What is the problem with Corsair CS550M 550W 80+ Gold?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

shioriharu

Reputable
Nov 21, 2014
130
0
4,680
AMD FX 8320
Asus M5A99X EVO
8 GB DDR3/1600 KIT (2x4 GB)
GeForce GTX750 Asus GTX750-PHOC-2GD5 PCX vga
1 TB HDD S-ATA 3
Cooler Master Hyper x TX3
Sharkoon VS3
120 GB Kingston SSD
DVD-RAM LG

I ordered this Corsair CS PSU for this system - i wanted Tier 1-2 but none of those were available
I can maybe go with Seasonic G-550 80Plus Gold 550W but chances are very slim to find this available and it would take 5-6 days more delay before my PC arrives

I wanted this tier 3 psu cause it got very good review from johnnyguru, but users here say scary things that pretty much got me shitless, Again im saying i have no access to tier 1-2 PSU's
Id like this one to live at least 3 years without any damages done to my Hardware (ESPECIALLY MY HDD/SDD)

Im living in a rural area and have frequent earthquakes (small ones) as well as power outages, fluctuations, brownouts blackouts everycolorouts, huge storms and angry boars

All i want is a reliable PSU against these

I had zero luck with PSU's so far, Used about 11-13 ones in my whole life, 90% of them was low tier, i only have 2 working ones now
One is a foxconn, very old 230 W stuff worked like a charm so far (about 7 years now, perfectly fighting against overvoltages), but im going to gift it away to a friend


I also have a Chieftec (Sirtec) CTG 450W 80P im using currently, it is at least 5 years old, and has killed stuff in my PC many times, including a gtx 240 VGa, a DVD ram, 1 HDD, at least 2 SATA ports on my mobo and almost killed itself once as well. This all happend on blackouts - power going out, and in, and out, and in and out again in ike 3 sec (yes this happens frequently here)

I want to know if the Corsair CS is anyhing better than this, cause my new rig costs a lot (for my wallet) and i want it to be dozen times more reliable than what i currently have with this Chieftec PSU (I'd say it scks prety hard)

Also what tier this Chieftec belongs to ? Some ppl say its 2 tier, which i hope is not true, cause the new CS corsair is tier 3 and if its anything worse tha my Chieftec then ill just throw it in the garbage bin soon as it arrives
 
Solution
Cristi72
The CS550M is a fairly new apparition, no one can say for sure if it will be plagued by the same reliability issues as the other Corsair PSUs (and better not be, as it is quite expensive even for a Gold-labeled PSU; also, only 3-years warranty for that price seems a little bit too low). Performance-wise, it is indeed much better than your old Chieftec, that's no question about it.

Don't think too much about the industrial-grade PSUs, go for an UPS and you'll never have again problems with damaged components. The most desirable manufacturer is APC, followed by Tripplite and CyberPower (go for an online UPS, if you can afford one).

For more infos about an UPS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply.
Sort by date Sort by votes
Cristi72

Cristi72

Admirable
Jun 25, 2014
1,636
0
6,960
Hello,

Why you're not using an UPS? An 1000VA will suffice.

For such low-quality power grid, you will need an industrial PSU, with a very wide input range (50V-350V), or a very very good power regulator (I am against power regulators when frequent power surges occurs).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

shioriharu

Reputable
Nov 21, 2014
130
0
4,680


Im not sure i understand what youre saying
How does an UPS work, just plug PC power cable in it and im good to go ? Also what is an industrial PSU, and any opinions on Corsair CS overall ? Why is it good and why is it not good ?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Cristi72

Cristi72

Admirable
Jun 25, 2014
1,636
0
6,960


Yes, it's that simple, the UPS will do the work by itself: anytime a power surge occurs, it will pass in Back-up mode and it will run the system from its internal battery; how long it will run, that depends of its capacity (for the suggested 1000VA, you will have some 5 minutes max. back-up time).

An industrial PSU is a power supply conceived to withstand all sort of power problems withouth damaging the equipment it powers (ex: the server PSUs); it usually means that it will cost tenfold and, of course, your system will still shut down when a power outage occurs.

