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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TelstarTOS - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
Now, please scale down this platform and gimme an 800W AXI with a pricetag of 300W and I'll buy it for my next system.SirPerro - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
Well that's exciting.Now build one of those for normal people.
Ninjawithagun - Thursday, May 10, 2018 - link
Um, define 'normal people' please?baka_toroi - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
Isn't this the perfect mining PSU?Ryan Smith - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
Too expensive. There's actually a passage I cut from the article that I'll go ahead and post here."One could argue that the PSU might be appealing to cryptominers, but we find that to be unlikely. Cryptominers usually only care about having a reliable high output regardless of the power quality or noise, and thus prefer to source regular >2 kW designs that sell for a fraction of the AX1600i's price"
zodiacfml - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
Correct. Server grade PSUs are being used for mining. There are Chinese branded PSUs with similar capacity and efficiency not far from the Corsair but just above $100.I just read somewhere that it is actually easier to make a more efficient PSU with high capacity, around 1KW and above.
The_Assimilator - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
$100, you are smoking your socks. Unless you're willing to buy something that some random dude has spliced a bunch of PCIe connectors onto and only gives a 30-day warranty on.gavbon - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
I don't think I have spent less than $150 on a PSU in the last 5 years - Obviously price tag doesn't necessarily equate to quality, but you're more likely to buy quality at higher price points...as this review proves, this unit is TOP quality, but you're always going to pay big bucks for itAdrianB1 - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
You can buy a Corsair with 2 year warranty for $75 in my part of the world (Europe). Semi-modular, not 80 Plus Titanium rated, but still a very decent PSU. Same for Antec or other brands, you can find a decent Fortron much cheaper. Most computers you buy here have ~$25 PSU + case combo and they are covered by 2 year warranty that you can extend to 4 years and the reliability is surprisingly good. Building PSU's is no rocket science anymore.Spazilton - Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - link
They are using stuff like this. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Supermicro-PWS-1K21P-1R-1...