Corsair TX850w ATX PSU
Simulated Load Testing
Published: 18th February 2009 | Source: Corsair | Price: £114.99 |
To provide our readers with the most accurate results, Overclock3D uses a professional grade SunMoon SM-268+ ATE load tester capable of placing a sustained load of 1690w across a total of six rails (including +5vsb and -12v) on the PSU. Unlike our previous resistor-based load tester, the SM-268+ gives us the ability to adjust amperage loads in increments as small as 0.01A while also measuring voltages and wattage readings on-screen.
During today's tests, we will be placing the TX850 under 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% load levels at both room temperature and inside a hot box regulated to a temperature of 45-55°C. Additional cross load tests will also be performed under these conditions to simulate how the PSU would perform with a heavily uneven distribution of load.
Corsair TX850 SM-268+ Results @ Room Temp | ||||||||||
| +3.3v | +5.0v | +12v1 | +12v2 | +5vSB | -12v | AC Watts / DC Watts | Efficiency | Intake / Exhaust | Δ Temp | |
| Test 1 (Low) | 3.75A | 3.75A | 14.50A | - | 0.75A | 0.20A | 244w / 213w | 87.29% | 26.5°C / 40.2°C | 13.7°C |
| 3.34v | 5.08v | 12.08v | - | 5.09v | -12.16v | |||||
| Test 2 (Med) | 7.50A | 7.50A | 19.00A | - | 1.5A | 0.40A | 480w / 429w | 89.37% | 26.7°C / 45.5°C | 18.8°C |
| 3.32v | 5.06v | 12.06v | - | 5.05v | -12.19v | |||||
| Test 3 (High) | 11.25A | 11.25A | 43.50A | - | 2.25A | 0.60A | 721w / 635w | 88.07% | 26.3°C / 46.2°C | 19.9°C |
| 3.30v | 5.04v | 12.04v | - | 5.00v | -12.22v | |||||
| Test 4 (Full) | 15.00A | 15.00A | 58.00A | - | 3.00A | 0.80A | 972w / 849w | 87.34% | 26.6°C / 52.2°C | 25.6°C |
| 3.27v | 5.03v | 12.01v | - | 4.97 | -12.25v | |||||
| Test 5 (x-load) | 20.00A | 20.00A | 1.00A | - | 0.75A | 0.20A | 207w / 182w | 87.92% | 26.4°C / 37.6°C | 11.2°C |
| 3.25v | 5.00v | 12.07v | - | 5.09v | -11.98v | |||||
| Test 6 (x-load) | 3.00A | 5.00A | 68.00A | - | 0.75A | 0.20A | 971w / 853w | 87.84% | 26.6°C / 48.6°C | 22.0°C |
| 3.29v | 5.03v | 12.02v | - | 5.05v | -13.80v | |||||
Starting off with the room temperature tests, the thing that immediately stands out in all the results is the 89.37% efficiency in Test 2. This is extremely impressive, especially considering the load level is close to what an average 'Gamers' PC is likely to utilise. Even at a low 213w load in Test 1, the unit still manages to give us 87.29% efficiency, lining the unit up for 80 PLUS Silver certification.
Voltage stability results are also extremely good across the board, with all rails staying above or extremely close to their ideal values (3.33v / 5.00v / 12.00v). Even in the gruesome cross load tests, the TX850 manages to keep all voltages fairly balanced and the only slight abnormality is on the -12v rail which shoots up to -13.80v in Test 6.
Interestingly, despite the high efficiency levels, the TX850 does run quite hot under load. In Test 4, the exhaust temperature hits 52.2°C - an increase of 25.6°C over the ambient/intake temperature, and similar results can also be seen in Test 6. In both of these tests, the 140mm fan did spin up significantly to combat the heat, making the unit rather noisy; however, in all other tests the fan remained at a fairly low and almost inaudible level.
