Introduction

We would like to thank Cooler Master for supplying the review sample.



Within the last year, Cooler Master has completely turned the tide with their PSU products as these now not only meet the competition eye-to-eye, but also achieve very high price/performance ratios. Their topnotch V-series heralded in the change, and CM is now obviously taking advantage of the line's success by incorporating the "V" into nearly all their model numbers. The VS series was released last year, and CM says it to have been the first to use an innovative 3D circuit that boosts performance. This 3D circuit wasn't at all what we expected in terms of design, but the VS units we tested performed incredibly well and registered amazing efficiency that can only be described as truly spectacular in the low-loads region.

The newest addition to the VSM series is a 750 W model with 80 Plus Gold efficiency, a semi-modular cabling design, and nothing but Japanese capacitors for increased reliability. This unit’s other specifications include its compact dimensions and compatibility with EU's new No 617/2013 regulation, which is valid as of the 1st of July, 2014 and demands for up to 92% efficiency with 230 VAC input and a power factor of more than 0.9. The VSM750 also supports Crossfire and SLI configurations with high-end cards because of its four PCIe connectors and strong +12V rail. The VSM750 is already available in the US, but it has only recently become available in the EU, although for a good price given its features.

Specifications

Efficiency is Gold, and while the VSM750 unfortunately features a semi-modular cabling design with many native cables, CM says it to be Haswell ready. The operational temperature at up to which it can deliver its full power continuously is restricted to 40°C although the ATX spec recommends 50°C. However, following our tough methodology, we will push it above 45°C just to see how it fares. Since its protection features include OTP (Over Temperature Protection), doing so won't endanger the unit.

The cooling fan only has a diameter of 120 mm because a larger variant wouldn't have fit into the small enclosure, and it uses ball-bearings, which increases its durability. CM also provides a five year warranty, which is long enough for the category, and while its price may look high, CM made a point of using nothing but Japanese caps this time around.


The single +12V rail is powerful enough for two strong VGAs, and the minor rails are sufficiency powerful for a modern system. The 5VSB rail has the standard capacity for a contemporary low- or mid-level PSU, which is usually enough.

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

There are four PCIe and one EPS connector. We think that CM should be more generous by providing another EPS connector. We would also like to see less native cables as all PCIe cables should be modular, or at least the second pair. The main ATX and EPS cables are long enough for a normally sized case, but you might run into problems with larger full-tower cases. The distance between peripheral connectors is spot on, but some of you may prefer its SATA connectors to be a little closer together (e.g., 11-12 cm) as HDDs are usually installed close to one another. All cables also use 18AWG wires, which is the standard the ATX spec recommends.

Since this PSU features a single +12V rail, we have nothing to comment on when it comes time to talk about its power distribution.

Packaging

The box is small, but tough enough to protect its contents efficiently. At its face is a photograph of the PSU that showcases the fan grill and modular board, while a silver frame near the bottom-right corner contains the unit's most crucial features, which include its 3D circuit, single +12V rail, and semi-modular cabling design. The 80 Plus Gold badge resides in the top-right corner, and the series- and model description and a label for the Japanese caps are in the bottom-left corner.


Only the model number and CM's logo are on this side.


CM advises you to visit their official page for more information on this product on the top of the box, in many different languages.


The technical and power specifications tables are on this side of the box.


A very brief features description in many languages, a list of all available connectors, and two graphs with the fan-speed and efficiency curves are on the back of the box.

Contents

Inside the box, two cardboard sheets completely cover the PSU. We would prefer packing foam, but cardboard is definitely more ECO friendly. The PSU also comes inside a plastic bag, which isn't as environmental friendly.


The bundle includes an AC power cord, a set of fixing bolts, some modular cables, and a folded piece of paper with some information on the product itself. Unfortunately, no zip ties or Velcro straps are included, which is a shame.