Box & Bundle
The box is large and sturdy enough to protect the expensive PSU well. The Cybenetics efficiency and ATX v3.1 badges are on the front side. I guess the noise badge will be added later since MSI got it relatively late, and they had to design the box. Speaking of the noise badges, it is not easy for engineers to calculate since they have to follow the Cybenetics test methodology, which is complex and requires special hardware and software. Noise evaluation is far from easy, and I know firsthand because I have been doing noise evaluations for more than 15 years.
Product Photos
The PSU’s dimensions are large, but most ATX chassis will accommodate it without issues. After all, this is a 1600W monster, so it should be used with many power-hungry parts, or else get a lower-capacity PSU. You don’t need a 1600W monster for the RTX 5090; a 1000W or a 1200W unit will be fine, depending on the CPU and its operation profile.
I like the top fan grille, which is not restrictive. Overall, the exterior design and kudos to MSI for thinking outside of the box there. Usually, PSUs look dull, and the fact is that, in most cases, you won’t be able to see them since they are hidden in compartments.
Around the back, the modular panel has 17x sockets, including a pair of 12V-2×6 native ones. There is also a Type-C USB port to connect the PSU to the system, should you want to monitor/control some of its functions.
Cables
| Modular Cables | ||||
| Description | Cable Count | Connector Count (Total) | Gauge | In Cable Capacitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATX connector 24 pin (600mm) | 1 | 1 | 16-22AWG | No |
| 4+4 pin EPS12V (750mm) | 2 | 2 | 16AWG | No |
| 6+2 pin PCIe (600mm) | 5 | 5 | 16AWG | No |
| 6+2 pin PCIe (600mm+150mm) | 2 | 4 | 18AWG | No |
| 12+4 pin PCIe (600mm) (600W) | 2 | 2 | 16-24AWG | No |
| SATA (500mm+150mm+150mm+150mm) | 2 | 8 | 18AWG | No |
| 4-pin Molex (500mm+150mm+150mm+150mm) | 2 | 8 | 18AWG | No |
| 9-pin USB connector (610mm) | 1 | 1 | 24-28AWG | No |
| AC Power Cord (1350mm) – C19 coupler | 1 | 1 | 17AWG | – |
The number of provided cables is vast, including a pair of 12V-2×6 cables that can deliver up to 600W each. There are also two EPS and five PCIe connectors, all on dedicated cables. There are four more PCIe connectors on two cables. The number of SATA connectors is sufficient, while the number of 4-pin Molex connectors is vast. Most users don’t need so many peripheral connectors, thanks to NVMe drives. Lastly, the distance between the peripheral connectors is adequate.
When I saw the fan curve of this PSU from the Cybenetics report, I wasn’t expecting such a poor cooling solution for this PSU! With far better built (and cheaper!) noise-optimized ATX 3.1 PSUs in the market like the Seasonic Prime Noctua TX-1600 or the Cooler Master Silent X Platinum 1300, I really don’t see the point in throwing $699 USD for a PSU that doesn’t even come with fan failure protection.
Such a dissapointing PSU from MSI…
NZXT with price around $369 (it’s around $329 in Indonesia) outclassed MSI MEG A1600T with its price around $700
Really, MSI?