Introduction

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




EVGA's marketing team is on fire lately, with all these new PSU releases. They clearly put much effort into PSUs and truth is, they have managed to earn a very good place inside this very difficult market segment, and with it, the fame. As we already stated in previous reviews, EVGA was smart enough to team up with Super Flower, one of the most promising PSU OEMs today, which endowed them with the ability to offer high-performing products at affordable prices. Especially their G2 line features a killer price/performance ratio.

So far, the strongest G2 unit had a capacity of 1.3 kW, which is not the case anymore as today's unit with an additional 300 W has taken the lead. The fresh G2-1600 is based on a top-notch design by Super Flower, making it one of the few units with the ability to offer up 1.6 kW with even 115 VAC input. Not only will its monstrous capacity cover the needs of running multiple ultra-high-end VGAs at the same time since the unit also features a fully modular cabling design, a single +12V rail that can easily start a truck, Japanese capacitors for a prolonged lifetime and extended reliability, and the same appearance as other G2 units, which will appeal to some, but not all. The G2-1600 is, without a doubt, a very interesting unit not only because of its huge capacity since it can even deliver its full load at up to 50°C ambient with incredible efficiency, which is a difficult feat with such a strong unit. But the G2-1600 is getting anxious to meet our Chroma loads. so let's end the prologue to cut to the chase.

Specifications

The unit managed to meet 80 Plus Gold requirements despite its huge capacity, so it can deliver its 1.6 kW with 115 VAC very efficiently. Not many PSUs can do so with such low AC input, though it is no problem whatsoever with the 230 VAC in Europe. The G2-1600 also has a fully modular cabling design and is Haswell ready since it exploits a cutting-edge platform. Its protection features don't seem to include OTP (Over Temperature Protection), which is a big shame given it is a high-end PSU, while the unit's dimensions are huge, with its length reaching 22,5 cm. There is also EVGA's warranty of ten years—you can find EVGA's terms of warranty here—and the price is very high, especially compared to the G2-1300, but the platform this unit uses is completely different, which obviously increased production cost. We will be able to comment more precisely on whether its price is justified after having fully evaluated this unit's performance to calculate its incredibly important price/performance ratio.

For all you multi-rail lovers, this PSU is dedicated to you. It has a single +12V rail that can deliver more than 133 A, so it will easily feed anything you throw at it and have plenty of power left. Super Flower obviously sought to impress with the platform, and we are pretty sure they accomplished their goal to a tee. This is hands down one of the strongest PSUs available today, and its only real competitor is Corsair's AX1500i with, however, 100 W less capacity, although Titanium efficiency.

Compared to the +12V rail, the minor rails aren't that strong, but their 120 W combined maximum power output will always suffice. We would like to see a stronger 5VSB rail with at least 4-5 A in such a strong PSU. 3 A will get the job done in most cases, but there is no reason not to offer a stronger 5VSB rail that matches the unit's other capabilities.

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

The main ATX cable should be a little longer since this monster will probably go into a cave-sized full-tower case, so avoiding extension cables would be good. However, it is fully modular should you run into a compatibility problem, so buying another, longer ATX cable or, better yet, building one yourself if you have the right tools and the know-how is an option. The EPS and PCIe cables, on the other hand, are long enough. The distance between PCIe and SATA connectors is ideal, but we would like to see 13 cm, not 10 cm, between peripheral connectors. The main ATX, EPS, and PCIe cables use thicker 16AWG gauges for lower voltage drops, while all other connectors use standard 18AWG wires.

Since this PSU features a single +12V rail, we do not have anything to comment on when it comes time to talk about its power distribution.

Packaging

The box isn't that tall or wide, but is quite deep and heavy since the PSU alone weighs around 3 kilos. On the front are the unit's model number in very large font and a tiny 80 Plus badge in the bottom-left corner.


The box thankfully has a carrying handle.


Only one of two sides has EVGA's logo. The other depicts EVGA's standard marketing fare.


We find more useful information about the PSU, including its features and cables list, on the rear. There are also three photos of the PSU itself—one is of its internals. A table in the bottom-right corner, depicts the unit's power specifications.

Contents

Two pieces of packing foam protect the unit inside the box well. The PSU also comes inside a nice black bag with EVGA's log on it.


The accessories box alone is easily large enough to be a 500 W or 600 W unit's retail box. However, it needs to be as large as it is because it stores a ton of modular cables.


The provided AC cable is very thick and features a heavy duty C19 connector since the PSU will almost draw 15 A from the socket with 115 VAC input.


The bundle includes the modular cables, several Velcro straps, a set of fixing bolts, the user's manual, and an ATX-bridging plug.