Overview of the power unit Corsair VS650: description, specifications and reviews

By assembling a good PC on its own, the user needs to pay maximum attention to all components. Many often focus only on the processor and video card and pay less attention to the motherboard. And sometimes they completely forget to take a good look at coolers and power supplies.

For example, remembering the last device causes a breakdown. Quite often poor-quality power supplies are burned, do not cope with voltage or have insufficient power. Only then the user begins to look for options, study the model line and read reviews. To once again not to spend money, it is better to immediately look at good companies and successful models.

Series

Today we will look at the system unit, which belongs to the Corsair VS Series. VS650 is the flagship model of this line. There are four options: 350, 450, 550 and 650 W. Despite the fact that this product was presented as a budget device, it still received a high price.

As it is not difficult to guess, the models of the series received names that correspond to their power. Each unit was manufactured according to the ATX standard. All models operate at the input voltage of 220-240 V.

As mentioned earlier, the power unit Corsair VS650 and its younger models belong to the budget segment. Although its price does not say this, but other characteristics eloquently indicate it. For example, there is no design that is responsible for modular cable fixing. Also, there is no popular 80 Plus certification that relates to more expensive options.

Each power supply unit received a standard protection against voltage drop, short circuit and other "force majeure". Each model has a single line +12 V, the youngest ones are equipped with one cable of 6 + 2 format, the older ones have two such cables.

At the time of the release of the price of the BP of this series began from $ 40 for the younger model and ended with $ 70 for the senior.

Packaging

Now go directly to the Corsair VS650. The review should start with the packaging of this PSU. It is presented in a stylish box. It is made in black and white colors, but has accents on the serial release of the orange tone.

The main information of the power supply unit is indicated in front: its model, standardization, certification, and also a couple of special technologies. Immediately, the model and the company logo are displayed.

There is much more behind the information. Here you already specify the cables that can be connected to the PSU. There are a couple of graphs that emphasize certain characteristics. On the labeled label there is information on the revision of the unit.

You can open the box by simply flipping the top cover. Inside everything is neatly packed. In the polyethylene bag, the power supply itself fit, there is a network cable, fasteners for BP and "waste paper".

Design

It is difficult to find something remarkable in the exterior of the Corsair VS650 (650W). The design overview of this model can still be done, since the manufacturer pays time for this characteristic. The PSU is made in black. He does not have any pretentious elements, it looks quite normal, no frills. Side are stickers with the name of the model and a brief specification.

It's nice that the wires are assembled in a black braid. Now this option does not seem like a novelty, but at the time of this model's release, this feature was worth noting. The connectors, in general, are standard for blocks of similar functionality.

For the processor there are 4 + 4pin and 20 + 4pin, for the video card - two options 6 + 2pin. In addition, there are 4 cables of SATA and Molex format, FDD connectors were also available. The latter already by the year 2012 were already irrelevant, but still for some reason were in the kit.

The length of each wire is quite comfortable for the average PC case size. But over the years, as practice shows, this PSU is not able to be installed comfortably in all system specialists. Therefore now, if you purchase this model, it's better to look closely at the format of the microATX enclosure. There, this PSU will be most convenient.

Cooler

Corsair VS650 received a standard cooling system. It is equipped with semiconductor elements, which fit on two small radiators. Due to their location, the PSU can boast of low aerodynamic resistance of heat dissipating parts. But there is a second side to this medal: there is no way to correct the low heat capacity and the small heat dissipation area.

As mentioned earlier, the structure of this model, in principle, does not stand out in any special way, given the budget line. The group stabilization of a pair of channels was used here. For the third channel, an independent stabilizer was used.

On the main board was put a one-piece power filter. There is also a part that is responsible for switching interference. It is represented by a filter that is placed on the network connector. The manufacturers of capacitors are Su'scon, Capxon and Junfu.

PS Corsair VS650 equipped with a fan, which is hidden behind the bars. It has a size of 120 millimeters. Over its creation, the manufacturer Yate Loon Electronics. The foundation for this part is the sliding bearing. The maximum fan speed is up to 2200 rpm. The connection is represented by a connector with two contacts.

Specification

Of course, testing is the most accurate characteristic. But the manufacturer indicates the basic values of this model. As a result, the bus received a power of 408 watts. As you can see from the name, the main power is 650 W, there are also power indicators on the line 12 V - 600 W.

