If you want to upgrade your PC configuration with a new power supply, you have landed on the right post! In this article, find out which brand is better, Corsair vs EVGA PSU. Most importantly, learn more about the most common PSU terms such as wattage, modularity, efficiency ratings, etc.
Corsair vs EVGA PSU – Quick Comparison
Corsair and EVGA have similar power supplies when it comes to their performances. However, Corsair PSUs offer good value for the money. Although EVGA has slightly higher prices, they offer an extended warranty which can go up to 10 years.
Corsair is an American company that sells computer components such as SSDs, keyboards, mice, and PSUs. The company is located in Fremont, California, but the production facility is in Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
EVGA is also an American company located in Brea and Santa Clara, California. EVGA produces PC cases, processor liquid coolers, gaming laptops, and power supplies.
Corsair
Pros:
- Affordable prices
- Good value for the money
- Zero RPM mode
- Fully-modular PSUs and cables
Cons:
- Warranty coverage
- Lacking in customer support compared to EVGA
EVGA
Pros:
- Eco Mode available
- Warranty coverage
- Elegant design for transparent cases
- High-efficiency ratings
Cons:
- High prices
- More noise from the PSU
Corsair PSU
Features
Cabling (Wired vs Non-Wired)
Corsair PSUs are usually non-wired or fully modular. If you want to place a Corsair PSU into your PC case, you can choose which cables you will use. Every non-wired PSU box contains PCIe and SATA cables which are removable from the PSU.
Non-wired power supplies are essential for people who appreciate quick and easy installations. If you are one of them, Corsair PSUs are an excellent choice for you.
Eco Mode
When Eco mode is enabled, a power supply activates the fan only if a certain temperature is reached. For instance, if you perform complex tasks on your computer, the processor and other components require more power. The power supply delivers more power and activates its fan to prevent overheating.
Corsair calls it Zero RPM mode. Power supplies with this label automatically turn on the fan when a computer reaches a certain temperature. This feature is a perfect solution for people who can’t stand noises coming from the computer case.
Wattage
When choosing a power supply, you need to determine how much power your computer actually needs. If you are not tech-savvy, this process can be challenging. However, you can always rely on online wattage calculators like the Newegg power supply calculator.
After opening the tool, simply input all the necessary information for your computer components. The tool will calculate the recommended PSU wattage. Using power supplies under the recommended value is not advisable because you can damage your PSU and other PC components.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to buy a 1000W power supply right away. On the contrary, power supplies are inefficient if they operate 20% below their maximum power.
So, how do we find the right balance? In general, more complex systems require more power. For instance, if you have calculated that your system needs a 500 watts power supply, choosing a 600 PSU might be a good idea. However, more powerful gaming configurations require more power, so getting a power supply with more watts seems like a good idea.
Modularity
Simply put, modularity refers to the cables. Some PC components come with many cables, making it difficult for us to place them into our PC cases. Power supplies, HDDs, SSDs, and some graphics cards require a cable connection to the motherboard.
As shown in the picture above, traditional power supplies come with permanently connected cables. However, there are some efficient solutions, such as fully-modular power supplies.
Non-Modular
A non-modular power supply comes with all cables directly connected to the power supply. In other words, you can’t detach them.
Semi-Modular
Modular or semi-modular power supplies come with basic cables connected to the device. You also get additional cables that can be connected to the power supply. You can plug or unplug these cables depending on your needs.
Fully Modular
A fully-modular power supply allows you to unplug all the cables. You can even disconnect cables without which your computer wouldn’t work.
Form Factor
Form factor represents a standardized shape and physical size. If you want to design a PC, you should consider the two most common industry-standard form factors, ATX and SFX.
The standard size of the ATX power supply is 150mm (W) x 86mm (H) x 140mm (D). However, the length of ATX power supplies can vary. Therefore, before purchasing a product, it is recommended to read specifications.
SFX is also called “Micro ATX.” This form factor is intended for small computer cases. Standard size for SFX power supplies is 125mm (W) x 63.5mm (H) x 100mm (D).
Efficiency Rating
To understand the efficiency ratings, we need to clarify the difference between AC and DC power. The AC power is a standard power which comes out of power outlets. It can be positive or negative depending on the path of its electrons. The electrons can go up (positive) or down (negative).
On the other hand, DC power moves in a straight line. It can come from different sources such as batteries, solar cells, power supplies, etc.
