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.
Thanks for the great review of this! Would love to see the Corsair AX1600i included in the comparisons since I feel like that tends to be the benchmark for performance.
Yes, it is still the best performing PSU.
This power supply is fully customizable, including the fan curve, but the article doesn’t mention a word about it… If the fan doesn’t turn on until 810W, it would take 100 years for the lubricant in the dual-bearing to dry out. Dumb review—doesn’t cover the key features.
Seriously!!! I evaluated everything, and you came here to write about the fan curve, a software thing. It is easy to see who is the dump here.
Nobody is saying that you’re stupid—you did a great job and deserve respect. It’s just that this is an incomplete review with some not entirely accurate conclusions.
For example, the statement “Very loose fan speed profile that makes me worry” doesn’t make sense because everything can be adjusted in the software! Or “No fan failure protection”, when you actually have monitoring and temperature protection.
It’s funny that someone even reacted to my post at all! ))))
Thankfully you didn’t, I am relieved now. You called my review dump but I am not stupid ok. Thank you for clarifying that! Although I feel a bit stupid just by replying to your comment, but this is another story.
The PSU should have a proper fan speed profile from DEFAULT! Most users won’t even bother connecting it to their systems. This means that the fan speed profile should be OK WITHOUT a user fixing it!
Do you even know what fan failure protection means? If you don’t, please google it first and then write your thing.
The problem with internet is that anyone can express his/her opinion by insulting people like me who work their asses to deliver such content. If you dislike my conclusions and disrespect my work, feel free to become a PSU reviewer and send me the links to your reviews to comment!
By the way, the one who reacted to your post is the idiot who wrote this review.
I bought one and after checking it out I ordered two more to replace in the other computers I use. It’s one of those products that you have a great pleasure of buying and using.
This PSU is mediocre at best. And you can realise it just by looking at its weight. Good PSUs are heavy. High-end 1600w PSU can’t weight 2.8 kg. Look at Seasonic TX 1600, 5.8 kg!
Side question why would you want a 160pw psu for a 5090?
1600W? For 2x 5090s
So let me get this straight…in a PSU segmentation that offers competitive products from $300 & up, this $700 MSI PSU offers:
-A cheap dual ball bearing fan that will get louder over time as the lube dries up
-Hot temps starting at 950W DC power & up
-No fan protection for the cheapo dual ball fan
-Unimpressive voltage regulation for CPU core, RAM, & SATA drives
-Higher voltage ripple for GPUs & CPUs versus competitive options
-Higher voltage ripple for CPU core, RAM, & SATA drives at 80% & 100% versus competitive options
-Weaker overall 115V performance than NZXT’s PSU that costs half as much
Yup, this PSU is poised for greatness…
Thanks for the review. I see in the review about the Enermax Revolution D.F.X. 1650W. Where is its review?
I don’t even remember if I reviewed this one 🙂 You can find its full data on Cybenetics in any case.
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?