Corsair CX450 power supply review – Galaxy PC Components

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Looking for a quality and affordable power supply? Corsair’s CX450 is great for system upgraders and builders on a budget. It offers 80 PLUS Bronze efficiency and contemporary technology. The power supply has black cable connectors and sleeves, along with a 120mm fan that is thermally controlled for quiet operation. The LLC reverberating topology with DC to DC enables compatibility with modern PCs.

Specifications

Two OEMs produce the Corsair CX450 – CWT (Channel Well Technology) and Great Wall. Each manufacturer uses a different platform. One way to identify one from the other is by RPS numbers. A reference designator is assigned to every model. Both platforms feature LLC reverberating converters, along with voltage control modules. Each comes with a large-diameter, thermally regulated fan, which is practically silent when idle.

The power supply features a single PCIe connector, ideal for office computers or discrete, low-end graphics boards. You will not receive too much SATA connectivity, but a quartet of connectors should suffice. The Molex connectors come with four pins and are accessible via an individual cable.

Great Wall vs the CWT: Which manufacturer is the best?

Great Wall and CWT are the versions you can choose from. Both come with electrolytic capacitors (Elite-brand). However, the CWT version uses more polymer caps and fewer electrolytic ones. This makes it more resilient against ambient conditions.

Unlike the CWT-based version, the Great Wall CX450 uses a sophisticated circuit that is supervisor integrated. Further, it features superior soldering quality, making it more resistant to tough ambient conditions. Furthermore, its higher-quality fan has a fluid dynamic bearing, which provides greater cooling efficiency. The Great Wall looks cleaner, as far as design goes. Although, the CWT option uses more FETs to regulate its +12V rail, decreasing the secondary part’s thermal load.

Design characteristics

Built to rigorous standards, Corsair’s CX450 power supplies are constructed to strict specifications. With 80 Plus Bronze certification, the Corsair CX450 provides up to 85% efficiency at 50% load, meaning less heat and lower energy bills. The Corsair CX450 is also equipped with Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) with a PF value> 0.9, ensuring clean and reliable power delivery to your system.

Additionally, for a power supply of its wattage, Corsair’s product is quite compact, measuring just 143mm deep. The Corsair CX450 can deliver its full power via its +12V rail, making it a clear choice for those needing a powerful PSU. Minor rails provide 110W max power combined, though they can go higher. Its 5VSB rail provides enough capacity at 15W, maximum.

Rifle-bearing fan

The Corsair’s CX450 employs a rifle bearing fan, which is the middle ground between fluid dynamic and sleeve bearings. CWT used a fluid dynamic bearing-based fan, while Great Wall chose a plain sleeve bearing fan.

Rifle bearings are often used in fans because they offer a happy medium between the two types of bearings. They aren’t as durable as fluid dynamic bearings but last longer than sleeve bearings. Corsair’s decision to use a rifle-bearing fan in the CX450 is interesting.

Key features

System Efficiency: Corsair CX450 Power Supply’s Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) with PF value> 0.9 is one of the highlights of this power supply. It helps to improve the efficiency of your system by correcting the current and voltage so that they are in sync. As a result, less power is wasted as heat, which can help prolong the life of your components. The Corsair CX450 also has a high-efficiency rating, which will help save you money on your energy bills in the long run.
Universal AC Input: One of the best features of the CX450 is its universal AC input from 90~264V. This means that it can be used in any country with any type of electrical outlet.
Component Protection: The power supply’s Over Current/Voltage/Power Protection, Under Voltage Protection, and Short Circuit Protection provides complete component safety. Over Current/Voltage/Power Protection prevents damage to your components from overloading, while Under Voltage Protection keeps your components safe from voltage spikes. Short Circuit Protection ensures your system stays up and running.
Measurements: The Corsair CX450’s dimensions are 150mm x 86mm x 140mm. It can fit in most cases and is large enough to deliver decent airflow.
Warranty and Support: The Corsair CX450 power supply comes with a warranty, which is standard for the industry. Corsair also offers lifetime access to its technical support team, who can help you resolve issues.

Final thoughts

We were partial to CWT’s version of Corsair’s CX450, but we still like the Great Wall, which has a good platform, particularly when you consider its low price and 5-year warranty that is shared between the two implementations.

If you’re searching for a quiet and efficient power supply, we recommend the CWT CX450. The transient response it provides is better than similar models on the market, making it a great choice for budget-conscious shoppers. Corsair’s CX450 is also a good option, with multiple personalities that make it versatile and reliable. The Corsair CX450 is the cheapest fully-modular PSU available today, and its performance is on par with more expensive units. It has the features you expect from a high-end PSU, including full protections, 80+ Bronze efficiency, and a rifle-bearing fan. The soldering quality is also excellent, which is rare for a low-cost PSU.