Corsair HX520W modular PSU shows ultra reliability

[windwithme]

Corsair has been making PSU since the second half of 2006…
They unveiled two appetizers to market, 520W and 620W PSU.
The performance and product specification is really great.
I knew some users take them to compare with Seasonic’s M12 series.
No matter the spec and appearance, both of them have something in common.
Hence, I analyze them by a comparison.

Price is always significant to consume, so:
Seasonic M12 about US$148
Corsair HX520W about US$121
If you are the users who care about quality,
guarantee period and reasonable price, Corsair HX520W might be a better choice.

The Corsair HX520W Modular Power Supply
We take a look at the package first, it’s a bit bigger than some “same-level” product.
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4631/c520w01vz4.jpg

The accessories from inside
Multi-language users menu and power cords (not in the picture)
Cables for power supplying
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8143/c520w02iy2.jpg

Corsair HX520W itself
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8909/c520w03xt8.jpg

The major heat dissipating system is the 12cm temperature-control fan.
The RPM is low when light loading. If in a heavy loading situation, the noise is still acceptable.
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1858/c520w04gd9.jpg

There is a cellular heat dissipating “holes” for a better heat-dissipation.
It is a “auto-switch”, no need to put a 110/220v switch there.
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5778/c520w05el7.jpg

12V x 3, up to 54A, 480W
That can support most of mid-range to entry-level high-end VGA,
which under SLI/ Crossfire mode without problems
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1299/c520w06mj0.jpg

A modularized sockets: 24/ 8/ 4pins
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/876/c520w07rj3.jpg


CPU:INTEL Core 2 Extreme QX6800
MB: DFI LANParty P35-T2R
DRAM:CORSAIR Dominator TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF
VGA:ELSA FALCOX HD260XT 256B3 HDT RH
HD:Seagate 7200.10 320G
POWER:Corsair HX520W Modular Power Supply
Cooler:Thermaltake V1
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/4867/c520w08py3.jpg

The settings under OS:
CPU: 333X10=>3333Mhz
DRAM: DDRII 1000 CL4 4-4-9
VGA: 2X ELSA HD260XT
The voltage of DFI P35 is a little low, that’s because the power consumption is keep on.
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9459/c520wosjw3.png

OCCT is an useful testing software
In the test, it can make all the cores in a full-loading status

The variation of the CPU’s voltage is more related to motherboard’s design.
The performance is good if the voltage can reach 1.3 to 1.34V while all cores is full loaded.
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/3795/c520wvcorehf6.png

3.3V: about 3.22 to 3.25V, the voltage “drop” about 1% only
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/3563/c520wvolt3pb9.png

5V: about 4.76 to 4.81V, also, the voltage “drop” about 1% only
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/3466/c520wvolt5kd7.png

12V: it sticks in 11.9V
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/46/c520wvolt12ap1.png

OCCT is mainly for testing the voltage (3.3/5/12V) variations of CPU and RAM while under OS full-loaded.
For some minimal error of mobos or high-end VGA cards, it is not for it.

The PSU works fine with quad-core CPU and 2600XT CrossFire in a OC situation.
In the test,
The RPM of the fan is not high and the working temperature is acceptable too(around 40C) includes all the merits I introduced,
this PSU shows a high C/P ratio.

The coming up review of mine is the most popular Elsa 8800GT 512MB VGA card.
Then, I’ll use Corsair HX520W PSU again!!

[mad_skills]

nice job :up: i agree HX520W is an excellent psu, handles my rig without a sweat

[cirthix]

You forgot to mention that it's pretty much silent :)

[flexy]

i got mine today. I <3 it already!!! Awesome PSU.

I think it should do fine with Q6600 and ONE 8800 GTS?

If i had two 8800GTX or something it might get tight...but from what i read this is an excellent PSU.

[g1raffe]

I think it should do fine with Q6600 and ONE 8800 GTS?
Easily.

[natedog420]

i love mine it works great. ive never seen or heard the fan spin up yet with my rig in my sig. i highly recommend this psu for many reasons. i think it would handle sli'ed 8800gt's and a c2d all oc'ed and without a sweat.:up:

[smsmasters]

I have one and it rocks! I can't even hear it.

[Oliver]

WWM good to see a review from you again ;).

I do also have it and its a super psu...

Keep testing it.

[Movieman]

I have the 520 on a Q6600 on a Asus P5K Premium, ATI2600 card, 2-HD, and 5-80's and 2-120's and 12.1v constant on the +12 line and yes, very quiet PSU and cool to the touch.

[Unrealer]

One more here :p: soooooo silent and estable

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e101/Unr3al_2004/DSC05815-1.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e101/Unr3al_2004/DSC05805-3.jpg