XPG Core Reactor 750W Power Supply Review

The XPG Core Reactor 750 is a high-performance PSU, compatible with the newest and toughest requirements of the ATX spec.

XPG Core Reactor 750W
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

Tom's Hardware Verdict

The XPG Core Reactor 750 is a fine PSU offered at a high price, though. With the same amount, there are tough competitors.

Pros

  • +

    Full power at 47 degrees Celsius

  • +

    Efficient and silent

  • +

    Good transient response

  • +

    Long hold-up time

  • +

    Compatible with the alternative sleep mode

  • +

    Fully modular

Cons

  • -

    Expensive

  • -

    Not so tight load regulation at +12V

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The XPG Core Reactor 750 offers high performance, but doesn't beat the performance levels of either the Corsair RM750x and the more modern RM750. The Core Reactor 750 provides alternative sleep mode support and the super-high efficiency at light loads, but if you don't care about those things, he RM750x is a more affordable option. Compared to the RM750,  the XPG unit uses more reputable parts, but both PSUs promise at least 10 years of longevity and are backed by 10 year warranties. 

Along with the similar capacity Corsair RM unit, the XPG Core Reactor 750 is among the very few power supplies fully compatible with the strict requirements of the new ATX specifications, which apply from 2020. Those requirements include compatibility with alternative sleep mode and higher than 70% efficiency at only 2% of the max-rated-capacity load. The hardware changes necessary to achieve the requirements above notably increase the production cost, and this is why all XPG Core Reactor models have stiff prices.

The XPG Core Reactor 750 features super-compact dimensions, thanks to its 140mm depth. This doesn't allow the installation of a 135mm or 140mm fan, so a smaller one, measuring 120mm across, had to be used instead.  

Specifications

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Manufacturer (OEM)

CWT

Max. DC Output

750W

Efficiency

80 PLUS Gold, ETA-A (88-91%)

Noise

LAMBDA-A (20-25 dB[A])

Modular

✓ (Fully)

Intel C6/C7 Power State Support

Operating Temperature (Continuous Full Load)

0 - 50°C

Over Voltage Protection

Under Voltage Protection

Over Power Protection

Over Current (+12V) Protection

Over Temperature Protection

Short Circuit Protection

Surge Protection

Inrush Current Protection

Fan Failure Protection

No Load Operation

Cooling

120mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan (HA1225H12F-Z)

Semi-Passive Operation

Dimensions (W x H x D)

150 x 85 x 140mm

Weight

1.41 kg (3.11 lb)

Form Factor

ATX12V v2.4, EPS 2.92

Warranty

10 Years

Power Specifications

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Rail3.3V5V12V5VSB-12V
Max. PowerAmps222262.530.3
Watts120750153.6
Total Max. Power (W)750

Cables and Connectors

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Modular CablesCable CountConnector Count (Total)GaugeIn Cable Capacitors
ATX connector 20+4 pin (650mm)1116-20AWGNo
4+4 pin EPS12V (650mm)2216AWGNo
6+2 pin PCIe (650mm+150mm)2416-18AWGNo
6+2 pin PCIe (650mm)2216AWGNo
SATA (500mm+145mm+145mm+145mm)31218AWGNo
4-pin Molex (500mm+150mm+150mm+150mm)1418AWGNo
AC Power Cord (1400mm) - C13 coupler1118AWG-

There are no in-cable caps, which is good news for all users since it makes the cable routing and management processes, easier. The number of cables and connectors is satisfactory, and the same goes for cable length. Also, the distance between the peripheral connectors is adequate at 145-150mm. 

Component Analysis

We strongly encourage you to have a look at our PSUs 101 article, which provides valuable information about PSUs and their operation, allowing you to better understand the components we're about to discuss.

