[SOLVED] Is the Corsair CV650 a good PSU?

glowl · Jul 9, 2020

Hi, I bought a CV650 for 74€ (I’m in Italy) thinking it would be a good buy over the base model SV650 but now it looks like I should’ve spent more on a higher end PSU.
Here it’s difficult to find EVGA PSUs and I’ve seen Cooler Master PSUs straight up not recommended.
I read that the SV series was really bad but in theory the CV650 in particular should be a lot better thanks to the use of a DC-DC converter instead of the old group modulated SV.

I don’t understand well PSUs tech though, I thought that 80+ bronze and the big brand was already a good indicator.
Can someone that understands well PSUs explain to me if I’ll be fine with it (I have a 3600 and 2060s) or I should send it back and order a Corsair CX650w for 95€ (still non-modular) or a Corsair RMx 550w for 122€.

Is all this difference in price worth it? I didn’t want to cheap out, I thought that the CV650 was already medium range.

thanks

jeremyj_83 · Jul 9, 2020

The CV650 is OK, but nothing great. It makes Jonnyguru's list of "it will do it" PSUs. https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/recommended-psu-to-buy.3603290/#post-21736677
A better choice would be the Seasonic Focus GX for 102 Euro https://www.amazon.it/dp/B07WQYM74W?tag=pcp06-21&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 This is a high quality PSU with a long warranty and is fully modular. It is VASTLY superior to the CV, CX, & 99.9% of Cooler Master PSUs.

glowl · Jul 9, 2020

The problem is that I would like to buy it now without waiting for shipping so I’m resorting to a shop I found in my city. The two viable options would be the two Corsair PSU I listed or the Cooler Master MWE Gold 650 https://www.vginformatica.com/alime...-20-4-pin-atx-atx-nero-mpy-6501-afaag-eu.html

jeremyj_83 · Jul 9, 2020

glowl said:
The problem is that I would like to buy it now without waiting for shipping so I’m resorting to a shop I found in my city. The two viable options would be the two Corsair PSU I listed or the Cooler Master MWE Gold 650 https://www.vginformatica.com/alime...-20-4-pin-atx-atx-nero-mpy-6501-afaag-eu.html

The CX is a better PSU than the CX-M and much better than the CV. In regards to the Cooler Master, you cannot find reviews of that PSU. Typically I am not fond of recommending Cooler Master PSUs due to the lack of reviews on them. Therefore your best bet is the CX.

jeremyj_83 · Jul 9, 2020

From that site that you listed, this one would be a good choice. https://www.vginformatica.com/alime...s-plus-pcgh-550-gold-550w-ssr-550fx-pcgh.html

glowl · Jul 9, 2020

Could you explain why LLC is important? I have no idea what it is. I really wouldn’t want to send the PSU back now

refillable · Jul 9, 2020

If you're not having problems don't rush to replace it with a Seasonic. Waste of time and money.

I'm glad you went with the CV instead of the VS, because the VS isn't something you'd want to power a gaming system.

LLC is just an electrical circuit that improves efficiency, the Seasonic has gold because it has an LLC topology. While the CV has double forward so hence bronze.

glowl · Jul 9, 2020

refillable said:
If you're not having problems don't rush to replace it with a Seasonic. Waste of time and money.

I'm glad you went with the CV instead of the VS, because the VS isn't something you'd want to power a gaming system.

LLC is just an electrical circuit that improves efficiency, the Seasonic has gold because it has an LLC topology. While the CV has double forward so hence bronze.

So it won’t really be a problem if I keep it right? I’m really not sure on what to do

refillable · Jul 9, 2020

glowl said:
So it won’t really be a problem if I keep it right?

Yes.

jeremyj_83 · Jul 9, 2020

refillable said:
If you're not having problems don't rush to replace it with a Seasonic. Waste of time and money.

I'm glad you went with the CV instead of the VS, because the VS isn't something you'd want to power a gaming system.

LLC is just an electrical circuit that improves efficiency, the Seasonic has gold because it has an LLC topology. While the CV has double forward so hence bronze.

