Corsair CX600M Review
Category : PSUs
Published by Lukas Mühle on 02.04.13
With the CX600M Corsair offers a 600W PSU, which is based on a Channel Well Technology (CWT) design and comes with an 80 Plus Bronze certificate. Looking at the efficiency one might winkle it's nose, but taking a closer look at the price shows that this product might be quite a compelling offer.



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On the following pages we will show you the strengths and weaknesses of Corsair CX600M.

Page 1 - Introduction Page 6 - Performance 50 % load
Page 2 - Preview Page 7 - Performance 100 % load
Page 3 - Delivery/Specs Page 8 - Average Values
Page 4 - Test setup Page 9 - Input/Output Power and Efficiency
Page 5 - Performance 20 % load Page 10 - Result Analysis and Discussion
Page 11 - Conclusion



Discuss this article in our forums. [pagebreak]

Preview

   


   


   


   



Page 1 - Introduction Page 6 - Performance 50 % load
Page 2 - Preview Page 7 - Performance 100 % load
Page 3 - Delivery/Specs Page 8 - Average Values
Page 4 - Test setup Page 9 - Input/Output Power and Efficiency
Page 5 - Performance 20 % load Page 10 - Result Analysis and Discussion
Page 11 - Conclusion



Discuss this article in our forums. [pagebreak]

Delivery and Specifications

Delivery

Cable Length
1 x ATX 20+4 pin 60 cm
1 x EPS/ATX 12V 4+4 pin 65 cm
2 x PCI-E 6+2 pin 75 cm
2 x 3 SATA 64 cm
1 x 4 Molex + 1 Floppy 88 cm



For a power supply that offers 600 Watts of continuous output power the number of connectors is ok. However we would like to see two additional 6+2Pin connectors, since this PSU could already be used for low end SLI setups.



Specifications

Voltage Current Power
+ 3.3 V 25 A 130 Watt 600 Watt (Total)
+ 5.0 V 25 A
+ 12 V1 46 A 552 Watt
- 12 V 0.8 A 9.6 Watt
+ 5 Vsb 3 A 15 Watt


The CX600M has been 80Plus Bronze certified, which means that this PSU is able to reach a maximum efficiency above 82 percent at 20% Load, 85% at 50% Load and 82% at 100% Load. Furthermore this PSU complies with ErP guidelines (Energy Rated Product) and therefore it consumes less than 1 Watt when an attached system is powered off or in standby. Following we show you the feature list:



Corsair's CX600M is based on a CWT OEM design. The first hint for a high-quality power supply you can get from the transient filtering stage. It is recommended to use two ferrite coils, two ceramic capacitors (Y caps), one metalized polyester cap (X cap), one metal oxide varistor (MOV) and eventually a Fuse. If you have a very low-end PSU in front of you, you'll see that the MOV and the first ferrite coil are missing. A closer look at the CX600M reveals that it has been built according to the recommendations we've just mentioned including the Fuse.

On the primary side you find a GBU1006 rectifier. Right next to the rectifier you can find a PCB housing the CM6800. The CM6800 controls the PFC Booster and the Push-Pull converter. This PSU has a Push-Pull topology using two Mosfets and two Diodes according to the following primary sided principle: link
This is an old school standard topology; simple and proven, but it won't achieve new efficiency records. Because this topology requires hard switching from the Mosfets (Switching Mosfets under voltage and current generates losses) this topology is more and more replaced in the PC PSU market by resonant topologies. The transformer has on the secondary side two coils one for 12V and one for 5V. 3.3V is generated from the 5V Coil. This is the classic old PSU topology.

The APFC Capacitor with 270uF at 400V and 85°C from Panasonic is of much higher quality than the Chinese SAMXON which can be fround in the CX430. The PFC Booster uses a STTH8S06 Ultrafast recovery diode. This is ok for a PSU in this price range; SiC Diodes are still quite expensive. The Push-Pull uses STW14NM50 (550V 320mOhm) Mosfets. For rectifying 12V four PFR40V60CT (2x20A, 60V, 0.51Vdrop) Schottky diodes are used. Regarding the rectificaton of 5V two STPS3045 (2x15A, 45V, 0.63Vdrop) are used. The Output filter Capacitors are from CapXon. 105°C is written on them.

