UPS compatibility
Working with our APC SmartUPS SC 620, all
Axi’s PSU are stable at the 380W upload when powered by the mains but cannot
switch to the UPS’s battery even at the 280W load.
The cross-load voltage stability
The
+12V rail is also perfect in the Axi’s PSUs
The +12V rail is also perfect in the Axi’s
PSUs but for other voltages, it varies more on the AX series based on the
Seasonic. On the other hand, the 3% deflection (and even 2% via the larger part
of the loading range) is quite acceptable.
Output voltage ripple
Like the previous pair, Axi’s PSUs react in
the same way in this test, so we just show you the results of the
higher-wattage model.
The
Flextronics based PSUs can be comparable with the Corsair Seasonic based PSUs
The Flextronics based PSUs can be
comparable with the Corsair Seasonic based PSUs in terms of the high-frequency
ripple, although it has less electromagnetic shields.
The
PSUs of Axi series are even better in favor of the low-frequency ripple
The PSUs of Axi series are even better in
favor of the low-frequency ripple compared to its AX series counterparts.
Thermal and noise level
These
PSUs are cooled by a 120x120x25mm Yate Loon fan
These PSUs are cooled by a 120x120x25mm
Yate Loon fan (part number: D12BH-12, rated speed: 2,300 RPM) and covered by a
piece of plastic for the purpose of optimizing the airflow.
There
is just one mode for the Axi’s PSU
Opposite to the AX series, there is just
one mode for the Axi’s PSU, which is much different than either the Normal mode
or the Hybrid mode of the AX series.
The fan is idle at low loads. It awakes at
the load of 300-400 W (which is sooner compared to that of the AX’s PSUs) and
speeds up monotonously immediately. The speed starts with 400 RPM. The peaked
speed (at the maximum PSU load) is about 1250 RPM, so the AX760i and the AX860i
is not really noisier than its counterparts.
We guessed they are not very attractive in
favor of the noise level, however, as their fans works with higher speed than
in AX series’ PSU from the load of 600W to 800. On the other hand, thanks to
the Corsair Link feature is adjusting the fan speed possible, unlike the
Seasonic based models.
Efficiency and power factor
AX760i
is 91.2%, 94.2% and 92.5% efficient at the load of 20%, 50% and 100%
respectively
AX760i is 91.2%, 94.2% and 92.5% efficient
at the load of 20%, 50% and 100% respectively. The peak of its efficiency is
94.5% which is recorded at the load of 402W.
The
AX860i is 91.3%, 93.9% and 90.7% at the respective loads of 20%, 50% and 100%
The AX860i is 91.3%, 93.9% and 90.7% at the
respective loads of 20%, 50% and 100%. Efficiency peaks at 94% which is
recorded at the loading range of 370 and 433W.
Therefore, these Flextronic based PSUs seem
to be more efficient than their counterparts which are based on Seasonic – by
1% at the average loads. The latter performs more efficiently at low loads,
however.
The power factor of each PSU is
approximately 99% at 50% uploads for both PSUs and reached 99.8% at the full
loads.
Standby source
The
standby source manages its task well enough
The standby source manages its task well
enough, but the voltage decreases when the full load is about 4% compared to 2%
in the AX series’s PSUs.
Conclusion
Both premium PSUs from Corsair are proud of
themselves for their high performance, quiet operation and low voltage ripple.
There are some minor differences between them, though.
Based on the Seasonic platform, the AX
series seems to be better in terms of the voltage stability, low load
efficiency, high load noise level and standby voltage. They are also less
costly compared to the Axi counterparts.
The Axi PSUs which are based on Flextronic
seems to be more efficient and lower voltage ripple in general, but their main
function is the Corsair Link interface which provides the monitoring and
installing opportunity.
All models that we discussed in this
reviewed deserve a place in a high-performance computer. The AX series would be
an optimized choice if you need a basic function without any extension. The
extended functions of the Axi are not very expensive, though. It is just about
10% of the PSU’s price. We guessed it is not too much for a chance to check the
capability of the Corsair Link. You will find how useful it is.
