Corsair CXM750 Builder Series - Strange noise

[ChesterPerry]

Hi All,

I've recently been experiencing a strange noise emitting from my PSU, but only when I'm in game. Concurrently, I get strange screen flicker like black bars moving up and down on my screen.

Anyone had this issue before or able to diagnose something from my horrific description?

Many thanks,

Chester

 

[ChesterPerry]

Get it RMA'd. Not worth keeping it around if it is causing problems. I had a CX600M and also had a strange noise - I believe fan bearing. It didn't cause any problems but I knew I made a mistake in choosing that so just RMA'd it and sold it on

Up to you whether you do this, however I'd certainly go the RMA route

The thing is, my monitor is ancient, my PSU is pretty brand new. It only happens when the flickering bars appear on my screen (dark visuals in-game). So I don't know whether its the PSU, or the monitor to blame.

 

[ChesterPerry]

I do have another PSU I can test with, no other monitor though. I'll report back. It does sound like an electrical noise, definitely not a fan or anything.

I just find it strange that it's coming from the PSU but only when the black/flickery bars appear on screen. Very strange.

 

[ChesterPerry]

Couldnt get my spare PSU to work, so no testing. The strange noise happened again, but this time I was in windows, again black bars appeared flickering up and down the screen.

I was wondering if it was because my 8pin and 6pin GPU connectors ran off the same cable that this might be the problem but a more knowledgeable friend said it was unlikely.

I contacted corsair but they said they'd only replace with the same model which in my experience is very poor business practice. I'd read that the CX Builder series were made by a different manufacturer to their tried and tested PSU's. I feel like I should have been offered one of them, as way of an apology and customer retention.

Will probably buy something else on pay-day.

 

[ChesterPerry]

What kind of video card are you running in that system? Perhaps provide you full system spec, that way we know how much power you're really pulling.

Not sure why you'd expect a different replacement from the one you have right now. The only time you would get a different/comparable PSU is, if the model that you have has been discontinued. Otherwise, you will get the exact same current model - That kind of policy is pretty standard within the industry. So I just don't understand how that's a poor business practice.

I'm running an i5 4690k (not overclocked) and a G1 Gaming GTX 970.

Well, if you went to a Chinese restaurant and had a bad meal, complained, and the restaurant owner offered you the same meal as an apology, would you take it? No, you'd go to one of his competitors next time you decided to eat out. I'm waiting til payday, buying a new PSU from another manufacturer and sending this one back for a refund as I've not been given the level of service I'd expect.

Cheers,

Chester

 

[ChesterPerry]

The Corsair CX range is more suited to lower end builds, although whilst it should cope with a stock i5 and a GTX 970 it isn't ideal. If you had gone with a higher quality unit such as the RMx/RMi/HXi etc then I doubt you would have any issues at all.

It is common practice to offer a like for like replacement, or an equivalent model if it is obsolete. You can't expect Corsair to give you a higher end model just because of your initial purchase error.

And by the way the manufacturer for the CX/Builder series is Channel Well Technology. They also make some of the higher end models as mentioned earlier, so I don't know where you are getting your information from.

I am a small business owner and I don't believe 'common practice' is something that any business should aspire to. I'm sure you'll agree.

Given my trust in the corsair brand, I wasn't aware at the time this PSU was 'lower end' as you put it. As for my 'purchase error' I fail to see how you came to that conclusion.

It is my modus operandi to strive for excellence in all aspects of business, if one of my customers had a complaint due to an issue with one of my products, I'd replace it suitably and ensure no end that my customer was happy with the solution, lest he/she post, rightfully, poor reviews all over the place and damage my reputation.

In hindsight, due to the lack of service, I shouldn't have bought from Corsair and really regret this decision.

Rather than replace this model with a suitable alternative, perhaps making a minute loss on this transaction, they have decided that 'common practice' is enough. Unfortunately for them, this 'resolution' ensures I'll never be purchasing from them again. I will endeavor to avoid Corsair at every turn and will advise my peers to do the same.

Thanks for reading,

Chester

 

[ChesterPerry]

Are you suggesting that Corsair should replace the CX and give you a higher end unit ?

The CX is towards the bottom end of Corsair's range. If you were building a lower end system, or an Office pc then it would be fine for that purpose.
The fact that you have an i5 4690K and a GTX 970 then you want something of better quality.

Here is a review summary of the CX750M - http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=416

As you can see it isn't the best unit in the world. Also if you had come on here beforehand, or any other computer related Forum then you would more than likely have been advised to buy something different.

As for Corsair, they do have some very good power supplies such as the RMx,RMi,HXi,AXi and AX. With the exception of the AXi and AX they are all made by Channel Well (Who happen to make the CX750M).

If you RMA the unit and it is found to be faulty, then they would either repair or replace it with another CX. That would be the same with any Company. If the said product was obsolete, then of course they would have to give you an alternative of the same quality.

I agree with Greybeard that it is more than likely a GPU or Monitor problem. When power supplies act up they usually give you reboots/blue screens etc.

Have you tried bypassing the graphics card by using the onboard graphics ? Just to see if the issue still persists.

"Are you suggesting that Corsair should replace the CX and give you a higher end unit ?"

If they had any chance of keeping a customer happy and securing future revenue from that customer rather than having the product returned to them and issuing a full and immediate refund, absolutely. Customer loyalty is a thing of the past, we want taken care of correctly.

Lee thanks for suggesting the GPU bypass - I'm about to test with onboard graphics and will report back, though the noise is definitely coming from the PSU, but no harm in trying.

Many thanks,

Chester

 

[ChesterPerry]

Im running with the cx750m ( I didn't know at the time of purchase it was classed as a low end psu ) I also have a i5 4690k but running at 4.5Ghz and a gtx970 and being honest with you.. Ive never had a problem with my set up.

I upgraded my mobo,cpu and gpu recently as before I was running an FX8350 and a 7950 which again were both over clocked and would have been pulling more power than my current set up. again I was using the cx750m and had no problems..

it looks like you have been really unlucky if your psu is at fault and I do agree.. why would corsair supply a higher spec unless they had discontinued your current model!!

Ill be looking to buy a better quality PSU after the new year just for peice of mind but I have no major worries using this one at the moment and this one will be going into my sons machine as he currently has the cx750 which again we've had no problems with but the cx750m will allow us to get rid of the extra cables

I've already outlined why. If you go to a restaurant and get food poisoning, do you go back there? No. If you would be happy with that level of service then thats up to you, but I'm not.

I don't get what the problem with that is really, if they don't want to look after me, I'm more than happy to spend my money with one of their competitors. I know what I'd do if I was them

 

[ChesterPerry]

your comparing food poisoning in a restaurant to getting a replacement electrical item.... Im a bit confused with that one.

if you send it back and get a replacement that powers your system without any problems then surely this would be satisfactory?
you paid for a cx750m not a higher model. Sadly you have managed to get a bad one.( if it is the psu that's at fault ) Im sure there are plenty of others like myself that is running the same psu without a problem. Im running 2 of them as said I have the cx750 in my sons machine and the cx750m in my own machine. both are quiet and ive never had a problem with either and I have seen my own machine spending a few hours playing dirt3 or just cause 2 and being left on for a few days at a time.

I recently had to RMA my FX-8350 I didint jump up and down telling AMD I wanted the 9590.. I got a replacement 8350 which is what I purchased

Well, no, it wouldn't be satisfactory. They've taken my money and sent me a faulty product, now I'm expected to go a number of days/weeks without a suitable PSU while they send me the same product I've had a bad experience with? Very, very poor. Not for me, I expect a higher level of customer service.

As said, I'll spend with one of their competitors.