The use of LLC isn't the only reason why the Seasonic Focus is 80+ Gold rated. Remember the CX has LLC and the CX-M doesn't but both are 80+ Bronze. The Focus has better overall internal components which allows it to hit higher efficiency standards, maintain better ripple, quieter operation, etc... Overall the Focus is light years better than the CV which is why it has a 10 year warranty vs unknown warranty length for the CV (The CV model isn't listed for its warranty on Corsair's website).

glowl said:
So it won’t really be a problem if I keep it right? I’m really not sure on what to do

Will it be a problem, probably not. Will it be louder, run hotter, have worse power ripple, etc... vs the Focus, that is a resounding Yes. Jonnyguru, founder of the gold standard PSU review site jonnyguru.com as well as now Director of R&D at Corsair, says in regards to the PSUs in the CV category "I wouldn't use any of the below, but if you're on a really tight budget, they are options. Keep in mind, if you use a high end graphics card like an Nvidia 20 series (Turing) or AMD Vega or 5000 series, the main transformer is going to squeal like a pig. All of the below suggestions DO have DC to DC for the +3.3V and +5V (i.e.: They are not group regulated)." Basically it won't blowup your computer, but you can do MUCH better.

Archaic59 · Jul 9, 2020

jeremyj_83 said:
Overall the Focus is light years better than the CV which is why it has a 10 year warranty vs unknown warranty length for the CV (The CV model isn't listed for its warranty on Corsair's website).

Actually the CV650 is listed on the website as having 3 years warranty.
https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Power-Supply-Units/Power-Supply-Units-General-Purpose/CV-Series™/p/CP-9020211-NA

jeremyj_83 · Jul 9, 2020

Archaic59 said:
Actually the CV650 is listed on the website as having 3 years warranty.
https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Power-Supply-Units/Power-Supply-Units-General-Purpose/CV-Series™/p/CP-9020211-NA

Thanks, I was looking for that but my eyes failed me.

glowl · Jul 10, 2020

jeremyj_83 said:
From that site that you listed, this one would be a good choice. https://www.vginformatica.com/alime...s-plus-pcgh-550-gold-550w-ssr-550fx-pcgh.html

I’m still deciding, would it be better to replace the CV with this seasonic or a CX650 that would give me 100w more in case I wanted to upgrade to a higher end GPU in the future?

jeremyj_83 · Jul 10, 2020

glowl said:
I’m still deciding, would it be better to replace the CV with this seasonic or a CX650 that would give me 100w more in case I wanted to upgrade to a higher end GPU in the future?

You can use this guide to get an idea of how big of a PSU you should get for all desktop GPUs out there right now. https://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

refillable · Jul 10, 2020

glowl said:
I’m still deciding, would it be better to replace the CV with this seasonic or a CX650 that would give me 100w more in case I wanted to upgrade to a higher end GPU in the future?

The Seasonic will be better, but you have an OK PSU with you already, so there is no point of replacing it. Only replace it when you have problems with it. It may be too noisy, or you're going to upgrade to let's say a Radeon 7 or 2080 Ti then strongly consider changing it. Otherwise, it's a waste of time and money IMHO. Sure it's better but I mean why does it warrant replacing an OK PSU?

King_V · Jul 10, 2020

I honestly would be very uncomfortable staying with the CV.

With regard to the CX650 vs the Focus Plus 550W, I would go with the Focus Plus.

The CX is a budget level PSU, but a good budget model. That said, you've got some pretty decent hardware - current generation GPU and CPU, so, because of this, I would say it's better to spend a little extra and go with the Focus Plus.

LukeSavenije · Jul 10, 2020

jeremyj_83 said:
Typically I am not fond of recommending Cooler Master PSUs due to the lack of reviews on them. Therefore your best bet is the CX.

ehm... excuse me?

Elite v3	https://ua.gecid.com/power/cooler_master_elite_v3_230v_600w/

GX	http://www.ocinside.de/html/results/coolermaster_gx_650_bronze.html
	https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/CoolerMaster/GX650W_Bronze/

GM	https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-g550m/
	https://www.eteknix.com/cooler-master-g750m-semi-modular-power-supply-review/
	https://www.jonnyguru.com/blog/2015/06/26/cooler-master-g650m-power-supply/

Masterwatt	https://www.kitguru.net/components/...er-master-masterwatt-650-power-supply-review/
	https://pcper.com/2018/10/cooler-master-masterwatt-650w-power-supply-review/
	https://pcper.com/2017/12/cooler-master-masterwatt-550w-power-supply-review/

