Introduction

We would like to thank Corsair for supplying the review sample.

Corsair’s CX series is very successful amongst budget-oriented users that want a PSU that is both affordable and highly reliable, and from a company that offers great support when needed. Following the increased demands of today’s users, Corsair wisely decided to enrich their CX line with units that have modular cables. This feature is probably the most desired one amongst buyers, but it is also the first one to be cut in budget PSUs because of its significant cost.

Every one of the existing non-modular CX units now has a modular counterpart, which adds up to a total of four new CX M members with capacities ranging from 430 W to 750 W to completely cover the entry-level and mid-capacity categories. Their modular cabling system is the only new specification. Everything else—the efficiency certification (80 Plus Bronze), a single +12V rail, and the warranty period—remains the same, at least on paper.

In this review, we will take a good look at the second strongest CX modular unit, the CX600M. It houses enough PCIe connectors to power a mid-range system with one high-end VGA or two smaller VGAs with a single PCIe socket each. Such a PSU would normally have four PCIe connectors, since its capacity can easily support them, but Corsair decided that two would—for unknown reasons—be enough. We don’t agree with this decision because it dramatically restricts the usability of the unit and expect Corsair to offer an upgraded version with more PCIe connectors soon. Users will have to cope with having only two of them until then. But enough has been said. Let's move on to the main portion of the CX600M review.

Specifications

Efficiency remains the same as with the older, non-modular CX units. Requiring better parts, even the Silver certification would come at a significantly increased cost. Also, available protection features include all popular ones along with OTP (Over Temperature Protection), although the latter is not listed anywhere in the official specification (Corsair informed us about this feature). According to Corsair, the maximum operating temperature at which this unit can deliver its full power continuously is only 30°C, which is a huge compromise as the ATX spec recommends 50°C. We will still follow our testing methodology to a tee by applying the unit's full power (and even more) at 45-46°C ambient. If the PSU manages to survive our tests, it will have our seal of approval, dying and going up in flames with a big bang (hopefully not) otherwise.

The cooling fan uses a sleeve-bearing, but that is to be expected given the unit's price tag doesn't allow for anything better. Also, the PSU's footprint is small, so it will easily fit into most cases. Finally, the warranty is set at three years, a long enough period for a budget unit, and the price looks decent for what the PSU offers, at least on papers.


The single +12V rail can deliver over 550 W of power, so it will easily handle a medium system, and the minor rails are pretty strong with 130 W combined maximum power output. Also, the 5VSB rail has enough juice with 3 A maximum current output, while today's standard is 2.5 A.

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

All cables are pretty long, but the distance amongst connectors, at least the peripheral ones, is small; it should, ideally, be 15 cm. We also don't like the scarcity of PCIe connectors since only having two greatly restricts the unit's usability. At least four PCIe connectors should be available; 600 W is enough to power all of them. We can't help but wonder by how much two additional PCIe connectors would have raised the price. The unit does, thankfully, come with a satisfying amount of every other type, for its capacity. Finally, all wires are of 18AWG size, which should, according to the ATX spec, be the standard size for most gauges.

Since this PSU features a single +12V rail, we do not have anything to comment on about its power distribution.

Packaging

The box in which the PSU is shipped is small and features a nice color scheme that combines a white background with bright green touchups. The front has a close photo of the fan grill, and in the top-right side, the unit's series is highlighted against a bright green background. The model number is given in extra-large green and white letters below which are, in the bottom-right corner, three badges for the PSU's Bronze efficiency, the three-year warranty, and its ErP Lot 6 compliance.


We only find a small Corsair logo and the unit's model number on this side.


The rear side provides a lot of information about the PSU including all available connectors along with their cable lengths, a graph illustrating the cooling fan's noise output throughout the entire load range, and another graph depicting the efficiency curves with 230V and 115VAC power input. The power specifications table is near the bottom-right corner, and a reference to the three-year warranty can be found right above that.