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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Belldandy - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
For most people the Seasonic Prime Ultra Titanium is the best PSU they will ever need.IBM760XL - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
That's the one I want to buy next. I was curious if this would match it at my typical 100-200W loads, despite being so much lower on its efficiency curve than a 600-700W Seasonic Titanium model. But the price is pretty eye-watering. The environmentalist in me will be satisfied by the Prime Ultra.Still, glad to see technological progress being made. Put the new technology in a 700W PSU in a few years, with a bit more economy of scale, and I'd probably buy it.
SonicIce - Thursday, April 19, 2018 - link
Strange the Prime series was made in Taiwan (the only PSU I've ever seen not made in China), but the new Prime Ultra series is made in China. Hmmm.rtho782 - Thursday, April 19, 2018 - link
My AX1500i died a month ago, and I got one of these as a warranty replacement :)It's a very nice PSU, even though it's still way overkill for me really. My system never draws more than about 750W. I am also very happy that it's a little shorter than the AX1500i.
rtho782 - Thursday, April 19, 2018 - link
> The side stickers can be (permanently) replaced with those supplied with the unit's bundled items.Are you sure? Mine were magnetic.
nowwhatnapster - Friday, April 20, 2018 - link
Can confirm, they are magnetic. It's a sleek cover up. Not permanent at all, which is a good thing IMOCheapSushi - Friday, April 20, 2018 - link
I dream about these designs getting smaller. Imagine this in SFX-L. As all our systems get more efficiency, smaller scaled, etc, the ATX PSU's are starting to seem like relics. Not the wattage, but the volume of the thing itself. SFX and SFX-L I hope become the de facto "standard" size. GaN components, like mentioned, is the step to that. I know people are making snide comments, but thank you Corsair for actually doing something to push PSU designs. A future SFX-L version would be amazing.Ninjawithagun - Thursday, May 10, 2018 - link
There is an SFX-L 800W Titanium PSU made by Silverstone:https://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Technology-SX80...
Ninjawithagun - Thursday, May 10, 2018 - link
No need to replace my AX1500i Titanium PSU, but it's good to know Corsair has not fallen asleep ;-)