Masterwatt Lite	http://www.jonnyguru.com/blog/2018/10/08/cooler-master-masterwatt-lite-600w-230v-power-supply/

Masterwatt Maker	https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-masterwatt-maker-1200-psu,4670-7.html
	https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/cooler-master-masterwatt-maker-1200-psu-review,1.html
	https://www.jonnyguru.com/blog/2017/04/03/cooler-master-masterwatt-maker-1200w-power-supply/

Masterwatt Maker MIJ	https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-masterwatt-maker-1200-mij-psu,4963.html
	https://www.jonnyguru.com/blog/2017/03/07/cooler-master-masterwatt-maker-1200w-mij-power-supply/
	https://www.kitguru.net/components/...master-masterwatt-maker-1200w-mij-psu-review/

MWE Gold/Reactor MPY	http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/597057?spread=1
	https://pcper.com/2019/01/cooler-master-mwe-gold-750w-full-modular-power-supply-review/
	https://www.overclockers.com/cooler-master-mwe-gold-750-power-supply-review/
	https://proclockers.com/review/cooler-master-mwe-gold-series-750w-power-supplies-review/5/
	https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/9888/8/vermogende-voedingen-44-700-850w-psus-getest-ripple
	https://www.ixbt.com/supply/cooler-master-mwe-gold-750-full-modular-review.html
	https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/92...19-voedingen-van-400-550-watt-round-up-ripple
	https://tweak.dk/strømforsyning/Cooler-Master-MWE-GOLD-650-Watt

MWE Bronze MPE V2	https://tweak.dk/strømforsyning/cooler_master_mwe-750_bronze_v2
	https://ru.gecid.com/power/cooler_master_mwe_bronze_650/
	https://www.ixbt.com/supply/cm-mwe-700-bronze-review.html
	ftp://members.cybenetics.report/PDF_Reports/d/cybenetics_Jv8.pdf
	https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/9871/14/goedkope-voedingen-round-up-300-450w-vanaf-37-euro-ripple
	https://tweak.dk/strømforsyning/cooler_master_mwe-750_bronze_v2

MWE White MPE V2 230V only	https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/9871/14/goedkope-voedingen-round-up-300-450w-vanaf-37-euro-ripple
	http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/736716
	http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/730302
	http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/731980
	http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/732408
	https://i2hard.ru/publications/24197/

MWE Bronze MPX V1 <=600W	https://www.expreview.com/56771-2.html
	https://www.xfastest.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=200074&cp=3

MWE Bronze MPX V1 <=550W	https://www.hkepc.com/16212/入門抵玩銅牌牛_Cooler_Master_MWE_Bronze_550
	http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/519971?spread=1
	https://diy.pconline.com.cn/1131/11314925_all.html#content_page_2

MWE White MPW V1	http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/510457?p=4
	https://www.hkepc.com/15886/搶攻入門平價市場_Cooler_Master_MWE_500_電源供應器
	http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/479925?p=4

V Gold MPY 2018	https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/9419/cooler-master-v-series-gold-a-platinum-voedingen-review
	https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-v-series-750-w-gold/
	https://proclockers.com/reviews/pow...750-80-gold-fully-modular-power-supply-review

V Gold RS fully-modular (2013) 550/650/750W (Enhance)	https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/6300/cooler-master-v-series-550w-review-nieuw-topmodel
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-v750-power-supply,4341-3.html

V Gold RS fully-modular (2013) 700W (Seasonic)	https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/5...-80-plus-gold-power-supply-review/index4.html
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-v850/
	https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-v1000/4.html
	https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/5...-80-plus-gold-power-supply-review/index4.html

V Gold RS semi-modular (2013)	https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/5556/cooler-master-v-series-semi-modular-750w-review
	https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-vsm750/
	https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/cooler-master-v750-semi-modular-psu-review/

V Platinum MPZ 2019	https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-v850-platinum-power-supply,6119.html
	https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-v1300-platinum-power-supply,6115.html
	https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/9419/cooler-master-v-series-gold-a-platinum-voedingen-review

V Platinum RSC 2013	https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-v1200/
	https://www.anandtech.com/show/8728/cooler-master-v1200-platinum-power-supply-review
	https://www.kitguru.net/components/...er-master-v1200-platinum-power-supply-review/

I'd say there are quite a few... no idea what people have against some of the CM units here, I won't say all of them are good... but reviews are widely availible on most of their units, including MWE Gold/Reactor here

jeremyj_83 · Jul 10, 2020

LukeSavenije said:
ehm... excuse me?