The OCP, UVP, OVP is done by a PS229.

   



Page 1 - Introduction Page 6 - Performance 50 % load
Page 2 - Preview Page 7 - Performance 100 % load
Page 3 - Delivery/Specs Page 8 - Average Values
Page 4 - Test setup Page 9 - Input/Output Power and Efficiency
Page 5 - Performance 20 % load Page 10 - Result Analysis and Discussion
Page 11 - Conclusion



Discuss this article in our forums. [pagebreak]

Test setup


Regarding the power supply tests we refer to 80Plus.org. The guys over there do the certification of the power supplies. Behind 80Plus.org there is a company called Ecova Plug Load Solutions, which own professional testing equiment for internal power supplies, such as a Chroma 6000 ATE. With the system power supplies can be tested under standard conditions, which means that at the end of the day one gets comparable data.

Generally speaking the there are three different tests. First of all Plug Load Solutions goes for 20 percent load on the power supply. At this point they measure input and output power and calculate the efficiency as a result. Furthermore they monitor the different voltages - +12V, -12V, 3.3V, 5V and 5Vsb. With these values taken one can see whether the power supply complies with a five or a ten percent deviation standard. After that they do also keep an eye on power factor correction, concerning which 1 is the ideal value.

In case somebody is looking for further information on how 80Plus.org conducts it tests, then we can recommend the following PDF.


Page 1 - Introduction Page 6 - Performance 50 % load
Page 2 - Preview Page 7 - Performance 100 % load
Page 3 - Delivery/Specs Page 8 - Average Values
Page 4 - Test setup Page 9 - Input/Output Power and Efficiency
Page 5 - Performance 20 % load Page 10 - Result Analysis and Discussion
Page 11 - Conclusion



Discuss this article in our forums. [pagebreak]

Performance values at 20 percent load

12 V 20 percent load

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 12.1 Volt + 0.83 % audible 89.15 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 12.1 Volt + 0.83 % inaudible 89.37 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 12.0 Volt + 0.00 % inaudible 91.62 %
Corsair CX430 12.0 Volt + 0.00 % silent 82.50 %
Corsair CX600M 12.042 Volt + 0.35 % very silent 85.028 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt - EPM1000EWT 12.2 Volt + 1.66 % silent 91.51 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 12.4 Volt + 3.33 % inaudible 91.91 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 12.4 Volt + 3.33 % audible 87.47 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt - SS-1000XP 12.2 Volt + 1.66 % inaudible 91.51 %


5 V 20 percent load

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 5.0 Volt 0.00 % audible 89.15 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 5.0 Volt 0.00 % inaudible 89.37 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 5.0 Volt 0.00 % inaudible 91.62 %
Corsair CX430 5.1 Volt + 2.00 % silent 82.50 %
Corsair CX600M 5.073 Volt + 1.46 % very silent 85.028 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt EPM1000EWT 5.1 Volt + 2.00 % silent 91.51 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 5.2 Volt + 4.00 % inaudible 91.91 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 5.1 Volt + 2.00 % audible 87.47 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt SS-1000XP 5.0 Volt 0.00 % inaudible 91.51 %


3.3 V 20 percent load

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 3.3 Volt 0.00 % audible 89.15 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 3.4 Volt + 3.03 % inaudible 89.37 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 3.3 Volt 0.00 % inaudible 91.62 %
Corsair CX430 3.3 Volt 0.00 % silent 82.50 %
Corsair CX600M 3.322 Volt + 0.66 % very silent 85.028 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt EPM1000EWT 3.3 Volt 0.00 % silent 91.51 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 3.2 Volt - 3.03 % inaudible 91.91 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 3.3 Volt 0.00 % audible 87.47 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt SS-1000XP 3.4 Volt + 3.03 % inaudible 91.51 %


