The Corsair SF450 Platinum SFX PSU Review: Corsair's Best SFF PSU Gets Even Better
by E. Fylladitakis on October 23, 2018 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Corsair
- PSUs
- 450W
- SFX
Cold Test Results
For our PSU testing, we are using various high precision electronic loads with a maximum power draw of 2700 Watts, a Rigol DS5042M 40 MHz oscilloscope, an Extech 380803 power analyzer, two high precision UNI-T UT-325 digital thermometers, an Extech HD600 SPL meter, a self-designed hotbox and various other bits and parts. For a thorough explanation of our testing methodology and more details on our equipment, please refer to our How We Test PSUs - 2014 Pipeline post.
The new SF450 does meet the 80Plus Platinum certification standards when powered from a 110V AC source. In this case, the nominal load range (20% to 100% of the unit's capacity) efficiency is 91.2%. It does not meet the 80Plus Platinum 94% efficiency limit at half load when the input voltage is 230V, with our equipment reading an energy conversion efficiency of 93.8%, yet the nominal load range efficiency is once again very high, at 92.8%. The Corsair SF450 also appear to be very efficient when handling low loads, with the conversion efficiency staying above 80% when the PSU is powering a load of just 22.5 Watts (5% capacity).
Despite its compact dimensions and relatively small cooling fan, the thermal performance of the Corsair SF450 is excellent. The thermal regulation circuitry is perhaps a little too aggressive, as the fan starts when the unit is barely warm. Our temperature readings were surprisingly low even when the unit was operating at 100% capacity, even for an 80Plus Platinum certified unit.
Unlike what someone would expect from an SFX PSU that maintains very low operating temperatures, the Corsair SF450 is surprisingly quiet as well. A load of less than 100 Watts is enough to start the fan but the sound pressure level remains very low across the entire load range. The noise coming from the SF450 should be noticeable only when the load is higher than 350 Watts and never reaches levels that we consider uncomfortable for any kind of user.
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Spoelie - Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - link
Actually installed the 2015 in my ITX build one month ago (2700x & RX580) - both this and the 2018 were available in the shop but the most recent version came at a 25% premium (80 vs 100). I figured any improvements were not worth this premium, given how extraordinary the 2015 version already was (see jonny guru's review).JoeyJoJo123 - Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - link
Yeah, the price increase is a bit disappointing, since going from ~$80 to $100 is a 25% price hike. That being said, assuming SF450-2018 comes down in price a bit (even $90 would be good), I feel like it'd be a good replacement for the previous SF450, considering the additional benefits the new model comes with, as the 80+Plat rating.The initial hurdle with Mini-ITX is just paying extra for the form factor in regards to the case, sfx psu, heatsink quality for price/size (as opposed to cheaply affordable Cryorig H7 or CoolerMaster Hyper 212 +/Evo). (Followed by another hurdle with installation tediousness/difficulty of the cramped space and potentially unknown compatibility with certain parts which theoretically would've fit if it weren't for a piece that stuck out). Having to pay another $20 for a 80+Plat PSU over what most would already consider is _already_ great for an equal wattage 80+Gold PSU might just be another Nvidia RTX issue, where their hardest competition is ironically their older product which provided a compelling value at a lower total cost.
meacupla - Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - link
But have you ever used the ribbon cables that come with the Gold version?They suck shit.
The Platinum version already includes the individually sleeved cables, which are like $50 on their own.
DanNeely - Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - link
I've used other PSUs with flat ribbon cables that appear the same sort as with the gold 450 before without complaint. What don't you like about them?meacupla - Thursday, October 25, 2018 - link
The ribbon cables are way too damn stiff and the sata connectors are 90d, which don't work with quite a lot of mITX cases.Unless you want to break sata connectors on the drives, you either use the more malleable individually sleeved cables, or you use extensions that have 180d connectors.
Aneker - Wednesday, December 23, 2020 - link
Human stupidity has no limits. Firstly, I have to say that Platinum coated cables are much more rigid and difficult to maneuver than ribbon cables. Secondly, the designation Platinum is just marketing and it is false because the only difference is in the coated cables and this is perfectly ridiculous. .JoeyJoJo123 - Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - link
Uhhh... Yes? Have YOU ever tried stuffing cables in a low volume MiniITX build? It's not easy. I don't think I could've managed my build WITHOUT the thin ribbon cables that can be folded and wedged in nooks and crannies. The whole individually sleeved cable thing is just a meme to make PCs "look" prettier, but the fact of the matter is that those cables take a lot more volume and when you're building true miniITX, cable management becomes a big hurdle.https://imgur.com/a/HeiVayH
milkywayer - Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - link
And the 2019 will be the year of SFF pc. So many awesome cases and psu coming out. Including the next version of Dan Case and DrZaber Sentry as well as Louqe's 2nd batch of Ghost SFF. What a year.jonnyGURU - Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - link
FYI: It's not called "SF 2018". It's "SF Platinum". Calling it "2018" would imply it replaces the older, Gold version.. . Which it does not. Both are now being sold together, with the Platinum being sold at a slight premium.JoeyJoJo123 - Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - link
Good to know both models will remain in circulation. The 80+Gold SF450 was probably the next best choice to go with if the user wasn't comfortable with going with an 80+Bronze unit from Silverstone or someone, and was price competitive with all the other high efficiency SFX power supplies on the market. I was a bit concerned that the 80+Plat being a possible replacement would have pushed it out of that ideal position, leaving ITX builders with tougher budgets to accomodate.