The PPLP Power Supply Efficiency Star Rating Program is an independent evaluation system for PC power supplies launched by PPLP Lab, designed to provide a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of power supply quality. In addition to power supplies, PPLP has previously announced plans to expand its evaluation scope to include products such as heatsinks, PC cases, and PC fans.
Today, PPLP has undergone an upgrade, with its full name updated from the original PSU Performance Level Plan to the Pro Performance Level Plan. Simultaneously, the DC Axial Fan Efficiency Star Rating Standard, as part of the Pro Performance Level Plan, has officially launched. Leading global PC hardware manufacturer Lian Li has joined this initiative in close collaboration, becoming one of the first partners. Among its product lines, the UNI FAN SL INFINITY and TL WIRELESS series have become the first fans to receive PPLP star ratings, with the TL WIRELESS 120 achieving an A-star rating under the PPLP program.
Compared to the power supply market, the fan market has lower entry barriers, resulting in a more uneven quality landscape—with no widely recognized evaluation standard to measure performance. For most users, understanding a fan’s true quality relies solely on the manufacturer’s advertised specifications, which provide limited insight. Although some high-end brands include more informative P/Q curves on packaging or product pages, most users either overlook them or fail to study them closely. This is largely because P/Q curves typically only depict performance for a single product or two generations from the same brand, lacking intuitive and comprehensive comparisons.
The introduction of PPLP DC Axial Fan Efficiency Star Rating Standard aims to bridge this knowledge gap for consumers. Leveraging newly established testing protocols, rigorous and reliable equipment, a fully controlled testing environment, and the expertise of the PPLP Lab team—which has over a decade of experience in PC hardware testing—this standard provides a clear and effective performance rating. Users can rely on it to choose the right fan for their needs, while manufacturers can use it to accurately classify their product lines.
PPLP Lab will evaluate fan products across multiple dimensions, delivering comprehensive and detailed analysis reports. Key performance metrics include:
• Rotational speed
• Airflow volume
• Effective airflow
• Static pressure
• Noise level
• Power consumption
• Performance efficiency ratio
• Vibration amplitude
Among these, effective airflow (representing genuine performance) and noise level (directly impacting user perception) are given the highest priority.
Effective airflow is measured by testing a fan’s performance in a wind tunnel with three standardized impedance configurations: a chassis mesh front panel, an air cooler tower, and a 27mm-thick radiator. This setup replicates real-world usage scenarios while incorporating weighted factors to reflect a fan’s comprehensive performance.
The core of this standard lies in testing effective airflow under three standardized impedance conditions across 12 noise level tiers. The noise range spans from 27dB(A) to 60dB(A), with each 3dB(A) increment representing a distinct test condition. As the noise level increases, the corresponding quality coefficient decreases, directly impacting the final evaluation score. In other words, this standard evaluates different fan types within a unified noise-efficiency framework, requiring products to not only deliver exceptional low-noise performance but also demonstrate strong upper-end efficiency.
The PPLP DC Axial Fan Efficiency Star Rating Standard provides a comprehensive performance grading system, categorizing fans into five star levels from highest to lowest based on evaluation results: S, A+, A, B+, and B.
PPLP states that evaluation samples can be provided by the submitting party or purchased directly from the market. Each product undergoing evaluation requires at least two samples. If there is a significant performance difference between these two samples, additional new samples must be provided or purchased until the evaluation is completed. Additionally, PPLP Lab registers each participating sample with a unique identifier and stores it securely for at least one year after the evaluation is concluded.
It is reported that another core component of the PPLP Case Cooling Efficiency Star Rating Standard is now ready and will be announced to the public shortly.
Official Website: https://www.pplp.info
Media ContactCompany Name: PPLPContact Person: Miss RuEmail: Send EmailPhone: 020-85510156City: GuangzhouCountry: ChinaWebsite: https://www.pplp.info