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General Data-
Manufacturer (OEM)CWT
PCB TypeDouble Sided
Primary Side-
Transient Filter4x Y caps, 2x X caps, 2x CM chokes, 1x MOV
Inrush ProtectionNTC Thermistor & Relay
Bridge Rectifier(s)2x GBU1506 (600V, 15A @ 100°C)
APFC MOSFETs2x On Semiconductor FCPF165N65S3L1 (650V, 12.3A @ 100°C, 0.165Ohm) & 1x SPN5003 FET (for reduced no-load consumption)
APFC Boost Diode1x Power Integrations QH08TZ600 (600V, 8A @ 95°C)
Hold-up Cap(s)1x Nippon Chemi-Con (420V, 560uF, 2,000h @ 105°C, KMR)
Main Switchers2x On Semiconductor FCPF165N65S3L1 (650V, 12.3A @ 100°C, 0.165Ohm)
APFC ControllerChampion CM6500UNX
Resonant ControllerChampion CU6901V
TopologyPrimary side: Half-Bridge & LLC converter Secondary side: Synchronous Rectification & DC-DC converters
Secondary Side-
+12V MOSFETs6x International Rectifier IRFH7004PBF (40V, 164A @ 100°C, 1.4mOhm)
5V & 3.3VDC-DC Converters: 2x Excelliance Mos Corp EMB04N03HR (30V, 45A @ 100°C, 4mOhm) & 2x Excelliance Mos Corp EMB02N03HR (30V, 100A @ 100°C, 1.7mOhm) PWM Controllers: ANPEC APW7159C
Filtering Capacitors

Electrolytic: 8x Nippon Chemi-Con (4-10,000h @ 105°C, KY),1x Nippon Chemi-Con  (1-5,000h @ 105°C, KZE), 2x Nichicon (2-5,000h @ 105°C, HD), 1x Nichicon (1,000h @ 105°C, VY) Polymer: 19x FPCAP, 6x United Chemi-Con

Supervisor ICIN1S313I-SAG
Fan ModelHang Hua HA1225H12F-Z (120mm, 12V, 0.58A, Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan)
5VSB Circuit-
RectifierSilan Microelectronics SVF4N65RDTR FET (650V, 2.5A @ 100°C, 2.7Ohm) & 1x PS1045L SBR (45V, 10A)
Standby PWM ControllerOn-BrightOB5282CP

This is a modern platform provided by Channel Well Technology. Besides quality filtering caps, it also uses the fresh Champion resonant controller, which supports burst mode operation (CWT calls it kick mode). In this mode, the LLC converter turns off and then starts again to increase efficiency under super-light loads. 

The transient filter is complete, including also an MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor). This small and inexpensive part, blocks the voltage surges coming from the grid, protecting both the power supply and the system that it feeds with power. 

The inrush current protection is handled by an NTC thermistor and a bypass relay, which disconnects it from the circuit, once the PSU is in operation. 

There are two bridge rectifiers, which can handle up to 30A combined. 

The APFC converter utilizes an SPN5003 FET for reduced no-load consumption. The specific part indeed does a good job, since the vampire power is very low, in this platform.

A pair of On Semiconductor FETs, arranged in a half-bridge topology, are the primary switching FETs. There is also an LLC converter for decreased energy losses. Thanks to the Champion CU6901V resonant controller, the LLC converter misses some switching cycles at super-light loads, to decrease power losses and increase efficiency. This allows for higher than 70% efficiency at only 2%, of the PSU's max-rated-capacity, load. 

Six 6x International Rectifier IRFH7004PBF FETs handle the +12V FETs. The heat sinks used to cool them down are tiny, but each of those FETs can handle up to 164A at 100°C, so they are highly overrated, meaning that they won't have a problem handling this platform's max load.

The majority of electrolytic caps belong to a very good line (Chemi-Con, KY) with a high lifetime. There is only one Chemi-Con KZE which is notably inferior to KY members and three Nichicon caps. CWT also used a high number of polymer caps in this platform. 

There are lots of polymer caps at the face of the modular board. 

