Corsair TX650M Power Supply Review: Quietly Good

A quiet and decent-performing PSU

Corsair TX650M
(Image credit: © 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 is within 1% on all rails, so it's tight enough.

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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 longer than 17ms and the power-OK signal is accurate but lower than 16ms. 

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 could be lower, especially with 230V input. 

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 TX650M

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

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 12V 5V 3.3V 5VSB DC/AC (Watts) Efficiency Fan Speed (RPM) PSU Noise (dB[A]) Temps (In/Out) PF/AC Volts
10% 3.604A 1.997A 2.002A 0.992A 65.004 82.251% 955 24.8 40.21°C 0.977
Row 2 - Cell 0 12.043V 5.008V 3.297V 5.042V 79.031 Row 2 - Cell 6 Row 2 - Cell 7 Row 2 - Cell 8 45.25°C 115.18V
20% 8.228A 2.998A 3.005A 1.192A 129.952 88.479% 927 23.8 40.54°C 0.984
Row 4 - Cell 0 12.037V 5.005V 3.294V 5.034V 146.873 Row 4 - Cell 6 Row 4 - Cell 7 Row 4 - Cell 8 46.28°C 115.18V
30% 13.223A 3.501A 3.509A 1.393A 194.941 90.544% 892 22.6 41.56°C 0.983
Row 6 - Cell 0 12.016V 5V 3.291V 5.027V 215.299 Row 6 - Cell 6 Row 6 - Cell 7 Row 6 - Cell 8 47.56°C 115.15V
40% 18.218A 4.004A 4.014A 1.594A 260.039 90.889% 982 26.1 41.93°C 0.987
Row 8 - Cell 0 12.012V 4.997V 3.289V 5.021V 286.106 Row 8 - Cell 6 Row 8 - Cell 7 Row 8 - Cell 8 48.65°C 115.16V
50% 22.865A 5.008A 5.022A 1.796A 325.034 90.823% 1052 27.5 42.5°C 0.99
Row 10 - Cell 0 12.006V 4.993V 3.286V 5.013V 357.877 Row 10 - Cell 6 Row 10 - Cell 7 Row 10 - Cell 8 49.69°C 115.16V
60% 27.484A 6.016A 6.033A 1.998A 389.58 90.549% 1088 29.0 42.68°C 0.991
Row 12 - Cell 0 11.999V 4.988V 3.283V 5.005V 430.24 Row 12 - Cell 6 Row 12 - Cell 7 Row 12 - Cell 8 50.46°C 115.16V
70% 32.162A 7.024A 7.045A 2.202A 454.93 90.021% 1182 32.8 43°C 0.993
Row 14 - Cell 0 11.996V 4.984V 3.28V 4.997V 505.36 Row 14 - Cell 6 Row 14 - Cell 7 Row 14 - Cell 8 51.22°C 115.17V
80% 36.848A 8.003A 8.058A 2.305A 519.608 89.408% 1255 32.6 43.68°C 0.994
Row 16 - Cell 0 11.991V 4.98V 3.276V 4.99V 581.162 Row 16 - Cell 6 Row 16 - Cell 7 Row 16 - Cell 8 52.48°C 115.17V
90% 41.938A 8.544A 8.555A 2.409A 585.202 88.808% 1323 34.4 44.16°C 0.994
Row 18 - Cell 0 11.986V 4.975V 3.273V 4.983V 658.954 Row 18 - Cell 6 Row 18 - Cell 7 Row 18 - Cell 8 53.58°C 115.18V
100% 46.772A 9.057A 9.086A 3.016A 650.053 88.03% 1401 36.2 45.89°C 0.995
Row 20 - Cell 0 11.980V 4.969V 3.269V 4.975V 738.446 Row 20 - Cell 6 Row 20 - Cell 7 Row 20 - Cell 8 55.87°C 115.19V
110% 51.472A 10.083A 10.206A 3.021A 714.702 87.203% 1482 37.7 46.67°C 0.995
Row 22 - Cell 0 11.975V 4.96V 3.263V 4.966V 819.589 Row 22 - Cell 6 Row 22 - Cell 7 Row 22 - Cell 8 57.55°C 115.19V
CL1 0.116A 15.727A 15.736A 0A 131.316 82.497% 1247 32.4 42.57°C 0.985
Row 24 - Cell 0 12.036V 4.979V 3.279V 5.012V 159.177 Row 24 - Cell 6 Row 24 - Cell 7 Row 24 - Cell 8 49.59°C 115.19V
CL2 0.116A 25.138A 0A 0A 126.402 80.819% 1160 31.0 43.73°C 0.984
Row 26 - Cell 0 12.040V 4.973V 3.282V 5.028V 156.401 Row 26 - Cell 6 Row 26 - Cell 7 Row 26 - Cell 8 51.53°C 115.2V
CL3 0.116A 0A 25.104A 0A 83.9 75.719% 1117 29.6 44.42°C 0.987
Row 28 - Cell 0 12.035V 5V 3.286V 5.013V 110.804 Row 28 - Cell 6 Row 28 - Cell 7 Row 28 - Cell 8 53.26°C 115.2V
CL4 54.220A 0A 0A 0A 649.926 89.077% 1370 35.4 45.51°C 0.995
Row 30 - Cell 0 11.987V 4.974V 3.271V 4.996V 729.622 Row 30 - Cell 6 Row 30 - Cell 7 Row 30 - Cell 8 55.57°C 115.18V

PF readings are satisfactory, and the PSU doesn't have a problem delivering full load and even more, at sky-high operating temperatures. We pushed it at up to 47 degrees Celsius, and it didn't sweat. 

