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Today we look at another power supply from Corsair, this time from the company's new RMx Shift range. Corsair have three models in this series – 750W, 850W and 1000W, with this review focused on the latter unit. The new ‘Shift' branding signifies side mounted connectors for easier access when inside a system.
These new Shift power supplies have ATX 3.1/PCIe 5.1 support for the latest graphics cards with a 12V-2×6 cable and debossed PVC cables with low profile cable combs. They also adopt a 140mm fluid dynamic bearing fan which supports Zero Fan Mode with a fan speed knob on the rear to allow for user control. More on this later.
Key Features:
- Innovative Easy Access Connection Position: Modular connections on the side of the PSU mean easier access for cables and cleaner cable management.
- Native 12v-2×6 Cable: Easily power modern graphics cards such as the Nvidia RTX50 series.
- Fully Modular connectors: Corsair Type S PSU cables are smaller, giving you plenty of room to route your cables, while their modularity ensures you only connect what you need.
- Cybenetics Gold Certified Efficiency rating.
- Debossed PVC Cable Kit: Ultra flexible cable kit with new included low profile combs.
- 140mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan: Utilises a specially calculated fan curve for high performance, low noise, and superior reliability.
- Zero RPM Mode Support: At low and medium loads the cooling fan switches off entirely for near silent operation.
- Fan Speed Knob: Users have freedom to adjust the fan speed to their own needs.
- Intel ATX 3.1 Certified. Compliant with the ATX 3.1 power standard, supporting the PCIe Gen 5.1 platform and resisting transient power spikes.
- 105c Rated 100% Japanese Capacitors: Premium internal components deliver unwavering power delivery and long term reliability.
- Modern Standby Compatible: Extremely fast wake from sleep times and better low load efficiency.
- Resonant LLC Topology with DC-to-DC Conversion: Provides clean, consistent power and enables use of more energy-efficient sleep states.
- Ten-Year Warranty: Your guarantee of reliable operation that will last across several system builds.
Corsair ship the RM1000x Shift in a yellow and black coloured box. The name of the product is listed top right, and they include a high resolution photograph of the supply in the center with some badges bottom left, including Cybenetics certifications for efficiency and noise.
The rear of the box highlights some key features such as the Japanese capacitors, ATX 3.1/PCIe 5.1 support, fluid dynamic bearing fan and custom fan speed control. Two graphs are listed along the bottom showing efficiency and Fan Noise levels.
Inside the box the power supply is protected between two cardboard protective layers and is wrapped for further protection. A bag at the side holds all the peripherals.
Inside the box is a regional power cable, some cable ties along with a little pamphlet.
The quality of the cabling is very high, they are all individually sleeved (debossed).
The table above shows all the cabling between the three power output capacities of this Shift range. Length and connector spacing is fine, the primary cables are all 16-20 AWG.
The Corsair RM1000x Shift is very nicely finished and, like their other recent power supplies, is colour neutral to suit a variety of system builds, if on show. These stickers follow the same design as the previous units, with a vertical ‘Shift' stamped onto the end.
Product dimensions are 150 x 85 x 160 mm and it weighs 1.65kg.
The power side of the unit is home to the power switch, power connector and control knob – to control fan speed (within certain parameters).
The modular bay is on the side of the chassis and the ports are all labelled across three rows for ease of install.
The power supply can deliver 20A on both +3.3V and +5V rails. It can handle 83.3A on the primary +12V rail.
Corsair are using one of their 140mm NR140HP fans in this unit, rated 12V 0.33A. This is a fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) fan. Cybenetics gave this unit an A+ Noise classification for 230V operation, and slightly lower for 115V operation (‘A' rating). We test all our power supplies at 230V. Corsair previously used NR140P (no ‘H') fans in units such as the HX1500i (non-Shift), a slightly older fan that operates at 0.22A. For the most part however, they seem very closely matched from what we can tell in testing.
This is another Corsair design in partnership with OEM Great Wall. The last unit we tested a short while ago (HX1500i Shift) was a Channel Well Technology OEM part. The primary side of this unit is full bridge topology. On the secondary side is synchronous rectification used for 12V with a pair of DC to DC converters generating the minor rails.
