Corsair RM1000x (2021) Power Supply Review

The Corsair RM1000x is one of the best Gold PSUs in this Wattage category.

Corsair RM1000x
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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Primary Rails And 5VSB Load Regulation

The following charts show the main rails' voltage values recorded between a range of 40W up to the PSU's maximum specified load, along with the deviation (in percent). Tight regulation is an important consideration every time we review a power supply because it facilitates constant voltage levels despite varying loads. Tight load regulation also, among other factors, improves the system’s stability, especially under overclocked conditions and, at the same time, it applies less stress to the DC-DC converters that many system components utilize.

Load regulation at 12V doesn't look as tight as in the competing offerings, because of a deviation at light loads. In fact, voltage drops on this rail are low. The same goes for the rest rails, where voltage drops are low. 

Hold-Up Time

Put simply; hold-up time is the amount of time that the system can continue to run without shutting down or rebooting during a power interruption.

The hold-up time is long and the power ok signal is accurate. 

Inrush Current

Inrush current, or switch-on surge, refers to the maximum, instantaneous input current drawn by an electrical device when it is first turned on. A large enough inrush current can cause circuit breakers and fuses to trip. It can also damage switches, relays, and bridge rectifiers. As a result, the lower the inrush current of a PSU right as it is turned on, the better.

Inrush currents are kept low with both voltage inputs. 

Leakage Current

In layman's terms, leakage current is the unwanted transfer of energy from one circuit to another. In power supplies, it is the current flowing from the primary side to the ground or the chassis, which in the majority of cases is connected to the ground. For measuring leakage current, we use a GW Instek GPT-9904 electrical safety tester instrument.

The leakage current test is conducted at 110% of the DUT's rated voltage input (so for a 230-240V device, we should conduct the test with 253-264V input). The maximum acceptable limit of a leakage current is 3.5 mA and it is defined by the IEC-60950-1 regulation, ensuring that the current is low and will not harm any person coming in contact with the power supply's chassis.

Corsair RM1000x (2021)

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Leakage currents are not a problem for this platform. 

10-110% Load Tests

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

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Test #12V5V3.3V5VSBDC/AC (Watts)EfficiencyFan Speed (RPM)PSU Noise (dB[A])Temps (In/Out)PF/AC Volts
16.472A1.989A2.009A1.000A99.99087.692%0<6.045.96°C0.981
12.112V5.028V3.286V4.998V114.02440.64°C115.10V
214.000A2.985A3.012A1.202A200.02491.274%0<6.046.80°C0.995
12.082V5.026V3.279V4.990V219.14740.72°C115.09V
321.877A3.482A3.515A1.405A300.01291.404%0<6.047.83°C0.990
12.066V5.025V3.285V4.983V328.22741.23°C115.09V
429.745A3.982A4.024A1.608A399.63791.208%0<6.049.65°C0.993
12.050V5.023V3.282V4.976V438.16141.80°C115.08V
537.332A4.978A5.032A1.811A499.79690.671%49310.942.36°C0.995
12.035V5.023V3.279V4.970V551.22150.71°C115.08V
644.939A5.976A6.040A2.000A599.84789.952%67719.542.90°C0.996
12.019V5.021V3.277V4.963V666.85051.89°C115.08V
752.516A6.974A7.054A2.220A699.66489.077%96430.243.54°C0.997
12.007V5.020V3.274V4.955V785.45753.29°C115.07V
860.143A7.973A8.065A2.426A800.19688.196%113235.043.92°C0.997
12.002V5.019V3.266V4.948V907.29054.76°C115.06V
968.099A8.474A8.555A2.427A899.48687.202%137840.444.73°C0.998
11.997V5.016V3.272V4.946V1031.49456.19°C115.06V
1075.893A8.975A9.048A3.047A999.91586.104%159043.945.32°C0.998
11.994V5.015V3.254V4.924V1161.28657.67°C115.05V
1184.255A8.980A9.094A3.049A1099.94085.027%178046.747.29°C0.998
11.990V5.013V3.266V4.921V1293.63861.21°C115.05V
CL10.133A18.005A17.965A0.000A150.73382.516%67019.042.46°C0.992
12.048V5.014V3.276V5.048V182.67250.52°C115.12V
CL283.338A1.000A1.001A1.000A1013.15486.641%150342.545.37°C0.998
11.998V5.015V3.270V4.977V1169.36757.54°C115.06V

The PSU doesn't have the slightest problem operating under high operating temperatures at full load, or even more. The APFC converter also does an excellent job, even at lower loads, keeping the PF readings high. 

