The Emperor of Efficiency: Corsair's AX1600i PSU Rules Alone (Review)
by E. Fylladitakis on April 18, 2018 9:30 AM ESTCold Test Results
For the testing of PSUs, we are using high precision electronic loads with a maximum power draw of 2700 Watts, a Rigol DS5042M 40 MHz oscilloscope, an Extech 380803 power analyzer, two high precision UNI-T UT-325 digital thermometers, an Extech HD600 SPL meter, a self-designed hotbox and various other bits and parts. For a thorough explanation of our testing methodology and more details on our equipment, please refer to our How We Test PSUs - 2014 Pipeline post.
Even though it received its 80Plus Titanium certification with an input of 115V AC (and lower requirements), the new Corsair AX1600i easily meets the stricter requirements for a 230V AC input as well. The maximum efficiency we measured was 96.6% at 50% load, with the unit surpassing the 90% point with just a 7.5% load. Even with a load of just 80 Watts (5% of the unit's rated capacity), the AX1600i has an efficiency of nearly 88%, outperforming the best possible efficiency of most budget-level PSU designs. The average efficiency within the nominal load range (20% to 100% of the unit's capacity) is an astonishing 95.4%.
The outworldish efficiency of the Corsair AX1600i allows it to deliver similarly astonishing thermal performance as well. Our test sample barely even got warm while testing in room temperature, even while operating at maximum output. The fan of the AX1600i is not even bothered to start before the load surpasses the 600 Watts mark and barely becomes audible when the load is over 1.1 kW. As it would take a system with at least three powerful GPUs to reach that kind of power demand, it is highly unlikely that the AX1600i will ever be noticeable over the cooling fans of the graphics cards and the system.
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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...