGA
- 56% at 2% load
- 76% at 10% load
- ~80.3% at 20% load
- ~84% at 50% load
- then declines toward ~80% at 100%
- Great Wall
- 55.2% at 2% load
- 77.7% at 10% load
- 83.1% at 20% load
- ~85% at 40–50% load
- then ~80% at 100%
Net: Great Wall appears similar to or slightly better than the EVGA’s efficiency in key midrange areas (based on the provided numbers). Ripple: no direct EVGA-vs-Great-Wall numeric table is provided in the excerpt; Great Wall ripple is stated as acceptable.
Unique points mentioned (all)
- Community comments accused it of being dangerous/low-efficiency and “blowing up” (teaser reaction).
- Great Wall is described as a supplier/manufacturer behind some big brands’ PSUs (rebranded OEM logic).
- Notes that Great Wall has produced multiple PSU lines for various brands (examples listed).
- Testing methodology described as “new for us,” still improving; plans for more tests later.
- Efficiency testing at multiple loads; ripple measured using oscilloscope setup.
- Ripple measured on 12V with specific mV results at multiple load points; peaks at 120%.
- OCP testing methodology: force 12V rail current beyond rating; specify test steps.
- Great Wall survival to ~123% load before OCP shutdown; breaking point near 56A.
- Conclusion about PSU: “okay/inoffensive”—not great, not terrible.
- Walmart “Overpowered PC” value criticized heavily due to case/cooling and price; PSU described as the one redeeming functional component.
- Mentions support/QA concerns from other creators (cables disconnecting on arrival).
- Visual cable mess criticized for the price tier.
Speaker views (end-of-list)
- Primary narrator/reviewer (single main voice): provides all testing results, numbers, and final recommendation, while placing the PSU in context of broader Walmart build criticisms.
Concise verdict / recommendation
Verdict: The Great Wall 500W PSU tested is “okay”—it’s not a fire/bang risk in the reviewer’s tests, has acceptable 12V ripple, and efficiency is roughly 80+ White-class (near Bronze) in mid loads. However, it’s not high quality (weak at very low load; ripple not best; no clear formal certification emphasized).
Recommendation: Don’t buy the Walmart “Overpowered PC” for the PSU—the system as a whole is criticized—but if you already own it, the video’s message is that the PSU is functionally acceptable, not catastrophically dangerous.
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Product Review
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