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Corsair AX1500i PSU review
Posted by: on: 05/08/2014 09:52 AM [
17 comment(s) ]
We review the Corsair Professional Series AX1500i PSU, this beast is 80plus Titanium certified. The 1500W PSU is exorbitant in performance, the one massive 125 Amp 12-volts says it all really. Superb for multi-GPU solutions and hardcore enthusiasts. Corsair also embeds their LINK technology into the PSU. That means you can monitor the PSU with the help of software, things like PSU efficiency, power usage or simply to adjust the fan RPM. We'll show you that in the review though.
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TheDeeGee
Senior Member
Posts: 5944
Senior Member
Posts: 5944
Posted on: 05/08/2014 10:52 AM
This PSU is a beast.
It has a ripple of 10 mV on the 12 volt rail @ 1200 Watts.
This PSU is a beast.
It has a ripple of 10 mV on the 12 volt rail @ 1200 Watts.
John Dolan
Senior Member
Posts: 2247
Senior Member
Posts: 2247
Posted on: 05/08/2014 10:52 AM
I use the 1200 watt version of this and have been very happy with it running my sli 780s and cpu @ 4.5 and its silent only hear the fan for a second when first turning on the pc.
Ive never used the software.
I use the 1200 watt version of this and have been very happy with it running my sli 780s and cpu @ 4.5 and its silent only hear the fan for a second when first turning on the pc.
Ive never used the software.
Ven0m
Senior Member
Posts: 1764
Senior Member
Posts: 1764
Posted on: 05/08/2014 11:51 AM
I use the 1200 watt version of this and have been very happy with it running my sli 780s and cpu @ 4.5 and its silent only hear the fan for a second when first turning on the pc.
Ive never used the software.
Thanks for the review.
I've got AX1200i version too in one of my rigs, and it's outstanding. I had no issues with software - it was just working, and the readouts were accurate. The efficiency is great, and the noise is very low, without weird audible buzzing etc. When you load it to greater levels, the fan kicks in and you can definitely hear it, however if there's direct air intake, so the PSU gets fresh cold air, it's not that bad. Yes, I know that it's over specs, but after loading that PSU to around 1250W (230v installation here, but kinda crappy, so it provides only 215v), it didn't even sneeze despite getting >100% rated load. The fan speed ramped up, but it was still quiet compared to the noise of GPU fans (MSI TwinFrozr). If you had quiet water cooling, you'd definitely hear the PSU, but it shouldn't make you sad
. AX1500i can be only better.
When time comes and I'll be building my next gaming rig, and unless things change dramatically, Corsair AXi will be the first PSU option for sure. Perhaps 1500W won't be needed, but I'd recommend something in this series.
As a side note, I'd recommend getting a little "too powerful" PSU for people looking for something quiet. It'll be more difficult to make the fan spin at higher speed. Of course, it doesn't apply to every single PSU on the market, but it's the case with AXi. If you don't care about noise, get one that suffices. AXi are no-bs. They can handle over 100% of their power rating on 12v rail for long periods, and you don't have to think too much about about distributing connectors (some PSUs have multiple rails, even 4). In such case there's no need to get way more powerful PSU than your calculated load, as with el-cheapo ones. Still, I'd suggest avoiding overload if you don't have to count on it.
I use the 1200 watt version of this and have been very happy with it running my sli 780s and cpu @ 4.5 and its silent only hear the fan for a second when first turning on the pc.
Ive never used the software.
Thanks for the review.
I've got AX1200i version too in one of my rigs, and it's outstanding. I had no issues with software - it was just working, and the readouts were accurate. The efficiency is great, and the noise is very low, without weird audible buzzing etc. When you load it to greater levels, the fan kicks in and you can definitely hear it, however if there's direct air intake, so the PSU gets fresh cold air, it's not that bad. Yes, I know that it's over specs, but after loading that PSU to around 1250W (230v installation here, but kinda crappy, so it provides only 215v), it didn't even sneeze despite getting >100% rated load. The fan speed ramped up, but it was still quiet compared to the noise of GPU fans (MSI TwinFrozr). If you had quiet water cooling, you'd definitely hear the PSU, but it shouldn't make you sad
. AX1500i can be only better.
When time comes and I'll be building my next gaming rig, and unless things change dramatically, Corsair AXi will be the first PSU option for sure. Perhaps 1500W won't be needed, but I'd recommend something in this series.
As a side note, I'd recommend getting a little "too powerful" PSU for people looking for something quiet. It'll be more difficult to make the fan spin at higher speed. Of course, it doesn't apply to every single PSU on the market, but it's the case with AXi. If you don't care about noise, get one that suffices. AXi are no-bs. They can handle over 100% of their power rating on 12v rail for long periods, and you don't have to think too much about about distributing connectors (some PSUs have multiple rails, even 4). In such case there's no need to get way more powerful PSU than your calculated load, as with el-cheapo ones. Still, I'd suggest avoiding overload if you don't have to count on it.
BLEH!
Senior Member
Posts: 5856
Senior Member
Posts: 5856
Posted on: 05/08/2014 12:52 PM
A PSU like this is an investment, well worth every penny and should last you for years.
A PSU like this is an investment, well worth every penny and should last you for years.
StewieTech
Chuck Norris
Posts: 2538
Chuck Norris
Posts: 2538
Posted on: 05/08/2014 01:28 PM
Looks like the boss had fun with this one. We need to create a new element after titanium to due justice to what it´ll bring. I´ll call it ****! As in stable and efficient as ****! Amazing psu; The price though...
