Epilogue
The XPG Core Reactor II 850W achieves high overall performance, and although its average noise is high, the detailed noise maps I provide show that up to 520W loads, it remains quiet, with its fan noise within the 15-20 dBA region. Moreover, its transient response at 12V is among the best in its category, and the fact that it comes with a 600W 12+4 pin connector means that you can power any of the currently available graphics cards. Its over power protection is set to >1110W, so you won’t experience shutdowns, even with an RTX 4090. Still, I suggest you go for a stronger PSU if you plan to have an RTX 4090 and an Intel i9-14900K since this combination can draw up to 1000W, excluding power spikes. A 1000W or, even better, a 1200W PSU is more suitable for such a combination.
The problems I experienced during the 5V OCP evaluation are probably already fixed; nonetheless, I want to stress how important it is not to allow for high stress on the minor rails through the appropriate design. At 5V, I understand that some brands allow for more than 30A to cope with the load of ARGB lighting, but at 3.3V, there is no need for any PSU to deliver more than 25-30 Amps. If overstressed, minor rails can also kill a PSU, so their protection features must be set correctly. The same goes, of course, for 5VSB.
Overall, the XPG Core Reactor II 850W is a good PSU, with compact dimensions and many cables and connectors. Given the high build quality and the top-notch parts, the $115 price tag is fully justified.
To check all alternative PSU offerings, read my Best ATX v3.0 PSUs article before investing in a new power supply. You help me a lot by using my affiliate links, which don’t increase the product’s price. I get a commission from Amazon every time you do it, which can make a difference for me, especially now that I am on my own, working exclusively for my media and not for someone else.
- Delivered full power at 47°C
- Fair price given its specs
- High overall performance
- High average efficiency (Cybenetics Platinum)
- Above 70% efficiency with a 2% load
- ATX v3.0 and PCIe 5.0 ready
- Good transient response at 12V and 5V
- Quiet operation at up to 520W loads
- Proper OPP triggering points (hot and cold conditions)
- Within 1% load regulation on the minor rails
- Low inrush currents
- APFC converter performs well (high PF readings)
- Good ripple suppression at 12V and 5V
- Low vampire power
- Good soldering quality
- Long enough hold-up time
- Alternative Low Power Mode (ALPM) compatible
- Fully modular
- 12+4 pin PCIe connector (600W)
- Compact dimensions (140mm depth)
- Ideal distance between the peripheral connectors (150mm)
- FDB fan
- Ten-year warranty
- OCP triggering point is set too high at 5V
- Voltage drop at 12V between 10-20% load test affects load regulation on this rail
- Noisy at >600W loads
- Not efficient 5VSB rail
- Efficiency should be higher at light loads (20-80W)
Hi crmaris, is this one better then the first core reactor? Price difference is big.
If you don’t care for ATX v3.0 and the 12VHPWR cable, you can go to the first version.
Hi crmaris.
After buying this power supply, I decided to test it with a tester from Aliexpress. When the tester is turned on, it starts beeping and Power Good flashes with a reading of 130.
All other indicators are normal.
Can you tell me if this is a factory defect or can I use this power supply?
P.S. I checked the tester on my old Deepcool PQ750M power supply. There it works without beeping and PG blinking.
You can use the PSU. These cheap testers are for basic stuff only.
Thank you, for your reply.