Page 1 - Introduction Page 6 - Performance 50 % load
Page 2 - Preview Page 7 - Performance 100 % load
Page 3 - Delivery/Specs Page 8 - Average Values
Page 4 - Test setup Page 9 - Input/Output Power and Efficiency
Page 5 - Performance 20 % load Page 10 - Result Analysis and Discussion
Page 11 - Conclusion



Discuss this article in our forums. [pagebreak]

Performance values at 50 percent load

12 V 50 percent load

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 12.1 Volt + 0.83 % audible 90.97 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 12.0 Volt 0.00 % silent 91.14 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 12.0 Volt 0.00 % very silent 92.75 %
Corsair CX430 12.0 Volt + 0.00 % silent 85.74 %
Corsair CX600M 11.990 Volt - 0.08 % silent 86.39 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt EPM1000EWT 12.2 Volt + 1.66 % silent 92.94 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 12.1 Volt + 0.83 % silent 92.66 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 12.3 Volt + 2.50 % audible 90.36 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt SS-1000XP 12.2 Volt + 1.66 % very silent 92.54 %


5 V 50 percent load

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 5.0 Volt 0.00 % audible 90.97 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 5.0 Volt 0.00 % silent 91.14 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 4.9 Volt - 2.00 % very silent 92.75 %
Corsair CX430 5.1 Volt + 2.00 % silent 85.74 %
Corsair CX600M 5.03 Volt + 0.60 % silent 86.39 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt EPM1000EWT 5.1 Volt + 2.00 % silent 92.94 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 5.2 Volt + 4.00 % silent 92.66 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 5.1 Volt + 2.00 % audible 90.36 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt SS-1000XP 5.0 Volt 0.00 % very silent 92.54 %


3.3 V 50 percent load

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 3.3 Volt 0.00 % audible 90.97 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 3.4 Volt + 3.03 % silent 91.14 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 3.3 Volt 0.00 % very silent 92.75 %
Corsair CX430 3.3 Volt 0.00 % silent 85.74 %
Corsair CX600M 3.295 Volt - 0.15 % silent 86.39 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt EPM1000EWT 3.3 Volt 0.00 % silent 92.94 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 3.4 Volt + 3.03 % silent 92.66 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 3.3 Volt 0.00 % audible 90.36 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt SS-1000XP 3.4 Volt + 3.03 % very silent 92.54 %


Page 1 - Introduction Page 6 - Performance 50 % load
Page 2 - Preview Page 7 - Performance 100 % load
Page 3 - Delivery/Specs Page 8 - Average Values
Page 4 - Test setup Page 9 - Input/Output Power and Efficiency
Page 5 - Performance 20 % load Page 10 - Result Analysis and Discussion
Page 11 - Conclusion



Discuss this article in our forums. [pagebreak]

Performance values at 100 percent load

12 V 100 percent load

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 12.1 Volt + 0.83 % very noisy 88.56 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 12.0 Volt 0.00 % silent 88.50 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 11.9 Volt - 0.83 % silent 90.63 %
Corsair CX430 12.0 Volt 0.00 % audible 83.50 %
Corsair CX600M 11.87 Volt - 1.095 % audible 82.27 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt EPM1000EWT 12.1 Volt + 0.83 % noisy 90.04 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 12.0 Volt 0.00 % audible 90.33 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 12.3 Volt + 2.50 % noisy 88.62 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt SS-1000XP 12.1 Volt + 0.83 % silent 89.67 %


5 V 100 percent load

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 5.0 Volt 0.00 % very noisy 88.56 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 5.0 Volt 0.00 % silent 88.50 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 4.9 Volt - 2.00 % silent 90.63 %
Corsair CX430 5.1 Volt + 2.00 % audible 83.50 %
Corsair CX600M 4.965 Volt - 0.70 % audible 82.27 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt EPM1000EWT 5.0 Volt 0.00 % noisy 90.04 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 5.1 Volt + 2.00 % audible 90.33 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 5.0 Volt 0.00 % noisy 88.62 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt SS-1000XP 5.0 Volt 0.00 % silent 89.67 %