Corsair TX850 SM-268+ Results @ 45-55°C | ||||||||||
| +3.3v | +5.0v | +12v1 | +12v2 | +5vSB | -12v | AC Watts / DC Watts | Efficiency | Intake / Exhaust | Δ Temp | |
| Test 1 (Low) | 3.75A | 3.75A | 14.50A | - | 0.75A | 0.20A | 244w / 213w | 87.29% | 47.4°C / 53.7°C | 6.3°C |
| 3.34v | 5.08v | 12.07v | - | 5.09v | 12.16v | |||||
| Test 2 (Med) | 7.50A | 7.50A | 19.00A | - | 1.5A | 0.40A | 485w / 429w | 88.45% | 48.9°C / 61.3°C | 12.4°C |
| 3.31v | 5.07v | 12.05v | - | 5.05v | 12.20v | |||||
| Test 3 (High) | 11.25A | 11.25A | 43.50A | - | 2.25A | 0.60A | 726w / 635w | 87.46% | 45.3°C / 62.0°C | 16.7°C |
| 3.29v | 5.02v | 12.02v | - | 4.99v | 12.24v | |||||
| Test 4 (Full) | 15.00A | 15.00A | 58.00A | - | 3.00A | 0.80A | 979w / 849w | 86.72% | 46.5°C / 66.3°C | 19.8°C |
| 3.27v | 5.00v | 11.99v | - | 4.97v | 12.27v | |||||
| Test 5 (x-load) | 20.00A | 20.00A | 1.00A | - | 0.75A | 0.20A | 209w / 182w | 87.08% | 53.3°C / 58.4°C | 5.1°C |
| 3.25v | 4.98v | 12.06v | - | 5.10v | 11.98v | |||||
| Test 6 (x-load) | 3.00A | 5.00A | 68.00A | - | 0.75A | 0.20A | 979w / 854w | 87.23% | 50.1°C / 68.8°C | 18.7°C |
| 3.30v | 5.02v | 11.97v | - | 5.05v | 13.9v | |||||
Moving on to the hot box testing, which normally separates the men from the boys, we installed the TX850 inside an ATX case fitted with a 300w ceramic heating element, fans to circulate the heat and an industrial temperature controller. The average temperature inside the box is around 50°C, although as our setup is hardly lab grade, a deviation of 5°C in either direction is fairly normal.
The results are pretty amazing in all honesty, with very little difference in efficiency or voltage stability when running with an ambient temperature of up to 53.3°C. The fan inside the unit understandably goes into turbo mode in pretty much all of the tests and even manages to get itself heard above the noisy SM-268+ load tester, but we can forgive it for this considering it's highly unlikely to ever find itself under this kind of stress in a real world scenario.
Most Recent Comments
Very nice, makes me want to buy one now.
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Originally Posted by name='TonyG'
Very nice, makes me want to buy one now.
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Totally agree with you Jim.
Nice review. Just like you, I think it needs to come in a modular version too. 
I was gonna get the 1100W version but I settled for the Silverstone NV1000, maybe in my next build
Great review mate!
Great review mate!
Woahh 87% efficiency all the way 
Very nice unit and review.
I have buitl a rig with the TX750w in it and I can tell it isn't that hard to manage the cables, which were similar in amount. You just need to make sure you have a case with good cable management options (I had the CM centurion 590, not really great) and you have a lot of duct tape / tie wraps lying around. Oh and reserve an hour or two
Very nice unit and review.I have buitl a rig with the TX750w in it and I can tell it isn't that hard to manage the cables, which were similar in amount. You just need to make sure you have a case with good cable management options (I had the CM centurion 590, not really great) and you have a lot of duct tape / tie wraps lying around. Oh and reserve an hour or two
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Originally Posted by name='monkey7'
Woahh 87% efficiency all the way
Very nice unit and review. |
no mention of "the box smells lovely so much that i might just wear it instead of perfume"
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Originally Posted by name='kataras'
no mention of "the box smells lovely so much that i might just wear it instead of perfume"
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"Upon opening the box I was greeted by the usual intoxicating Corsair PSU smell, and decided to take a break from reviewing for a few minutes to relax."
Corsair may well be the most consistent PSU manufacturer these days, so a good result is hardly surprising but nice to see.
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Originally Posted by name='Kerotan'
Haha was about to say, could of slotted in a cheeky line:
"Upon opening the box I was greeted by the usual intoxicating Corsair PSU smell, and decided to take a break from reviewing for a few minutes to relax." |
Come to think about it...maybe I should re-test it with a gas mask on. That seductive smell, it's beautiful dark skin...oohohoo *tingles down spine*
*AHEM*
i got this one at home.
an awsome product, and you are all so right about the smell, its lovely
an awsome product, and you are all so right about the smell, its lovely
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Originally Posted by name='Robert'
i got this one at home.
an awsome product, and you are all so right about the smell, its lovely |
Rethinking about this... I'd love to bash a corsair PSU and see you eating your pants ^^
I guess everyone who's ever unpacked a corsair agrees on the smell
I guess everyone who's ever unpacked a corsair agrees on the smell
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Originally Posted by name='monkey7'
Rethinking about this... I'd love to bash a corsair PSU and see you eating your pants ^^
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We'd certainly get a lot of viewers at that moment
Ha ha Kataras, your sig is wicked... So true.
Wow what an excellent performer, and I do agree on the need for a modular version
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Corsair TX850w ATX PSU