1600W power supplies are one of the largest power supply units you can fit in a PC, and they are for this reason, they’re mostly used with setups that require huge amounts of power, usually but not limited to multi GPU setups.
However, with graphics cards, and processors becoming more and more power hungry, picking up a high quality 1600W power supply can be seen as a safe option ,this ensures that your system gets the power it needs, and it also leave room for future-proofing.
Me personally, if you have the money to spend, I don’t think there’s any way you can go wrong with a 1600W power supply. This is because your system has the potential to upgrade to higher demanding components, and you don’t need to worry about your PC using more power than it needs.
The only potential downside is that 1600W power supplies can be quite expensive, but if money isn’t an issue, then there’s many benefits you can get from them. Also, 1600W power supplies tend to be more efficient, have longer warranties, and have higher quality components inside them.
So down below, I’ll like to recommend you some of my favorite 1600W power supplies, my favorite on this list is the Corsair AXi AX1600i, this is because it is 80+ Titanium, only 200MM, and it has a decently long warranty period (10 years).
In a hurry? I’ve compiled a list of the 1600W Power supplies in a table below!
1. Corsair AXi AX1600i | Best 1600W Power Supply For Servers
Specifications
- Wattage(Max Output): 1600W
- Efficiency Rating: 80+ Titanium
- Length: 200MM
- Modular: Fully Modular
- Form Factor: ATX
- Connectors(EPS + PCIE): 2, 8
- Warranty: 10
Reasons To Buy
- Very quiet, this is due to the high wattage, high efficiencies, and the fan turning off when the system isn’t using enough power.
- Superior components. The AX1600i uses components such as gallium nitride to enhance the efficiency of the PSU, and allow it to be in such a small form factor. It also uses top of the line Japanese capacitors.
- Fully modular. You’ll be able to remove cables which your system does not need. This is perfect for cable management which keeps the system clean and cool.
Reasons To Avoid
- The ICUE software isn’t liked by everyone. Some people prefer software made by other companies as they provide different forms of data.
Review
The Corsair AX1600i is one of the best 1600W power supplies, I wouldn’t have any issues using this power supply within a crypto mining rig, or a server. This is because it’s 80+ Titanium, and this is important if you’re trying to maximize profits.
The biggest competitor to this power supply is the EVGA T2 1600W, they have the same wattage, and the same efficiency rating, but the EVGA T2 1600W has more SATA connectors, and the Corsair AX1600i is 20MM shorter.
In terms of what the Corsair AX1600i can handle, there’s not a graphics card you can throw at it that it wont easily power, and if you’re super into overclocking, this power supply can also handle it. So, overclocking the RTX 4090 should be no issue with this PSU.
For 24/7 usage, this power supply is super consistent, and sturdy. It can handle multiple graphics cards running for 24/7. This is a huge benefit, and me personally, I never turn off my PC, so I’d feel confident that the Corsair AX1600i can handle my needs.
In terms of quietness, I can confidently say that it runs quietly most of the time, the loudest it gets is when it’s running at full load, and this is extremely rare since it’s a huge 1600W power supply. Put this in a typical gaming PC, and you may never hear it at all.
With the software it can be dull with its features. The ICUE software doesn’t display enough information about the power supply, and how much the computer is costing you per month.
ICUE, software is stated to display in depth voltage and performance information as well as offer synchronization for other ICUE compatible components such as coolers and fans.
2. EVGA T2 1600W | Best 1600W Power Supply For Crypto Mining
Specifications
- Wattage(Max Output): 1600W
- Efficiency Rating: 80+ Titanium
- Length: 220MM
- Modular: Fully Modular
- Form Factor: ATX
- Connectors(EPS + PCIE): 2, 9
- Warranty: 10
Reasons To Buy
- Future proofing for the RTX 4000 series graphics cards. This power supply will be able to handle the RTX 40 series cards which are expected to be more power hungry compared to the RTX 30 series cards.
