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The MSI MEG Ai1300P is a high performing supply set to target an enthusiast user wanting to power a demanding, modern gaming system. While the somewhat gaudy gold accented styling is likely to split opinion between Asian and European audiences, there is no doubt that technically this unit ticks a lot of boxes.
MSI are trying to attract the user base who love to tinker with their hardware via dedicated software. I appreciate the concept of being able to control a power supply via a program however MSI Center is a clunky, unpleasant tool to use at the best of times. While using MSI Center my only thoughts were to get it deinstalled as soon as possible. I would personally just run the power supply in a default single rail mode mode all the time and let the fans operate automatically without the need for a software install. The other capabilities of MSI Center such as real time monitoring will be interesting to a very niche audience, but perhaps for only a short while.
On a design level, CWT have helped MSI create a very capable unit, able to deliver in excess of 1,400 watts before it safely shut itself down. Ripple suppression is very impressive, and it handled our cross load test without any issues. The adoption of high grade Nichicon 105c rated Japanese capacitors in the primary stage gives peace of mind and it is clear that corners haven't been cut which helps somewhat to justify the 360 euro asking price.
The unit achieved 80 Plus Titanium hitting just over 94% efficiency around 50% load falling to around 92% efficiency at a full load situation.
MSI informed us that UK pricing is not yet set in stone, and considering the terrible stability of the UK economy prices are certainly likely to fluctuate in the coming months. We would expect UK costs to be close to £350 inc vat. While the 10 year ‘limited' warranty has been verified with Kitguru for the United Kingdom we are awaiting MSI's update for warranty terms in other parts of the world. We will update this article when we get confirmation from MSI.
I admit on somewhat of a tangent – I would like to ask MSI to perhaps dial down their marketing a little and focus on the quality of the unit itself more. If you head to their official page for the Ai1300P HERE, you will be continually hit with marketing speak such as ‘The Revelation Of Legend' and ‘The mysterious triangle is a symbolic icon of MEG's infinite power, with the triangle's slope further extending the three pillars of MEG's core characteristics: legendary, loyalty, and luxurious.' While Asian PR has always been somewhat ‘colourful', the marketing for this unit is an utter blitzkrieg of word salad. Are MSI promoting a new Chuck Norris film, or a really well designed power supply? Working through MSI literature in the review of this power supply was rather exhausting, and I will admit, at times, funny.
Pros:
- Solid technical design.
- Runs quiet until 80%+ load.
- 105c Japanese Nichicon capacitors in primary stage. Always good to see.
- delivered over 1,400 watts of power.
- interesting software support ideas.
- ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5.0 Ready.
- good ripple suppression.
Cons:
- This ‘Silent Gale' fan (PLA12025S12H-4) seems to have been around for 6 years under other MSI brand names such as ‘TORX'.
- Word salad promotional marketing galore.
- MSI Center is awful.
- Hideous gold accenting on the chassis.
- can get loud at 1250 watts+
- The magnetic plates tend to fall off too easily on the sides of the chassis.
Kitguru says: The MSI MEG Ai1300P is a high performing power supply with interesting software enhancements that will appease the high end enthusiast audience. This modern design adopts quality internal components with 105c rated Japanese capacitors to help justify the eye watering asking price.
