Corsair CX430 V2 430W Power Supply Review

1. Introduction2. Corsair CX430 V2 430W (Bundle & Exterior)3. Corsair CX430 V2 430W (Interior)4. Testing Methodology and Results5. Closing Thoughts6. View All Pages

Additional technical assistance: Peter McFarland and Jeremy Price.

Correctly testing power supplies is a complex procedure and KitGuru have configured a test bench which can deliver up to a 2,000 watt DC load. Due to public requests we have changed our temperature settings recently – previously we rated with ambient temperatures at 25C, we have increased ambient temperatures by 10c (to 35c) in our environment to greater reflect warmer internal chassis conditions.

We use combinations of the following hardware:
• SunMoon SM-268
• CSI3710A Programmable DC load (+3.3V and +5V outputs)
• CSI3711A Programmable DC load (+12V1, +12V2, +12V3, and +12V4)
• Extech Power Analyzer
• Extech MultiMaster MM570 digital multimeter
• SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa)
• Digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)

• Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA

DC Output Load Regulation
Combined DC Load	+3.3V		+5V		+12V		+5VSB		-12V
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
88W	2.11	3.29	1.98	5.04	5.93	11.98	1.28	5.01	0.20	-12.02
200W	5.92	3.24	4.89	5.01	12.07	11.94	1.28	5.02	0.25	-12.03
340W	9.62	3.21	8.82	4.99	23.21	11.82	1.28	5.00	0.30	-12.05
430W	9.61	3.19	8.85	4.97	30.12	11.78	1.28	4.98	0.40	-12.08

Corsair CX430 V2	Maximum Load
	522W

We wrestled 522W from the unit before it would switch off. The overcircuit protection system worked fine and it shut off safely. A really good early indication of what is in store.

Next we want to try Cross Loading. This basically means loads which are not balanced. If a PC for instance needs 500W on the +12V outputs but something like 30W via the combined 3.3V and +5V outputs then the voltage regulation can fluctuate badly.

Cross Load Testing	+3.3V		+5V		+12V		-12V		+5VSB
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
385W	2.0	3.28	2.0	5.03	30.0	11.76	0.20	-12.08	0.50	4.95
170W	18.0	3.20	12.0	4.89	4.0	11.94	0.20	-12.06	0.50	5.01

The Corsair CX430 handled the Cross loading tests very well, maintaining steady results with minor fluctuation. All voltages remained within stated tolerances.

We then used an oscilloscope to measure AC ripple and noise present on the DC outputs. We set the oscilloscope time base to check for AC ripple at both high and low ends of the spectrum. ATX12V V2.2 specification for DC output ripple and noise is defined in the ATX 12V power supply design guide.

ATX12V Ver 2.2 Noise/Ripple Tolerance
Output	Ripple (mV p-p)
+3.3V	50
+5V	50
+12V1	120
+12V2	120
-12V	120
+5VSB	50

Obviously when measuring AC noise and ripple on the DC outputs the cleaner (less recorded) means we have a better end result. We measured this AC signal amplitude to see how closely the Corsair unit complied with the ATX standard.

AC Ripple (mV p-p)
DC Load	+3.3V	+5V	+12V	5VSB
88W	5	10	10	5
200W	10	10	15	10
340W	15	15	20	10
430W	15	15	25	15

Ripple results are well within the parameters set down in the ATX12V Ver 2.2 standard. +3.3V and +5V are extremely impressive and the +12V rail is also very stable, never exceeding 25mV.

Efficiency (%)
88W	81.68
200W	84.46
340W	82.45
430W	81.32

The CX 430 reaches almost 85% efficiency at 50 percent load, and this falls to just over 81% efficiency at full load. Good results for a 80 Plus certified product.

We take the issue of noise very seriously at KitGuru and this is why we have built a special home brew system as a reference point when we test noise levels of various components. Why do this? Well this means we can eliminate secondary noise pollution in the test room and concentrate on components we are testing. It also brings us slightly closer to industry standards, such as DIN 45635.

Today to test the Power Supply we have taken it into our acoustics room environment and have set our SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa) one meter away from the unit. We have no other fans running so we can effectively measure just the noise from the unit itself.

As this can be a little confusing for people, here are various dBa ratings in with real world situations to help describe the various levels.

KitGuru noise guide
10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refridgerator
50dBA – Normal Conversation
60dBA – Laughter
70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer
80dBA – City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal
90dBA – Motorcycle or Lawnmower
100dBA – MP3 Player at maximum output
110dBA – Orchestra
120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine
130dBA – Threshold of Pain
140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range)
160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum

Noise (dBA)
88W	28.5
200W	29.7
340W	31.3
430W	33.3

The CX430 is a quiet power supply which only becomes audible at around 75% load, and rises to just above 33 dBa when fully loaded. Under normal circumstances this power supply could be easily classed as almost silent.

Temperature (c)
	Intake	Exhaust
88W	35	37
200W	38	43
340W	42	49
430W	46	53

The large Yate Loon fan helps to generate high levels of airflow across the components inside the chassis, with a 7c above ambient intake registered at full load.

Maximum load	Efficiency
522W	79.2

Pushing the PSU above its rated limits generates an efficiency level of around 79.2%. This is not a viable ‘real world’ situation, but its interesting nonetheless.

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