Specifications

The BWG850M is Gold certified, has a fully modular cable design, features a 50°C temperature rating for continuous full load delivery, and includes all protections. It is also compatible with Intel's C6 and C7 power states, which means it can deliver its full load on the minor rails without running into any problems with load regulation while the load at +12V is set to no more than 0.1 A, which is the absolute minimum.

The unit's cooling is taken care of by an HDB fan, which isn't supported by a semi-passive operation. If the fan's minimum speed is set low, noise output will be equally low, and there is, as such, no need for a passive phase, which would also increase internal temperatures. The BWG850M is small for its capacity, but its 7-year warranty is long. Its suggested retail price is also reasonable. Considering that MSRP's are usually significantly higher than actual street prices, we might see this PSU in stores for less than $110.

There are four +12V rails. Two of these have a lower OCP triggering point. The +12V rails that handle all six PCIe connectors (or four PCIe connectors and the second EPS connector) obviously have a significantly higher OCP triggering point. At 120 W maximum power output, the minor rails are quite strong, but the 5VSB is only set to 2.5 A maximum current output, though it has absolutely no problem with delivering more than 3 A when necessary.

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

This PSU is equipped with an adequate number of connectors, but note that not all six PCIe connectors and the two EPS connectors are available at the same time. Some high-end 850 W PSUs offer all of the above at the same time, but we believe that such is too much for 850 W since three overclocked VGAs and an energy hungry CPU will definitely push a PSU with a capacity of 850 W beyond its limit.

The first +12V rail is for the 24-pin ATX cable and all peripheral and SATA connectors, while the second +12V rail handles the first EPS connector. The other two +12V rails handle all PCIe cables. This PSU has two EPS cables with a connector each. You will, as such, have to sacrifice a PCIe cable if you need to connect another EPS cable. Bitfenix did well by not providing an additional EPS socket since two of those and six PCIe connectors are too much for a 850 W PSU.