Help Choosing New PSU

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Ransome

Ransome

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My Gaming PC specs:

OS: Windows 10 Pro 64bit
GPU: Asus 1080 Ti Strix OC Edition
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K
MB: Asus Sabertooth Z77
RAM: 16GB G.Skill Ripjaw-X DDR3 1600MHz (XMP profile)
SSD: 256GB Crucial M4
SSD: 1TB Samsung 850 EVO
[strike]PSU: Corsair 850AX Gold[/strike]
Case: Corsair CC600T Graphite White Special Edition
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14
Extra Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14
Monitor: Asus ROG SWIFT PG278Q 1440p 144 MHz + Nvidia G-Sync
TV: Samsung KS8500 65" 4K TV
AV-Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR-656

Hey guys,
My PSU (Corsair AX850 GOLD) died after slightly over 5 years of use.
I sent it for warranty replacement and right now that specific store (which are notorious for bad service) are currently offering me:
Corsair RMx Series RM850x
Or
Corsair RMi Series RM850i

Tried to refuse and demanded the AX860 - being of the same "AX" series, or at least the HX850.

So, right now I don't know if they will even give me more options.
They said I can write an email and file a complaint.

Between the RM850x vsRM850i what should I pick and why?
Or should I push for the HX850 or AX860?

(I heard the RM850x is nearly identical to the RM850i - however the RMi has the Corsair Link software and interface which I totally not interested in and it looks ugly and annoying (Mini USB port?!). But I also heard that the RMi has a better fan the the RMx - though to me they look identical)

>EDIT: corrected the Watts from 750 to 850 on the RM850i !!<
 
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madmatt30

madmatt30

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The internals on the rmi & rmx are the same.

The rmi has

1. Corsair link
2. A better quality fan
3. A Physical Fan test button

Seeing as your system honestly is only pulling about 400w Id still take the rmi even if its a 100w lower model personally.

I know you should really get a like for like replacement but the rmx/i are still very good units & you are after all getting a brand new one in replacement for a 5 year old unit .

 
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Ransome

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I should note I am getting either of them for free in exchange for my dead AX850 from 2012.
That means I don't get warranty extension - and my original 7 year warranty remains - which is valid until July 30 2019.

With all that said - which one should I get?
Or should I try to push it a little and demand the HX850 or maybe AX860?
What I loved about the AX850 is that the fan NEVER spun. It only spins at about 60-70% load I think which means it never really spun for me.

About the RM850i and RM850x - I read on some forum that the "i" has a better fan? Is that true?
 
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Ransome

Ransome

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Thank you.
I accidentally made a typo I mean RM850x vs RM850i. Both are 850W.
I don't even know what Corsair Link is and I kinda doubt I will use it. I don't like all the new ports and stuff, but that's trivial.

What makes the fan of the RM850i better?
Also who makes these PSUs for Corsair?
I heard that SeaSonic were making the AX series, for instance.


So it is true that fan of the RMi is better, why is it better exactly?
Also, does it have that feature to not spin under certain load%? If it does, by how much ?

What exactly is the ability to switch between multi and single rail configurations ? What is it used for?

Thanks for the help and quick replies guys!

 
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lumineZ

lumineZ

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- The fan should start to spin up around 50-60% (around 500 watts) load but it is thermal controlled so it will spin at low RPM until it gets hot.

- The RMi fan bearing is fluid dynamic bearing while the RMx is a regular bearing = last longer and more quiet.

- Multi and single rail:
Well, with low-wattage units it doesn't matter. OCP on a single rail is useful up to about 40A or thereabouts, which is where most 550W power supplies fall. So with 550W and under power supplies, it's a moot point. However, with high wattage units, >45A on the +12V (650W and higher) picking a multi-rail unit will provide you with an extra layer of protection. It isn't essential, and it has no impact on the power supply's performance. However, it does provide an extra layer of safety in case you get a short circuit. And I would consider it a must for >1000W power supplies; [H] recently tested the single rail Corsair AX1200, but they had an accidental short circuit, and since the PSU's OCP is set for over 100A, the short overloaded and destroyed most of their testing equipment. So there is a danger with single rail units over 1000W.

So multi-rail is mildly better, especially with high wattage units, but it won't have any impact on your performance or overclockability.
 