- Great for non stop use. The power supply will be able to run 24/7 endlessly without random shutdowns. This is perfect if you’re running servers or crypto computers.
- Uses top notch quality components to deliver high quality power and to extend the lifespan. High wattage power supplies need to be high quality because the components they’re powering are likely very expensive.
Reasons To Avoid
- Fairly massive. It is larger than the AX1600i which is 20MM smaller in length. This is a negative as it limits the amount of cases which are compatible with the power supply.
Review
The EVGA T2 1600W is another 80+ Titanium rated power supply which makes it ideal for machines that run 24/7. Again, this is a great power supply to have in servers, and crypto mining rigs, it has the wattage, and the efficiency rating to handle these machines.
Quality wise, it’s pretty decent, it uses Japanese capacitors which increases the overall lifespan of the power supply, but it is also a contributing factor that allows it to provide cleaner and more stable power to the components.
The EVGA T2 1600W is compared to the Corsair AX1600i because they’re extremely similar being that they’re both 1600W and rated for 80+ Titanium. The EVGA T2 is slightly larger, and it offers more SATA Connectors, but it also costs more.
As far as experiences go, the EVGA T2 1600W is a great power supply if you’re considering running it with multiple GPUs for 24hours nonstop. As someone that never turns off their PC, the EVGA T2 1600W has been providing power to my 2x1080TI setup, and it has been running 24/7 nonstop without and random shutdowns.
However, you should not use cables that did not come with the power supply as you run the risk of frying your components. Always check with the manufacturer if the cables are compatible with your power supply.
3. EVGA P2 1600W | Best 1600W Power Supply For Workstations
Specifications
- Wattage(Max Output): 1600W
- Efficiency Rating: 80+ Platinum
- Length: 200MM
- Modular: Fully Modular
- Form Factor: ATX
- Connectors(EPS + PCIE): 2, 9
- Warranty: 10
Reasons To Buy
- Perfect for running multiple storage devices and hard drives. The power delivered is extremely consistent, and you can run the unit 24/7 without shutdowns.
- Quiet operation. The P2 1600W uses double ball bearing fans which both specialize in acoustics and durability, and the fan of the PSU shuts off when the system isn’t pulling enough power.
- Decent for servers and crypto mines, although Titanium rated power supplies are slightly more efficient. Platinum is still exceptionally good and the difference is quite small between the two, but it adds up during 24/7 usage.
Reasons To Avoid
- You cannot mix and match cables as this can cause catastrophic failure destroying many components such as storage devices, and the motherboard. Use the cables that come with the PSU or certified aftermarket ones.
Review
Compared to the first two power supplies, the EVGA P2 1600W is able to hold up quite well, but it is an 80+ Platinum rated power supply, this makes it slightly less efficient compared to its Titanium counterpart (EVGA T2 1600W).
In terms of running a servers and crypto mining operations, an 80+ Platinum power supply will be slightly less efficient compared to 80+ Titanium power supplies, and over a long period of time, it will cost you more money.
With that being said, I find that the EVGA P2 1600W is still a decent power supply for crypto mining and servers, but it’s more suitable for workstations and gaming rigs that utilize multiple graphics cards at the same time, this is because you’re less likely to keep them running 24/7.
The EVGA P2 1600W costs between $400-500 which is considerable cheaper than the EVGA T2. It might be beneficial to go for this power supply over the T2 as the only notable difference is the efficiency rating.
This power supply is great for overclocking HPC processors and multi GPU setups. The EVGA P2 1600W can have a PC pulling over 1000W from the wall, so this power supply is a great addition as it provides enough headroom for overclocking.
In terms of acoustics, the power supply runs quietly, this is to be expected with huge power supplies that will often shut off their fan at a certain usage. It’s very unlikely that a gaming PC will use even 50% of a 1600W PSU.
Do not mix and match the cables even though the power supply is fully modular. Some cables aren’t meant for this power supply, and you can experience damage to your components.
