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Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Review

Today, our Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Review will discuss a high-capacity SFX unit. It is a product targeting gamers and has plenty of features worth noting. Aside from features, we will discuss its appearance, functions, specifications, and performance.

The debut entry of the company into SFX PSUs is the V SFX Gold. But with its increase in demand, the company produced the V850 SFX Gold. 

This PSU meets the needs of those who use the mini-ITX for their build. It offers quality performance while offering an efficiency rating of 80 Plus Gold, full-modular cabling, 16AWG PCIe high-efficiency cables, etc.

Since it has an SFX to ATX bracket, the unit can work with mini-ITX cases to E-ATX systems. 

Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Packaging

Upon receiving our package for this Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Review, we noticed something about its box. Like other Cooler Master products, the PSU ships in a familiar-looking container. 

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The product comes in a grey-themed box with white letterings and hints of purple. On the box, you will find the company logo on the top-left corner and the unit name on the bottom-left. 

The front displays a scaled-down image of the product and three stickers indicating its fanless mode. The box informs us that the PSU has a 10-year warranty and an 80 PLUS Gold certification. Moreover, you will find additional information on the rear and sides of the package, including its features and specs.

In the box, the V850 SFX Gold ships with additional items such as the following: 

  • User Guide
  • SFX to ATX Adapter
  • Two sets of screws
  • Modular Cables
  • Zip Ties
  • Velcro Straps

Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Review – Design and Functionality

The PSU for this Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Review has an all-black exterior. Its size makes it stand out, especially when compared to ATX PSUs. 

The V850 SFX Gold features an indented opposite side panel for a neater and cleaner look. It is purely aesthetic, but we appreciate the slight difference from similar products. The PSU has a slightly gritty surface, making it scratch-resistant. 

You will also find an opening on the top with a substantial aperture. It also has an intricate grille crafted from concentric rings. 

At the heart of this design, you will see a Cooler Master logo and a 92mm fan beneath it. The company used four screws surrounding the top area to ensure the power supply connection. There are four additional screws to mount the fan on the PSU. 

This PSU measures 10.0 x 12.5 x 6.35cm (D x W xH) and is compact enough to avoid clutter in your build. 

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The external construction of the PSU boasts excellent build quality. The spacing between its metal panels is meticulously maintained, resulting in a tight and secure fit. 

Furthermore, the edges have a perfect finish, allowing you to handle and install the PSU without risking accidental cuts, as they are smooth and safe to the touch.

Fully-modular Design 

While writing our Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Review, we noticed its fully modular design. This setup provides you with detachable cables from the primary unit. 

The product is a modular unit, and its highlight is its size. Generally, these types of PSUs are often longer than the non-modular types. They have adequate space to accommodate the connector board along its rear. 

Surprisingly, this extra length does not pose any issues, even with compact media cases. However, you might encounter some length-related concerns with the included cables, so keep that in mind. 

Ventilation

Looking at the unit, you will see it sporting the usual honeycomb mesh of Cooler Master. It also comes adorned with the ever-familiar hexagonal pattern. This design is a common sight in many power supplies and ventilation areas. 

Its popularity stems from its ability to maximise airflow while minimising air resistance. These simultaneously occur while preserving the structural integrity of the unit.

This ventilation area facilitates efficient heat release towards the rear. Most modern power supplies use automatic full-range 110V to 240V AC line voltage selection. Doing so eliminates the need for manual switches, which are usual in older models. 

Consequently, the rear panel is adorned simply with a power switch and a standard power input. You will not find a fanless switch here, as temperature control governs its operation.

Rear Panel

Our Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Review will also discuss the rear panel of this PSU. The connections in this area have an organised layout with similar connectors grouped by category. These also have labels for easy identification.

The top row features half of the motherboard connectors, including a 10-pin connector. Next to this are the PCIe connectors.

The bottom row has the second half of the motherboard connectors as an 18-pin connection. The last ones are 5-pin connectors for peripheral outputs like Molex or SATA. 

