Under the Hood

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Here are a few pictures showing the layout and components inside the massive AX1500i Digital power supply.  As with previous AXi digital power supplies, Corsair continues to partner with Flextronics to build the AX1500i. Flextronics isn’t as well known as some of the other big-name OEMs like Seasonic and Superflower, but they definitely know how to build a state-of-the-art power supply. The overall layout looks very good with components neatly organized and excellent soldering on the PCBs.  

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The following illustration and table identifies some of the AX1500i’s main components with their location and function, courtesy of Corsair.

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(Courtesy of Corsair)

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In Corsair’s own words: “The Corsair AX1500i uses server-grade power train architecture and a DSP to provide digitally controlled power. This state-of-the-art DSP-controlled design features proprietary control architecture to allow for dynamic, on-the-fly performance optimization. This design delivers exceptionally stable power over the whole load range, and automatically compensates for DC output cable voltage drop. This ensures tight DC output voltage regulation without the ripple/noise and other issues associated with traditional PSU architectures.

Instead of using a conventional AC input diode bridge rectifier, the AX1500i uses very low loss MOSFETs (low RDS-on) to help ensure Titanium class efficiency.

In addition to DSP-control, the AX1500i features isolated interleaved fixed duty half bridge LLC converters for both the 12V and 5v rails, and a DC-to-DC converter for the 3.3V rail. All DC outputs utilize MOSFETs that have lower losses than conventional SMPS rectification designs. An advanced 4-layer modular connector board PCB ensures a better ground return plane, lower resistance and lower voltage drops. This combined with circuit trace optimization; also helps minimize ripple and noise.

The AX1500i also incorporates digital interleaved bridgeless PFC (power factor correction) and PWM (pulse width modulation) control to ensure the highest possible power factor and lowest total harmonic distortion under all load conditions.”

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