XPG Core Reactor 850W Power Supply Review

To learn more about our PSU tests and methodology, please check out How We Test Power Supply Units. 

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.

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Results 1-8: Load Regulation

The load regulation at +12V is not tight enough, while on the minor rails, it is satisfactory.

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.

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Results 9-12: Hold-Up Time

The hold-up time is longer than 20ms 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.

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Results 13-14: Inrush Current

The inrush currents are at low enough levels, with both voltage inputs. 

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.

The +12V rail's voltage goes up and down instead of a linear decrease as the load increases. This has to do mostly with the resonant controller. 

The fan profile with higher than typical loads should be looser, even if CWT had to make some changes on the platform and use proper heat sinks on the secondary side. 

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.

The efficiency at light loads is excellent! 

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.

Thanks to the new Champion resonant controller and its burst mode operation, the efficiency at super light loads easily exceeds 70%. 

Efficiency

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.

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Results 15-18: Efficiency

This is a highly efficient power supply, especially under light and super-light loads. 

5VSB Efficiency

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Results 19-20: 5VSB Efficiency

The 5VSB rail is also highly efficient. 

Power Consumption In Idle And Standby

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Results 21-22: Vampire Power

The vampire power levels are restricted 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).

The fan profile should be more relaxed, under higher loads at increased operating temperatures. The overall output noise output of our sample is notably higher compared to the Cybenetics results, and this is an indication that the standard production batches use a different fan speed profile (Cybenetics usually tests pre-production samples).

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

Up to typical loads (around 420W), the fan spins at its lowest speed, where it is inaudible. With about 130W more, though, it exceeds 30 dB(A), and with more than 740W, the noise goes over 40 dB(A).

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