MSI MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 ATX v3.1 PSU Review

1. Introduction2. Bundle & Cabling3. External4. Internal5. Testing Methodology and Results6. Closing Thoughts7. View All Pages

Correctly testing power supplies is a complex procedure and KitGuru have configured a test bench which can deliver up to a 2,000 watt DC load. Due to public requests we have changed our temperature settings recently – previously we rated with ambient temperatures at 25C, we have increased ambient temperatures by 10c (to 35c) in our environment to greater reflect warmer internal chassis conditions.

We use combinations of the following hardware:
• SunMoon SM-268
• CSI3710A Programmable DC load (+3.3V and +5V outputs)
• CSI3711A Programmable DC load (+12V1, +12V2, +12V3, and +12V4)
• Extech Power Analyzer
• Extech MultiMaster MM570 digital multimeter
• Extech digital sound level meter
• Digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)
• Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA

12V output is single rail for our testing.

DC Output Load Regulation
Combined DC Load	+3.3V		+5V		+12V		+5VSB		-12V
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
500W	7.63	3.33	8.82	5.02	36.05	12.08	1.5	5.01	0.30	-12.01
750W	12.63	3.30	14.12	5.02	52.06	12.06	2.0	5.01	0.30	-12.01
1000W	17.75	3.29	20.00	5.01	72.25	12.04	2.5	5.01	0.50	-12.01
1250W	18.84	3.28	24.04	5.01	90.14	12.02	3.0	5.00	0.60	-12.01
1500W	18.87	3.26	22.64	4.99	115.90	12.00	3.5	5.00	0.80	-12.01
1600W	10.00	3.29	10.00	5.01	125.00	11.99	3.5	5.00	0.80	-12.00

Load regulation is a bit mixed, with both +12V and +5V rails delivering a good set of results, but the +3.3V rail was not as tight as I would have hoped. Especially from a hugely expensive flagship model such as this one.

Next we want to try Cross Loading. This basically means loads which are not balanced. If a PC for instance needs 500W on the +12V outputs but something like 30W via the combined 3.3V and +5V outputs then the voltage regulation can fluctuate badly.

Cross Load Testing	+3.3V		+5V		+12V		-12V		+5VSB
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
1150W	3.0	3.33	2.0	5.01	92.0	12.02	0.2	-12.01	0.50	5.01
250W	20.0	3.26	24.0	4.99	5.0	12.05	0.2	-12.00	0.50	5.01

The MEG Ai1600T Power Supply delivered decent results overall, but again +3.3V rail was showing some significant droop.

We then used an oscilloscope to measure AC ripple and noise present on the DC outputs. We set the oscilloscope time base to check for AC ripple at both high and low ends of the spectrum.

ATX12V V2.2 specification for DC output ripple and noise is defined in the ATX 12V power supply design guide.

ATX12V Ver 2.2 Noise/Ripple Tolerance
Output	Ripple (mV p-p)
+3.3V	50
+5V	50
+12V1	120
+12V2	120
-12V	120
+5VSB	50

Obviously when measuring AC noise and ripple on the DC outputs the cleaner (less recorded) means we have a better end result. We measured this AC signal amplitude to see how closely the unit complied with the ATX standard.

AC Ripple (mV p-p)
DC Load	+3.3V	+5V	+12V	5VSB
500W	8	8	10	7
750W	10	11	15	11
1000W	13	12	18	13
1250W	15	12	23	14
1500W	18	13	27	17
1600W	22	14	34	18

These are very good ripple suppression results across both primary and minor rails. In all honesty however I was a little disappointed overall based on the purely digital platform implementation and the huge price point, but more on this in our closing thoughts.

Efficiency (%)
500W	93.92
750W	95.82
1000W	96.27
1250W	95.53
1500W	94.66
1600W	94.44

Overall efficiency is superb, peaking close to 96.3% at around 45-50% load.

We take the issue of noise very seriously at KitGuru and this is why we have built a special home brew system as a reference point when we test noise levels of various components. Why do this? Well this means we can eliminate secondary noise pollution in the test room and concentrate on components we are testing. It also brings us slightly closer to industry standards, such as DIN 45635.

Today to test the power supply we have taken it into our acoustics room environment and have set our Digital Sound Level Noise Decibel Meter Style 2 one meter away from the unit. We have no other fans running so we can effectively measure just the noise from the unit itself.

As this can be a little confusing for people, here are various dBa ratings in with real world situations to help describe the various levels.

KitGuru noise guide

10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refrigerator
50dBA – Normal Conversation
60dBA – Laughter
70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer
80dBA – City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal
90dBA – Motorcycle or Lawnmower
100dBA – MP3 Player at maximum output
110dBA – Orchestra
120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine
130dBA – Threshold of Pain
140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range)
160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum

Noise (dBA)
500W	<28.0
750W	<28.0
1000W	<28.0
1250W	30.2
1500W	31.7
1600W	33.7

I did discuss the CWT/MSI adoption of a dual ball bearing fan earlier in the review – it is unusual in 2025 to see this inside a flagship design rather than a FDB fan. This unit however is very quiet given that it is a semi passive design and the fan didn't really start spinning until around 800 watts was demanded.

The fan profile is favouring a lower spin state even at higher loads. While I no longer have this power supply for direct comparison, the same fan in the Enermax PlatiGemini 1200W was much more active above 800 watt loads (HERE).

I am also quite surprised to note that this unit does not appear to have fan failure protection either. I know the Seasonic PX and TX1600 models ship with this.

Temperature (c)
	Intake	Exhaust
500W	36	38
750W	37	43
1000W	42	47
1250W	46	53
1500W	48	57
1600W	50	63

The highly efficient design and moderate airflow produce decent temperatures, although I feel if the fan was little more active above 1000 watts these would be noticeably better.

Become a Patron!