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CORSAIR Power Supplies: Everything You Need to Know
Here at CORSAIR, we've been making power supplies for a long time, and we make a lot of different PSUs for different needs and applications.
We've also written a lot of content here on explorer, not only about our PSUs, but about power supplies in general, the cables, and any other errant nuggets of wisdom we come up with. So, we've decided to organise all of that knowledge here. Chances are if you have a question about modern PSUs, it's going to be answered somewhere in this page with a link if you're after more detail. Let's go.
If you're looking to find out how much wattage you'll need, check out our Power Supply Calculator.
Power Supply Cables
PSU cables are among the most confusing parts of a power supply, especially over the last few years with 12VHPWR / 12V-2x6, and the overall huge increase in GPU power consumption.
What's the difference between a native 12V-2x6 cable and an 8-pin to 12V-2x6 cable?
Functionally, there is no difference. both can deliver the same amount of power (up to 600 watts) with the same level of stability. The only difference is that a native 12V-2x6 cable takes up less physical room on the PSU side. Whichever one you choose will have no impact on functionality.
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Read in more detail here: 12V-2x6 vs 8-pin to 12V-2x6
Will a 12VHPWR cable work with 12V-2x6?
Yes. The cable is identical. 12VHPWR and 12V-2x6 are different connector designs, but only on the GPU side (and some PSUs). The cable is therefore compatible with both.
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Read in more detail here: Will my 12VHPWR cable work with 12V-2x6?
Should I use the 12V-2x6 adapter that came with my GPU, or the cable from my PSU?
Either one will work just as well from a power delivery standpoint, but the adapter cable is very difficult to manage in a tidy way, and it's bulky enough that it can cause problems if there isn't much space between your GPU and the side panel.
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Read more in detail here: Should I use the 12V-2x6 adapter from my RTX GPU, or the cable from my PSU?
Which CORSAIR PSUs have a 12V-2x6 connector?
Standards and certifications
80 PLUS? ATX3.1? Cybenetics? PCIe 5? Power supplies are unfortunately fraught with unintuitive classifications. We've cleared some of this up below.
What's the difference between ATX 3.0 and ATX 3.1
The hold up time is reduced by 0.5ms, which increases efficiency by a small amount, and ATX 3.1 introduced the revised 12V-2x6 standard to replace 12VHPWR. The difference between these two can be found in the cables section of this page.
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Read in more detail here: ATX 3.0 vs ATX 3.1: What's the Difference?
Which CORSAIR PSUs are ATX 3.0/3.1?
Which CORSAIR PSUs are Compatible with PCIe 5.0?
What's the difference between 80 PLUS and Cybenetics?
Cybenetics tests how loud a PSU is, in addition to it's efficiency. Additionally, the Cybenetics certifications are way more strict than 80 PLUS.
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Read in more detail here: 80 PLUS vs Cybenetics: PSU ratings explained
The Basics
If you're new to the world of gaming PCs, even the concept of a power supply can be confusing. Beginners should start below.
What is a PSU?
A PSU, or power supply unit, takes the electricity from your wall and changes it into a more suitable form to power the different things inside your PC.
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Read more in detail here: What is a PSU: Power Supply Units explained
Should I mount my PSU fan side up or down?
If there is ventilation underneath the PSU, mount it fan side down. If there is no ventilation there, mount it fan side up. It will be fine. don't worry.
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Read in more detail here: PSU fan up or down? How to mount your PSU
What's the difference between SFX and SFX-L PSUs?
SFX-L PSUs are 30mm longer than SFX PSUs.
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Read more in detail here: What's the difference between SFX and SFX-L Power Supplies?
Can I use an SFX PSU in a regular case?
Yes. An SFX PSU can be used in a regular ATX case without issue as long as you use an adapter plate, otherwise you won't be able to secure it properly.
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Read in more detail here: Can you use an SFX PSU in a regular (ATX) case?
Can I put a new fan in my PC Power supply?
How do I test a PSU?
We can't really give a short version of these processes as there can be a lot of steps. You'll have to read the full page to find out.
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Read more in detail here: How to Test a PSU (Power Supply Unit)
What does TDP mean?
TDP stands for "Thermal Design Power" and represents the maximum wattage that the component in question is designed to utilise.
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Read in more detail here: TDP Explained: Does Thermal Design Power tell the whole story?
What does "Zero-RPM" mean on a CORSAIR PSU?
If your PSU has a "Zero RPM" mode, the fan won't spin until you're using a certain amount of the PSUs capabilities.
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Read in more detail here: What are zero-RPM PSUs?
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