Corsair CX-M Series 650 W Review - Great Value

Name: Corsair CX-M Series 650 W
Brand: Corsair
Price: 70 USD

crmaris

on Jul 21st, 2022,

in Power Supplies.

Manufacturer: Corsair

Fan Noise »

Efficiency

Using the results we gathered, we plotted a chart showing the PSU's efficiency at low loads and loads ranging from 10 to 110 percent of the maximum-rated capacity.

The CX650M achieves high enough efficiency. On top of that, it manages to meet the 60% efficiency requirement with 2% load.

10–110 % Load Testing

These tests reveal the PSU's load regulation and efficiency levels under high ambient temperatures and show how the fan-speed profile behaves under harsh operating conditions.

Load Regulation & Efficiency Testing Data - Corsair CX650M
Test	12V	5V	3.3V	5VSB	Power (DC/AC)	Efficiency	Fan Speed	PSU Noise	Temp (In/Out)	PF/AC Volts
10%	3.594A	2.001A	1.983A	0.99A	65.003W	84.856%	953 RPM	21.2 dB(A)	40.34°C	0.851
10%	12.076V	4.998V	3.328V	5.049V	76.605W	84.856%	953 RPM	21.2 dB(A)	44.82°C	230.28V
20%	8.214A	3.004A	2.978A	1.191A	129.944W	89.201%	956 RPM	21.3 dB(A)	40.59°C	0.931
20%	12.059V	4.994V	3.324V	5.037V	145.678W	89.201%	956 RPM	21.3 dB(A)	45.5°C	230.27V
30%	13.196A	3.506A	3.477A	1.393A	194.946W	90.315%	960 RPM	21.4 dB(A)	41.44°C	0.957
30%	12.041V	4.991V	3.322V	5.025V	215.851W	90.315%	960 RPM	21.4 dB(A)	46.89°C	230.26V
40%	18.200A	4.01A	3.976A	1.596A	260.033W	90.534%	964 RPM	21.5 dB(A)	41.88°C	0.969
40%	12.024V	4.988V	3.32V	5.013V	287.225W	90.534%	964 RPM	21.5 dB(A)	47.89°C	230.25V
50%	22.867A	5.016A	4.974A	1.8A	325.03W	90.186%	1180 RPM	27.2 dB(A)	42.23°C	0.976
50%	12.006V	4.984V	3.317V	5V	360.407W	90.186%	1180 RPM	27.2 dB(A)	48.68°C	230.25V
60%	27.505A	6.023A	5.975A	2A	389.474W	89.592%	1502 RPM	36.3 dB(A)	42.79°C	0.98
60%	11.987V	4.981V	3.314V	4.988V	434.714W	89.592%	1502 RPM	36.3 dB(A)	49.82°C	230.24V
70%	32.228A	7.032A	6.978A	2.212A	454.808W	88.91%	1836 RPM	42.8 dB(A)	43.05°C	0.983
70%	11.968V	4.978V	3.311V	4.975V	511.538W	88.91%	1836 RPM	42.8 dB(A)	50.68°C	230.23V
80%	36.968A	8.003A	7.981A	2.317A	519.431W	88.132%	2185 RPM	46 dB(A)	43.42°C	0.985
80%	11.949V	4.975V	3.308V	4.964V	589.386W	88.132%	2185 RPM	46 dB(A)	51.72°C	230.22V
90%	42.136A	8.55A	8.47A	2.423A	585.038W	87.244%	2398 RPM	52.2 dB(A)	44.57°C	0.986
90%	11.926V	4.972V	3.305V	4.953V	670.567W	87.244%	2398 RPM	52.2 dB(A)	53.63°C	230.21V
100%	47.055A	9.059A	8.99A	3.042A	649.873W	86.296%	2393 RPM	51.8 dB(A)	45.53°C	0.988
100%	11.905V	4.968V	3.303V	4.932V	753.074W	86.296%	2393 RPM	51.8 dB(A)	55.66°C	230.2V
110%	51.849A	10.073A	10.088A	3.048A	714.491W	85.222%	2393 RPM	51.8 dB(A)	47.38°C	0.989
110%	11.884V	4.965V	3.3V	4.921V	838.384W	85.222%	2393 RPM	51.8 dB(A)	58.3°C	230.19V
CL1	0.116A	15.734A	15.541A	0A	131.31W	82.514%	1041 RPM	23.6 dB(A)	42.95°C	0.939
CL1	12.051V	4.978V	3.32V	5.035V	159.137W	82.514%	1041 RPM	23.6 dB(A)	49.51°C	230.27V
CL2	0.116A	20.094A	0A	0A	101.416W	82.497%	979 RPM	22 dB(A)	43.28°C	0.916
CL2	12.067V	4.978V	3.335V	5.051V	122.929W	82.497%	979 RPM	22 dB(A)	50.51°C	230.27V
CL3	0.116A	0A	19.853A	0A	67.383W	75.81%	968 RPM	21.6 dB(A)	44.05°C	0.876
CL3	12.066V	5.001V	3.324V	5.049V	88.886W	75.81%	968 RPM	21.6 dB(A)	52.43°C	230.28V
CL4	54.546A	0A	0A	0A	649.658W	87.005%	2403 RPM	52.5 dB(A)	45.41°C	0.987
CL4	11.911V	4.989V	3.317V	5.009V	746.687W	87.005%	2403 RPM	52.5 dB(A)	55.59°C	230.2V

This platform is heatproof. I pushed it hard at above 47°C, and it didn't budge. I am usually not as hard on budget PSUs, but had to give this one a tough time to figure out its limits.

Light-Load Testing

We measure the PSU's efficiency at loads significantly lower than 10 percent of the maximum capacity—the lowest load the 80 PLUS standard measures. This is important when a PC is idle with its power-saving features turned on.

Light Load Efficiency - Corsair CX650M
Test	12V	5V	3.3V	5VSB	Power (DC/AC)	Efficiency	Fan Speed	PSU Noise	Temp (In/Out)	PF/AC Volts
20W	1.228A	0.499A	0.495A	0.197A	20W	69.796%	945 RPM	21 dB(A)	37.22°C	0.603
20W	12.088V	5.006V	3.333V	5.071V	28.657W	69.796%	945 RPM	21 dB(A)	40.32°C	230.29V
40W	2.706A	0.699A	0.693A	0.296A	40.001W	80.549%	947 RPM	21 dB(A)	37.53°C	0.757
40W	12.083V	5.004V	3.332V	5.067V	49.661W	80.549%	947 RPM	21 dB(A)	40.92°C	230.28V
60W	4.184A	0.899A	0.892A	0.395A	60W	84.835%	947 RPM	21 dB(A)	37.72°C	0.836
60W	12.078V	5.003V	3.33V	5.063V	70.724W	84.835%	947 RPM	21 dB(A)	41.29°C	230.28V
80W	5.660A	1.1A	1.09A	0.494A	79.953W	87.098%	950 RPM	21.1 dB(A)	38.85°C	0.88
80W	12.073V	5.001V	3.329V	5.058V	91.799W	87.098%	950 RPM	21.1 dB(A)	42.62°C	230.28V

The cooling fan is silent at light loads, so it won't bother you.

Super-Light Load Testing

We measure the PSU's efficiency with a 10 W load if its maximum power is 500 W or less in the following tests. We apply 2% of its maximum-rated-capacity load if the PSU is stronger.

Super-Light Load Efficiency - Corsair CX650M
12V	5V	3.3V	5VSB	Power (DC/AC)	Efficiency	Fan Speed	PSU Noise	Temp (In/Out)	PF/AC Volts
0.888A	0.257A	0.257A	0.049A	13.134W	61.805%	909 RPM	20.1 dB(A)	25.97°C	0.856
12.091V	5.011V	3.332V	5.077V	21.252W	61.805%	909 RPM	20.1 dB(A)	27.87°C	115.12V

The PSU exceeds 60% efficiency with 2% load.

5VSB Efficiency

5VSB Efficiency - Corsair CX650M
Test #	5VSB	Power (DC/AC)	Efficiency	PF/AC Volts
1	0.1A	0.508W	70.843%	0.024
1	5.078V	0.717W	70.843%	230.28V
2	0.25A	1.269W	76.08%	0.055
2	5.075V	1.668W	76.08%	230.28V
3	0.55A	2.788W	77.862%	0.112
3	5.069V	3.58W	77.862%	230.28V
4	1A	5.061W	79.766%	0.179
4	5.061V	6.345W	79.766%	230.28V
5	1.5A	7.576W	80.15%	0.232
5	5.05V	9.453W	80.15%	230.28V
6	3A	15.068W	79.677%	0.326
6	5.022V	18.912W	79.677%	230.28V

The 5VSB rail achieves decent efficiency.

Power Consumption in Idle and Standby

Idle / Standby - Corsair CX650M
Mode	12V	5V	3.3V	5VSB	Power (AC)	PF/AC Volts
Idle	12.095V	5.015V	3.334V	5.079V	4.652W	0.145
Idle	12.095V	5.015V	3.334V	5.079V	4.652W	230.3V
Standby					0.106W	0.003
Standby					0.106W	230.3V