Build quality and soldering on the main PCB is great. Component selection is also noteworthy – there are no shortcomings on component selection. Primary capacitors are 105c rated Japanese, from Nichicon 390uF 420V and Rubycon 420V 470uF for a total of 860uF.
The power supply offers OVP, OCP, SCP, OPP and OTP protections.
Correctly testing power supplies is a complex procedure and KitGuru have configured a test bench which can deliver up to a 2,000 Watt DC load.
We test ambient temperatures at 35c in our environment to greater reflect warmer internal chassis conditions.
We use combinations of the following hardware:
• SunMoon SM-268
• CSI3710A Programmable DC load (+3.3V and +5V outputs)
• CSI3711A Programmable DC load (+12V1, +12V2, +12V3, and +12V4)
• Extech Power Analyzer
• Extech MultiMaster MM570 digital multimeter
• SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa)
• Digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)
• Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA
We test in a single +12V configuration.
|
DC Output Load Regulation
|
||||||||||
|
Combined DC Load |
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V
|
+5VSB
|
-12V | |||||
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A | V | |
|
100W
|
0.90
|
3.33
|
0.90
|
5.04
|
7.35
|
12.08
|
0.50
|
5.01
|
0.20
|
-12.00
|
|
200W
|
1.60
|
3.33
|
1.64
|
5.04
|
15.13
|
12.07
|
1.00
|
5.00
|
0.20
|
-12.02
|
|
500W
|
3.21
|
3.33
|
3.24
|
5.03
|
38.60
|
12.05
|
1.50
|
5.01
|
0.20
|
-12.02
|
| 750W |
4.03
|
3.32
|
4.17
|
5.01
|
58.53
|
12.03
|
2.00
|
5.00
|
0.30
|
-12.01
|
|
1000W
|
5.45
|
3.32
|
5.51
|
5.01
|
78.13
|
12.00
|
2.50
|
5.00
|
0.30
|
-12.02
|
The load regulation of this power supply is good.
Next we want to try Cross Loading. This basically means loads which are not balanced. If a PC for instance needs 500W on the +12V outputs but something like 30W via the combined 3.3V and +5V outputs then the voltage regulation can fluctuate badly.
The power supply had no problems sustaining a constant 1000W load.
| Cross Load Testing | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | -12V | +5VSB | |||||
| A | V | A | V | A | V | A | V | A | V | |
| 885W | 2.0 | 3.33 | 2.0 | 5.00 | 72.0 | 12.01 | 0.2 | -12.01 | 0.50 | 5.00 |
| 240W | 20.0 | 3.33 | 21.0 | 4.97 | 2.0 | 12.08 | 0.2 | -12.01 | 0.50 | 5.01 |
The supply handled our cross load test without any major problems.
We then used an oscilloscope to measure AC ripple and noise present on the DC outputs. We set the oscilloscope time base to check for AC ripple at both high and low ends of the spectrum. ATX12V V2.2 specification for DC output ripple and noise is defined in the ATX 12V power supply design guide.
|
ATX12V Ver 2.2 Noise/Ripple Tolerance
|
|
|
Output
|
Ripple (mV p-p)
|
|
+3.3V
|
50
|
|
+5V
|
50
|
|
+12V1
|
120
|
|
+12V2
|
120
|
|
-12V
|
120
|
|
+5VSB
|
50
|
Obviously when measuring AC noise and ripple on the DC outputs, the cleaner (less recorded) means we have a better end result. We measured this AC signal amplitude to see how closely the unit complied with the ATX standard.
| AC Ripple (mV p-p) | ||||
| DC Load | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | 5VSB |
| 100W | 5 | 9 | 15 | 7 |
| 250W | 7 | 9 | 16 | 9 |
| 500W | 8 | 9 | 18 | 11 |
| 750W | 9 | 10 | 21 | 14 |
| 1000W | 10 | 11 | 24 | 15 |
Ripple noise suppression results are excellent, with the minor rails hitting around 10mV under full load. The +12V rail peaks at around 24mV which is well within industry rated parameters. Excellent.
|
Efficiency (%) 230V
|
|
|
100W
|
89.7
|
|
250W
|
92.9 |
|
500W
|
93.8
|
|
750W
|
92.2
|
|
1000W
|
91.5
|
The efficiency results are fantastic for a gold rated unit, peaking at almost 94% in the sweet spot between 40-60% load – it's around Platinum efficiency levels to be honest. At full load the efficiency drops to around 91.5%.