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madmatt30

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The rmi has a better fan because its a hydraulic fluid bearing model , theyre quieter & they last longer.

& yes there is a semi silent mode.

I believe its zero fan until 40% load & internal temps hit more than 50c.

Both of those provisos have to be met before the fan kicks up at all.

Unless your ambient temps are above 30c then it should stay silent the majority of the time.

 
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Ransome

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Thanks for all the helpful advice and enlightenment guys.
As SR-71 stated, and as you guys clearly all voted for:
Seems like the RM850i is the way to go.
And yes - it's free- under warranty replacement.

Just watched the two official videos by Corsair of: RMi and RMx. The guy on the RMx also mentioned that the fan is longer lasting.
I understand that the fan of the RMi is actually better - being hydraulic bearing fan - but would that be an issue in the long run (durability)?

Oh, and I asked this before, but do you think I should still try and insist on getting a higher end power supplier like the AX860 or the HX850? Or perhaps the RMi is a better option?
I can try to email them and wait - even if the chances are slim. That company isn't friendly or helpful at all and they are a red-tape hell. Just saying.
I know that the AX850 was made by SeaSonic and thus much beloved by many. But I don't know about the new RMi/x models.
 
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Ransome

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Edit: what does OCP stand for?

Just remembered, wanted to ask:
Since my old AX850 was fully modular. Would that be ok if I use the same cables of the AX850?
Since I didn't want to undo all my case's cable management - I only removed the big motherboard (think it's 24 pin) cable. They shop requested that. The rest I gave over from my spare cables.

So I left all the other power cables including the SSD, CPU and GPU inside the case. Ready for use.

Should I bother removing all of them and replacing them with the new PSUs cables?
I imagine they are both of high quality - probably the same build quality -since AX850 was to of the line back then. But I can't tell for sure.

Other than that, think I am decided.
As much as I'd like to get the new AX860 or the HX850 - don't know if it's worth the hussle.
I think the RM850i is a solid choice. And the higher fan quality and extra multi rail protection is a deal breaker for me.
Think
 
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Ransome

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What ! ? How come?
That's a shocker. Why would they do that? I thought part of the idea of a fully modular PSU is having the ability to swap and replace stuff. And figured an 8 pin is an 8 pin and a PCIE is a PCIE etc.
And since the pin count and the hardware's power ports are the same and basically standard over all motherboard/cards - the cables should be universal too. So what exactly would have happened if I tried to connect my components to the PSU with my older incompatible cables? Would it even work or damage something?
Or did you mean that the head of the cables simply won't plug in?

Still it sucks that I will have to undo all my cable works and redo it from scratch. Also sucks because I was hoping to have some extra spare cables from my older PSU.
Wish I knew that before, because I already set things up so neatly.

 
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madmatt30

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They may both have corsair badges/branding but the old ax was seasonic manufactured & the rm series are cwt.

You cant really expect a competing oem manufacturer to make anything cross compatible & realistically these 2 models are 5 years apart manufacturing date wise.

Im sure corsair maybe 'could' ensure that cables are compatible across every range but then again why would they ??
 
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Ransome

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Interesting. So I assume it's just a matter of shape of the connector being different - which meams non fitting with different PSU's ports?

Oh well, guess that couldn't hurt undo and redo that fine magnificent cablework all over again lol.
 
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Ransome

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Just wanted to update that I am still trying to negotiate a better replacement of a higher series.
Currently I requested the AX860i or AX860.
I also might ask for the HX850. I understand that the HX850 is of superior quality of the RM850i?
What about the AX860/i ? It's an older model - but is it better or worse than the RM850i?
I already managed to convince the store giving me a better replacement option (RM850i instead of the initially offered: RM850x) - so I am content being patient and biding my time fulfilling my warranty the best way possible.

Worth a shot I think. (Unless you think RM850i is better than all of the above?)
Will try to conclude this starting Sunday.

Appreciate all the support.
And letting me know about the cables not interchangeable ! THANK YOU madmatt30!

Next thing I have to worry about is installing the PSU right and connecting the right compatible cables to the CPU/ GPU etc.. because I learned that seemingly identical cables are actually very different on the inside and might damage the hardware parts if connected wrongly.
 
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