So, your power supply takes the AC power and converts it to DC power. Next, the power supply sends the converted power to the components of your computer.
However, the power supply consumes additional energy in the conversion process. Thus, the efficiency of a power supply comes down to how much electricity the PSU consumes during the conversion. More information on the efficiency rating system later in this article.
Power Supply
Passive Power
A passive power supply doesn’t have a fan. It uses a heat sink to dissipate the heat. It is worth mentioning that these power supplies don’t produce any noise. Therefore, this could be an ideal solution if you can’t stand the noise.
But, you need to be aware that passive power supplies can never replace power supplies with a fan. If you use your computer for complex tasks or gaming, there is a risk of overheating. In that case, a passive power supply can bring you nothing but potential damage.
In general, both Corsair and EVGA don’t use passive cooling systems in their products. This is probably because there are much better mechanisms such as the eco mode or semi-passive cooling.
Semi-Passive Power
This power supply is somewhere between the active and passive PSU. In this case, the fan only works in some specific situations, such as increased performance or temperature. Simply put, this feature acts as the eco mode we mentioned earlier.
Price
If you want to buy a power supply under $100, Corsair has a vast range of different PSUs. Whether you want a fully modular or semi-modular PSU, the prices go from $40 to $400.
You can find a power supply suitable for your PC case in this price range. But, if you want to know more about the warranty coverage, you have to contact Corsair’s customer service.
Recommended Corsair PSU
Corsair RM750 750 Watt
This is a perfect example of a fully modular power supply with a high-efficiency rating. The Corsair RM750 comes with the 80 Plus Gold rating and a power output of 750 watts. In other words, 90% of power from the outlet is used while only 10% is wasted.
The integrated fan is silent even at higher loads. You will barely hear it at low and medium loads. If you want a powerful PSU for gaming or complex operations such as video rendering, the Corsair RM750 might be a good choice for you.
Corsair AX1000 1000 Watt
Now we have the absolute beast regarding energy efficiency and strength. The Corsair AX1000 PSU has an 80+ Titanium rating. If you want to have the highest possible rating!
In addition to the highest rating, this PSU has the Zero RPM fan mode. In other words, its 135-millimeter fan spins only if your configuration needs it. Finally, this is a fully modular PSU, which means you can get rid of unnecessary cables and create an elegant interior of your PC case.
Corsair RMX RM650x
If you are looking for a budget-friendly PSU, this one might be good for you. The Corsair RMX RM650x combines all the good features from the previous two products. It is fully modular, has an 80+ Gold rating and Zero RPM fan mode.
EVGA PSU
Features
Cabling (Wired vs Non-Wired)
In general, all high-end PSUs are fully modular or non-wired. There are also semi-modular solutions where all cables are removable except the 24-pin ATX cable for which you can get an extender if necessary.
For example, if you have an M.2 SSD, you don’t need a SATA cable or any other cable since this component is connected directly to your motherboard. In this case, non-wired solutions such as the EVGA Super Nova 750 Ga might be the best choice for you.
Eco Mode
As we said earlier, some people can’t stand the sound of a fan while others can tolerate it. If you are one of those who rather prefer silence, you might want to enable the eco mode. Here are the main benefits of this mode:
- Silent operations at low loads
- Reduced fan noises overall
- Lower energy costs
- Longer life span of the device
As an example, we have selected some EVGA PSUs which support the eco mode.
| Model | Output Wattage | Mode | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVGA 850 B5 | 850W | Eco | $95.00 |
| EVGA 650 B5 | 650W | Eco | $77.99 |
| EVGA Supernova 650 GT | 650W | Eco | $64.99 |
Wattage
When calculating the wattage, you need to take into account things such as overclocking. For instance, if you plan to overclock your processor, your computer may need more power. In that case, you need a PSU which can deliver more power to the processor. In other words, you need a higher power efficiency.
Thus, an efficiency of 80% shows that a power supply can convert 80% of AC to DC power. On the other hand, a 50% efficiency shows that 50% of AC power can be converted to DC power. Simply put, higher efficiency is better and requires less power from the outlet. We will talk more about the efficiency ratings later in this article.
Modularity
Non-Modular
The main disadvantage of non-modular power supplies is that they come with a lot of cables. It is up to you to choose which cables you will use. As you can guess, there are cables which you actually don’t need.