We take the issue of noise very seriously at KitGuru and this is why we have built a special home brew system as a reference point when we test noise levels of various components. Why do this? Well this means we can eliminate secondary noise pollution in the test room and concentrate on components we are testing. It also brings us slightly closer to industry standards, such as DIN 45635.
Today to test the Power Supply we have taken it into our acoustics room environment and have set our SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa) one meter away from the unit. We have no other fans running so we can effectively measure just the noise from the unit itself.
As this can be a little confusing for people, here are various dBa ratings in with real world situations to help describe the various levels.
KitGuru noise guide
10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refrigerator
50dBA – Normal Conversation
60dBA – Laughter
70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer
80dBA – City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal
90dBA – Motorcycle or Lawnmower
100dBA – MP3 Player at maximum output
110dBA – Orchestra
120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine
130dBA – Threshold of Pain
140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range)
160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum
|
Noise (dBA)
|
|
|
100W
|
<28.0
|
|
250W
|
<28.0
|
|
500W
|
31.1
|
|
750W
|
33.5
|
| 1000W | 35.8 |
At most loads you would be hard pressed to hear the fan at all, especially inside a system build with case fans running. At 900 Watts and above the fan starts to ramp up a little more to help aid air flow inside. I would rate this power supply as very quiet at all times, however.
|
Temperature (c)
|
||
|
Intake
|
Exhaust
|
|
|
100W
|
37
|
43
|
|
250W
|
38
|
46
|
|
500W
|
40
|
52
|
|
750W
|
45
|
59
|
|
1000W
|
46
|
65
|
Temperatures inside the PSU are really good, thanks to the high levels of efficiency and quality fan.
The Corsair RM1000x Shift is a very welcome refresh in the RMx range of power supplies. It supports the latest ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 platforms and we like the new side mounted connectors which will aid people during the install process and for updating their systems later.
This time Corsair are working with Great Wall rather than CWT, based around an internal design from Corsair. Ripple suppression from this unit is excellent and it scores highly overall in the grand scheme of things.
Efficiency is also stellar with our sample hitting around 94%, and we would rate it closer to Platinum than Gold to be honest.
I asked Corsair about this and they said ‘We want the rating we market to be applicable to 100% of all sold units. For a product that is on the border of two certifications, we will choose the lower certification as our marketing spec, so we ensure all units meet it. So for example if we test 100 RM1000x Shift PSUs, we might pass platinum on 70 of them and gold on 30. To us, that's a gold certified PSU.'
As I said in our last review for Corsair, this new NR140HP fan is one of the best we have tested in recent years. The fan remains quiet at all times, it just becomes audible after the load reaches 850 watts or so.
The power supply adopts high-grade Japanese capacitors from Nichicon and Rubycon which is always good to see. Build quality is extremely high quality across the PCB and, like the HX1500i Shift, the component selection doesn't cut corners.
This power supply is actually reasonably priced, too – especially considering I really feel that Corsair could have classified it as Platinum rated, not Gold! RRP is said to be £179.99 (UK), 204.90 euros and $209.99 (US).
Pros:
- Achieves Platinum efficiency in our tests.
- Fully modular.
- Fan noise is stellar at all speeds.
- 10-year warranty.
- High quality cables.
- Cybenetics certified A+ and Gold (230V).
- Tight load regulation.
- Unique side-mounted cable connectors.
Cons:
- A lot of competition in this sector.
KitGuru says: Another great power supply from Corsair targeting a slightly more cost effective market than the HXi units. At £179.99 it remains competitively priced while delivering high quality power and remaining quiet.