3.3 V 100 percent load

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 3.3 Volt 0.00 % very noisy 88.56 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 3.3 Volt 0.00 % silent 88.50 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 3.2 Volt - 3.03 % silent 90.63 %
Corsair CX430 3.3 Volt - 0.00 % audible 83.50 %
Corsair CX600M 3.25 Volt - 1.54 % audible 82.27 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt EPM1000EWT 3.3 Volt 0.00 % noisy 90.04 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 3.4 Volt + 3.03 % audible 90.33 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 3.3 Volt 0.00 % noisy 88.62 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt SS-1000XP 3.4 Volt + 3.03 % silent 89.67 %


Page 1 - Introduction Page 6 - Performance 50 % load
Page 2 - Preview Page 7 - Performance 100 % load
Page 3 - Delivery/Specs Page 8 - Average Values
Page 4 - Test setup Page 9 - Input/Output Power and Efficiency
Page 5 - Performance 20 % load Page 10 - Result Analysis and Discussion
Page 11 - Conclusion



Discuss this article in our forums. [pagebreak]

Average Values

12 V

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 12.10 Volt + 0.83 % audible 88.82 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 12.03 Volt + 0.27 % silent 91.14 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 11.97 Volt - 0.27 % silent 91.67 %
Corsair CX430 12.00 Volt + 0.00 % silent 83.91 %
Corsair CX600M 11.967 Volt - 0.276 % silent 84.56 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt - EPM1000EWT 12.17 Volt + 1.39 % silent 91.50 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 12.07 Volt + 0.55 % silent 91.63 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 12.33 Volt + 2.78 % audible 88.82 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt - SS-1000XP 12.17 Volt + 1.39 % very silent 91.24 %


5 V

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 5.00 Volt 0.00 % audible 88.82 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 5.00 Volt 0.00 % silent 91.14 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 4.93 Volt - 1.33 % silent 91.67 %
Corsair CX430 5.10 Volt + 2.00 % silent 83.91 %
Corsair CX600M 5.022 Volt + 0.45 % silent 84.56 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt EPM1000EWT 5.07 Volt + 1.33 % silent 91.50 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 5.17 Volt + 3.33 % silent 91.63 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 5.07 Volt + 1.33 % audible 88.82 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt SS-1000XP 5.00 Volt 0.00 % very silent 91.24 %


3.3 V

Product Voltage Deviation Noise Efficiency
Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold - RS-A00-80GS-D3 3.30 Volt 0.00 % audible 88.82 %
Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850 Watt 3.36 Volt + 2.02 % silent 91.14 %
Corsair AX1200i 1200 Watt 3.27 Volt - 1.01 % silent 91.67 %
Corsair CX430 3.30 Volt 0.00 % silent 83.91 %
Corsair CX600M 3.289 Volt - 0.33 % silent 84.56 %
Enermax Platimax 1000 Watt EPM1000EWT 3.30 Volt 0.00 % silent 91.50 %
OCZ Silencer MK III 1200 Watt 3.33 Volt + 1.01 % silent 91.63 %
OCZ ZX Series Gold 1000 Watt - ZX1000W 3.3 Volt 0.00 % audible 88.82 %
Seasonic Platinum 1000 Watt SS-1000XP 3.4 Volt + 3.03 % very silent 91.24 %


Page 1 - Introduction Page 6 - Performance 50 % load
Page 2 - Preview Page 7 - Performance 100 % load
Page 3 - Delivery/Specs Page 8 - Average Values
Page 4 - Test setup Page 9 - Input/Output Power and Efficiency
Page 5 - Performance 20 % load Page 10 - Result Analysis and Discussion
Page 11 - Conclusion



Discuss this article in our forums. [pagebreak]

Input/Output Power and Efficiency







Page 1 - Introduction Page 6 - Performance 50 % load
Page 2 - Preview Page 7 - Performance 100 % load
Page 3 - Delivery/Specs Page 8 - Average Values
Page 4 - Test setup Page 9 - Input/Output Power and Efficiency
Page 5 - Performance 20 % load Page 10 - Result Analysis and Discussion
Page 11 - Conclusion



