Corsair Gaming Series GS800 800W Power Supply review

1. Introduction2. Corsair Gaming Series GS800 800W (Bundle & Cables)3. Corsair Gaming Series GS800 800W (Exterior)4. Corsair Gaming Series GS800 800W (Interior)5. Corsair Gaming Series GS800 800W (Super High Res Gallery)6. Testing Methodology & Results7. Closing Thoughts8. 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
• Extech digital sound level meter
• 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
100W	1.55	3.34	1.77	5.07	6.65	12.05	0.5	5.03	0.20	-12.06
200W	3.15	3.31	3.43	5.04	13.51	12.02	1.0	5.02	0.30	-12.08
400W	6.15	3.29	7.17	5.03	27.60	11.97	1.5	4.99	0.50	-12.10
600W	9.46	3.27	10.79	5.00	41.31	11.94	2.0	4.97	0.60	-12.10
800W	13.22	3.25	15.08	4.97	55.36	11.90	2.5	4.95	0.80	-12.13

The Corsair GS800 delivers acceptable results in the load regulation test. It does drop from 12.05 to 11.90V for example across the load range.

Corsair Gaming Series GS800 800W	Maximum Load
	854W

We managed to get the PSU to hit 854W before it would shut down. delivering around 54W more than the rated specifications.

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
760W	1.0	3.33	1.0	5.06	60.0	11.87	0.2	-12.08	0.50	5.01
165W	15.0	3.27	18.0	4.96	2.0	12.05	0.2	-12.09	0.50	5.01

Cross loading results are decent, however the +12V output dropped to 11.87 when hit with 60A. Not a problem under real world conditions, but repeatable with the equipment we use.

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 unit complied with the ATX standard.

AC Ripple (mV p-p)
DC Load	+3.3V	+5V	+12V	5VSB
100W	5	10	15	10
200W	10	10	15	10
400W	10	15	20	15
600W	10	20	30	15
800W	10	25	55	20

Noise suppression across the output falls well within the rated tolerance guidelines peaking at 55 mV on the +12V output. +3.3V peaks at 10 mV which is excellent and the +5V peaks at 25 mV.

These certainly aren't a class leading set of results, but the design is technically very capable.

Efficiency (%)
100W	80.78
200W	82.34
400W	85.74
600W	83.46
800W	82.56

The efficiency results are quite good for an 80 Plus Bronze Certified unit, peaking at 85.74% at 50% load. This drops to under 82.56% at full load.

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 Digital Sound Level Noise Decibel Meter Style 2 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 Refrigerator.
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)
100W	//
200W	//
400W	29.2
600W	32.9
800W	37.3

The large 140mm fan doesn't activate at all until around 25 percent of power is demanded. At 500W it spins up, emitting some noise although it is not noticeable, even from close distance.

The power supply is relatively quiet until the last 100W of load, when the fan spins up dramatically to compensate for rising temperatures. It isn't practical to be running this unit at 700-800W long term so we would realistically class the GS800 as very quiet.

Temperature (c)
	Intake	Exhaust
100W	36	40
200W	37	42
400W	38	45
600W	39	53
800W	44	58

The temperatures rise to 58C when fully loaded, or 14c above the ambient intake threshold.

Maximum load	Efficiency
854W	81.41%

For those interested, we measured efficiency when stressing the unit to breaking point. Almost 81.41% at 854 watts. Not realistic at all, but an interesting closing point.

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