Introduction

We would like to thank Corsair for supplying the review sample.

Corsair has, after dominating heavy-weight PSUs with the AX1200i, hit the medium category with two new contenders, the AX760i, which we evaluated a few days ago, and the AX860i. Both units have a digital (DSP) control system that provides top performance under all conditions, a fully modular cabling-system, 80 Plus Platinum efficiency, and a semi-fanless operation due to the fan not having to spin up at all during lower loads. Corsair apparently managed to pack all the exotic features of their flagship AX1200i unit into a more affordable package, and that will appeal to a lot of users since many don't need 1.2 kW to power their system.

The general trend is to make newer system components more efficient, which decreases power demands. Some companies have, nevertheless, entered the watt race again by trying to hold the record for the strongest PSU on the market. They do, of course, gain significant experience through such projects (compare it, if you will, to Formula One car racing where some of the technology used in race cars finds its way into commercial vehicles after some time has passed), but such mega-PSUs are overkill for most systems and many users are, thankfully, aware of this. That having been said, the lower-capacity AXi PSUs will, naturally, claim a much larger slice of the market-pie than their bigger brother whose target audience is the hard-core overclocker.

In this review, we will take a detailed look at the AX860i. It uses the same cabling configuration as the AX760i, but provides more headroom through its increased capacity, which a user owning or planning on creating a three-way SLI or Crossfire configuration will appreciate given that this PSU will easily cope with such a task.

Specifications

This PSU is, like the rest of the AXi PSUs, 80 Plus Platinum certified, and it can deliver its full continuous power at up to 50°C. The protection features include everything except for Under Voltage Protection. OTP (Over Temperature Protection), one of the, in our opinion, most crucial protection features, is present. The fan has a diameter of 120 mm since the unit's dimensions are compact, and it is equipped with double-ball bearings in order to operate flawlessly throughout the PSU's entire warranty period, which is extra-long at seven years. The price tag is really high, especially if someone focuses on the AX860i's capacity without taking into account the unit's more exotic features that are made possible through the technology it utilizes; technology that is being used for the very first time in commercial PSUs. Anything new and good will, unfortunately, always come at a, at first, high price; that is, until production costs come down, or until the competition responds.


The PSU normally comes with a single +12V rail that can deliver the full power of the unit on its own. Software support, however, allows you to set an OCP for up to six virtual +12V rails. The minor rails are strong enough for a contemporary system, and the 5VSB rail can deliver a little bit more power than the minimum seen nowadays (2.5 A).

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

The AX860i is equipped with exactly the same amount and type of connectors as its smaller sibling, the AX7601, which is not a disadvantage since the latter packs a lot of connectors. With six PCIe and two EPS connectors available at the same time, the unit is able to support a three-way SLI or Crossfire configuration and a server mainboard with two installed CPUs. The twelve SATA connectors will suffice in every case, and the eight peripheral connectors will easily cover extra fans, lights, etc.

All connectors are installed on pretty long cables. Most of you won't face any problems, even with a large full-tower chassis. The distance amongst the PCIe and the SATA connectors is also sufficient, but we can't say the same of the distance amongst the peripheral connectors. Contrary to SATA HDDs/SDDs that are usually installed close to each other, the components that use peripheral connectors are, most of the time, installed away from each other, and having no more than 100 mm in-between connectors will, most likely, cause headaches. Thankfully, a lot of 4-pin Molex connectors will probably alleviate this problem.

Finally, the 24-pin ATX connector utilizes thicker 16AWG gauges for lower voltage drops, while the other connectors (except for the FDD ones) use the standard 18AWG wire.

Since this PSU features a single +12V rail, we do not have much to say about its power distribution except that you can set up to six virtual rails with a configurable OCP through the Corsair Link software.

Packaging

The package is exactly the same as the one the AX760i comes in. The only difference is the different model number, which can be found near the bottom, right corner. The badge for the Corsair Link software, the 80 Plus Platinum certification, and a close shot of the unit's fan grill, featuring Corsair's logo as its center, are on the front of the package.


A lot of interesting information for the avid user (or the reviewer!) is available on the rear side of the package. For starters, two graphs illustrate the unit's efficiency curve and the fan's operation profile. Corsair has, contrary to the corresponding graph of the fan telling us that it will engage at 20% load, informed us that they actually tuned the fan controller to engage the fan after around 30% load. Their new boxes will display the right graph. This side also has a brief overview of the Corsair Link software, the digital control-system of the PSU, the seven-year-warranty badge, and, finally, the power-specifications table.


On top of the box is a useful list of all available cables/connectors that equip the PSU; with their length. The useful self-test switch is also mentioned here.


The most interesting thing here is definitely the table that lists every Corsair PSU series with each series' most crucial features. Corsair's current flagship is the AXi.

Contents

Once you open the box, you will find the user's manual, which is common to all AXi PSUs, the warranty-guide leaflet, and a notice that asks the user to download the Corsair Link software from the product's official page since no software disc is provided. This is due to the fact that Corsair updates their software frequently; downloading the software off their site ensures that a buyer has the latest version installed.

The PSU is very well protected by two thick pieces of packing foam and comes in a nice velvet bag.


A large pouch holds all modular cables and the rest of the bundle, which includes an AC power cord, several zip ties, a case badge, a set of fixing bolts, and a piece of an adhesive rubber-pad.


This bag holds the Corsair Link USB dongle and the cable that connects it with the PSU. Unfortunately, the dongle can only be installed on a USB header, since no adapter that would allow you to connect it to a normal USB port is included.


Some screenshots of the Corsair Link software that we took during the test sessions. You can read more on the Corsair Link software suite in our AX1200i and AX760i reviews.