Since many PC cases usually don’t have a cable management system, non-modular power supply solutions can be complicated for installation.
Semi-Modular
Semi-modular has the same problem as non-modular power supplies. Again, you need to find a way to manage many cables you don’t need. As we said earlier, semi-modular power supplies also have basic cables connected to the device.
For instance, if you have a PC case with transparent side panels, non-modular and semi-modular solutions may not be the right choice for you. They don’t look nice and can cause problems with airflow inside the case, which can lead to high motherboard temperature.
Fully-Modular
A fully-modular power supply is the right choice for all those people who pay attention to cable management. This type of power supply can help you get rid of unnecessary cables and dirt and increase airflow in your case. Each cable can be replaced, which can be very helpful if you want to install a power supply.
Form Factor
First, you need to ensure the power supply matches your computer case. Second, the power supply you have decided to buy should be compatible with your motherboard. In other words, it needs to be connected to the motherboard via the correct connector type.
As you can see below, both ATX and SFX form factor supplies use the same ATX connector type.
| Modern Power Supply Form Factors | Originated From | Connector Type |
|---|---|---|
| ATX style | Intel ATX, ATX12V (1985/2000) | ATX |
| SFX style | Intel SFX (1997) | ATX |
Efficiency Rating
The most efficient power supplies are those which come with 80 Plus labels. In this case, 80% of power from the outlet is used, and 20% is wasted. However, even 80 Plus power supplies come with different rating levels such as 80 Plus Bronze, 80 Plus Silver, and so on.
Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to these labels when buying a power supply. In the table below, you can see the rating levels ranked from worst to best. The higher the power efficiency, the better.
| Efficiency Rating | Power Efficiency |
|---|---|
| 80 Plus | 80% |
| 80 Plus Bronze | 85% |
| 80 Plus Silver | 88% |
| 80 Plus Gold | 90% |
| 80 Plus Platinum | 92% |
| 80 Plus Titanium | 94% |
Power Supply
Passive Power
Although passive power supply solutions could be a potential risk for demanding high-end configurations, they have many advantages. Here are some of them:
- No fan noise
- No dust and moisture inside PSUs
- Available up to 600 watts
- Suitable for basic PC configurations
Semi-Passive Power
As we said earlier, semi-passive PSUs allow you to combine silent work and high performance. In general, they are fanless until your configuration hits a specific load. For instance, if the specific load is around 50%, your power supply fan starts spinning to cool the device.
Price
Most EVGA PSUs are above $100. Therefore, this brand offers power supplies that are slightly more expensive than Corsair’s PSUs. However, in the section below, we have selected one expensive and one cheap model. Compare these two and find out which one is more suitable for your PC configuration.
Recommended Corsair PSU
EVGA Supernova 650 GT 650W
The EVGA Supernova 650 GT can be described as a budget-friendly PSU which can meet all requirements of many modern PC configurations. It is fully modular, so you can choose the cables you need to reduce clutter and improve airflow in your PC case. Above all, it is power efficient since it has the 80 Plus Gold certificate.
This PSU has a 135mm fan with a Fluid Dynamic Bearing. It is a modification that improves the lubrication of the bearing. In short, it increases the fan’s lifespan and lowers noise levels.
EVGA Supernova 1200 P2 1200W
The power output of the EVGA Supernova P2 is an impressive 1200 watts! If your PC configuration is full of powerful components, maybe this PSU might be the right choice for you. It has a 140-millimeter fan which reduces the temperature of the component.
Above all, it is 80 Platinum rated and has the eco mode. Whether you are a gamer, graphic designer, or video editor, this PSU can certainly supply all your PC components with power and ensure comfortable work.
Conclusion
As you may have assumed reading our Corsair vs EVGA PSU comparison, it all comes down to what modularity, efficiency rating, and price you will choose.
Corsair primarily offers fully-modular power supplies at low prices. Fully-modular power supplies allow you to get rid of unnecessary cables and increase airflow inside your PC case. Corsair power supplies are very affordable. It means you can get a silent power supply with the 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating for about $100.
Although Corsair avoids talking about warranty, EVGA proudly emphasizes warranty on its products of up to 10 years. But, this comes with a price. Their PSU prices are slightly higher compared to Corsair. However, compact designs, reduced fan noises, and high-efficiency ratings mark EVGA PSUs.
