Corsair RM vs RMi vs RMx

It can be difficult to choose the best power supply unit (PSU) if you don’t know exactly what you are looking for in terms of features and performance.

A power supply unit is a computer component that converts the power inside the system from an AC current to a DC current. Without a PSU, your gaming PC wouldn’t work, and it also must be compatible with the form factor of your motherboard. 

Power supply units are really important because, without them, the entire system would fail. It is an essential component for any computer, and you will need to carefully consider the specifications in order to decide whether or not it is a good fit for your current PC build.

The Corsair RM, RMi, and RMx are all great options to choose from, and while they do have some similar specifications, there are factors the make them different that should be considered. 

A power supply unit’s job is to convert the existing AC power into DC power so that it can be used by the other components in your PC. The efficiency rating is the power that is outputted to other components, divided by the wattage that is drawn from the plug socket.

Therefore, a 500W power supply unit with a 50% efficiency rating would draw 1000W to get to the peak output. The level of efficiency would depend on the percentage of the rated load that is being outputted. The maximum efficiency of the majority of PSUs is around 50%.

If your PSU is rated 80 Plus, it is at least 80% efficient at 20%, 50%, and 100% loads. The best power supply units will have the 80 Plus certification, and most should have this rating.

Another thing to note about power supply units is the bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and titanium ratings. These have been listed in order of importance, where bronze, silver, and gold are the standard ratings and are more common, platinum and titanium ratings are the two superior options. These are, typically, of a higher capacity. 

The RM, RMi, and RMx series by Corsair are all gold-rated with an 80 plus certification. This is a relatively premium rating, and many gamers wouldn’t consider the need to go any higher than this.

While you can get a better rating, it isn’t always worth it when you consider cost and other factors. It provides you with everything that you would need, and the specifications can explain this for themselves. 

At a 20% load, these gold-rated PSUs have 87% efficiency, and at a 50% load, they deliver 90% efficiency. Finally, at 100% load, they can go up to 87% efficiency. They are a highly reliable option, and they perform significantly better than a power supply unit that has a bronze rating.

80 Plus gold PSUs are usually the most cost-effective option when you consider both price and performance. With these power supply units, you can be assured that you are investing your money wisely.

Another thing that all of these power supply unit series have in common is that they are designed to be exceptionally quiet when in use, while still delivering high levels of power.

The RM, RMx, and RMi series all have low-noise capacitors and transformers built into them and feature a zero RPB fan mode that only spins the PSU fan when under heavy loads. This allows them to operate with almost silence during everyday usage. The fan is really quiet at all speed levels, which allows the PSU to remain quiet even when the fan is in use. 

However, something that makes the RM series slightly different here is that it has a 135mm rifle bearing fan that has a specially calculated fan curve that ensures the fan noise is kept to a minimum, even under full load.

At low and medium loads, the fan does not spin at all until it is needed. This means that it will be silent most of the time. However, even when it is in use, it doesn’t make much noise at all.

The majority of the time, a modular PSU is the most ideal option. This is because a modular PSU will allow you to attach or detach cables as and when they are needed. Traditional power supplies will have cables that are permanently attached and cannot be removed. Modular PSUs have an advantage when it comes to managing your cables inside your PC. 

Cable management is the most time-consuming and irritating part of finishing up your PC build, and a modular PSU will allow you to use only the cables that you actually need. This stops you from having useless cables hanging around that are not actually needed.

It will also reduce the amount of clutter inside your case, which can make things much easier when it comes to cleaning or maintenance. It can also help to improve the airflow inside the case, and if you have a glass panel that allows you to see inside, it makes it look much more visually appealing. 

The good news is that all three of these power supply unit series by Corsair have fully modular power cables, so you can connect only the cables that your system needs, making tidy builds easier and more efficient.

PSUs typically have a longer-lasting life than some other components that may need more regularly updating as new technology is released. They typically survive multiple configurations, which is why it is surprising that most companies don’t offer a warranty that exceeds three to five years. 

With their RM, RMi, and RMx series, Corsair became the second supplier to extend their standard warranty on high-end power supply units. They are now covered under a ten-year warranty, so you won’t need to worry about this component breaking down any time soon. 

The warranty is effective as soon as the product is purchased, and it shows that their products are reliable and long-lasting. You can be assured that your PSU is going to last for a really long time. 

There are two different locations for capacitors in a power supply: the primary and secondary sides. The primary side is where the AC comes into the power supply, and the secondary side is where the DC output voltages are regulated.

Capacitors can be used to smooth out the voltage, which is a process that is usually referred to as filter ripple. They also resist voltage changes, so if the applied voltage suddenly changes, the capacitor will not react immediately, and it will drag out the process to avoid damage. 

