The Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold ATX 3.0 PSU Review: Small Scale

Hot Test Results (~45°C Ambient Temperature)

Despite experiencing very high internal temperatures, the Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold displays only subtle signs of thermal stress. Even under conditions of elevated ambient temperatures, the impact on performance is measurable but small. The efficiency reduction is modest, with only slight decreases observed across the nominal load range, and the losses remain relatively low even when operating at or near maximum capacity. This indicates that the components of the unit are handling the very high temperatures without issue.

Despite the small fan's best efforts, the internal temperatures of the Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold can exceed 130°C when the unit is heavily loaded within a high-temperature testing environment. These temperatures are very near the PSU's thermal shutdown threshold, indicating that reaching this limit could be imminent under such conditions. In any case, operating this unit at such high temperatures for prolonged periods of time will severely reduce its lifespan.

The 92 mm cooling fan of the Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold starts at a high speed and is immediately audible. The fan rapidly accelerates and reaches its maximum speed when the load is only at 50% capacity. Beyond this point, the fan can do no more to mitigate heat, which explains why the internal temperatures of the unit can reach such elevated levels. This design suggests that the V850 SFX Gold is not intended for use in extremely hot environments or under consistently heavy loads.