Corsair TX 750W V2 Power Supply Review

1. Introduction2. Corsair TX750W V23. Corsair TX750W V2 (Internal)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. Over the coming months this configuration is likely to be adjusted further and fine tuned. Ambient room temperatures are kept to a ‘real world’ realistic condition of 23c with air conditioning.

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
75W	1.22	3.35	1.19	5.12	4.90	12.08	0.50	5.05	0.20	-12.07
150W	2.18	3.34	2.80	5.09	10.00	12.07	1.00	5.03	0.30	-12.08
375W	6.15	3.32	6.00	5.07	26.10	12.06	1.50	5.02	0.50	-12.09
565W	10.30	3.30	10.87	5.05	38.34	12.05	2.00	4.99	0.60	-12.12
750W	10.74	3.28	13.86	5.04	53.51	12.02	3.00	4.97	0.80	-12.12

The TX750 delivered excellent load regulation on all output channels across a wide range of loads. These are great results and the +3.3V and 5V rails remained firmly within +/-2% of the nominal voltage instead of the recommended +/-5% and the +12V rail held within +/- 1%, even when it was forced to deliver over 53 Amps.

Corsair TX750	Maximum Load
	834.9W

We managed to reach around 835W before the TX750 V2 would shut down gracefully.

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
734W	1.0	3.33	1.0	5.05	60.0	11.97	0.2	-12.04	0.50	5.00
154W	15.0	3.27	15.0	4.97	2.0	12.05	0.2	-12.07	0.50	5.02

Much like the TX850 V2, the fluctuation is held safely within the rated parameters, even when we load the 12V line with 60A.

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
75W	5	5	10	5
150W	5	10	15	10
375W	10	10	25	10
565W	10	15	30	15
750W	15	15	35	15

Ripple results are very impressive, across the board. The 12V rail registered around 35 mV at full load with our equipment, which is well within the Tolerance guidelines.

Efficiency (%)
75W	83.43
150W	86.57
375W	87.45
565W	85.13
750W	84.21

For a 80 Plus Bronze specified unit, these results are very strong, showing a maximum efficiency rating of 87.45. At maximum load this drops to around 84.67%, which is again, a great result.

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 Corsair 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 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)
75W	28.6
150W	29.3
375W	31.3
565W	36.2
750W	40.1

Noise levels are low, with the system only becoming audible in the final 25% of output. Under 450W load it would be hard to know the unit was actually on.

Temperature (c)
	Intake	Exhaust
75W	35	37
150W	36	39
375W	39	45
565W	42	51
750W	44	54

Exhaust temperatures are good, rising to a 10c above ambient result at full load. The 140mm fan works hard in the last 15-20% of output, but the temperatures are fairly well maintained.

Maximum load	Efficiency
834.9W	80.8

For those interested, we measured efficiency when stressing the unit to breaking point. Over 80.8% at 835W … hardly practical, but interesting regardless.

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