WOW - I actually just freaked myself out. I did a search for
corsair changes OEM suppliers and the first hit from 2014 surprised me. I must say - it still applies.
but Bill this is incorrect, as I posted above. And from your linked posted
"The fact Corsair changed from Seasonic to CWT for some of their models does not in any way automatically suggest the new models are inferior" is also incorrect on the former part. They always used Seasonic & CWT on their lines, they re-organized their lines and put out newer units and lines to stay competitive in the market place. I recall them moving from CWT to Chicony and Great Wall on some units but I can't recall one specific unit that was made by Seasonic and then switched to CWT under Corsair that wasn't labeled as a new unit (i.e. TX650 to TX650 v2)
Long ago - this is pretty common knowledge
it's more like inaccurate hyperbole
e. When Corsair PSUs first hit the scene, if the PSU had the Corsair logo on it, you could be sure it was a top quality supply. But they changed OEMs on their bottom tier lines.
their bottom line was the VX line made by seasonic and CWT, they retired the line. They never switched OEMs
And to be sure, that increased failure rate was still below that of some of their competition.
So this is the heart of the issue and why people incorrectly believe Corsair "changed OEMs" and are furious with them. Corsair retired the VX line and came out with the CX & GS line. The original CX were the definition of mediocre, 30c rated, 80plus, one year warranty. The GS line was OK but overpriced against the competition. Both lines were made by CWT (who made the well reviewed VX & TX units I mentioned above). The CX line was clearly designed to be competitive with some of the junk from CM, Thermaltake, etc., who sold boatloads of these cheap PSU which could hardly even peak at their claimed wattage much less be close to any kind of ATX spec when pushed. So with everyone claiming "Corsair PSU are king" the boutique PC builders and cheap DiY builders started taking CX units that were clearing designed for office PCs/low income markets and using them as gaming PSU with expected results (oh your cheap ass fan died on a PSU with a one warranty? Totally thought it would last five years plus).
Luckily over the years the CX line has gotten much better and the current VS line is what the old CX line was meant to be. I believe Corsair was shocked and not prepared for how well the CX line sold (it's their best selling line).
Now did Corsair use their good name to enter a new cheaper market? Yes. So does EVGA, thermaltake, Antec, Cooler Master, and Seasonic (units not even made by them but carry their name) among many other brands. For some reason Corsair seems to get the most hate for it.
Does Corsair have a fiduciary responsibility to their employees and share holders to make money and generate new revenue streams? Yes
Did Corsair change OEMs from Seasonic to CWT? NO, both were there from day one and are still with them.
If you want to blame Corsair for the launch of the CX line, go ahead but I would also reiterated you have to blame pretty much every other brand out there for doing the same thing. You also need to blame the people building these gaming PCs thinking a 30c rated PSU with a one f@#$ing year warranty is a gaming PSU. You also have to blame the idiot fan boys posting everywhere back then that only Corsair PSU were real PSU that real gamers used (same crap as Seasonic today).
My personal opinion on Corsair, from a business perspective they have excellent design people, testing facilities (as in more than one lab), and customer service.
As a product, overpriced and you can probably do better unless their unit is on sale. Performance wise their lines can compete with the best brand lines out there although you may pay more for it (may be worht it to some people).
