High-performance power supplies in the test: Corsair AX1600i & Kolink 1500W at the power limit

Hochleistungs-Netzteile im Test: Corsair AX1600i & Kolink 1500W am Leistungslimit

Corsair breaks new records with the new AX1600i, while Kolink's Continuum 1500W does not provide measured values ​​at reference level, but combines a lot of quality and performance with a comparatively low price. The technology used by Corsair is particularly interesting and points towards the future.

Massive performance for special applications

Numerous new releases of power supplies in the kilowatt range show that such voltage converters are currently in high demand. In addition to cryptomining, workstation PCs are still very popular and require a lot of computing power for graphics applications or scientific tasks. ATX power supplies are the suitable solution when many graphics cards have to be driven, which the manufacturers take into account when equipping them with a large number of PCIe connections.

Corsairs AX1600i wants to be the new reference

Although the Corsair AX1500i (test) is still considered to be one of the best power supplies, the manufacturer already has a successor in its range that wants to surpass what it offers. Thanks to the latest technology, Corsair wants to ensure that it remains the reference in the high-end sector.

In contrast, Kolink focused on the price-performance ratio. The Continuum 1500W wants to deliver massive output at an affordable price by aiming not to have to set the best in every category. However, the Hungarian manufacturer wants to clearly differentiate itself from cheap products, with which the market is littered again and again in phases of the cryptomining boom due to empty shelves.

Interesting technology vehicles

Both power supplies are definitely not a sensible choice for gaming PCs. The Corsair AX1600i in particular shows new technical solutions, which will also be expected in the less powerful market segment in the coming years.

The details of the test methodology, the test station used, the electrical measurements and the sound pressure level measurements can also be read separately in this case in the article "How BitcoinMinersHashrate tests power supplies". The power supply ranking list with the best list offers a constantly updated overview of recommended power supplies.

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Technical key data in comparison

A major reason for the price difference is the higher efficiency of the AX1600i, which according to the currently highest efficiency certification of 80Plus Titanium compared to 80Plus Platinum from the Continuum 1500W. The 1,600 watt power supply from Corsair is very large with a depth of 200 mm, but still smaller than its predecessor, which still measured 225 mm. For very low input voltages, Corsair specifies a derating of the output power, which is then only 1,300 W. However, only countries with a 100 to 115 volt low-voltage network are affected by this derating.

On the minor rails (3.3 and 5 volts), the AX1600i can deliver a particularly large amount of power with 30 A each and a maximum of 180 W. The standby rail is also a bit stronger at 3.5 A.

Kolink does not document the overtemperature protection. The manufacturer is not satisfied with the implementation because the protection does not work as effectively as required. In contrast, the AX1600i provides the maximum degree of possible protection functionalities. The effectiveness of the overcurrent protection was improved by means of a multi-12 volt rail fuse with twelve channels.

Documented protective circuits

Corsair with intelligent protection functions

With the AX1600i, the tripping current can be individually defined for each channel with Corsair Link. Another indirect protection is provided by the automatic fan test, which is carried out at every start in order to detect a fan failure or blockage early. Any event that resets the power supply to fail-safe mode causes the LED next to the self-test button to light up red. Alternatively, the button can be pressed before installation in the system to test the correct functioning of the fan.

The video shows the control and readout options of Corsair Link from minute 1:40. With the software, all status values ​​can be saved in a log file and the fan control can be adapted to your own requirements. If the passive mode of the power supply is to be deactivated, a fan speed in a range between 40 and 100% via the temperature can be configured instead.

warranty

The use of Corsair's warranty services is particularly easy thanks to the well-developed service centers and with a warranty period of ten years, the manufacturer creates particular trust. If direct contact is kept with Corsair, this promises to process the warranty claim within 1 to 2 working days and delivery of the replacement within an additional 3 to 5 working days. Corsair also allows on-site exchange if credit card details are provided as security for the manufacturer.

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The German distributor Caseking takes over the warranty processing for Kolink, whereby shipping costs may apply if the power supply unit was not purchased directly from Caseking. The guarantee is comparatively short at five years, but is therefore of standard length.

Scope of delivery and exterior

The scope of delivery of the AX1600i leaves nothing to be desired and is presented in high quality. The impression begins with the cable bag, in which the cables are sorted by type, and ends with the magnetic stickers, with which the color of the power supply can be integrated into the existing system and the product sticker can be easily hidden.

The Continuum 1500W, on the other hand, already lacks a power cord, although only some online retailers give a hint and even the product packaging does not owe this information. It should also be borne in mind that a power cable with a C20 connector is required. From the standard additions, the Continuum 1500W is otherwise missing only cable ties.

Visually, the Continuum 1500W is also much more reserved. The functional aspects of a high stability of the housing, a fan grill with low flow resistance and a color coding of the output sockets were clearly put in front of the visually appealing aspects.

The latter component was weighted higher at Corsair. An embedded emblem with the manufacturer's logo and flush-mounted output sockets make a more elegant impression. Only the power switch can be measured as a functional component in the Continuum 1500W. Frequent connection and disconnection with a closed circuit is not recommended, which is why a separate switch for disconnecting the mains voltage should be installed.

cable Features

In order to be able to use the full performance, a large number of connections are required. Here the Continuum 1500W even outperforms the AX1600i because it offers twelve instead of ten PCIe connectors. However, with the Kolink power supply, four of the cables with the connections were doubled as Y cables – Corsair donates most of the PCIe connectors own cables. Because both subjects use thicker 16AWG wires anyway, both variants can be considered harmless.

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Both manufacturers rely on the thicker wire cross-section due to the higher efficiency, which is why the cross-section of 16AWG was also used for the 24-pin ATX and EPS cable harnesses.

For very large systems, the longer EPS cable of the Continuum 1500W may be advantageous, which at 70 cm is of above-average length. For the AX1600i, please note that not all peripheral cable harnesses can be used at the same time. Because there are a total of eight cable runs but only six sockets on the connection panel.

Graphics cards can (very) consume a lot of power even when fully occupied

There are 1,400 W or 1,300 W left for the graphics cards if 200 W are taken into account for the rest of the system. Conversely, if the PCIe connections were fully utilized, this would mean a maximum output of 280 W for graphics cards with two PCIe connectors or 140 W for graphics cards with a single PCIe connector in the case of the AX1600i. Because the Continuum 1500W can operate one or two more graphics cards and the output power is slightly lower, the power supply unit has lower limits for the power consumption of the graphics cards when fully equipped. So they can only take a maximum of 220 W or 110 W.


Corsair AX1600i - 24-pin ATX cable
Corsair AX1600i – 24-pin ATX cable

Corsair AX1600i - 24-pin ATX cable
Corsair AX1600i – 24-pin ATX cable

Kolink Continuum 1500W - 24-pin ATX cable
Kolink Continuum 1500W – 24-pin ATX cable

Kolink Continuum 1500W - 24-pin ATX cable
Kolink Continuum 1500W – 24-pin ATX cable

Corsair populates the 24-pin ATX, EPS and PCIe lines with additional capacitors at the cable ends and hides these components under heat shrink tubing. This makes the cable harnesses less flexible, but the ripple is reduced by the additional filter measure. The manufacturer opted for sleeve as a sheath for these cable strands, which enables compact bundling and makes it easy to lay the cables. By contrast, Kolink relies entirely on ribbon cables and bundles them with Velcro cable ties.

On the next page: Technology analyzed in detail


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