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Final Analysis
Right now, high-end mining rigs across the country are using EVGA's highest-capacity G2-, P2-, and T2-based power supplies, so you can be sure that they're reliable, even under taxing conditions. Mining is hard on PC hardware, especially PSUs, since it forces them to withstand high loads continuously. When a number of mining rigs are operating in the same area, then their temperatures can climb quickly. As we've mentioned in our best mining PSUs article, the only fans able to withstand those high temps for prolonged periods of time are the ones with double-ball or magnetic bearings. As a result, the SuperNOVA 1600 T2 has an advantage in mining applications. On top of that, Super Flower's platform is especially resilient to elevated temperatures. It won't even break a sweat when you ask it to work at full load in a room warmer than 40°C.
Keep in mind, though, that the more stress you apply to a PSU, the shorter its lifespan gets. Try to keep those operating temps as low as possible with proper ventilation.
There is no doubt that EVGA's SuperNOVA 1600 T2 is one of the best-performing PSUs in today's market. It's unfortunate that our sample suffered from a mediocre finish on the PCB and lackluster soldering quality.
Currently, only Corsair's AX1600i and AX1500i are able to surpass the 1600 T2's overall performance. Given the DBB fan that EVGA uses, though, most miners shopping for high-end PSUs still prefer the SuperNOVA to its competition.
As a result, EVGA has a serious problem with availability. Sky-high demand drives prices up, so this 1600W model now sells for $500 (if you can find one in stock). That makes the 1600 T2 more expensive than Corsair's AX1600i, which offers better performance, higher efficiency, and spotless build quality. Even if Super Flower could increase its volume, and EVGA continued selling the 1600 T2 at today's prices, we still think inventory would disappear quickly. Demand is just that high right now.
The 1600 T2 offers high efficiency levels and excellent performance across the board. Only the 5VSB rail needs an upgraded circuit in order to keep up with the competition. Hopefully, Super Flower starts paying more attention to this rail. We also want the manufacturer to apply a better finish to its PCB, thereby protecting the copper traces from oxidation.
If you are able to find a high-capacity SuperNOVA T2, P2, or even G2, you won't be disappointed by its performance or reliability. For super-tough applications like mining, these PSUs are a great choice.
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Disclaimer: Aris Mpitziopoulos is Tom's Hardware's PSU reviewer. He is also the Chief Testing Engineer of Cybenetics, and developed the Cybenetics certification methodologies apart from his role on Tom's Hardware. Neither Tom's Hardware nor its parent company, Purch Media, are financially involved with Cybenetics. Aris does not perform the actual certifications for Cybenetics.
