Corsair CX430 official review!

[Zap]

This PSU has been the source of much controversy and bashing at some other forums. Head over to jonnyguru.com for the review. [SPOILER ALERT] If you were hoping for fireworks, no it didn't blow up.

Spoiler

Is it the best PSU in the world? No.

Is it the worst PSU in the world? No.

Will it blow up and take out your computer with it? Probably not.

Was the whole controversy blown out of proportion? Yes.

So basically this has about the +12v output of a Delta built Antec EarthWatts EA380D (and 1A more than the original Seasonic EA380). Efficiency is a hair lower than the others, but quality seems okay enough compared to the EA380D (pending a real review of that, which is unlikely). I'd say get whatever is cheaper of the two.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

didn't read the review yet, but I believe the big question is, how is the quality over the old CX400?

 

[Rifter]

I miss the 400CX

I also think going with a Earthwatts is now a better idea in this price range because they are usually a few $ cheaper.

 

[Lonyo]

The disappointing thing is the 28A 12v rating on the 430W PSU vs the 30A 12v rating on the 400CX. Sure, the 430 has 30w of extra power, supposedly, but that's all and more from 3.3v and 5v, while it's down 24w on 12v rated output, without even really being from there.

CX400: 30A @ 12v, 360w total
3.3v + 5v combined, 130w
400w total from all.

CX430: 28A @ 12v, 336w total
3.3v + 5v combined, 120w
430w total from all.

CX400 efficiency, over 80% from 20 to 100% load: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-CX400W-Power-Supply-Review/750/7

I think it's not that the CX430 is a bad product, it's just that it replaces the insanely great and nicely priced CX400, while pretty much being inferior. HS even did an overloaded test and said the CX400 could probably be labelled a 450w PSU.

 

[Rifter]

didn't read the review yet, but I believe the big question is, how is the quality over the old CX400?

Quality to me is worse, have seen both open in front of me and the 400CX was a better PSU IMO.

I own a 400CX(server), Earthwatts 430(HTPC), Corsair 430CX(htpc#2) And of the three i would rate them best to worse in build quality and quality of components: 400CX, EW430, 430CX.

That said they are all still working fine, antec is the oldest at 3 years, 400cx 2 years old and the 430cx is brand new.

 

[Zap]

I think it's not that the CX430 is a bad product, it's just that it replaces the insanely great and nicely priced CX400, while pretty much being inferior.

Ahhh, there's the rub.

In a vacuum, most people would think that the CX430 is a decent unit for the price, albeit with lower available +12v than most would want to see. Think about it! If Thermaltake were to release the exact unit as a TR2-430 Rev.3, people would be all over it. (Note that the TR3-430 had 18A +12v, Rev.2 had "dual" rails but combined to provide same 18A)

However, people will forever compare it to the CX400.

That is not a valid comparison.

Why not?

Because the CX400 was designed to be a more expensive unit.

Why then do I personally have a CX400 sitting in my garage (as a spare) that I paid a mere $20 for after rebate (which I got) and with free shipping?

Because nobody wanted to buy them at the higher price. However, when price was lowered to clear out stock, it suddenly became a huge seller.

Thus, the "blame" for the new CX430 lies with the consumer! Corsair saw that consumers would buy a cheaper PSU that wasn't crap, so that's what they did with the CX430.

Selling the old CX400 at a loss is not a sustainable business model, so everyone needs to just get that out of their heads right now.

Now, how about similarly priced PSUs? How about the Thermaltake TR2-430 I mentioned earlier? It has almost 2500 reviews averaging 4/5 eggs with 72% giving 5/5 eggs. It also costs $4 more than the Corsair CX430. Which is the winner here?

I won't even go into other PSUs available from companies like Apevia, Diablotek or all the other random companies pushing crap.

Anyways, to sum it up, yes the CX400 is "better" than the CX430 by most definitions of how that word is applied to PSU quality. However, the CX430 is "cheaper" than the CX400 by most definitions of how that word is applied to consumer electronics pricing.

