Corsair RM850x (2021) Power Supply Review

The Corsair RM850x is the new leader in the 850W Gold category.

Corsair RM850x (2021)
(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 percentages). 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 is tight on all rails. It would be even tighter at 12V, if it wasn't for a voltage increase on this rail, at light loads. 

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 pretty 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 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 RM850x (2021)

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Although the EMI filter has all required components, including four Y caps, still leakage current is low. 

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
15.268A2.011A2.008A1.008A84.96287.701%0<6.044.39°C0.978
12.028V4.975V3.284V4.960V96.87740.56°C115.13V
211.575A3.016A3.016A1.211A170.03390.790%0<6.045.49°C0.990
12.020V4.973V3.283V4.956V187.28241.20°C115.09V
318.261A3.521A3.519A1.414A255.03691.619%0<6.046.63°C0.994
11.992V4.971V3.281V4.951V278.36641.83°C115.17V
424.943A4.025A4.026A1.618A340.04591.369%0<6.047.04°C0.992
11.981V4.969V3.279V4.946V372.16741.97°C115.11V
531.285A5.035A5.036A1.821A424.98790.704%0<6.048.22°C0.993
11.970V4.966V3.277V4.942V468.54142.15°C115.12V
637.615A6.046A6.046A2.000A509.41289.941%50411.342.68°C0.994
11.956V4.963V3.276V4.937V566.38349.54°C115.10V
744.008A7.059A7.057A2.231A594.88189.067%86226.943.12°C0.995
11.947V4.960V3.274V4.931V667.90550.71°C115.16V
850.391A8.002A8.070A2.437A679.89388.075%124937.044.37°C0.996
11.943V4.957V3.272V4.925V771.94452.89°C115.12V
957.204A8.582A8.562A2.438A765.18087.150%145541.544.39°C0.997
11.934V4.953V3.270V4.923V878.00853.31°C115.15V
1063.782A9.092A9.084A3.058A849.95186.139%162644.545.02°C0.997
11.918V4.949V3.269V4.907V986.72554.70°C115.15V
1170.942A9.099A9.095A3.059A934.77484.932%186248.046.59°C0.997
11.912V4.946V3.266V4.905V1100.62057.16°C115.12V
CL10.116A18.002A17.999A0.000A149.59682.843%68019.542.28°C0.990
12.027V4.960V3.273V4.999V180.57748.68°C115.16V
CL270.844A1.000A0.999A1.000A858.25286.595%162344.444.96°C0.997
11.929V4.953V3.267V4.938V991.11554.58°C115.12V

The passive operation lasts long, up to 50% load, even at increased operating temperatures. The unit's efficiency drops notably though at high load with higher than 45 degrees Celsius ambient. The fan spins at its full speed only during the overload test, where we push the PSU beyond its limits. 

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
11.241A0.500A0.501A0.200A19.99880.008%0<6.00.870
11.965V4.997V3.298V4.995V24.995115.12V
22.481A1.005A1.002A0.403A39.99084.558%0<6.00.944
11.968V4.976V3.286V4.971V47.293115.12V
33.722A1.508A1.507A0.604A60.01886.701%0<6.00.972
11.974V4.974V3.284V4.967V69.224115.09V
44.936A2.010A2.009A0.806A79.96587.041%0<6.00.977
12.028V4.974V3.284V4.963V91.870115.14V

The efficiency readings in this load range are impressive. 

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
11.184A0.303A0.303A0.050A16.93377.749%0<6.00.843
11.965V5.002V3.301V5.002V21.779115.16V

The PSU achieves high efficiency with 2% load, exceeding by far Intel's 70% limit. 

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 the efficiency levels are satisfactory. This platform's strong point is with light and super-light loads, though. 

5VSB Efficiency

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Test #5VSBDC/AC (Watts)EfficiencyPF/AC Volts
10.100A0.50776.471%0.067
5.072V0.663115.17V
20.250A1.26878.417%0.149
5.069V1.617115.17V
30.550A2.78679.058%0.260
5.067V3.524115.16V
41.000A5.05577.961%0.346
5.054V6.484115.16V
51.501A7.56977.838%0.395
5.044V9.724115.16V
63.001A15.05076.801%0.461
5.015V19.596115.15V

We would like to see higher efficiency at 5VSB. 

Power Consumption In Idle And Standby

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Mode12V5V3.3V5VSBWattsPF/AC Volts
Idle11.955V5.002V3.302V5.003V2.8310.249
115.2V
Standby0.0330.086
115.2V

The platform's energy needs at standby are minimal. 

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 so aggressive, 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)

Under normal operating temperatures, the PSU enters the 30-35 dBA region once the load exceeds 600W, and with 50W more, its noise exceeds 35 dBA but doesn't go above 40 dBA. 

MORE: Best Power Supplies

MORE: How We Test Power Supplies

MORE: All Power Supply Content

Aris Mpitziopoulos
Contributing Editor

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

  • Isokolon
    shame they changed the fan. the 2015 & 2018 RMx were so great for low-noise enthusiasts.
    how the review classifies an almost 30db unit as "quiet" is beyond me.
    Reply
  • Udyr
    What makes this unit better than the Toughpower GF1?

    https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermaltake-toughpower-gf1-850w-power-supply
    Reply
  • g-unit1111
    I have an RM750x and it is a really great PSU. You can't go wrong with this unit.
    Reply
  • jsz031
    Hi Aris.. like your reviews..

    small question. I noticed the Bulk/hold up caps get higher with wattage. can you explain how this impacts a general PSU?

    for example/off topic, I have a 5 year old 550w G2 and it has a 400v 470uf cap. Just purchased a 550w g3 and the cap is lower capacity @ 400v 390uf.

    Does this mean anything or am I overthinking it? is the 550w g2 better than "base" spec? I understand leakage can occur over time, I'm just not sure if its a downgrade or upgrade in specific areas.

    thank you.
    Reply
  • jayjr1105
    jsz031 said:
    Hi Aris.. like your reviews..

    small question. I noticed the Bulk/hold up caps get higher with wattage. can you explain how this impacts a general PSU?

    for example/off topic, I have a 5 year old 550w G2 and it has a 400v 470uf cap. Just purchased a 550w g3 and the cap is lower capacity @ 400v 390uf.

    Does this mean anything or am I overthinking it? is the 550w g2 better than "base" spec? I understand leakage can occur over time, I'm just not sure if its a downgrade or upgrade in specific areas.

    thank you.
    As long as they are meeting the ATX spec of 17ms hold up time, it doesn't really matter. The G2 was probably overkill so they cut costs by going with a lower capacity one.
    Reply
  • tomkawal
    Admin said:
    The new Corsair RM850x is among the best PSUs in its category.

    Corsair RM850x (2021) Power Supply Review : Read more
    ..and worst quality coming from production line! Mine was covered with thick layer of metal salts from soldering. It stopped turning on. Works again after thorough cleanup.
    Reply
  • tomkawal
    Beautifully presented. I was not so lucky with the unit I got, which stopped working after a month. Sent back to eBuyer guys and received it again not fixed (generally they requested ALL cables where I wanted only brick swap - this is totally unacceptable for me when the wires are in place tied to enclosure!) Raised ticket with Corsair with no answer in 2 days. Fixed on my own with one hour of cleaning the PCB from thick layer of soldering flux on the bottom side of PCB which caused leakage currents all over the board. Now it works. Horrendous experience and I don't recommend none of these businesses.
    Reply