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)

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Advanced Transient Response Tests

For details about our transient response testing, please click here.

In the real world, power supplies are always working with loads that change. It's of immense importance, then, for the PSU to keep its rails within the ATX specification's defined ranges. The smaller the deviations, the more stable your PC will be with less stress applied to its components. 

We should note that the ATX spec requires capacitive loading during the transient rests, but in our methodology, we also choose to apply a worst case scenario with no additional capacitance on the rails. 

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 200ms

Swipe to scroll horizontally
VoltageBeforeAfterChangePass/Fail
12V12.065V11.919V1.21%Pass
5V5.047V4.976V1.41%Pass
3.3V3.300V3.182V3.58%Pass
5VSB5.024V4.983V0.82%Pass

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 20ms

Swipe to scroll horizontally
VoltageBeforeAfterChangePass/Fail
12V12.052V11.826V1.88%Pass
5V5.048V4.960V1.74%Pass
3.3V3.300V3.161V4.21%Pass
5VSB5.024V4.971V1.05%Pass

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 1ms

Swipe to scroll horizontally
VoltageBeforeAfterChangePass/Fail
12V12.047V11.918V1.07%Pass
5V5.047V4.962V1.68%Pass
3.3V3.300V3.158V4.30%Pass
5VSB5.024V4.943V1.61%Pass

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 200ms

Swipe to scroll horizontally
VoltageBeforeAfterChangePass/Fail
12V12.117V12.046V0.59%Pass
5V5.040V4.965V1.49%Pass
3.3V3.293V3.169V3.77%Pass
5VSB5.005V4.960V0.90%Pass

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 20ms

Swipe to scroll horizontally
VoltageBeforeAfterChangePass/Fail
12V12.111V12.007V0.86%Pass
5V5.039V4.953V1.71%Pass
3.3V3.293V3.147V4.43%Pass
5VSB5.005V4.957V0.96%Pass

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 1ms

Swipe to scroll horizontally
VoltageBeforeAfterChangePass/Fail
12V12.108V12.022V0.71%Pass
5V5.039V4.944V1.89%Pass
3.3V3.293V3.152V4.28%Pass
5VSB5.005V4.962V0.86%Pass

The transient response at +12V is good, and the same applies to the 5V and 5VSB rails. Finally, the deviations at 3.3V are not so high, but still, this rail cannot keep its voltage above 3.2V the moment the transient load is applied.

Turn-On Transient Tests

In the next set of tests, we measure the PSU's response in simpler transient load scenarios—during its power-on phase. Ideally, we don't want to see any voltage overshoots or spikes since those put a lot of stress on the DC-DC converters of installed components.

The results are almost perfect, in these tests. 

Power Supply Timing Tests

There are several signals generated by the power supply, which need to be within specified, by the ATX spec, ranges. If they are not, there can be compatibility issues with other system parts, especially mainboards. From year 2020, the PSU's Power-on time (T1) has to be lower than 150ms and the PWR_OK delay (T3) from 100 to 150ms.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PSU Timings Table
T1 (Power-on time) & T3 (PWR_OK delay)
LoadT1T3
20%34ms136ms
50%34ms136ms

The PWR_OK delay is within the 100-150ms region, so the PSU does support the alternative sleep mode, which will be a requirement by the ATX v2.52 from 2020.

Ripple Measurements

Ripple represent the AC fluctuations (periodic) and noise (random) found in the PSU's DC rails. This phenomenon significantly decreases the capacitors' lifespan because it causes them to run hotter. A 10-degree Celsius increase can cut into a cap's useful life by 50%. Ripple also plays an important role in overall system stability, especially when overclocking is involved.

The ripple limits, according to the ATX specification, are 120mV (+12V) and 50mV (5V, 3.3V, and 5VSB).

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Test12V5V3.3V5VSBPass/Fail
10% Load5.5 mV6.5 mV8.7 mV3.2 mVPass
20% Load9.8 mV7.2 mV9.1 mV3.2 mVPass
30% Load8.4 mV7.6 mV10.2 mV3.7 mVPass
40% Load8.6 mV8.0 mV11.3 mV4.0 mVPass
50% Load8.8 mV8.1 mV13.0 mV4.4 mVPass
60% Load9.2 mV8.9 mV13.7 mV4.7 mVPass
70% Load9.7 mV10.4 mV15.4 mV5.1 mVPass
80% Load10.0 mV11.8 mV19.1 mV7.1 mVPass
90% Load10.5 mV11.3 mV19.7 mV7.1 mVPass
100% Load15.1 mV11.0 mV19.0 mV6.5 mVPass
110% Load14.7 mV11.5 mV19.6 mV6.9 mVPass
Crossload 114.9 mV7.6 mV14.1 mV3.9 mVPass
Crossload 214.7 mV10.5 mV18.5 mV6.6 mVPass

The ripple suppression is very good, especially on the +12V and the 5VSB rails. 

Ripple At Full Load

Ripple At 110% Load

Ripple At Cross-Load 1

Ripple At Cross-Load 2

EMC Pre-Compliance Testing – Average & Quasi-Peak EMI Detector Results

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) is the ability of a device to operate properly in its environment without disrupting the proper operation of other close-by devices.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) stands for the electromagnetic energy a device emits, and it can cause problems in other close-by devices if too high. For example, it can be the cause of increased static noise in your headphones or/and speakers.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

With the AVG detector there are several spurs that go over the limits, while with the QP detector everything is fine. 

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