The 5VSB circuit uses a FET on its primary side, while the regulation on the secondary side is handled by an SBR. It achieves high efficiency.

The soldering quality is good and the sames goes for the PCB's quality.

The 120mm Hong Hua fan uses a fluid dynamic bearing for low noise output and increased longevity.

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.

  • Dark Lord of Tech
    Excellent PSU , thanks Aris!
    Reply
  • Duncan Idaho
    Thanks for this complete review.

    But I think this review fails to catch the point that makes this PSU unique: its depth is only 140mm.

    Very few PSUs are able to provide 750W with such shallow depth, and no one does with such a good quality. This is a very rare feat. Cases with little space and most mini-ITX build can benefit from this PSU, I think this should be mentioned.

    Corsair RM-X, with >160mm is the main opponent thorough the review. Although It's fair to compare both PSU's, but we should mention what those 20mm extra do for, example, quiet operation. Corsair RM-X is no contender in this... "space" (no pun intended).
    Reply
  • escksu
    Nay, I don't consider CWT to be the same tier as Seasonic or Superflower. At this price, I rather go for Seasonic. If XPG decides to use Flextronics or Delta, then I am on!!
    Reply
  • reghir
    Well Amazon is now showing $118.49 making this cheaper than the RM750x , must have read this article :)
    10 left as of this posting. Newegg out of stock.
    https://www.amazon.com/XPG-Reactor-750Watt-Certified-COREREACTOR750G-BKCUS/dp/B07ZRWYMNW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=XPG+CORE+Reactor+750Watt+80&qid=1581816551&s=electronics&sr=1-1
    Reply
  • Darkbreeze
    including two EPS, six EPS, and twelve SATA

    Seems, wrong.
    Reply
  • YuvrajMann
    Thanks for great review, i just have one question regarding this. can this psu avoid sudden pc restarts on power cuts before switching to ups(switching from mains to ups 15<ms) under load/gaming.
    Reply
  • Aeacus
    Here's one interesting thing i found about this PSU;
    TH review claims it to have 10 years of warranty
    Official site says it only has 3 years of warranty, link: http://shop.xpg.com/xpg-core-reactor-atx-power-supply-750w-fully-modular/Moreover, official site doesn't list it's specs either. Just a wall of text as a description. Hard to read description with light grey lettering on white background.
    Reply
  • bignastyid
    Aeacus said:
    Here's one interesting thing i found about this PSU;
    TH review claims it to have 10 years of warranty
    Official site says it only has 3 years of warranty, link: http://shop.xpg.com/xpg-core-reactor-atx-power-supply-750w-fully-modular/Moreover, official site doesn't list it's specs either. Just a wall of text as a description. Hard to read description with light grey lettering on white background.
    That's an odd/shady sales site that is not secured. The info from xpg.com shows 10 years and the specs.
    https://www.xpg.com/us/xpg/641
    Reply
  • Aeacus
    bignastyid said:
    The info from xpg.com shows 10 years and the specs.

    On my end, that linked page doesn't exist.

    Uh-Oh! Not Found

    You’re in the middle of nowhere. The page you requested either was moved or doesn’t exist.

    What you can do:

    Go back Home page
    Contact to me if you believe this happened in error

    Also, when going to xpg.com, then selecting XPG -> Official Store, you'll land on the same store i linked in my reply. So, it is legit.

    Btw, on xpg.com, i could not find any listing of PSUs. There's plenty of other hardware listed there, but no PSUs.
    Reply
  • bignastyid
    Aeacus said:
    On my end, that linked page doesn't exist.



    Also, when going to xpg.com, then selecting XPG -> Official Store, you'll land on the same store i linked in my reply. So, it is legit.

    Btw, on xpg.com, i could not find any listing of PSUs. There's plenty of other hardware listed there, but no PSUs.
    On the site under the XPG drop down choose products(not store) , then pc components on the page that comes up you can select PSU.
    Reply