Corsair AX1500i Power Supply Review
by E. Fylladitakis on September 11, 2014 5:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Corsair
- PSUs
- 1500W
Cold Test Results
For the testing of PSUs, we use high precision electronic loads with a maximum power draw of 2700 Watts, a Rigol DS5042M 40MHz 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.
The Corsair AX1500i delivered record-breaking performance at room temperature, with an impressive average conversion efficiency within the nominal load range (20% to 100%) of 94.9%. The maximum conversion efficiency is exactly 96.7% at 50% load, which is more than adequate for an 80 Plus Titanium certification under 230VAC input.
For 110VAC grids, the 80 Plus Titanium certification is more lenient, dictating an efficiency of at least 94% and thus the AX1500i should easily surpass it. Perhaps the most important point that we can make regarding the efficiency of the AX1500i is the low-load efficiency, which is at 85.6% at just 5% load, an astonishing figure considering that there are hardly any computer PSUs that will surpass 78% efficiency at 5% load. Of course, 5% load in this case is still 75W, and there are many PCs that idle at levels far below that value.
The cooling system of the Corsair AX1500i is based on "smart" thermal management, with the fan not turning on at all before it is necessary. Considering its output, the AX1500i is an astoundingly cool running unit, allowing it to operate without the help of the fan under loads that surpass the entire output of typical consumer/gaming PSUs. When the fan does start however, it does not remain quiet for long, with its speed increasing alongside the load. In the unlikely event that the AX1500i remains loaded at 80% capacity (or more) for several minutes, the fan is clearly audible from many meters away.
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Pissedoffyouth - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
In the scheme of things if you were running this full bore you'd be able to power an extra i3 system as well on 220v.E.Fyll - Friday, September 12, 2014 - link
Actually, no, you should be seeing very similar results. I'm on a 230 V - 50 Hz grid, it is noted in the methodology section.Flunk - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
Why would a power supply need accessories? When I'm buying a power supply the unit itself is all I care about. Bundle a power cable that won't burn the house down and I'm good. The case badge, screws and bag are totally unnecessary.Vatharian - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
I consider spare cables with different plug configurations, if PSU is modular, a very good accessory. Screws always come in handy - if you don't need them just shove back in the box, but sometimes you have to build in the wild, where you don't have any extras. Over the years I accumulated nearly geological layer of such accessories from hundreds of devices, but sometimes it just happens you need them. Of course if you throw them out (or don't get them in the first place), there will be time you miss some :) And sticker is always handy too - I have a friend that's sticker junkie, his PC looks like it had accident at the printer shop)DanNeely - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
Gotta agree with the extra cables. A few 2/3 port molex/sata cables mean a lot less having to manage extra cable when you don't need all 4 ports on them. I've seen some vendors offer an alternate cable package (different plug counts, shorter cables, extra long cables, extenders, etc); but at this price I'd expect to see at least some of that tossed in.For that matter, why is modularity limited to the PSU-cable connection itself. Make a few cables that will let you break off the last connector or two to shorten them.
JlHADJOE - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
It's probably cheaper to just include a bunch of cables with shorter run/fewer terminations and be able to use standard components, than to engineer a completely new terminal with a breakoff/attachment point just to be able to provide a shorter cable.DanNeely - Friday, September 12, 2014 - link
All they'd need to do is take molex Y cables, and put both downstream connectors on the same cable; and then do the same with sata power connectors. No major engineering effort needed.hrrmph - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
What a sloppy review. It reads like an impassioned love letter. And hardly a comparable product mentioned or charted.My comments shouldn't be taken as directed at the product - I have no quarrel with the power supply - just the squishy drivel being published in an attempt to describe it.
sweetca - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
Question: Stipulating an identical draw of power, would this PSU, compared to a similar PSU with a lower max output, result in less heat generated?An example for clarification: System X draws 500 Watts. Would there be a difference in total heat generated, whether System X had a 1000 Watt PSU or 1500 Watt PSU? The assumption being the quality of both PSU's were almost identical
davidgirgis - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
Good Question...Heat losses depend on the quality of the PSU components and its ability to sustain such power efficiency at different power draws, so I believe the short answer is No, it shouldn't matter. This reviewer says that this specific power supply provides for good efficiency even at low power draw, meaning that it generates little heat regardless of whether your load is 200 or 1500 watts.
Of course your hypothetical 500W system will draw 500W at times, but maybe only 50W when idle...
The advantage of having more power than you need is to let the components breathe better, widen the pipeline so to speak. You may not need 1500W, but the extra headroom provides for stabilty and overclocking potential.
hope this helps...