Some of the best capacitors are considered to be the ones that are rated at 105 degrees Celsius. This is because they typically have a longer life span compared to ones that are rated at 85 degrees Celsius. All three of these Corsair power supply units are rated at 105 degrees Celsius, though they have some slight differences in manufacturing. 

The RM series uses industrial-grade capacitors to deliver a solid electrical performance and reliability. The RMi and RMx series use all Japanese capacitors that are premium components that ensure unwavering power delivery and long-term reliability. Japanese capacitors have a reputation for providing excellent quality control, and for extreme conditions, they are more desirable. 

In power supply units that are more high-end, Japanese capacitors are used as they are known to be more reliable. Corsair tends to use Japanese capacitors when possible as they have a larger surface area in order to dissipate heat better.

When you are looking at a specific power supply unit’s performance, you should consider the wattage. The wattage rating of the PSU is really important because if you choose a PSU with a wattage that is too low, the entire system will completely shut down if it draws more power than it can handle.

On the opposite side, if you get a power supply with a really high wattage, it could be a waste of money if you aren’t going to be drawing that high an amount of power. 

The best thing to do in this scenario is to come up with an estimated power draw for your PC. This will give you an idea of how much power you are going to be using and how much you will actually require. Every component inside your PC will determine how many watts your system needs to keep running.

Gaming PCs typically have a higher demand as they require more power to run. Certain PC components can increase or decrease the power demand, depending on which ones you choose. 

Once you know what components are going inside your PC, you can try to determine an average power draw. Whatever this number comes out as, you should get a PSU with a slightly higher wattage, just to be on the safe side. The last thing you need is to spend on a new PSU and find that it can’t handle the power load that it is being put under. Having slightly more than you actually need can be beneficial. 

You should be considering the maximum load that your gaming computer will be under at one time and not the average load. Preparing for the maximum will ensure that the wattage will always be high enough to handle the load. 

Corsair PSUs vary in wattage from 550-Watts to 1000-Watts, depending on which model that you choose. The options that are available to choose from are 550W, 650W, 750W, 850W, and 1000W. The amount that you select will depend on what your PC requires to run on a maximum load. However, you should note that the higher the wattage, the higher the cost. The jump from 550W to 1000W is almost double in price.

Considering that the Corsair RM, RMi, and RMx series have been around for a considerable amount of time now, they are no longer in high demand. This means that they are widely available online, and they aren’t likely to be out of stock.

There are so many different types of power supply units available within these series, so make sure to check that the one you are purchasing is suitable for its purpose. As there are so many different types of PSUs available, you can be sure that you will be able to get your hands on one that works for you.

In terms of pricing, it seems that the RM and RMx series are both relatively similar in price, and they are both typically good options if you are on a budget. The RMx is a slightly more costly option, and this range of PSU generally is around $50 more expensive than the other two options.

While there aren’t many significant differences between the three series of PSUs, it is up to you to weigh the costs and decide whether or not the difference in price is worth it.

Corsair RM750, RM Series, 80 Plus Gold Certified, 750 W Fully Modular ATX Power Supply

Wattage

750W

Certification

80+ Gold

Modular?

Yes- fully

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Corsair RMX White Series (2018), RM750x, 750 Watt, 80+ Gold Certified, Fully Modular Power Supply

Wattage

750W

Certification

80+ Gold

Modular?

Yes – fully

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Corsair RM650i ATX12V/EPS12V Power Supply – 90% Efficiency – 650 W

Wattage

650W

Certification

80+ Gold

Modular?

Yes – fully

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It can be really difficult to choose the best PSU for your chosen build, but it can be argued that it is one of the most important parts to consider as it will determine the load you can handle.

It is no use building an epic gaming PC if you can’t actually play games on it without overloading your power supply unit. You will need to carefully consider the watt rating of the unit in order to determine whether it will be high enough to run your computer. 

The wattage should be carefully thought about, as you don’t want to waste money purchasing a PSU with a wattage that is much higher than what you need, as these things can be expensive. 

There aren’t many differences between the Corsair RM, RMi, and RMX, and you won’t be losing out if you choose to go for the cheapest option. With a ten year warranty, you won’t have to worry about it breaking down on you. It is more about considering what you actually need.

Our research tells us that the RMi and the RMx are slightly better than the standard RM version, but it is up to you to decide whether or not the increased price for the RMi is worth it.

Out of all three of these choices, the RMx seems to be the best pick as it has most of the same features as the RMi, at a slightly lower cost. You should consider the price alongside any similarities and differences before making a decision.