The Emperor of Efficiency: Corsair's AX1600i PSU Rules Alone (Review)
by E. Fylladitakis on April 18, 2018 9:30 AM ESTThe Corsair Link Software
The Corsair Link is a unified software that allows for the monitoring and control of multiple Corsair products. The software is capable of identifying and monitoring system sensors, such as the CPU temperature or fan speeds, and can use that information for the programming of user-specific performance profiles. For instance, you can program the lighting of the Hydro H100i to change according to a temperature reading.
In the case of the AX1600i, the Corsair Link software fully monitors the input and every output of the power supply, as well as its temperature and fan speed. The accuracy of the readings is adequate for typical use.
Screenshots of the Corsair Link software while the PSU was attached to our electronic loads. The displayed system configuration is that of a laptop and does not in any way correspond to the load of the PSU.
The Corsair Link software adds some extra functionality to the AX1600i. It is possible for the user to forgo the single 12V line over current protection (OCP) and create virtual OCP's per connector, limiting the current that will be available to certain devices. This can protect certain devices as, in the case of a temporary fault, the PSU will shutdown instead of supplying them with a massive current that would permanently damage them. The user can also adjust the cooling profile of the PSU's fan, or the cooling profiles of other fans based on the PSU's load.
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zodiacfml - Thursday, April 19, 2018 - link
I have two rated 2000W PSUs and one 1800W. I am not capable of measuring its efficiency but I once compared its power consumption to a 650W Bronze PSU with a 300 watt load. The consumption at the wall are similar. I've read some comments that they cannot keep up with 100% load but I don't have such requirements.This leads me to think that the Chinese branded 2000W PSU(~$130) has a 90% or higher efficiency at 50% load.
dgingeri - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
Nice! It actually beats my HX750i at my idle load (~110W at 86% efficiency). I have been hard pressed to find a better PSU than my HX750i.Ninjawithagun - Thursday, May 10, 2018 - link
My 'old' AX1500i easily maintains 97% efficiency at 600W output. To add to that amazing efficiency, the PSU fan rarely ever turns on, which means silent gaming for my custom watercooled system ;-)AdrianB1 - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
Give me one with 350-400W and the same shape of efficiency curve on the reduced power range; make it semi-modular because I don't need to remove the 24 pin ATX cord. It is perfect for a modern computer with a 95W TDP processor and a 150W TDP GPU.I have the Corsair PSU that has some of these specs, but not the efficiency: Corsair TX550M; semi-modular, fair output power, low efficiency especially at 100W when I watch Netflix.
Jon Tseng - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
Agree it looks overspecced, but thinking about silver linings I guess if you ran one of these at reduced load to serve say an 800W system it would be significantly cooler/quieter than an 800W PSU running at full load?PeachNCream - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
The sound measurements are in the review as is a statement that the fan doesn't even turn on at sub-600W loads in the cold test results. At 800W loads, it produces 35 (cold) to 41 (hot) decibels making it very likely to be much quieter than any 800W PSU running at full load.Stas - Thursday, April 19, 2018 - link
that's how you're supposed to spec out a PSUJohnUSA - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
I read that an actual owner who liked this very expensive model but hated its poor and cheap cables, and many of these cables were also quite short.Shame on the manufacturer to have such bad shortcomings and put an exorbitant price on this model.
Hope they will fix these issues immediately.
nowwhatnapster - Friday, April 20, 2018 - link
I doubt it, they want to push those premium sleeved cables. It would be nice if they were individually sleeved, but then it would be a $600 psu and you might want different colored sleeving at that price. Makes sense to sell the premium cables separate.I agree the stock cables are very ridged due to the in line capacitors. I used them for a brief time. They get the job done and do not compromise on quality, but they sacrifice aesthetics and usability.
bug77 - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
And here I was thinking efficiency means buying a power supply that fits one's needs. I.e. 600W is more than enough for anyone that doesn't overclock and uses multiple GPUs at the same time...