The Corsair HX1000i is a great performer, but it faces stiff competition in this price range, preventing it from entering the best PSU article. Nevertheless, it has top-notch build quality, runs quietly, and iCUE support is top-notch. Notable choices in this category are the MSI MEG Ai1000P, EVGA 1000 P6, and Toughpower Grand RGB 1050W Platinum, which come with PCIe 5.0 connectors.
After many years, Corsair decided to revamp the HXi line with two units. In this review, we’ll look at the former with enough power to support powerful gaming systems with GPUs that don’t need the 12VHPWR connector.
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There’s been a lot of talk lately about PSUs that are compatible with PCIe 5.0 and ATX 3.0, but in reality, getting a PSU that meets both of the above is highly preferred. PSUs have a longer lifespan than several generations of CPU, mainboard, and GPU products, so it’s a good idea to consider the future of PSUs and invest in PSUs.
Currently, PSUs without a 12VHPWR connector are not future proofed. Not just the lack of this connector, you have to worry about its ability to pass all the transient response tests required by ATX 3.0. On the other hand, some users have no problem using the adapter. Normally I would connect 3 PCIe 6+2 to 1 12VHPWR, but I can’t suggest this method because the increased resistance can cause various problems. Simply put, using an adapter adds another chance of failure, the degree of which depends on the quality of the adapter.
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Corsair HX1000i specs
| Manufacturer (OEM) | CWT |
| maximum. DC output | 1000W |
| efficiency | 80 PLUS Platinum, Cybernetics Platinum (89-91%) |
| noise | Cybernetics A- (25-30 dB[A]) |
| base unit | ✓ (completely) |
| Intel C6/C7 power state support | ✓ |
| Operating temperature (continuous full load) | 0 to 50°C |
| Overvoltage protection | ✓ |
| low voltage protection | ✓ |
| over power protection | ✓ |
| Overcurrent (+12V) protection | ✓ |
| Overheat protection | ✓ |
| short circuit protection | ✓ |
| surge protection | ✓ |
| Inrush current protection | ✓ |
| Fan failure protection | ✓ |
| No-load operation | ✓ |
| cooling | 140mm fluid dynamic bearing fan (NR140P) |
| Semi-passive operation | ✓ |
| Dimensions (width x height x depth) | 150×85×180mm |
| weight | 1.99 kg (4.39 lbs) |
| form factor | ATX12V v2.53, EPS 2.92 |
| Supports Alternate Low Power Mode (ALPM) | ✓ |
| guarantee | Decade |
Corsair HX1000i Power Specifications
| rail | 3.3V | 5V | 12V | 5VSB | -12V | |
| maximum.Power | Amplifier | twenty five | twenty five | 83.3 | 3 | 0.3 |
| Watt | 150 | 999.6 | 15 | 3.6 | ||
| total max. Power (W) | 1000 |
Corsair HX1000i Cables and Connectors
| explanation | number of cables | Number of connectors (total) | gauge | with cable capacitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATX connector 20+4 pin (600mm) | 1 | 1 | 16-22AWG | No |
| 4+4 pin EPS12V (650mm) | 3 | 3 | 18AWG | No |
| 6+2 pin PCIe (680mm+100mm) | 3 | 6 | 16-18AWG | No |
| SATA (450mm+115mm+115mm+115mm) | 2 | 8 | 18AWG | No |
| 4 pin Molex (450mm+100mm+100mm+100mm) | 2 | 8 | 18AWG | No |
| USB Type C to Motherboard Header Cable (520mm) | 1 | 1 | 24-28AWG | No |
| AC power cord (1370mm) – C19 coupler | 1 | 1 | 16AWG | – |
This model was developed before ATX 3.0 was final, so there are many cables and connectors, but no 12VHPWR. That said, I’m sure Corsair is already working on an update. ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5.0 compatible version.
Three EPS connectors on a dedicated cable can power the most power-hungry mainboard and CPU combinations, but six PCIe is more than enough for this PSU’s capacity. The only problem is the short distance between the peripheral connectors.
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Component analysis of Corsair HX1000i
I highly recommend taking a look at the PSU 101 article which provides valuable information on PSUs and their operation. You will be able to better understand the components that we are going to discuss.
| general data | |
| Manufacturer (OEM) | CWT |
| Substrate type | both sides |
| primary side | |
| transient filter | 6x Y Cap, 2x X Cap, 2x CM Choke, 1x MOV, 1x CM02X (discharge IC) |
| Inrush protection | 1x NTC thermistor SCK20-150 (15 ohm) & relay |
| bridge rectifier |
2x Vishay LVB2560 (600V, 25A @ 105°C)
|
| APFC MOSFET |
2x ON Semiconductor FCPF067N65S3 (650V, 28A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 0.067 ohms)
|
| APFC boost diode | |
| bulk cap | |
| main switcher |
2x Infineon IPW60R099P6 (600V, 24A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 0.099 ohms)
|
| digital controller | 2x Texas Instruments UCD3138A |
| MCU | microchip PIC32MM0064GPM036 |
| topology |
Primary Side: Semi-Digital, Interleaved PFC, Half-Bridge & LLC Converters |
| Secondary side | |
| +12V MOSFETs | 10x infineon BSC014N04LS (40V, 125A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 1.4mOhm) |
| 5V & 3.3V | DC-DC converter: 6x UBIQ QM3054M6 (30V, 61A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 4.8mOhm) PWM Controller: uPI-Semi uP3861P |
| filtering capacitor |
Electrolysis: 2x Nichicon (2-5,000h @ 105°C, HD), 2x Nippon Chemi-Con (1-5,000h @ 105°C, KZE), 9x Nippon Chemi-Con (4-10,000h @ 105°C, kentucky), 2x Rubycon (4-10,000h @ 105°C, YXF) |
| Supervisor IC | Weltrend WT7502R (OVP, UVP, SCP, PG) |
| fan controller | microchip PIC32MM0064GPM036 |
| fan model | Corsair NR140P (140mm, 12V, 0.22A, Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan) |
| 5VSB circuit | |
| rectifier | |
| Standby PWM controller | in bright OB5282CP |
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As this CWT platform was co-developed with Corsair engineers, CWT is not authorized to offer it to other brands. This platform is exclusive to Corsair. The design is modern, using digital controllers for most of the part, including the entire primary and part of the secondary. The build quality is high and uses top notch parts. For this reason, the price of this product has been increased. Finding good parts at an affordable price is nearly impossible today.
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The transient/EMI filter is complete.
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A pair of bridge rectifiers can handle up to 50 amps, easily meeting the requirements of this PSU.
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The APFC converter uses two On Semiconductor FETs and two Infineon boost diodes. Digitally controlled for optimum performance.
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The main FET is mounted in a half-bridge topology and also uses LLC resonance to increase efficiency.
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A board that hosts all digital controllers.
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Ten Infineon FETs regulate the 12V rail. A minor rail is generated via a pair of DC-DC converters. The latter and the 5VSB circuit are the only ones that use analog controllers. This is why we call this platform semi-digital instead of fully digital.
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The filter caps are of good quality and should last well past the extended warranty period if you take good care of your PSU.
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The standby PWM controller is On Bright. OB5282CP.
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The modular board has many filter caps and also hosts a USB interface.
The main supervisor IC is Weltrend WT7502R.
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Soldering quality is good enough.
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The cooling fan uses fluid dynamic bearings and is 140mm in diameter, so it doesn’t need to spin at high speeds to provide adequate airflow.
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