20-80W Load Tests

In the following tests, we measure the PSU's efficiency at loads significantly lower than 10% of its maximum capacity (the lowest load the 80 PLUS standard measures). This is important for representing when a PC is idle with power-saving features turned on.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Test #12V5V3.3V5VSBDC/AC (Watts)EfficiencyFan Speed (RPM)PSU Noise (dB[A])PF/AC Volts
11.233A0.495A0.499A0.198A19.98576.768%0<6.00.763
12.037V5.055V3.291V5.048V26.033115.06V
22.477A0.993A0.978A0.398A39.96781.762%0<6.00.904
12.040V5.033V3.291V5.021V48.882115.10V
33.700A1.491A1.503A0.599A60.00484.330%0<6.00.957
12.042V5.030V3.291V5.012V71.154115.09V
44.931A1.990A2.001A0.799A79.95585.089%0<6.00.972
12.044V5.028V3.279V5.005V93.966115.09V

There is no need for the fan to spin under light loads, keeping noise output at minimal levels. 

2% or 10W Load Test

Intel plans on raising the ante at efficiency levels under ultra-light loads. So from July 2020, the ATX spec will require 70% and higher efficiency with 115V input. The applied load is only 10W for PSUs with 500W and lower capacities, while for stronger units, we dial 2% of their max-rated-capacity.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Test #12V5V3.3V5VSBDC/AC (Watts)EfficiencyFan Speed (RPM)PSU Noise (dB[A])PF/AC Volts
11.434A0.310A0.304A0.052A20.08576.957%0<6.00.763
12.040V5.056V3.253V5.054V26.099115.08V

Efficiency with 2% load is sky-high! 

Efficiency & Power Factor

Next, we plotted a chart showing the PSU's efficiency at low loads, and loads from 10 to 110% of its maximum rated capacity. The higher a PSU’s efficiency, the less energy goes wasted, leading to a reduced carbon footprint and lower electricity bills. The same goes for Power Factor.

With normal loads, efficiency could be higher, but the RM1000x takes its revenge at light and super-light loads, achieving first place in the corresponding charts. Its power factor readings are also high. 

5VSB Efficiency

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Test #5VSBDC/AC (Watts)EfficiencyPF/AC Volts
10.100A0.50376.097%0.064
5.028V0.661115.08V
20.250A1.25678.451%0.144
5.024V1.601115.09V
30.550A2.75979.213%0.256
5.017V3.483115.09V
41.000A5.00578.399%0.347
5.005V6.384115.09V
51.500A7.48978.132%0.399
4.993V9.585115.09V
63.000A14.86477.489%0.466
4.955V19.182115.09V

The 5VSB rail's overall efficiency is satisfactory, but it could be even higher. 

Power Consumption In Idle And Standby

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Mode12V5V3.3V5VSBWattsPF/AC Volts
Idle12.035V5.058V3.305V5.057V2.0860.149
115.1V
Standby0.0350.003
115.1V

Vampire power is kept low with both voltage inputs. 

Fan RPM, Delta Temperature, And Output Noise

All results are obtained between an ambient temperature of 37 to 47 degrees Celsius (98.6 to 116.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The fan speed profile is not aggressive, even under high operating temperatures. 

The following results were obtained at 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) ambient temperature.       

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The load on the minor rails affects the fan speed profile, up to 550-600W of overall load. The fan's speed is kept at minimal levels if you keep the combined load at 5V and 3.3V below 100W. Lastly, the PSU outputs more than 30 dBA noise if you push it above 850W load. 

MORE: Best Power Supplies

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Aris Mpitziopoulos
Contributing Editor

Aris Mpitziopoulos is a contributing editor at Tom's Hardware, covering PSUs.

  • werther595
    I see in this article that you compare specs with the Superflower Leadex V Pro 1000W. Will there be a review of that unit coming out? Or is there one that I have missed?
    Reply