The Corsair RM1000x and RM1000i 1000W Power Supply Review
by E. Fylladitakis on September 30, 2015 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Corsair
- RM Series
- Corsair Link
Cold Test Results
For the testing of PSUs, we are using high precision electronic loads with a maximum power draw of 2700 Watts, a Rigol DS5042M 40 MHz oscilloscope, an Extech 380803 power analyzer, two high precision UNI-T UT-325 digital thermometers, an Extech HD600 SPL meter, a self-designed hotbox and various other bits and parts. For a thorough explanation of our testing methodology and more details on our equipment, please refer to our How We Test PSUs - 2014 Pipeline post.
Note: As the RM1000i and the RM1000x are technically identical, their performance during our testing naturally was identical as well. As such, one set of results is displayed in this review for clarity.
The electrical efficiency of the RM1000i/RM1000x is very stable and easily meets the 80Plus Gold efficiency certification standards. In fact, the units went beyond 80Plus Gold and reached 80Plus Platinum efficiency standards during our testing. However, that level is efficiency is was reached using a 230VAC input, therefore the 115VAC input used for 80Plus compliance testing could drop the efficiency below the 80Plus Platinum limits at 50% or 100% load.
The units have a maximum conversion efficiency of 92.8% at 50% load and an average of 91.8% within the nominal load range (20% to 100% of the unit's capacity). It is worthwhile to mention that the older RM1000 had a higher peak efficiency at 50% load, but lower overall efficiency. Corsair also improved the low load efficiency in comparison to the RM1000, bringing it up to 87.8% at 10% load and 80.1% at 5% load.
With the RM1000i/RM1000x operating outside our hotbox, the load had to reach 560 Watts before the fan even started spinning. The thermal performance of the newer models is clearly superior to that of the original RM1000 and astonishing for PSUs with that kind of power output, especially at lower loadings, where the fan is still not spinning. Once the fan starts, it remains practically inaudible. As the load increases however, the fan's speed will increase to meet the increasing cooling demands. The fan becomes clearly audible when the load is greater than about 800 Watts.
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HOOfan 1 - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - link
Looks like you may have been getting 80 Plus Platinum efficiency from itHOOfan 1 - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - link
Nevermind, I see you were using a 230V input, but it still exceeded 80 Plus Gold by a decent amountBearmann - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - link
Excellent review! Noted a couple of typo's in the board layout discussion. Regarding the capacitors, I think you meant "whopping". I'm sure you meant to say "coil whine" within the quotes.E.Fyll - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - link
Thank you Bearmann. The spellchecker/auto-correct are not as smart as they should be sometimes. :)Cow86 - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - link
There is another difference between the RMi and RMx series that the author is apparently unaware of: The RMi series uses a Fluid Dynamic Bearing fan, whilst the RMx series uses a Rifle Bearing fan, same as the RM series. The latter is supposed to not last as long, and also potentially be a little noisier. The difference is marginal though, so I think it's still very much justified to buy the RMx series if you don't need the Corsair Link. I'll definitely be looking at it for my next build :)E.Fyll - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - link
Although the "reviewer's guide" that I received says so as well, both of the units that I received had an NR135P fan installed. Perhaps the fan of the lower wattage models is different or Corsair ran out of NR135L's while making our samples. :)Cow86 - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - link
Seems strange, as the FDB fan would be superior normally, so if they're saying it has it, and it then doesn't, that seems like false advertising even to me. I mean, it's not huge, but getting a different (and potentially inferior) fan to what you're supposed to be getting is not cool. Maybe all the production models have the FDB fan (the NR135L I guess) though in the RMi series...I'd hope so.Oxford Guy - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - link
Actually it is huge. FDB fans should never be advertised and then switched out for crappier fans. Ever.Cow86 - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - link
You're right, and having thought about it a little more I feel more strongly about it now too. This is false advertising if these are making it to customers like this. You're paying a premium for Corsair Link AND the longer lasting FDB fan, so it should damn well have it. @E.Fyll: Any chance of a follow-up with Corsair on that?jonnyGURU - Wednesday, September 30, 2015 - link
The RMi shouldn't have had a rifle bearing fan. Let me see what happened there.