Elite v3 https://ua.gecid.com/power/cooler_master_elite_v3_230v_600w/
GX http://www.ocinside.de/html/results/coolermaster_gx_650_bronze.html
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/CoolerMaster/GX650W_Bronze/
GM https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-g550m/
https://www.eteknix.com/cooler-master-g750m-semi-modular-power-supply-review/
https://www.jonnyguru.com/blog/2015/06/26/cooler-master-g650m-power-supply/
Masterwatt https://www.kitguru.net/components/...er-master-masterwatt-650-power-supply-review/
https://pcper.com/2018/10/cooler-master-masterwatt-650w-power-supply-review/
https://pcper.com/2017/12/cooler-master-masterwatt-550w-power-supply-review/
Masterwatt Lite http://www.jonnyguru.com/blog/2018/10/08/cooler-master-masterwatt-lite-600w-230v-power-supply/
Masterwatt Maker https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-masterwatt-maker-1200-psu,4670-7.html
https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/cooler-master-masterwatt-maker-1200-psu-review,1.html
https://www.jonnyguru.com/blog/2017/04/03/cooler-master-masterwatt-maker-1200w-power-supply/
Masterwatt Maker MIJ https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-masterwatt-maker-1200-mij-psu,4963.html
https://www.jonnyguru.com/blog/2017/03/07/cooler-master-masterwatt-maker-1200w-mij-power-supply/
https://www.kitguru.net/components/...master-masterwatt-maker-1200w-mij-psu-review/
MWE Gold/Reactor MPY http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/597057?spread=1
https://pcper.com/2019/01/cooler-master-mwe-gold-750w-full-modular-power-supply-review/
https://www.overclockers.com/cooler-master-mwe-gold-750-power-supply-review/
https://proclockers.com/review/cooler-master-mwe-gold-series-750w-power-supplies-review/5/
https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/9888/8/vermogende-voedingen-44-700-850w-psus-getest-ripple
https://www.ixbt.com/supply/cooler-master-mwe-gold-750-full-modular-review.html
https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/92...19-voedingen-van-400-550-watt-round-up-ripple
https://tweak.dk/strømforsyning/Cooler-Master-MWE-GOLD-650-Watt
MWE Bronze MPE V2 https://tweak.dk/strømforsyning/cooler_master_mwe-750_bronze_v2
https://ru.gecid.com/power/cooler_master_mwe_bronze_650/
https://www.ixbt.com/supply/cm-mwe-700-bronze-review.html
ftp://members.cybenetics.report/PDF_Reports/d/cybenetics_Jv8.pdf
https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/9871/14/goedkope-voedingen-round-up-300-450w-vanaf-37-euro-ripple
https://tweak.dk/strømforsyning/cooler_master_mwe-750_bronze_v2
MWE White MPE V2 230V only https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/9871/14/goedkope-voedingen-round-up-300-450w-vanaf-37-euro-ripple
http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/736716
http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/730302
http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/731980
http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/732408
https://i2hard.ru/publications/24197/
MWE Bronze MPX V1 <=600W https://www.expreview.com/56771-2.html
https://www.xfastest.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=200074&cp=3
MWE Bronze MPX V1 <=550W https://www.hkepc.com/16212/入門抵玩銅牌牛_Cooler_Master_MWE_Bronze_550
http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/519971?spread=1
https://diy.pconline.com.cn/1131/11314925_all.html#content_page_2
MWE White MPW V1 http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/510457?p=4
https://www.hkepc.com/15886/搶攻入門平價市場_Cooler_Master_MWE_500_電源供應器
http://www.coolenjoy.net/bbs/review/479925?p=4
V Gold MPY 2018 https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/9419/cooler-master-v-series-gold-a-platinum-voedingen-review
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-v-series-750-w-gold/
https://proclockers.com/reviews/pow...750-80-gold-fully-modular-power-supply-review
V Gold RS fully-modular (2013)
550/650/750W (Enhance) https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/6300/cooler-master-v-series-550w-review-nieuw-topmodel
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-v750-power-supply,4341-3.html
V Gold RS fully-modular (2013)
700W (Seasonic) https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/5...-80-plus-gold-power-supply-review/index4.html
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-v850/
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-v1000/4.html
https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/5...-80-plus-gold-power-supply-review/index4.html
V Gold RS semi-modular (2013) https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/5556/cooler-master-v-series-semi-modular-750w-review
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-vsm750/
https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/cooler-master-v750-semi-modular-psu-review/
V Platinum MPZ 2019 https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-v850-platinum-power-supply,6119.html
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooler-master-v1300-platinum-power-supply,6115.html
https://nl.hardware.info/artikel/9419/cooler-master-v-series-gold-a-platinum-voedingen-review
V Platinum RSC 2013 https://www.techpowerup.com/review/cooler-master-v1200/
https://www.anandtech.com/show/8728/cooler-master-v1200-platinum-power-supply-review
https://www.kitguru.net/components/...er-master-v1200-platinum-power-supply-review/