Key Features of the Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU 

What makes this SFX power supply unit worth purchasing? Is it better than other PSUs for mini-ITX builds? Our Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Review will discuss its features to help determine if it meets your needs.

80 PLUS Gold Efficiency

The 80 Gold efficiency means the V850 SFX Gold guarantees 90% typical efficiency. It requires low power to make your system operate, which affects system performance and electricity bills.

SFX Form Factor

The V850 SFX Gold delivers the superior performance you would expect from a V series power supply unit. The only difference is you can experience it in an SFX form factor. 

With the rising demand for smaller systems, finding a compatible PSU has become challenging. Thanks to Cooler Master, the PSU is a highly reliable product that does not compromise quality despite reducing its size.

SFX-to-ATX Bracket

Although primarily designed for mini-ITX cases, the V850 SFX Gold works for ATX, too. Cooler Master packed the PSU with an SFX-to-ATX bracket to convert the PSU and make it compatible with ATX builds. 

Noise-free Cooling

The reduced size and quiet operation are reasons why people choose mini-ITX builds. Usually, the primary cause of noise in a PSU is the fan. Cooler Master eliminates noise with a 92mm FDB fan to achieve quiet operation. 

It uses the Smart Thermal Control System, which only allows fans to spin when they reach a specific temperature level. This PSU keeps noise low with its compact size, high efficiency, and impressive heat dissipation. 

Full Modular Cables

Mini-ITX cases have minimal space for components, including the PSU and accompanying cables. Cooler Master solves this issue using full modular cabling in the V SFX Gold PSUs. With this design, you can connect only the necessary ones to give more room for better airflow.

Unparalleled Reliability with a 10-Year Warranty

The V SFX Gold PSU line consists of top-notch power supply units that deliver impeccable performance at normal wattage levels. Although it cuts down the size of the PSU, it does not reduce performance and efficiency.

You can rely on the V850 SFX Gold to meet your computing needs. It will deliver the performance you need for casual or heavy work and nonstop gaming. Plus, it has a 10-year warranty for convenience and peace of mind.

Specifications

  • ATX Version: SFX 12V Ver. 3.42
  • Dimensions: 10.0 x 12.5 x 6.35cm (D x W x H)
  • Modular: Full
  • Input Frequency: 50-60Hz
  • PFC: Active PFC
  • Input Voltage: 100-240V
  • Input Current: 12-6A
  • Fan Size: 92mm
  • Fan Bearing: FDB
  • 80 PLUS Rating: 80 PLUS Gold
  • Efficiency: 90% @ Typical Load
  • LAMBDA Rating: Standard+
  • Power Good Signal: 100 – 500ms
  • Hold Up Time: 16ms
  • Wattage: Above 750W
  • MTBF: over 100,000 Hours

Hands-on with the Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU

We used the product to share how well it performed in this Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Review.

The initial consumption of the V850 SFX Gold is 6.0W, which indicates excellent standard load-free power consumption. It is highly efficient with low voltage ripple on the different rails.

Aside from efficient power consumption, it has a low noise output during operation. Plus, its fans do not spin with regular loads under 15%. When fans start spinning, they emit minimal sound, which is not highly noticeable. 

The noise increases under heavier loads since the fans spin more to keep the PSU cool. Despite the faster fan speeds, these are not highly audible. 

Overall, the V850 SFX Gold performs excellently. It delivers adequate power while maintaining efficient consumption, low temperatures, and minimal noise.

Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Review Summary

The V850 SFX Gold is an impeccable 850W power supply unit that meets all our demands. It has a sleek and compact design that suits most builds. Its full modular cabling makes installation more convenient and allows for a neat, organised build.

This product excellently performed when tested for this Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold PSU Review. It provides adequate power for light and heavy loads while maintaining quiet operation.

We highly recommend the V850 SFX to anyone seeking a capable PSU for mini-ITX builds. It’s efficient, dependable, and a breeze to set up.

To learn more about the V850 SFX Gold, visit the official product page of Cooler Master