Looks like the boss had fun with this one. We need to create a new element after titanium to due justice to what it´ll bring. I´ll call it ****! As in stable and efficient as ****! Amazing psu; The price though...
Ven0m
Senior Member
Posts: 1764
Senior Member
Posts: 1764
Posted on: 05/08/2014 01:54 PM
The price is off the roof, but it's expected, as it's a flagship model and it's powerful as hell. You can opt for "weaker" models though. They're "only" 80+ Platinum, but even AX1200i is much cheaper, and I'm pretty much sure that for many demanding users even half of that would suffice.
(...) The price though...
The price is off the roof, but it's expected, as it's a flagship model and it's powerful as hell. You can opt for "weaker" models though. They're "only" 80+ Platinum, but even AX1200i is much cheaper, and I'm pretty much sure that for many demanding users even half of that would suffice.
Rich_Guy
Senior Member
Posts: 12183
Senior Member
Posts: 12183
Posted on: 05/08/2014 02:10 PM
Beast of a PSU, love the Corsairs, running an AX860.
Beast of a PSU, love the Corsairs, running an AX860.
main_shoby
Senior Member
Posts: 1044
Senior Member
Posts: 1044
Posted on: 05/08/2014 02:16 PM
I am trying to find a scenario where I would need more than 1200W.
definitely not for me but as audi said, "Progress is beautiful"
good review sir!
I am trying to find a scenario where I would need more than 1200W.
definitely not for me but as audi said, "Progress is beautiful"
good review sir!
thinktwice
Member
Posts: 31
Member
Posts: 31
Posted on: 05/08/2014 03:50 PM
i dont want to spread negativity or something like that but i really had not a good experience with corsair, i was one of them who got a psu with buzzing and fan issues wich corsair didnt took care of like they should....
i dont want to spread negativity or something like that but i really had not a good experience with corsair, i was one of them who got a psu with buzzing and fan issues wich corsair didnt took care of like they should....
Koniakki
Senior Member
Posts: 2821
Senior Member
Posts: 2821
Posted on: 05/09/2014 06:07 AM
I always enjoy reading the reviews of such small portable nuclear plants.
Well done boss as always.
I always enjoy reading the reviews of such small portable nuclear plants.
Well done boss as always.
hallryu
Don Altobello
Posts: 11381
Don Altobello
Posts: 11381
Posted on: 05/09/2014 04:10 PM
My next PSU me thinks.
My next PSU me thinks.
GeniusPr0
Senior Member
Posts: 1230
Senior Member
Posts: 1230
Posted on: 05/09/2014 07:15 PM
Gg seasonic and antec
Gg seasonic and antec
k3vst3r
Senior Member
Posts: 3351
Senior Member
Posts: 3351
Posted on: 05/09/2014 07:48 PM
First PSU ever to get perfect 10 off johnnyguru, so that tells you something about quality of it.
First PSU ever to get perfect 10 off johnnyguru, so that tells you something about quality of it.
Veeshush
Senior Member
Posts: 1098
Senior Member
Posts: 1098
Posted on: 05/09/2014 08:22 PM
For what its worth, I've had two other PSUs that Hilbert has reviewed over the years. First the http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/bfg_es_800_watt_psu_review,1.html and currently the http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/enermax_revolution_85_1020w_psu_review,1.html
And whenever I build my next system years from now I'll probably pick whatever else he's recently reviewed. Basically Hilbert, you're my go-to for PSUs.
For what its worth, I've had two other PSUs that Hilbert has reviewed over the years. First the http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/bfg_es_800_watt_psu_review,1.html and currently the http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/enermax_revolution_85_1020w_psu_review,1.html
And whenever I build my next system years from now I'll probably pick whatever else he's recently reviewed. Basically Hilbert, you're my go-to for PSUs.
NAMEk
Senior Member
Posts: 654
Senior Member
Posts: 654
Posted on: 07/08/2014 08:23 PM
WOW just WOW, i love single rail designs, and with this Corsair really outdid themselves. Such performance....price is crazy though=)
WOW just WOW, i love single rail designs, and with this Corsair really outdid themselves. Such performance....price is crazy though=)
JonasBeckman
Senior Member
Posts: 15268
Senior Member
Posts: 15268
Posted on: 07/08/2014 08:47 PM
Well if you need quad SLI / Crossfire or some other power demanding configuration it's probably worth the price but you can likely find cheaper alternatives although with lower power outputs that are just as good for "normal" or "standard" hardware configurations or how to say.
I got the previous 1200w model (The non-digital "i" thing.) mostly because that will be it for the PSU until I do a complete upgrades in a few years but a 750w or 800w would probably have been enough power consumption wise.
Well if you need quad SLI / Crossfire or some other power demanding configuration it's probably worth the price but you can likely find cheaper alternatives although with lower power outputs that are just as good for "normal" or "standard" hardware configurations or how to say.
I got the previous 1200w model (The non-digital "i" thing.) mostly because that will be it for the PSU until I do a complete upgrades in a few years but a 750w or 800w would probably have been enough power consumption wise.
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Senior Member
Posts: 1237
An odd question for you Hilbert not sure if you can answer it when testing what version of Corsair Link was you given access to?
As I own products that use the software sadly its so bug ridden and broken corsair seem not to be doing much and its putting me off there products with the Link logo due to build quality I've been seeing going down hill (mainly coolers and Link kits).
I would love to get one of these PSUs with the Digital Link but im worried about reliability in the long term seeing I've had a Corsair Link kit die lucky I got refunded as well as having 3 H100i's in under 12 Months due to poor QA.