Corsair abandons 80 Plus and moves exclusively to Cybenetics for PSU certifications

The world of PSU certification is changing, and the writing is on the wall for the traditional 80 Plus standard

Corsair has officially abandoned the 80 Plus power supply certification system. There is growing demand for more detailed power supply information, and a certifications system that provides users with more useful data points. That’s why Corsair is now exclusively using the Cybenetics to certify their new power supplies.

We first wrote about Cybenetics many years ago, and from the outset the group made it clear that they planned to innovate. They developed more in-depth PSU efficiency standards than 80 Plus, providing users with more data. Furthermore, they created their Lambda PSU noise standard, allowing customers to know how noisy their chosen power supply will be. Since then, 80 Plus has failed to raise their standards, making Cybenetics the new go-to PSU certification company.

With Cybenetics, power supplies go through more in-depth testing, making it harder for manufacturers to cheat the system. Using the 80 Plus certifications system, PSU manufacturers can optimise their units the specific loads that the ratings body tests. With broader efficiency testing, these kinds of cheats are not possible. Beyond that, this extended testing provides customers with more useful data.

Now that Corsair has abandoned the 80 Plus standard, the writing is on the wall for the PSU certification body. It appears to be only a matter of time before other PSU manufacturers follow Corsair’s lead. If that is the case, the 80 Plus standard may soon disappear. That said, their legacy will live on somewhat given Cybenetic’s use of a familiar naming scheme for their efficiency ratings.

Why Corsair have moved to Cybenetics as their exclusive PSU certifications partner:

Below are the benefits that Corsair told us when discussing their change to the Cybenetics PSU certifications system.

• Enhanced Efficiency Metrics: Cybenetics provides a detailed efficiency profile across various loads, environments, and operational conditions, reflecting real-world usage more accurately.
• Noise Level Assessment: In addition to efficiency, Cybenetics introduces a noise certification that categorizes PSUs based on their acoustic performance, from A++ (virtually silent) to F (noisy). This is particularly noteworthy for gamers and professionals who require quieter systems.
• More Data Points: Cybenetics’ testing methodology produces thousands of data points across all loads, rather than the handful of measurements produced during 80 Plus testing, ensuring more accurate results.

Overall, I think the move to Cybenetics certifications will serve Corsair well. For starters, their noise ratings will encourage Corsair to ensure that their future power supplies are quiet. Furthermore, their commitment to Cybenetics should encourage other PSU manufacturers to follow suit. That can only be seen as a good thing, as a commitment to more in-depth PSU testing and certification can only be seen as a good thing.

You can join the discussion on Corsair’s move to exclusive Cybenetics PSU certifications on the OC3D Forums.