Discuss this article in our forums. [pagebreak]

Result Analysis and Discussion


Efficiency 115V

Load Efficiency
20 % 85.028 %
50 % 86.391 %
100 % 82.274 %


The Bronze Energy certification requirements (82% - 85% - 82%) are surpassed especially at 20% Load. The efficiency under full load is a bit higher at 230V AC. This is the case with most PSU's and mainly comes from the fact that there are lower losses in the AC filtering and in the PFC at 230V AC. Unfortunately this 80Plus test report does not contain information about the 230V efficiency. The 230V AC 100% Load efficiency is to be expected between 83.0 and 84.5%.

Noise/Ripple 264V 63Hz 100% Load

3.3V 15mV
5V 15mV
12V 41mV


The Noise/Ripple results are quite remarkable. (Norm Limits 50mV at 3.3 and 5V and 120mV at 12V). An advantage of this PSU Topology compared to resonant Topologies (these are often used in 80Plus Gold/Platinum PSU's because of their higher efficiency) is a reduced need for output filtering.
Due to the usage of high quality capacitors in the high end PSU's, they're able to achieve better results in this discipline. (For comparison: The Corsair AX1200i has a 12V Ripple/Noise of only 10mV at full Load! (5 and 3.3V noise 5mV))

Output Stability

Load Rail Loading(A) Output
20 % 5V 2.660 5.073
3.3V 2.660 3.322
12V1 7.800 12.042
5VSB 0.510 4.988
 
50 % 5V 6.650 5.030
3.3V 6.650 3.295
12V1 19.55 11.990
5VSB 1.270 4.950
 
100 % 5V 13.30 4.965
3.3V 13.30 3.250
12V1 39.05 11.870
5VSB 2.55 4.883


The stability of the output voltages and the outcome of the crossload tests (results not shown here) are not perfect but still with margin within the norms and absolutely satisfactory (especially when you consider the Topology used in this PSU).


Page 1 - Introduction Page 6 - Performance 50 % load
Page 2 - Preview Page 7 - Performance 100 % load
Page 3 - Delivery/Specs Page 8 - Average Values
Page 4 - Test setup Page 9 - Input/Output Power and Efficiency
Page 5 - Performance 20 % load Page 10 - Result Analysis and Discussion
Page 11 - Conclusion



Discuss this article in our forums. [pagebreak]

Conclusion


With the CX600M Corsair offers a good PSU. The low Price of just about CHF 75.- (est. EUR 63.-) makes it attractive for low-end and mid-rang gaming PC's. Another interesting application are home servers. However, we recomend a PSU with higher efficiency for this purpose because of the noise, the heat, the higer electricity usage and the HDD connectors might be an issue. Another advantage is the small size of the PSU. Especially people who want to build miniITX gaming rigs will like the formfactor of this PSU. In such a setup the PSU fan is often used to help cooling the interior. Therefore the higher rotation speed is advantageous although the noiselevel that comes with it could be lower. The fan itself can be considered as quite silent over a wide power range. When you give full load to the PSU the fan becomes well audible.
Also, we would have liked to have two additional PCI-Express 6+2Pin connectors since this PSU could feed a dual GPU setup.

Corsair put a nice and decent design in place and also the manufacturing quality is on a decent level. The parts, which are used to build this unit in are quite good, if you keep their low price in mind. Because of the use of some Chinese capacitors we however do not recommend this device for applications which require high reliability or an extremely long lifespan.
The Corsair CX600M receives good 3.5 out of 5 stars.



Page 1 - Introduction Page 6 - Performance 50 % load
Page 2 - Preview Page 7 - Performance 100 % load
Page 3 - Delivery/Specs Page 8 - Average Values
Page 4 - Test setup Page 9 - Input/Output Power and Efficiency
Page 5 - Performance 20 % load Page 10 - Result Analysis and Discussion
Page 11 - Conclusion



Discuss this article in our forums.

Author: JAVASCRIPT l.muehle@ocaholic.ch