The box shows the current values along the lines: +12 V, +5 V, +3.3 V - 50 A, 20 A and 20 A respectively. The input voltage has a range of 200 to 240 V.

Long work

So, the most understandable characteristics of the power unit Corsair VS650 can be obtained after its testing. The first step is to check the duration of work on increased power. This model did not fail during the test. She could work without problems for a long time at maximum power.

The only thing that could be noticed is the presence of low load capacity of two channels: +3.3 and +12. As a result, in the process of testing, a significant deviation from the voltage indices in these channels was observed.

HSC

Further testing leads to a special task - the construction of a cross-load characteristic. Due to this analysis it is easy to determine the value of the possible load at a certain level. As a result, the results were not particularly impressive. The maximum power, 200 W, was achieved through the channel +12 and with deviations around 3%. 400 W attained under conditions of deviation of 5%.

This indicator differs from the one declared. Also, the presence of overestimation of voltage values along the +5 channel is unpleasant. But in this case the difference is not too big, which means that it is completely permissible.

Exploitation

The next test indicated the values that transmit the power supply to the other peripherals. In this case, possible deviations in 3 and 5% were established.

Connecting a video card can be unstable. This is due to the fact that cards with one connector take 120 watts at 3% and 150 watts at 5%. Specialists advise in this case to use a video card that does not consume values above those specified. Otherwise, you may encounter errors in the operation of the accelerator. Approximately the same problem occurs when you connect a video card with two connectors.

With the processor things are somewhat better. The received results are quite enough to use any desktop chip for variants 1150/51 and AM3 / FM2. The only thing that should be paid attention is overclocking. With it you will have to be careful, since it is desirable that the total elements consume no more than 200 watts.

Benefit

The power unit (650W) Corsair VS650 can not boast of energy efficiency. It sprays too much during the maximum load - up to 180 watts. If the power is slightly reduced, to 440 W, then this figure will be 100 W, if the load is 270 W, then the dispersion will be 60 W, and so on.

The efficiency was not bad - almost 83% at an average power of 400 watts. In general, this parameter with moderate load is in the range of 79-81%. Of course, the indicator is not bad, but for modern BPs it is not entirely satisfactory.

During the load, it does not heat up the room very much, most likely thanks to a fairly good fan and heat exchange elements.

Conclusion

It is worthwhile to understand that the power unit ATX Corsair VS650 (650W) is quite a controversial option. His younger model of 450 V is not very different in terms of consumer qualities. But here the difference in their cost is noticeable. The question arises: why overpay? The amount for which this PSU could be purchased was unsuccessful due to the fact that literally by 2 thousand rubles less we received approximately the same model, and having thrown, on the contrary, one and a half to two thousand, received options much better.

Of the advantages, we can single out a guarantee for three years, which, of course, is very good, considering what problems can arise with the unit. Also noticed is the quiet work of the BP, which really does not bother anyone, does not produce unnecessary noise. Well, and the length of the cables is quite good, in order to comfortably install the device into the case. But the main disadvantage is still the price / quality ratio and voltage stabilization.

Reviews

Corsair VS650 reviews received averages. In general, both the model itself and its price became the middle, but, unfortunately, not gold. Everything in this BP actually turned out to be somehow unfinished and unbalanced. Although some users thought quite differently. Many argued that this model is quite powerful, but at the same time compact, which is undoubtedly a plus. Also noted and excellent wire quality.

Many were pleased that the Corsair VS65 easily cope with gaming systems, led by flagship graphics cards and processors. On the other hand, there were buyers at once, for whom this block lasted only two years, or perpetually rebooted, unable to withstand the load.

Customers complained of noise and strong heat. They say that it was necessary to open the PC case, since with the lid closed inside it became very warm. Not everyone had the length of the wire. Someone noted this property in merit, someone barely held the cables to the drives. One of the main drawbacks was a failure on the 12V bus. As the tests showed, users' words that the drawdown is sometimes too high on this channel, and this does not justify the overall characteristics of the model.

It is difficult to say what such cardinality depends on. It is worth mentioning that this model is budgetary, average, for the hardcore gamers it just will not do. For those who play at medium and low settings, it can get away. Those who need a PC at all for work or study, ideally.