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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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 ;-)