Corsair AX860 Modular Power Supply Review

Corsair AX860 Modular PSU- Introduction

Ever since last summer, Corsair’s digital power supplies have been in the scopes of almost every technology junkie. Looking back to our reviews of the AX1200i and the AX760i, we can easily see why. However, not every enthusiast needs or even wants the digital interface, which led Corsair to release the AX760 and AX860, “classic” versions of the digital AX760i and AX860i respectively. The differences however are many more than just the digital interface; read on to find out.

It is the AX860 which found its way on our test bench today, the strongest AX non-digital model which Corsair currently produces. It can be found retailing for $199 + shipping, a good $30 less than the digital AX860i. As the rest of their features are almost the same, both have the same number of connectors and both come with an 80Plus Platinum certification, most people would make an educated guess and think that the AX860 is the same as the AX860i, minus the digital interface; however, such an assumption would be wrong. There even are distinct visual dissimilarities between the two models and they are entirely different on the inside. How can the “classic” AX860 stand in comparison to the digital models of the series then? We will find out in this review.

Manufacturer’s features

• Dedicated single +12V rail
• An ultra-quiet, 120mm double ball-bearing fan delivers excellent airflow with exceptionally low noise levels by varying fan speed in response to temperature
• 80 PLUS Platinum certified, delivering up to 92% energy efficiency under real-world load conditions
• Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) with PF value of 0.99
• Universal AC input from 90~264V
• Over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, and short circuit protection provide maximum safety for your critical system components
• Engineered to meet maximum power output at a server-grade 50°C temperature rating.
• High-quality capacitors provide uncompromised performance and reliability
• A seven year warranty and lifetime access to Corsair’s legendary technical support and customer service
• Safety Approvals: cTUVus, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TÜV, CCC, C-tick

Manufacturer’s specifications

Warranty	Seven years
Dimension	150mm x 86mm x 160mm
Modular	Fully
Power	860 Watts
80 Plus	Platinum
ATX Connector	1
EPS Connector	2
PCI-E Connector	6
4 Pin Peripheral Connector	8
SATA Connector	12
Floppy Connector	2
MTBF	100,000 hours