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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Patrick Wolf - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
Agreed on power savings not being worth it. But if Platinum gives you a cooler running (less heat inside the case) and mostly silent (cause the fan stays off most of the time) power supply, then to some those are very compelling reasons to pay the premium.Makaveli - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
Agree Patrick,This is the same reason I chose the 750AX over this model the fan being off at low load makes the system so quiet it was worth it.
erple2 - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
I don't know if Platinum could give you all that much in the way of a cooler case - it would, however, give you a cooler power supply. Modern PSU design has air from the case passing through the PSU and out the back of the PC.it doesn't matter (at least not at the differences between Platinum through 80+) whether the PSU really gets any warmer to the temps in the rest of the case, as it's all downstream of the airflow in the case, unless you reverse the fan direction to blow air into the case.
MeanBruce - Friday, May 20, 2011 - link
I have heard the Platinum rating would be 92% efficiency at 50%load. Also heard that it would be 90% at 20, 50 and 80% loads, so not sure which standard was decided upon. I have the Corsair AX850 Gold and the fan never spins up during idle and running office apps, even if you put a game on the Sanyo Denki fan is so quiet it must be 10 or 12db in the silent mode. Above 50% load only then does the fan speed increase to an audible level. Another great feature of both the AX750 and AX850 is that the internal heat sinks are bonded to the exterior housing, allowing the metal psu chassis to also dissipate the heat produced and allowing the fan to remain off. And going a bit further, when I mounted the AX850 in my new Corsair 650D the metal rear and side panels surrounding the PSU become warm over extended use, so the 650D chassis also acts as a heat sink, Corsair is Brilliant!;)casteve - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
Thanks for the review, Martin.What was the ambient SPL at the time of the test (and could you please include it with future PSU testing)? As is, we don't have a point of reference. The room could be 25dBA ambient and the PSU is lost in the background...the room could be an anechoic chamber with 11dBA ambient, making the PSU a vacuum cleaner.
Martin Kaffei - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
Your request will be taken into account. I can't say how much dB, but we are starting from 16 dBA when a PSU is turned off. The dB(A) measurements are an instrument to show the difference to the competitors and of course to underline the subjective results. Latter one depends on the frequency, side noises (usually at a low frequency which is why db(A) is not always the best solution here) and the guy who is testing. :)When I write the PSU is "relatively loud" e.g. it's a subjective opionen that the PSU is audible for me. So you can be shure it's louder than other sources of noise in the room.
Lithium466 - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
"Corsair uses a 140mm fan from Young Lin with a ball bearing. The product number is D14BH-12 and it takes 0.70A."=> Yate loon fan, not Young lin.
Martin Kaffei - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
thanksmepenete - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
I've had excellent luck with Corsair powersupplies, even the lower end budget ones. I was really surprised after only knowing Corsair for memory but they make good products. Glad to see they're staying up that high standardcelestialgrave - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - link
What ever happened to measure the exhaust heat like a couple of years ago?