We see if this SFX-L energy provide from Corsair is definitely worth the cash Up to date: Jun 25, 2024 3:25 pm WePC is reader-supported. Once you purchase via hyperlinks on our website, we might earn an affiliate fee. Costs topic to alter. Be taught extra Desk of Contents Desk of Contents The Corsair SF850L was launched in 2023 as a brand new smaller-sized energy provide that got here with the newest ATX 3.0 and PCIe native assist. This SFX PSU (or SFX-L to be extra precise: the marginally larger model) is a extra compact unit for mini-ITX instances or related, that seeks to retain a variety of the performance and efficiency of the bigger fashions. Let’s see the way it holds up! Specs Wattage: 850W Modularity: Absolutely modular Effectivity ranking: Gold Compliance/compatibility: ATX12V v3.1, PCIe 5.0, EPS 2.92 Dimensions: 125 x 65 x 130mm Weight: 1.13kg / 2.49lb What We Suppose The Corsair SF850L is a good, power environment friendly, small form-factor PSU that sacrifices little or no in alternate for its extra compact design. Not like most SFX/SFX-L models it doesn’t price far more than the ATX variants and comes with a pleasant spacing of connectors, plus has the advantages of an ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5 native connection; the 7 yr guarantee is affordable. It’s definitely louder than common, but when you may get over that then there’s little motive to not purchase it. Professionals Nice power effectivity ATX 3.0 customary & PCIe 5.0 connection Moderately priced for an SFX PSU First rate 7 yr guarantee Pricing When it was initially launched in 2023 the Corsair SF850L had an MSRP of round $180, with the bigger 1000W variant SF1000L retailing for $200. Costs have come down a good bit since, although equally it’s a bit tough to seek out one new on Amazon (and second-hand fashions don’t have a transferable guarantee). You may decide a brand new mannequin up on BestBuy for round $149.99 on the time of writing, which is about $20 greater than the ATX-size Corsair RM850e launched in the identical yr. Typically you count on the mark-up on a smaller-size energy provide to be greater than this: the worth you pay for the compact design, and the present value compares very favourably to related choices from different manufacturers. Design The PSU is constructed to the ATX 3.0 customary, which makes it preferrred for full stability with the newest 40-series GPUs. It additionally helps PCIe 5 connectors and is cooled by a single 120mm fluid dynamic bearing fan. Regardless of being a smaller-sized PSU, the SF850L will get by with out reducing out a lot in comparison with your customary ATX, which is good to see. You get loads of connecting cables and ports, together with a 12VHPWR connector, EPS/ATX 12V 8-pin cable for any overclocking or high-end motherboards, plus 4 PCIe 8-pin connectors, that means you possibly can simply hook up with a excessive finish GPU and CPU and have connections to spare. It comes with Sort 5 micro match cables and has full modularity. Moreover, though it’s a smaller dimension, the sockets for the connections are effectively spaced out, not bunched collectively such as you typically see, which once more helps throughout the constructing/improve course of. Aesthetically it’s your customary Corsair truthful: all black with the white Corsair sails emblem and lettering. Earlier Subsequent Dimension & compatibility As talked about the SF850L has an SFX-L kind issue, which is actually a barely longer SFX dimension, although nonetheless very appropriate for mini case builds. It does additionally include an adapter to assist it match bigger instances if want be as effectively. As all the time, we’d suggest that you simply get correct measurements of your case earlier than buying something to ensure the PSU undoubtedly matches. Particularly, the Corsair SF850L measures: 125 x 63.5 x 130mm. Sound & effectivity There are two principal ranking requirements on the subject of the effectivity ranking of a PSU: the 80 Plus customary that’s been used for during the last decade, and the newer Cybernetics Labs customary, which is more and more in style as a result of it takes into consideration regional variations in mains energy outputs, plus higher accuracy general. Normally each of those requirements will find yourself ranking the identical PSU inside the identical broad class, nonetheless within the case of the SF850L it’s designated gold underneath the 80 Plus customary and platinum underneath Cybernetics Labs, each of that are good in fact (although platinum is healthier). Trying on the particulars of the Cybenetics exams, when measured at 115V of output the common effectivity got here in at 90.577% with the 5VSB effectivity measuring 83.657%. When measured at 230V the PSU scored a mean of 92.33%, with 83.020% for the 5VSB rail. By way of sound output, the SF850L is a bit louder than common, although definitely not insufferable. It has an general Cybernetics noise ranking of Customary+, an particularly scored a mean of 36.09dB(A) at 115V, and 35.92sB(A) at 230V. Guarantee & Assist The guarantee on this explicit Corsair PSU is for 7 years, which is a bit shorter than what we’re used to for different gold/platinum rated energy provides by this model, which regularly final for 10 years, nonetheless it’s nonetheless lots lengthy sufficient in our e-book. For the overwhelming majority of customized PC builders, you’ll doubtless be in search of an improve by the point the eighth yr rolls round anyway, so this size of protection ought to provide piece of thoughts.
