Component Analysis

Before reading this page, we strongly suggest a look at this article, which will help you understand the insides of a PSU better.



HEC provides the platform, but I am sure Corsair's engineers asked for many modifications and didn't just relabel a design. To the best of my knowledge, Corsair and Cooler Master are among the very few brands with PSU engineers on their payrolls to ensure the quality of their PSUs is up to their standards. Other brands hire external consultants at best or just put their faith in the manufacturer.

For "only" Bronze and ETA-A- efficiency levels, the platform looks overbuilt since it uses a half-bridge topology with an LLC resonant converter on the primary side, and a synchronous design and DC-DC converters on the secondary side. No wonder CX-F models are relatively expensive. Most parts are of high quality, including the Infineon FETs and Hitachi bulk cap. However, Hitachi recently sold its capacitor business to a Chinese brand named Jianghai, so I don't know for how long quality will remain at these high levels. Unfortunately, the term "Japanese capacitors" doesn't mean much anymore since most Japanese capacitor brands either have factories in other countries or get their raw materials from Chinese suppliers.


The transient filter is complete, so I expect low incoming and outgoing EMI emissions.


A Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) filters all voltage surges coming from the mains network. For inrush current protection, an NTC thermistor is used. Corsair does not include a bypass relay since it would increase the cost.


Two GBU15K bridge rectifiers fully rectify the AC power stream before it enters the APFC converter.


The APFC converter uses two Infineon FETs and a single boost diode, both of which are provided by the same manufacturer. The PFC controller is a Champion CM6500UNX, and there is also a CM03X IC, which restricts vampire power.


The Hitachi bulk cap doesn't have enough capacity to allow for a hold up time of over 17 ms.



The two primary switching FETs are installed in a half-bridge topology. Instead of a Champion or Infineon LLC resonant controller, HEC uses the lesser well-known but capable MPS HR1001C. An interesting feature of this controller is that it incorporates a number of basic protection features.


The unit's main transformer.


Six Nexperia FETs regulate the +12V rail. The minor rails are generated through a pair of DC-DC converters.


I am not at all fond of Teapo's SC caps because of their low lifetime. Thankfully, HEC also uses a large number of Teapo polymer caps, which are tolerant to heat.


The face of the modular board.


This is the 5VSB regulation circuit.


Soldering quality is satisfactory.


The supervisor IC is a Weltrend WT7527—it supports all basic protection features.


The RGB fan with model number NR120L uses a rifle bearing.