In this post, we are comparing the Corsair RM850 vs HX850 which are top of the line PSUs with difference certifications. We will look into their specs objectively to understand whether the cost difference is worth it. Read along to know more!
Related: Corsair RM750 vs RM750x vs RM750i Specifications Comparison
The Corsair range of power supply units has always been considered to be an excellent option. If you are looking for the perfect choice for a high-end PSU, A Corsair power supply would be the right one.
Also Read: Best 1200 Watts PSU
A power supply unit is one of the essential components, yet a highly overlooked aspect of the PC components. Now that there are several specifications designed for the power bank, it may be quite challenging to choose the right one for your needs. One of the significant constraints would be a clear understanding between the Gold and Platinum certification.
What does 80 Plus certification mean?
Before understanding what 80 Plus Gold or Platinum certification is, it may be worthwhile to check what exactly does the efficiency of a power supply unit means.
The efficiency rating of a power supply unit refers to the score that determines how well the group can convert the AC power into DC so that the components on your PC can perform well enough. For instance, let us assume that the PC component needs 100 W of power. If you have a power supply that is 80% efficient, it will draw 125 W of current.
There is a misconception here. Some of the users tend to believe that a PSU with 80% efficiency will power a PC component only up to 80% of the rated requirement. This doesn’t seem right. The PSU will always supply the required current to the elements regardless of its efficiency.
What do the different 80Plus Ratings mean? Now that you are aware of an 80% efficient Power supply unit let us explore the different ratings that these PSUs are made available at.
- A dull or basic 80 Plus rating will mean 80% efficiency (minimum) at 20%, 50%, and 100% load.
- An 80 Plus Bronze rating means a minimum of 82 % efficiency at 20% load, 85% at 50% load and a minimum of 82% at 100% load.
- An 80 Plus Silver Rating will mean 85% efficiency at 20% load, 88% at 50% load, and 85% at 100% load.
- An 80 Plus Gold rating offers 87% efficiency at 20% load, 90% at 50% load, and 87% at 100% load
- An 80 Plus Platinum rating will provide you with 90% efficiency at 20% load, 92% at 50% load, and 89% at 100% load.
So, is an 80 Plus Platinum efficiency essential?
Well, the 80 Plus Platinum rating will help you save more energy when compared to the Basic or Gold rating. The following table should ideally make it clear to you.
Rating |
DC Required by PC components | AC Input drew | Efficiency | Power Lost |
| 80 PLUS PSU | 250W | 312.5W | 80% | 62.5W |
| 80 PLUS Bronze PSU | 250W | 294W | 85% | 44W |
| 80 PLUS Silver PSU | 250W | 284W | 88% | 34W |
| 80 PLUS Gold PSU | 250W | 278W | 90% | 28W |
| 80 PLUS Platinum | 250W | 272W | 92% | 22W |
For a power requirement of 250 W, you can see that there is enough power-saving between a necessary 80 Plus certification and a Platinum certification. Even between Gold and Platinum rating, there is a saving of around 6 W of power.
Corsair RM850 Power supply Unit – An Overview
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The RM series of Corsair power supply units offer you an excellent performance standard. The primary plus point that they offer modular system in their compact design and offer quieter operation. It provides you access to very high efficiency at a very light load. The fully modular design is yet another plus point that it would offer you.
The power supply unit comes with two EPS and six PCIe connectors. This makes it an excellent option for use with a high-end gaming system.
Corsair HX850 – The best 80 Plus Platinum alternative
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If you are looking for a better choice regarding and a Platinum rating compared to the RM850 from Corsair, the HX850 should be the right upgrade. It offers you a dead silent operation when compared to the other options available. Corsair should indeed be praised for coming up with such a great PSU.
The HX series has four models ranging between 750 and 1200 W. They are designed for effective and efficient performance, focusing on a modular design, 80 Plus Platinum rating, and a hushed operation. You can also expect better ripple suppression and tighter load regulation. The ten-year warranty is yet another huge plus point that should make it one of the excellent options to go with.
The Comparison Table: RM850 vs HX850
Now that we are checking out the options for the best power supply units in the 850W category from Corsair, the comparison between them should serve us better to arrive at the best features offered by them.
| Features and Particulars | Corsair RM850 | Corsair HX850 |
| Max DC output | 850 W | 850 W |
| Efficiency | 80 PLUS Gold, ETA-A (88-91%) | ETA-B and
80 Plus Platinum |
| Noise certification | LAMBDA-A- (25-30 dB[A]) | LAMBDA-A+ efficiency |
| Modularity | Full | Full |
| Maximum Noise level | 0 dBA up to 40% load. | 0 dBA up to 20% load. |
| Cooling | 140mm Rifle Bearing Fan (HA1425M12F-Z) | |
| Cable Type | Low-Profile, All Black | Low-Profile, All Black |
| Physical Dimensions | 150mm x 86mm x 180mm | 150mm x 86mm x 180mm |
| Fan bearing | Rifled | Fluid Dynamic Bearing |
| Fan size | 140 mm | 135 mm |
| MTBF | 100,000 hours | 100,000 hours |
| Warranty | Five Years | Ten years |
| Form Factor | ATX | ATX |
| Zero RPM mode | No | No |
| EPS12V Connector | 2 | 2 |
| SATA Connector | 10 | 16 |
| PCIe connectors | 6 | 6 |
| Continuous output rated temperature C | 40 degree C | 50 Degree C |
| Floppy Connector | 2 | 1 |
The Closing Remarks
That should give you a fair idea of how the Corsair range of power supply units differs in terms of the 80 Plus efficiency rating. However, the exact choice between an 80 Plus Gold and an 80 Plus Platinum power supply unit would depend on your personal preferences. It may be worthwhile to look at the saving you would be able to achieve over a year to arrive at what you should prefer.
Ideally speaking, the above table should have given you an idea into what type of power-saving you would achieve between a basic 80 Plus efficiency rating and an 80 Plus Platinum rating. There is a minor difference between the Gold and Platinum certifications, and as such, a Gold rating may be enough in most cases.