4. EVGA G2 1600W | Best 1600W Power Supply For Gamers
Specifications
- Wattage(Max Output): 1600W
- Efficiency Rating: 80+ Gold
- Length: 220MM
- Modular: Fully Modular
- Form Factor: ATX
- Connectors(EPS + PCIE): 2, 9
- Warranty: 10
Reasons To Buy
- Can run 24/7 without interruptions. You’ll find that the power supply can work endlessly with multiple graphics cards and storage drives without random shutdowns and problems.
- Runs extremely quietly. A feature common among a lot of power supplies is the ability to shut off the fan once a certain load is reached. Paired along with some quiet fans allows for a silent operating power supply.
- 10 year long warranty. The power supply is reliable, this is common with the G2 series of units. Just ensure that you’re using the correct cables, and all should be fine.
Reasons To Avoid
- Outlet plug can become loose. This can cause fires in rare occasions, just be mindful with the power plug.
Review
For a more gaming focused PSU, the EVGA G2 1600W is perfectly fine, it’s more affordable compared to the platinum and titanium variants, and gamers typically do not need the efficiency of such power supplies.
I wouldn’t use anything less than an 80+ Platinum power supply in a server or a crypto mining rig, so the EVGA G2 1600W 80+ Gold is unsuitable for this application in my opinion, however, it’s perfect for standard multi-GPU gaming rigs or workstations.
The G2 1600W still utilizes high quality components such as Japanese capacitors, and it even has a 10 year long warranty, so the power supply is still reliable when used correctly.
In terms of durability, the EVGA G2 1600W is top notch, it uses Japanese capacitors which allows the power supply to deliver clean and stable power. It also has a significantly longer lifespan compared to their standard counterparts.
Quiet operation. The EVGA G2 1600W will automatically shut off the fan when the power supply isn’t being used enough. Also when the PSU is on, the fans will run quietly due to the bearings.
5 Tips To Consider Before Purchasing A Power Supply
1. Don’t Assume Higher = More performance: Many assume that higher wattage power supplies are better for performance, this isn’t the case. You won’t need a 1600W Power supply unit for a system that only requires 600W.
2. Pay Attention To Efficiency Ratings: Higher efficiency power supplies use better components which results in the power supply generating less heat and consuming more energy.
3. Research The Brands: There are so many power supply brands out there, and not all of them produce great products. Reliable manufacturers are – Corsair, Seasonic, EVGA.
4. Know What Type Of PSU You Need: Do you need a modular or a non-modular power supply? Modular power supplies allow you to add and remove cables, none of them are soldered. Non-modular units come with all the necessary cables pre-attached, you cannot remove any of them.
5. Don’t mix and match cables: If your choice of power supply is fully modular, you’ll notice you can remove all the cables. While this is fine for cable management, you shouldn’t include cables that didn’t come with the PSU, this is why some power supplies fail and bring other components with them.
Capacity & Efficiency:
Before you purchase a power supply, make sure it has an 80% certificate. Most power supplies will have this nowadays, but just keep an eye out.
LOAD: | 20% | 50% | 100% |
---|---|---|---|
80+ PLUS: | 80% | 80% | 80% |
80+ PLUS BRONZE: | 82% | 85% | 82% |
80+ SILVER: | 85% | 88% | 85% |
80+ GOLD: | 87% | 90% | 87% |
80+ PLATINUM: | 90% | 92% | 89% |
80% TITANIUM: | 92% | 94% | 90% |
Conclusion – What Is The Best 1600W Power Supply?
Overall, the Corsair AXi AX1600i is the best power supply if you’re looking for the best of the best. It’s amazing for gaming, workstations, crypto mining rigs, and servers. But it will come at a premium cost.
For gamers, you can get away with the EVGA G2 1600W, it is the least efficient power supply on this list, but that isn’t necessary for gamers, and the power supply is still highly durable, and it will deliver clean power to whatever components you throw at it.
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