The Corsair PSUs are pretty much overpriced, that's why there is a trend against them (if they were cheaper, no one will have something against them); the main problem with the cheaper ones is the bad capacitors they use to cut the cost and augment their profits; they are decent when new, but their characteristics are quickly degrading over time (1-2 years tops), especially when use them at full capacity or in hot environments. Also, the cheaper ones doesn't have all the fail-safe technologies and the ones employed are not working as it should (most notable: overvoltage protections and temperature sensors).

Please check this:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

shioriharu

Reputable
Nov 21, 2014
130
0
4,680
Yes i checked that before, ill probably buy a UPS but i cant afford the industrial PSU atm
One last question then, is Corsair CS550M 550 GOLD 80Plus much better than my current Chieftec (Sirtec) CTG450 80P

Not performance-wise, just reliability-wise!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Cristi72

Cristi72

Admirable
Jun 25, 2014
1,636
0
6,960
The CS550M is a fairly new apparition, no one can say for sure if it will be plagued by the same reliability issues as the other Corsair PSUs (and better not be, as it is quite expensive even for a Gold-labeled PSU; also, only 3-years warranty for that price seems a little bit too low). Performance-wise, it is indeed much better than your old Chieftec, that's no question about it.

Don't think too much about the industrial-grade PSUs, go for an UPS and you'll never have again problems with damaged components. The most desirable manufacturer is APC, followed by Tripplite and CyberPower (go for an online UPS, if you can afford one).

For more infos about an UPS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
Cristi72

Cristi72

Admirable
Jun 25, 2014
1,636
0
6,960


In the actual configuration, your PC needs up to 275W; the Corsair PSU will work at 50% load, so at max. efficiency (90%) will consume 300W from the wall.

The 400VA is too small (400VA means max. 250W output).

The 550VA UPS (330W) covers the system consumption, but it will be very close to its limits when you take into account the monitor's consumption (a modern 22" one, with LED backlight, consumes up to 30W) and the speakers. If you really cannot go a little bit higher (at least an 650VA one), the 550VA UPS will work (maybe with some shorter back-up time, around 3 minutes).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

shioriharu

Reputable
Nov 21, 2014
130
0
4,680


This ?

APC Back-UPS 650VA 230V AVR

Tho this one looks a bit more complex, i dont see any connector slots where i could plug my PC in
and ofc Thanks for the answers
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Cristi72

Cristi72

Admirable
Jun 25, 2014
1,636
0
6,960


That UPS has three Type E European sockets (France/Belgium), also compatible with Type F (Germany and most of Europe). Where are you from?

For more infos: http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Cristi72

Cristi72

Admirable
Jun 25, 2014
1,636
0
6,960


There are many versions of the BX650CI, the main difference being the output sockets; the one you provided the picture is BX650CI:

https://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BX650CI&total_watts=200, designed especially for IT equipments and for which you will need additional bypass cables,

and the one I was thinking about is BX650CI-CP (notice the additional letters):

https://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BX650CI-CP, in which you could plug pretty much any electrical cable; the BX650CI-GR (Germany) and BX650CI-RS (Russia) will also work without modifications or additional power cables.

Here is a list with the most common APC products:

https://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=29
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Cristi72

Cristi72

Admirable
Jun 25, 2014
1,636
0
6,960


The best is to use the same wall socket for all interconnected devices, that allows all your equipment to use the same ground connection. If your house' electrical wiring is properly done (the same grounding circuit for all sockets is a must), you will not have any problems.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jonnyguru

jonnyguru

Splendid
Nov 30, 2006
4,451
1,319
25,940


FWIW: Corsair PSUs are not "plagued by reliability issues". I've worked for Corsair for almost a year. Before that, I was friends with a couple of the PMs dating back to the launch of the original HX series in 2007. The failure rate is the same as it ever was (unfortunately, it can't be 0%, perfect). The problem is, Corsair's volume has gone up. With higher volume comes a higher number of failed units... but not in percentages. Unfortunately, "end user reviews" tend to get posted 5 to 1 when a product is "bad" versus a product that "works as expected", and that ratio increases as the price of the product increases (i.e. the AX is so expensive that if it were to fail, the user would be twice as likely to post a negative review than if a unit for half the price fails).

Through the process of failure analysis, some units have actually been improved (which is why CX is on it's third rev and VS is on its second).

The CS is made by Great Wall, which is a very well known manufacturer of server PSU's for the Chinese market. I would easily put them up against Seasonic.

