Introduction

We would like to thank Wentai for supplying the review sample.

According to my overall performance chart, the best power supply so far is manufactured by Flextronics, for Corsair, and its model number is AX1600i. Thus far, competing PSUs haven't been performing at the same level as most manufacturers have been hesitant about utilizing digital platforms. Seasonic and Super Flower, two of the best PSU OEMs, haven't released a digital platform yet, and apart from Flextronics, only CWT seems to be heading down the digital road, but its platforms are not yet at the same level as the digital offerings from Flextronics. When it comes to digital desktop PSUs, there is the problem of Flextronics only cooperating with CORSAIR as well, and the manufacturing capacity of their digital line is limited. For this new design to thrive, we need more massive production lines and many more models, not just super-powerful ones, as those are only viable options for a few select users.



Out of the blue, Wentai, an unknown OEM for at least the moment when it comes to PSUs, introduced its Aidan digital line. This line consists of several models with capacities ranging from 777 W to 1616 W. Wentai is only interested in selling these units to other brands instead of under its own name, which would be quite tricky since you need proper sales and marketing channels and have to provide the support.



It is not clear whether all Aidan models will be digital, but expect high price tags if they are. As with the CORSAIR AX1600i, the Aidan-T1616 is semi-digital, with its APFC and primary and +12V FETs being controlled by an MCU. Moreover, it uses GaN MODFETs and a totem-pole bridgeless PFC converter, which allows for incredibly high efficiency levels. A typical bridgeless APFC converter like in the EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 T2 can reach efficiency levels of up to 96%, while a totem-pole bridgeless APFC converter is capable of up to 99% efficiency!


Since both the Corsair AX1600i and Wentai Aidan-T1616 use the same technologies, it will be interesting to see which is the better power supply even though the Wentai PSU is not available in any stores yet. This is Wentai's first PSU line, so I don't know what to expect in terms of performance.

Specifications

Wentai states on its site that it can provide different warranty periods, implying that the warranty can be longer depending on the client's needs. As I had already mentioned, this product was made with the OEM market in mind, which is why there is no official price or availability for the moment. According to my sources, OEM pricing is stiff, reaching Corsair AX1600i levels, which doesn't strike me as a surprise because a lower production volume increases cost. With increased production rates, pricing may drop significantly, but such powerful power supplies also don't reach high sales number, so there probably is no point in increasing production.


There are four +12V rails capable of delivering the unit's full power if required. The combined power of the minor rails is officially restricted to 100 W, but I am sure these rails can easily deliver more.

Power Distribution

You can connect any cable that has an 8-pin connector, either PCIe or EPS, to a corresponding socket, which means you could end up mixing PCIe and EPS connectors if not careful, something that could easily trigger the OCP protection on the corresponding 12 V rail.

Cables and Connectors

The ATX and EPS cables are short for the capacity. A 1616 W unit will be installed in a large case, so it has to have longer cables. Wentai chose to send it with shorter cables to minimize energy losses and achieve higher efficiency numbers. To makes matters worse, the distance between peripheral connectors is pretty short as well.


On the bright side, all cables consist of 16AWG gauges, which restricts power losses, and there are no in-cable caps, which would make cable-routing and managing more difficult. Finally, the AC power cord uses extra thick gauges; it is a beast of a power cord!

Component Analysis

According to my sources, there are analog controllers for the totem-pole PFC, but Wentai chose to use a DSC, which has more capabilities. The only con is that there is no digital communication bridge, which means you cannot monitor and control it through software. Apparently, Wentai didn't want to mess with the development of an application for its digital power supplies.


Build quality is high, and Wentai used good parts for this platform, along with a powerful double ball-bearing fan with a current rating of over 1 A! Given the platform's insanely high efficiency levels, there is no need for such a strong fan.


The parts for the transient filter are installed on two vertical daughter boards.


There is, of course, an NTC thermistor and a bypass relay for protection against large inrush currents.


Not one or two, but five bridge rectifiers are used exclusively by the PSU's standby circuit. When operating normally, the role of the bridge rectifier(s) is handled by four FETs, which allows for notably lower energy losses.


This is the totem-pole APFC converter, where both GaN MODFETs (HEMTs) are used as boost converters. The key feature of these MODFETs is their much smaller reverse recovery charge (up to 20x), which minimizes energy losses. In a conventional APFC converter, the signal has to pass through two low-speed diodes and a switch when the conduction path is on. With the conduction path off, the signal passes through two low-speed diodes and a high-speed diode (SBR). In a totem-pole PFC, the signal passes through a MOSFET and a MODFET in both cases, so we theoretically have no voltage drops. This is why totem-pole PFCs are capable of up to 99% efficiency, while the most efficient APFC circuits top out at around 96%.


This board hosts both DSCs. One handles the totem-pole PFC converter and the other is for the primary and +12V FETs.


The main FETs are four Alpha & Omega AOTF29S50s that have been installed in a full-bridge topology. An LLC resonant converter is also used to reduce power losses.


These driver ICs handle the primary switching FETs.


It would have been very tough to desolder the parts that block the view to the +12V FETs, so I decided not to in order to avoid putting my Pace desoldering station through too much. I also wanted this PSU to be in working condition after parts identification, which unfortunately wasn't the case.


The VRMs that generate the minor rails use an analogue controller. For a fully digital platform, those rails should be digitally controlled, along with the 5VSB rail.


This is the 5VSB board.


Most of the electrolytic filtering caps belong to Chemi-Con's good lines, and a large number of polymer caps are also used.


Many polymer caps are installed at the face of the modular board.


A supervisor IC has been installed on the modular board. Given this platform uses two digital controllers with lots of options, including a 14-channel ADC with 12-bit resolution, there is no reason for this additional analog supervisor IC.


The solder side of the main PCB is devoid of components. Soldering quality is good, but the finish could be better.


I have never before seen such a powerful fan in a desktop PSU with ultra-high efficiency levels. A fan with over 1 A current draw is clearly overkill.