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CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 430W (CMPSU-430CX) Preview |
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6. CX400 vs CX430 comparison. Final Thoughts
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Date: December, 5th 2010 Author: RealHardTech X team |
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Product type: Power Supply Company: Corsair Series: Builder Series “CX” Model: CX430 Continuous Power: 430W at 30ºC |
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Lets do a comparison between the CX400 (discontinued model), which was based on the S12II plataform from Seasonic and the new CX430 unit from CWT, which is based on its new DSAII plataform: |
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(*) It would be able to deliver up to 8A at 100ºC if it was attached to a heatsink, but it is not the case. (**) There was an old model (CX400 Rev.6) which presented an 270µF 400V electrolytic capacitor from Nippon Chemi-Con rated at 85ºC (***) Researched on the day we published this review This table was updated on 08/12/2010 with the model of the CX430’s PFC diode. |
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FINAL THOUGHTS
The CX400 was a very solid entry level power supply that presented good quality and good performance and was able to provide reliable power to users’ systems while not spending much money. That unit actually represented a value and not just a price. Concerning the CX430, Corsair has targeted this unit for value oriented or lower power systems. Unfortunately, it is far from being comparable to the CX400 unit. While the exterior of the unit is perfectly serviceable (it looks nice with its black finish and fully sleeved cables), the built quality of the CX430 is poor. As we have learned for years, you do get what you pay for, but paying only 5€ more we were used to getting from Corsair a PSU with a much higher overall quality: the CX400. The CX430’s component selection is far from top notch. There is certainly a big number of concessions to cost that are present in this unit. The capacitance of the electrolytic capacitor on the primary is extremely low for a 430W PSU, even if it is measured at 30ºC. It is based on the inexpensive group regulated design that has been found in the DSA for years now. Unfortunately, this unit lacks any 80 Plus Certification from Ecos Consulting, which can be found in other units that are based in the DSA plataform from CWT. Moreover, the CW430 is covered by only 2 year warranty, which is a very low period of time. At the current price of 44€ (Spain) the CX430 is certainly a bit more pricey than some other options available on the market. However, in a well-known store in USA is currently running a rebate that bring this PSU down to the $35 price point after MIR, which makes it attractive as an alternative to a generic PSU for a low-end system in an office enviroment where the silence is one of the most important aspects to consider and the power requirements are not. The exterior of this Corsair’s unit looks like other units from this brand, but once we open the cover, it doesn’t seem to be a Corsair PSU. Yes, I know it. This is a low end unit and it is sold at a low price, but we were not used to receiving this kind of PSU from Corsair. I have to say that I have a bad taste in my mouth after previewing this unit. The CX430 takes a big step backward in terms of quality. |
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