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 12V 5V 3.3V 5VSB DC/AC (Watts) Efficiency Fan Speed (RPM) PSU Noise (dB[A]) Temps (In/Out) PF/AC Volts
20W 1.240A 0.499A 0.5A 0.198A 20.003 75.475% 881 22.1 36.78°C 0.904
Row 2 - Cell 0 11.979V 5.011V 3.3V 5.049V 26.503 Row 2 - Cell 6 Row 2 - Cell 7 Row 2 - Cell 8 39.94°C 115.18V
40W 2.714A 0.699A 0.7A 0.297A 40.001 77.508% 883 22.2 37.97°C 0.963
Row 4 - Cell 0 12.044V 5.01V 3.299V 5.047V 51.609 41.64°C 115.18V
60W 4.196A 0.898A 0.9A 0.397A 59.999 82.36% 921 23.6 38.74°C 0.976
Row 6 - Cell 0 12.044V 5.01V 3.298V 5.045V 72.85 Row 6 - Cell 6 Row 6 - Cell 7 Row 6 - Cell 8 42.82°C 115.18V
80W 5.674A 1.098A 1.101A 0.496A 79.957 85.181% 929 23.9 39.19°C 0.98
Row 8 - Cell 0 12.043V 5.009V 3.298V 5.043V 93.867 Row 8 - Cell 6 Row 8 - Cell 7 Row 8 - Cell 8 43.8°C 115.18V

It would be nice to see over 80% efficiency with 40W load. Moreover, since there is no semi-passive mode, the fan spins at all times. This is not a problem, though, since it is barely audible at light loads. 

2% or 10W Load Test

From July 2020, the ATX spec requires 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
12V 5V 3.3V 5VSB DC/AC (Watts) Efficiency Fan Speed (RPM) PSU Noise (dB[A]) Temps (In/Out) PF/AC Volts
0.872A 0.269A 0.269A 0.052A 12.931 70.597% 849 20.8 23.84°C 0.835
11.966V 5.006V 3.298V 5.05V 18.317 Row 2 - Cell 5 Row 2 - Cell 6 Row 2 - Cell 7 25.84°C 115.17V

With 2% load, efficiency is over 70%, as the ATX spec requires. 

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.

Efficiency with light loads could be higher, while it is satisfactory with normal loads and pretty high with 2% of the PSU's max-rated capacity. 

5VSB Efficiency

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Test # 5VSB DC/AC (Watts) Efficiency PF/AC Volts
1 0.1A 0.505W 77.619% 0.096
Row 2 - Cell 0 5.051V 0.651W Row 2 - Cell 3 115.16V
2 0.25A 1.263W 81.277% 0.195
Row 4 - Cell 0 5.051V 1.554W Row 4 - Cell 3 115.16V
3 0.55A 2.778W 82.536% 0.299
Row 6 - Cell 0 5.05V 3.366W Row 6 - Cell 3 115.16V
4 1A 5.05W 82.817% 0.364
Row 8 - Cell 0 5.049V 6.098W Row 8 - Cell 3 115.17V
5 1.5A 7.575W 82.121% 0.4
Row 10 - Cell 0 5.048V 9.224W Row 10 - Cell 3 115.17V
6 3A 15.138W 79.785% 0.451
Row 12 - Cell 0 5.045V 18.973W Row 12 - Cell 3 115.16V

The 5VSB rail is highly efficient. 

Power Consumption In Idle And Standby

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Mode 12V 5V 3.3V 5VSB Watts PF/AC Volts
Idle 11.963V 5.007V 3.298V 5.051V 4.395 0.412
Row 2 - Cell 0 Row 2 - Cell 1 Row 2 - Cell 2 Row 2 - Cell 3 Row 2 - Cell 4 Row 2 - Cell 5 115.17V
Standby Row 3 - Cell 1 Row 3 - Cell 2 Row 3 - Cell 3 Row 3 - Cell 4 0.047 0.007
Row 4 - Cell 0 Row 4 - Cell 1 Row 4 - Cell 2 Row 4 - Cell 3 Row 4 - Cell 4 Row 4 - Cell 5 115.17V

Power consumption in standby is low. 

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 relaxed, given the operating conditions. Moreover, there is a weird drop in fan speed with 200W load. 

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)

At normal operating temperatures, close to 30 degrees Celsius, the PSU is silent up to 350W, and it needs more than 450W to exceed 30 dBA. All in all, this is a quiet PSU. 

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Aris Mpitziopoulos
Contributing Editor

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

  • daris98
    Seems that they did a good job at keeping things in check. Everything is better than its predecessor, though, I was expecting that It'd be a good lot quieter. What I'm hoping is that they will be able to sell this for cheap in my country. The Enermax Revolution DF sells for cheaper than the old TX650M and I see no reason why I should get the TX. Hopefully the new version will be cheaper than the DF.
    Reply