Would it make everyone suddenly feel much better if Corsair took the CX430 and slapped a 380W label on it? After all it has about the same +12v as an Antec EA380, but the normal selling price is lower.

Alright, so yeah, just go and read the review to find out how it did with voltages, efficiency and ripple up to full load.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Same thing happened with the BFG LS550. Everyone loved them at $60. Everyone recommended them at $60...but BFG was losing money selling them at that and no one bought them at $80, because there were other things our there that were better for just a tiny bit more.

Well Corsair has hopefully learned their lesson about unannounced changes of platforms on a model, and hopefully they learned something from the CX naming scheme. PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING.

 

[BoomerD]

It's too bad this reviews so poorly. I'm considering a new PSU to stick in the case of my old computer for when my grandkids come to visit. (I stole the Corsair HX620 out of it and the Perspire...I mean Aspire that came in the case appears to be dead.)

 

[tomoyo]

Wait getting a score of 9 and having good ripple and voltage regulation = reviews poorly??? I don't get it at all. This is a perfectly good budget pick.

 

[Zap]

It's too bad this reviews so poorly.

LOL... wut?

 

[yhelothar]

What about all the newegg reviews that talk about the whining sounds emanating from the PSU?

 

[BoomerD]

LOL... wut?

As you opened with:

Is it the best PSU in the world? No.

Is it the worst PSU in the world? No.

The review wasn't BAD, but it was disappointing. IMO, Corsair is known for better PSU's than this.

Reading the similarly named thread at Johnny Guru, it's not really a recommended unit in spite of the JG "9," and for the price/size, there are better PSU's on the market.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7460

I inquired about the CX a while back...before the review came out, and was told that while it's a "serviceable unit," I could get more/better for the $$.

 

[HOOfan 1]

What better PSUs are there for $40?

 

[Rifter]

What better PSUs are there for $40?

Earthwatts IMO

 

[Zap]

for the price/size, there are better PSU's on the market.

You are probably thinking of sales or hot deals. MSRP paints a different picture.

Earthwatts IMO

Earthwatts gets discounted to that price range. CX430 starts at that price range. IIRC the actual MSRP of the EA380D is around $10 above the CX430, which is a full 20% price difference.

 

[Rifter]

You are probably thinking of sales or hot deals. MSRP paints a different picture.



Earthwatts gets discounted to that price range. CX430 starts at that price range. IIRC the actual MSRP of the EA380D is around $10 above the CX430, which is a full 20% price difference.

Perhaps this is true, but around here both can be had within a few dollars of each other from a variety of dealers at any given time. So i consider them in the same price range, i guess this could not be the case worldwide.

 

[Termie]

Let's face it. The market for $60 400w PSUs is not a great one. Anyone buying that small a PSU is probably looking either to (1) save money or (2) build a high-quality, low-power HTPC. #2 is why I paid $40AR for my 400CX, and that's probably why others paid good money for it too. I don't think the 400CX was flying off shelves at its original price, though, as noted above, and that's because the market is just too small.

So now we have the optimistically-rated CX430, which is comparable to an Antec 380 and is a good competitor to the similarly-priced TR2 (which I've used in past builds for family members).

At $50, I'd go with a superior Seasonic 380 S12II, but I fully expect that the CX430 will have "perma-rebate" status, and assuming that the rebate comes through, you just can't get a better PSU for $30.

 

[Zap]

I don't think the 400CX was flying off shelves at its original price

It was not. Verified by Redbeard.

So now we have the optimistically-rated CX430, which is comparable to an Antec 380 and is a good competitor to the similarly-priced TR2

The current Delta built EA380D is better in efficiency but is otherwise considered worse (though that might be semantics) in build quality versus the original Seasonic. To me, they are all equivalent and I would just buy the cheapest one at the time of purchase.

