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

Power Supply Quality

As part of our testing, we also check output parameters are within specifications, as well as voltage ripple and line noise.

The electrical performance of the Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold is impressive, showcasing outstanding voltage regulation across all rails and excellent line filtering on all voltage lines. The unit maintains strict voltage regulation of roughly 1% on all voltage lines. Filtering is exceptional, with very low maximum ripple values of 24 mV on the 12V rail, 22 mV on the 5V rail, and 20 mV on the 3.3V rail, that ensure clean and stable power delivery.

The unit also performs well in tests of its primary protections, including Over Current, Over Voltage, Over Power, and Short Circuit, indicating robust safety mechanisms. However, the Over Current Protection (OCP) settings are a bit lax on the 12V rail, at 130%. The Over Power Protection (OPP), measured under hot conditions, shows a setting of 124%. These figures may actually seem low for an ATX 3.0-compliant unit, but technically are high considering the thermal stress this unit receives.

Conclusion

in the realm of compact power supplies, the V850 SFX Gold is a workable contender. Its 850-Watt output and 80 Plus Gold efficiency certification are commendable, providing ample power with reasonable efficiency and a viable price tag. Despite some limitations, particularly the maximum 450-Watt power draw limit for the 12VHPWR connector, the V850 offers substantial functionality within its compact SFX format. This design choice, while somewhat restrictive for high-end gaming setups requiring more power for sustained peak performance, still accommodates a broad range of mainstream graphics cards and computing tasks.

Moving on, the Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold showcases a sleek and understated aesthetic that complements any high-end PC build. The chassis, finished in a uniform matte black, features a distinctive geometric, C-like design on the left side, accentuated with the Cooler Master and series logos prominently displayed. This minimalist yet elegant design ensures that the unit not only performs well but also looks good in any small form factor or open-case setup. In terms of electrical performance, the V850 SFX Gold impresses with excellent voltage regulation and line filtering. The ripple suppression is particularly noteworthy, maintaining low maximum values across all rails, which ensures stable power delivery to sensitive components. The primary protections, including Over Current, Over Voltage, and Over Power, function adequately, though the settings are slightly conservative compared to other ATX 3.0 compliant units.

The overall performance of the V850 SFX Gold is not without limitations, particularly when it comes to thermal performance and noise. The unit operates with a 92 mm fan that starts at a noticeable speed and rapidly accelerates under load, quickly reaching very high speeds, especially in very hot operating environments. This aggressive fan curve is necessary due to the high internal temperatures, which can surpass 130°C under extreme conditions. Under testing conditions, the unit exhibited higher internal temperatures than typical for power supplies of similar capacity and efficiency. This could be attributed to its dense internal layout and compact size, which, while impressive in terms of space efficiency, impose significant thermal challenges. Despite these temperatures, the unit performs within safe operational limits, although the proximity to thermal shutdown thresholds suggests that Cooler Master has pushed the limits of what's possible in such a compact form factor - with that platform and level of complexity, at least.

With that said, the retail success of this power supply will, in some respects, be in spite of Cooler Master rather than because of them. The launch of this PSU came with a series of unusual and unforced marketing stumbles on Cooler Master's part.

Initially, the PSU specs and marketing materials inaccurately claimed that the PSU features a zero-RPM fan mode – a desirable feature for reducing noise that is not actually available in the product. This claim has since been removed from the website and marketing materials. Other, more minor snafus still remain. Cooler Master advertised the inclusion of an SFX-to-ATX adapter, for example, but it's not actually in the product box. Finally, claims that the PSU's capacitors are Japanese-made are technically correct but misleading, as only the primary side capacitors meet this standard.

None of these are fatal for hardware that is, at it's core, a solid design. But these kinds of silly specification discrepancies can unnecessarily undermine confidence in the brand's reliability and transparency.

Conclusively, the Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold represents a fair option for users who need a compact, efficient, and reasonably powerful PSU, backed by a 10-year manufacturer's warranty. Its price point of $100 is fair, considering the performance and the compliance with ATX 3.0 standards. However, potential buyers should weigh its thermal and acoustic characteristics and the limitations posed by the power draw of the 12VHPWR connector. For those building compact systems without extreme power requirements, the V850 SFX Gold offers great electrical performance, ensuring stability and reliability where it counts.