When you've been in the industry as long as I have (since 2000 specifically with PSUs) and you see these "teir lists", you start to have aneurysms at the sheer ignorance behind what gets put where. Ah... the stories I could tell.. but I'd piss off more people than I'd help.

But to the OP... You REALLY should be using a UPS with AVR if your power grid is that bad. Seriously. Plug ALL of your components (PC, monitor, etc.) into a UPS if your power is that bad.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

shioriharu

Reputable
Nov 21, 2014
130
0
4,680


First of all thanks for the answer, it is soothing
Second, I may have exaggerated a bit with the blackouts, but we do experience much more of that, than normal city folk. Course imma gonna get that UPS, but just to be sure.....if the power fails again, the high inrush current of the PSU will make my other components (like HDD) more vulnerable to damage?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jonnyguru

jonnyguru

Splendid
Nov 30, 2006
4,451
1,319
25,940
No. Primary and secondary sides of a PSU are isolated by the main transformer. If the inrush was so bad that it would kill the PSU, it will just kill the PSU. The PSU does have a fuse on the input side, though I don't think it has an MOV, so I'd at least use a surge suppressor until the UPS comes in.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Cristi72

Cristi72

Admirable
Jun 25, 2014
1,636
0
6,960


Well, I guess you are a little tiny bit biased, but who isn't these days? The main problem with Corsair PSUs are their price, which is higher than the others' and puts them on the premium category, that's why a failed Corsair PSU is a subject of concern.

In my line of work I have my share of broken PSUs and, while Corsair' performance was on par with Sirtec or SuperFlower (to name just a few, and they are not the best around), their price should suggest better reliability (coincidentally or not, the problems began right after their warranty period expired, so 3-like years; also, coincidentally or not, they were all protected by a surge suppressor and most of them had also UPS protection, not APCs though). Of course, the clients wanted the cheapest series (we sold only one RM550. which is still going strong), but a well-known brand should not cut the quality for the cheapest models.

The OP's PSU of choice is a new addition to the Corsair line-up, so no data about long-time reliability (over 3 years); of course, by using a good UPS (and APCs are the best), the chances are he will use that PSU well over its warranty period (for me though, a GOLD-certified PSU with only 3 years warranty and a pricetag over 100 Euros means no sale).

About the tier list: the list from Eggxpert is a good guide, but the list below is more comprehensive and factors in the wear and tear (a review cannot provide any data whatsoever about the reliability, just a re-certification for advertised PSU features and an educated guess based on build quality, the components they use and the PSU's internal architecture):

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jonnyguru

jonnyguru

Splendid
Nov 30, 2006
4,451
1,319
25,940
Yeah. I'm familiar with that list.... and I replied with some of my concerns (Seasonic built beQuiets are tier 1, yet FSP built units are tier 3, etc.)

This list seems to be fairly accurate. It's from LDLC which is the largest retailer in France. Of course, it's not a global representation and they don't carry EVERY single PSU out there, but....

- FSP Group 0,83% (contre 1,57%)
- be quiet! 0,84% (contre 0,77%)
- Corsair 1,32% (contre 1,52%)
- Cooler Master 1,51% (contre 1,42%)
- Zalman 1,72% (contre 0,84%)
- Thermaltake 1,86% (contre 2,48%)
- Seasonic 2,31% (contre 2,91%)
- Akasa 2,97% (contre 2,39%)
- Cougar 4,74% (contre 1,81%)

http://www.hardware.fr/articles/927-1/taux-retour-composants-11.html

Would be nice to get the same kind of data from Newegg, etc.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

shioriharu

Reputable
Nov 21, 2014
130
0
4,680
Err...you say the price is high, i dont know what you mean by that? Im quite happy with this costing 85 euros (105 USD) when my other choice would have been the Seasonic G series for 150 euros (182 USD) which is quite similar to this one isnt it ? The only reason why i picked the corsair over the seasonic one is the availability though
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Cristi72

Cristi72

Admirable
Jun 25, 2014
1,636
0
6,960


Well, in my country (Romania), the CS550-M costs 85-90 Euros, while the G550 costs 105-115 Euros, that's why I said Corsairs are expensive.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jonnyguru

jonnyguru

Splendid
Nov 30, 2006
4,451
1,319
25,940


Yeah... price varies WILDLY from country to country on every brand of PSU. That's why it's always important to ask where the OP is buying from before making general suggestions.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Status
Not open for further replies.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom