Performance PSU Group Test - Coolermaster Corsair Enermax Antec

👤by Simon Green Comments 📅07-06-10
Final Words and Awards



Antec CP-850W

Antec have a good performer in the CP-850W, and in any other company but this it would fare exceptionally well. Unfortunately today it was pitted against competition which was a little too strong for it and it hasn\\\\\\\'t come out on top for any of the tests. That is not to say there is anything wrong with it – far from it. Any PSU which carries an 80 PLUS certificate has clearly been designed and built with high quality components and made to last. Antec\\\\\\\'s decision to go outside the ATX specification and build this PSU into a huge casing is to me a slightly strange one – it will only fit in certain of Antec\\\\\\\'s own cases which must surely be a major limitation in it\\\\\\\'s potential market, but it is also the cheapest unit tested today by a long way.

Pros
• Low purchase price
• PWM fan control
• High quality construction
Cons
• Compatibility


Overall a decent power supply which fills a niche market and performs well, the Antec CP-850W wins Vortez Hardware\\\\\\\'s Bronze Award.





Enermax Revolution 85+ 850W

Enermax have long been right at the top of the power supply business and it\\\\\\\'s no surprise when you feel the sheer weight and quality of their products. I was very surprised when our review sample failed the short-circuit testing, but it just goes to show that when you are dealng with devices this complex and handling such high loads that even an acknowledged leader in the field can have their bad ones – and it\\\\\\\'s at times like this that their exemplary customer service is invaluable. Another consideration here today is that the Revolution 85+ series have been around for at over a year now and as we all know a lot can happen in that time!

Pros
• Longest Hold-Up Time in testing
• 135mm fan
• Very high quality construction
• CableGuard – mains lead strain relief system
Cons
• High purchase price


What more can we say? Enermax\\\\\\\'s Revolution 85+ is a superb device worthy of it\\\\\\\'s place in this round-up but beaten in the efficiency stakes. Nevertheless we are pleased to present Voretz Hardware\\\\\\\'s Silver Award.





Corsair HX850W

Corsair it seems can do no wrong. They have taken their undenaibly brilliant flair for design and quality and produced a range of power supplies which seem to attract praise like... well, flies to a – you know what I mean! They offer a longer warranty than any of the others seen here today (7 years against everyone else\\\\\\\'s 5 years), and they admit to actually downgrading their 80 PLUS certification in order to ensure that every unit they produce exceeds the stated performance figures by a significant margin, so they are clearly pretty confident in their product. With good reason. The Corsair HX850W is simply one of the best PSU\\\\\\\'s that I\\\\\\\'ve had the pleasure of handling and testing.

Pros
• Surpasses 80 PLUS SILVER specifications
• 140mm fan
• Very high quality construction
• Flat modular cabling
Cons
• None that I can think of!


The Corsair HX850W is a superb power supply in every way and it deservedly wins Vortez Hardware\\\\\\\'s Gold Award.






Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 800W

Cooler Master go from strength to strength and with this latest series of power supplies they have pulled themselves right up into the top echelon of PSU brands. The 80 PLUS GOLD certification is clearly something that they are very proud of (given the whole name/packaging thing they have going on!) - and why not! They have produced a PSU with outstanding efficiency even at idle levels, and one which seems to generate almost no heat either! They have managed to beat the mighty Corsair HX850W in a fair number of our tests, and have come a close second in others. I would have no hesitation in recommending this brand new range of units to anyone looking for a top quality PSU.

Pros
• 80 PLUS GOLD certification
• Superb efficiency right across the load range
• Innovative construction giving ultra low temperatures
• Flat modular cabling
Cons
• None that I can think of!


It was almost impossible to seperate the Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 800W from the Corsair HX850W so it is with great pleasure that Vortez Hardware present our Gold Award here as well.





And finally...

I would like to thank all at Cooler Master Europe in the Netherlands for their hospitality during my time there and particular thanks should go to Marloes Rots (Marketing Specialist) for organising everything, and also to Renι Grau (Technical Marketing Manager) for his invaluable tuition and assistance in using the extensive PSU Test Lab equipment suite.


And DON\\\\\\\'T press this button...!



We would like to thank Cooler Master, Corsair, Antec and Enermax for these samples.
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