X-bit labs

ATX Power Supply Units Roundup. Part IX (page 3)

Category: Other

by Oleg Artamonov

[ 03/28/2008 | 02:47 PM ]

Corsair CMPSU-750TX (750W)

Over a year ago we tested a Corsair PSU with a somewhat lower wattage rating. That was the CMPSU-620HX model and it left a very nice impression then. Corsair doesn’t produce PSUs itself, though. The company ordered the CMPSU-620HX from Seasonic while the CMPSU-750TX model we are going to discuss today is manufactured at Channel Well (CWT) facilities.

The PSU comes in a black-and-orange box whose label announces a 5-year warranty. This may be the decisive factor for some users’ shopping decision – you are sure to have heard stories about power supplies failing after two or three years of work. The sticker and the warranty refer to the American market only, though. The warranty term may differ in your location.

There is a nice surprise waiting inside the box: the PSU is stored in a black velvet pouch rather than in a plastic bag. Well, it’s nice indeed, but there’s no practical value from it.

The PSU is somewhat longer than the standard ATX power supply. Its case is painted a matte black.

It’s clear the case could have been shorter if it were not for the 14cm fan: there is enough of free space between the rear panel and the PCB. On the other hand, this space can be used for a PCB with connectors if Corsair decides to release a detachable-cable version of this PSU.

The CMPSU-750TX features active PFC and dedicated voltage regulation. These technologies have become a de facto standard in modern top-class PSUs. The load-bearing elements are distributed among three heatsinks that are painted black (this is only done for aesthetic purposes: the color of the heatsink has no effect on the heat-transfer efficiency of active cooling).

The PSU is equipped with a 140x140x25mm fan (Yate Loon D14BH-12). According to the manufacturer’s website, its rated speed is 2800rpm. The real speed of the fan in this PSU will be measured below.

The number in the PSU name coincides with its maximum continuous output power – 750W. It can yield up to 720W across its +12V power rail (which is “monolithic”, i.e. not split into multiple output lines).

The PSU offers the following cables and connectors:

• Mainboard cable with a 20+4-pin connector (58cm long)
• CPU cable with a 4+4-pin connector (61cm)
• Four graphics card cables with one 6+2-pin plug on each (60cm)
• Two cables with four Molex connectors and one floppy-drive plug on each (40+14+14+14+14cm)
• Two cables with four SATA power connectors on each (40+15+15+15cm)

That’s a good selection of connectors. There’s everything you may ever want from your PSU.