I'd say there are quite a few... no idea what people have against some of the CM units here, I won't say all of them are good... but reviews are widely availible on most of their units, including MWE Gold/Reactor here

Perhaps I should have been a bit more specific in that there are few reviews from the highly reputable sites for reviewing PSUs like jonnyguru.com or tomshardware.com.

LukeSavenije · Jul 10, 2020

jeremyj_83 said:
Perhaps I should have been a bit more specific in that there are few reviews from the highly reputable sites for reviewing PSUs like jonnyguru.com or tomshardware.com.

techpowerup=kitguru (for a year)=cybenetics=toms=Aris, so that's already a lot ruled out
hardwareinfo has their tools listed, but are indeed a touch off due to them not having an AC source like for example Aris has in his testing (currently an FSP, I recall?)
Coolenjoy shows what they're currently using (your usual SM8800+SM220)
Zardon isn't the greatest out there, but does list what he uses as well
pcper lists what they're using in review
Guru3d I can understand... loading up with a system isn't a great idea compared to a load tester due to interference
tweakdk isn't indeed the best either with their tools
tweaktown has a full article on how they do things, including their listing of their fast load tester and so on

and there are some reviews on Xilence's performance X, which uses the same XHY platform as MWE Gold, of which you can see a review of here (German):
https://www.hardwareluxx.de/index.p...43950-xilence-performance-x-650w-im-test.html

King_V · Jul 10, 2020

So, maybe, edit that post to remove the ones that are either less than reputable, or, as you say, not the greatest, or a touch off, etc...

LukeSavenije · Jul 10, 2020

King_V said:
So, maybe, edit that post to remove the ones that are either less than reputable, or, as you say, not the greatest, or a touch off, etc...

actually... in the sheet this is sourced from, we're busy on something regarding that: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...SvH1_juom7SMG5SCNzP2Uov8w/edit#gid=1812634883

jeremyj_83 · Jul 10, 2020

Great another linustechtips PSU category list.

LukeSavenije · Jul 10, 2020

jeremyj_83 said:
Great another linustechtips PSU category list.

nah, we're on here recently, actually

Rogue Leader · Jul 10, 2020

jeremyj_83 said:
Great another linustechtips PSU category list.

PSU tier list is independent of LTT, and is part of Tom's now, and is being updated often.

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/psu-tier-list-psucultists.3624094/

We have a detailed discussion thread, please feel free to voice any opinions you may have on it in there.

https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...sion-thread-ongoing-poll-please-vote.3624099/

I won't have threads turning into arguments about its merits. The discussion thread is for that.

Vic 40 · Jul 10, 2020

@glowl
Can you get this one for this money?
https://it.pcpartpicker.com/product...ld-certified-atx-power-supply-bp-fm750ulag-7r
still not modular, but for this price a good option.

[SOLVED] Is the Corsair CV650 a good PSU?

Glorious

Glorious

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Splendid

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Glorious

Polypheme

Glorious

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Splendid

Illustrious

Prominent

Glorious

Prominent

Illustrious

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Glorious

Prominent

It's a trap!

Titan

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