The Thermaltake TR2 is not as good. It is an over-rated HEC 350W. I believe Hardware Secrets or some other site reviewed it. It isn't necessarily that bad at 350W though, and is a decent choice for older rigs because it is a warmed over ATX 1.3 design. That means it is weak on the +12v. Indeed the original had a single 18A +12v rail. The replacement has dual rails, but supposedly they still combine to 18A or just over 200W. More "modern" PSUs should have 75%+ available on the +12v (some have near 100% but those are DC-DC on the minor rails).

 

[Rifter]

Let's face it. The market for $60 400w PSUs is not a great one. Anyone buying that small a PSU is probably looking either to (1) save money or (2) build a high-quality, low-power HTPC. #2 is why I paid $40AR for my 400CX, and that's probably why others paid good money for it too. I don't think the 400CX was flying off shelves at its original price, though, as noted above, and that's because the market is just too small.

So now we have the optimistically-rated CX430, which is comparable to an Antec 380 and is a good competitor to the similarly-priced TR2 (which I've used in past builds for family members).

At $50, I'd go with a superior Seasonic 380 S12II, but I fully expect that the CX430 will have "perma-rebate" status, and assuming that the rebate comes through, you just can't get a better PSU for $30.

This is true, right now today i could get my hands on a 430CX for 24.99 assuming the rebate is good, 44.99 if it isnt. Can also get my hands on a earthwatts 380 for $46. Obviously the CX430 would be a better deal if the rebate is good. And you are right thats why they will keep it rebated to compete with the earthwatts and low wattage seasonics that are in the 50-70 price range.

 

[emilyek]

And yet your typical midrange gaming machine could have an Earthwatts in it and still have 50 watts to spare.

 

[Rifter]

And yet your typical midrange gaming machine could have an Earthwatts in it and still have 50 watts to spare.

alot more than 50w if its a 750w earthwatts

 

[Zap]

This is true, right now today i could get my hands on a 430CX for 24.99 assuming the rebate is good, 44.99 if it isnt. Can also get my hands on a earthwatts 380 for $46. Obviously the CX430 would be a better deal if the rebate is good. And you are right thats why they will keep it rebated to compete with the earthwatts and low wattage seasonics that are in the 50-70 price range.

Exactly. It all comes down to what is the best bang/buck RIGHT NOW when buying. All this "but XYZ PSU is better because it is priced $$$" may be a moot issue if you need to order a PSU today and it is out of stock, or between hot deals and is at full price. Note that I didn't mention any particular brand, because it can happen to all of them.

Right now today (er, until 1/9 that is) there are some hot deals going on with PSUs...

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D $30

Corsair Builder Series 500CX $35

These prices are after coupon (see Hot Deals) and after rebate, plus have free shipping. I haven't seen the EA-430D that cheap in a while, so it is HOT right now... if you need to buy a PSU between now and 1/9 when the deals expire. The 500CX (or is that CX500 ??? I've often seen Corsair PSUs named both ways) is not "overrated" like the CX430 so the only caveats are lack of "official" 80Plus certification plus being rated at "only" 30°C.

 

[ElFenix]

the newegg 430D is a steal. i've been running one of those for about 8 months on my server and it's really quiet. good rep too. picked mine up from fry's for about $30 way back then (no rebate required, yay!)

 

[Phaedrus2129]

This PSU has been the source of much controversy and bashing at some other forums.

What, you talkin' 'bout lil' ol' me?

It was blown out of proportion, but it's also still overrated. It's a CWT DSAII 380W, end of story, it doesn't have the +12V capacity to be a true 430W. And something is causing it to do worse at 115VAC than at 230VAC, at least from what I saw on the scopes with my confidential source.


It isn't a bad power supply. It's just a 380W, not a 430W. Though since we know it can do more than 320W as we initially feared, I may recommend it if it manages to stay in the $35 range BEFORE rebates.

Would it make everyone suddenly feel much better if Corsair took the CX430 and slapped a 380W label on it? After all it has about the same +12v as an Antec EA380, but the normal selling price is lower.

I'd feel better.

 

[HOOfan 1]

It's just a 380W, not a 430W.

Yet Jonny got 430W out of it and 80% efficiency doing that...It is a 430W unit...it just has a low rating for the 12V rail.