If you have a link to the hot box test for hours at 760W, I'd like to see it, as that is impressive. As I said, I'm just discussing is a set of safety measures to consider when buying a PSU. Going back to the original discussion, I had stated that a 650W unit isn't sufficient for GTX 470 SLI on an i7-based system, since it can load close to the PSU's max rating during normal gaming with only a slight overclock. Hence I suggested the 750W unit, and even the 850W wouldn't be unreasonable, especially if you run a system with more peripherals than a barebone test bench (which many power consumption measurements are taken on).
I do trust it, that's why I purchased one. Again though, why tempt fate? Using a loose car analogy, that's like low gearing a transmission or rear-end and running 4K+ RPMs on the highway because "you're only ever going to go as fast as 70MPH." Sure, the car can do it, but it isn't doing the engine any favors, and it would have been much wiser to pick up a better gearing ratio or a trans with one more gear.
That's more or less what I thought and wanted you to say. The differences in price are usually small enough that it's not too much of a sacrifice to give yourself that extra buffer. Anyway, considering I'm now discussing this with car analogies, I think I've gone off track far enough. I'll agree to disagree, I don't want to derail the OP's thread further 😛.
I think what may be misunderstood here is "max rating" and "suggested rating", the HX650 has a "suggested rating" of 650W @50C. They do this because it's what the PSU is rated to safely run at for the life of the unit. As far as I know, Corsair doesn't use the term "max rating", and it doesn't apply to their power products. The question at hand is, "will the HX650 comfortably handle 650W with normal use?" Well, Corsair sure thinks so, and given their track record they wouldn't stamp that suggested rating on it if they didn't.
Now, if you want to buy a 750W for this application, more power to you (har har). The HX750 will put out a staggering 950W at 50C, and it seems the guys at Jonnyguru tried to kill it, but they couldn't, even at 30% over rating.
😉 Thing is, it's also on average ~$50 more expensive. It's up to the builder to decide if it's worth that extra Grant leaving his wallet. Especially when the 650 is guaranteed by Corsair to do the job.
If there had been a modular 550W Corsair available, for a decent amount of money less, I would have bought it instead. In fact, I had originally decided to get the HX520, but the supply of them with reputable etailers had dried up. At the same time, the normally $120 HX650 turned up with a $20 coupon and 5% BCB, so the decision was really easy.
Also, I was mistaken, it ran at 722W out @50C at overclock3D. I know I saw a German test at one point pushing it to 750W, but I can't find it. Maybe it was the HX620.
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/power_supply/corsair_hx650w_650w_atx_psu/4
Anyway, sorry to take this so far off track, I guess we can just agree to disagree.
