Corsair TX750 V2: New and Improved
by Martin Kaffei on May 16, 2011 6:55 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Corsair
- PSUs
- 80Plus Bronze
- 750W
- TX V2
A Good Buy, But Not a Single-Rail PSU
Looking at our measurements, we see that this is a very well-regulated PSU with moderate ripple and noise results and a strong (but noisy) fan. Comparing the ratings on the label with reality, we have to mention the wrong documentation for the +12V rail; this is in fact a multi-rail design. There are two different solder points and there is no direct connection between those rails. Sometimes there is a big wire on the back of the PCB to create a single-rail where multi-rails was planned, but we can find nothing to suggest that is present. Thus, Corsair has two rails, just like the original S12D design that serves as the basis for this PSU.
The package includes all the important accessories for installation and a user guide. Like the previously tested Antec HCG 750W, the Corsair TX V2 750W uses fixed cables. All the cables have lengths of 60cm or more, so this PSU will work well in larger cases. It includes four 6/8-pin PCIe connectors and 16 peripheral connectors (8 SATA + 8 Molex), plus an FDD adapter (15cm). The black cable sleeving is better than the cheaper version where you still can see every single cable. Moreover it looks very nice and fits with the black finish of the case.
Internally, Corsair implemented a well-equipped filtering stage against emission from the conductors. Furthermore, the case has a good shielding. Corsair uses well chosen capacitors from Nippon Chemi-Con and Rubycon. There is a lot of glue inside, but glue is a good and cheap solution for stabilizing components. The PSU has active PFC, all the important safety functions, and not least DC-to-DC VRM with all solid capacitors. All other parts have components from reliable sources.
The TX750 doesn't need active rectifying with modern transistors to reach 80 Plus Bronze. Even so, the efficiency is relatively high with 76-86% at 115VAC and even better 81-88% with 230VAC. (If you only run at 20% loads or higher, minimum efficiency climbs to 83%/84% for 115VAC/230VAC.) Considering the good efficiency, the fan could be quieter, particularly at low loads. 24 dBA is too high for 10% load when other manufacturers are able to stay under 20dBA with low temperatures.
The Corsair TX V2 750W may not be the greatest in all areas, but it does have some advantages over the competition. The voltage regulation is excellent, with all rails starting at less than 1% overvoltage and landing very close to 0% at overload. The current online price of $105 ($95 after $10 mail-in rebate) makes the Corsair TX V2 750W affordable and puts it near the top of the "budget" 750W list, even with all the opponents it has to face. Antec's HCG 750W has great components and performance as well, but the price and ripple results are higher. The PC Power & Cooling Silencer 760W is another strong competitor, but the price is higher ($110 after rebate; $130 otherwise). The design is almost the same as well, since the PCP&C is identical to the older Seasonic S12D while Corsair is using the improved version.
Overall, the Corsair looks to be the best of the less expensive 750W PSU offerings right now, and it's a definite improvement over the original TX750. If you want to buy an 80 Plus Gold model with a good fan, the Corsair AX750 is still better, but you're looking at $160 for the slight improvement in results—definitely a case of diminishing returns. If 80 Plus Bronze certification is sufficient for your needs, and you don't mind the fixed cables, the TX750 V2 is a good buy. Let's hope Corsair can bring this quality into lower rated power supplies as well.
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32 Comments
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tomoyo - Monday, May 16, 2011 - link
It's definitely a pretty big improvement, this has been discussed on some other review sites such as jonnyguru. The TX750 v2 is a good seasonic design, the old TX750 is an older cwt design that was not a great performer. This is an awesome budget psu.JarredWalton - Monday, May 16, 2011 - link
I linked in our old TX750 review for comparison; this is a much improved product.Patrick Wolf - Monday, May 16, 2011 - link
So is this review suggesting that it not being a single rail as being a bad thing? Or just that it's specs are incorrect? I mean it's better this way. If it were single rail, the amperage on the +12V would be to high and OCP wouldn't be included, splitting the rails allows for this additional protection. Corsair shouldn't lie to the customer, but I understand why they would as most people still think single rail is superior. At least they're not claming it's multi-rail when the rails are actually combined.Martin Kaffei - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
Just the specs, basically there are no disadvantage for customers. Otherwise the conclusion would have been worse for Corsair. It's still a good PSU.Guspaz - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
No disadvantage, except that consumers now need to worry about balancing rails. Single-rail designs provide the huge benefit of obviating consumers of the need to worry about if they've put too much stuff on one rail instead of the other.Martin Kaffei - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
Nobody needs to worry about the loads. There are just as many connectors as a rail is able to provide. Even if Corsair wants to change something with the configuration the engineers take a look at it first before they sell a single product.erple2 - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
I think there's plenty of research that suggests that a high quality multi-rail PSU is just as good as a high quality single-rail PSU.There are a few exceptions where a single-rail PSU is "better", but that generally refers to instances where you are running a LOT of devices that feed off the 12V rail (10's of harddrives, fancy cooling, 3x+SLI or 3x+ CrossFire, etc).
The other part, however, (truth in advertising) is very important. If' it's a single rail PSU, advertise as such. If it's really a multi-rail PSU, advertise it as such.
Erbadios - Monday, May 16, 2011 - link
That is odd...My manual states that the version 2 of TX 650, 750 and 850 comes with a 140mm fan.
My TX650 v2 does seem to have a very large fan, but i didn't open it to acually check...
So far i like it a lot, it's somewhat quiet. I wonder if the 750TX differs a lot from the 650TX, though..
MeanBruce - Monday, May 16, 2011 - link
The smartest choice you can make is to just wait until this summer when the Corsair Professional Series Platinum debuts. Sure they cost more but well worth it over the 7year warranty period in energy savings alone!;)JarredWalton - Monday, May 16, 2011 - link
Just to do the math:Bronze vs. Platinum: 85% vs. 91% (give or take)
Assume an average daily load of 150W (idle most of the time), and we'll even let the system run 24/7. That works out to:
Bronze: 1547 KWh per year
Platinum: 1429 KWh per year
Assuming $0.10 per KWh, you would save $11.80 per year.
If you actually leave your PC on 24/7 and draw 150W or more, I suppose it could be worthwhile to upgrade to Platinum. Realistically, though, I think Bronze/Silver is more than sufficient. Just my opinion, though.