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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pleuph - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
Come back when you've got a 1.21GW model.davidgirgis - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
1.21 GW? 1.21 GW. Great Scott!How could I have been so careless? 1.21 GW, Tom? How am I gonna generate that kind of power? It can't be done, can it?
Marty, I'm sorry, but the only power source capable of generating 1.21 gigawatts of electricity is a bolt of lightning.
A bolt of lightning, unfortunately, you never know when or where it's ever gonna strike.
xerandin - Monday, September 15, 2014 - link
We do now.Dadunn1700 - Wednesday, October 21, 2015 - link
Lol. I'm sure he will Doc when the time machine is finished. ; )DanNeely - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
The use of a C19 cable instead of C13 is required to comply with IEC 60320. C13 is limited to 10A of current, or 1100/1200W of input power. C19 bumps the max to 16A.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60320#Appliance_c...
mapesdhs - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
Heh, 16A... the perils of 110V. ;)Kinda expensive. I just keep hunting for used Toughpower 1475W XT units, saved more
than $1500 so far.
Ian.
JayTheKing - Saturday, September 13, 2014 - link
This would be a problem for New Zealand power points, as our max current draw is 10A @ 230/240. Only power point in our house that allows for more than 10A is the oven and hot water cylinder.DIYEyal - Monday, September 15, 2014 - link
Because you're at a higher voltage. You won't have a problem. 10A in 230v means 2300W. That power supply will draw maximum of 7 amps from the wall (1500W at 92% efficiency means 1620w from the wall, at 230v it means 7 amps)Galatian - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
I purchased this power supply over two months ago. It is superb, but those cables are awfully stiff!Chrispy_ - Thursday, September 11, 2014 - link
Article starts with "making an 80+ PSU is much cheaper and easier than it used to be" and then here's Corsair with their ridiculous $450 PSU for the 0.01% of people who incorrectly believe they actually need this much power.Halo product, useless for almost everyone.