The CX series, also known as the Builder series, is the most entry-level power supply series from Corsair, with 400 W, 430 W, 500 W and 600 W models. The 400 W model has been discontinued by the manufacturer, leaving the 430 W model as the most entry-level power supply offered by Corsair. Let’s see if the Corsair CX430 is a good buy.

It is important to understand that while the CX400W was manufactured by Seasonic, the 430 W, 500 W, and 600 W models are manufactured by CWT, therefore the 430 W model uses an internal design that is completely different from the 400 W model.

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Figure 1: Corsair CX430 power supply

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Figure 2: Corsair CX430 power supply

The Corsair CX430 is 5.5” (140 mm) deep, using a 120 mm sleeve bearing fan on its bottom (Yate Loon D12SH-12, 2,200 rpm, 88 cfm).

This unit features active PFC, of course, and doesn’t come with a modular cabling system. The cables are protected with nylon sleeves and the unit comes with the following cables and connectors:

• Main motherboard cable with a 20/24-pin connector, 23.6” (60 cm) long
• One cable with two ATX12V connectors that together form an EPS12V connector, 23.6” (60 cm) long
• One cable with one six/eight-pin connector for video cards, 23.2” (59 cm) long
• Two cables, each with two SATA power connectors, 16.5” (42 cm) to the first connector, 5.9” (15 cm) between connectors
• One cable with three standard peripheral power connectors and one floppy disk drive power connector, 16.5” (42 cm) to the first connector, 5.9” (15 cm) between connectors

All wires are 18 AWG, which is the minimum required gauge.

The cable configuration is compatible with an entry-level 430 W product, with only one video card power connector and a reduced number of SATA and peripheral power connectors.

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Figure 3: Cables

Let’s now take an in-depth look inside this power supply.