Corsair's HX series represents its "second tier" line of enthusiast computer power supplies, but its new HX1000i does take the top spot when it comes to its ~1000 watt power supplies that are Platinum certified and fully modular. Let's see if this latest addition from Corsair represents its quality pedigree of days gone by.
Seasonic is one of our long-time favorites when it comes to truly high-end power supplies. The new PLATINUM-1050 PSU claims to deliver excellent power efficiency and does so with a fully modular design. Seasonic is often known designing products with excellent sound profiles. Does the PLATINUM-1050 fit the profile?
Antec is easily a go-to brand for many computer hardware enthusiasts and Antec has not been resting on its reputation. Today is the debut of the Antec EDGE 750W. This PSU boasts full modularity, up to 92% efficiency, high quality Japanese capacitors, "Flat Stealth Wires," all riding on two "High Current Rails."
With many people looking for a smaller enthusiast computer system footprint, the size of a power supply gets very important. With SFF motherboards getting better for overclocking, many folks are looking for higher PSU powers for overclocking. SilverStone brings an SFX form factor 600 watt capable pint-sized PSU.
Cooler Master is a name synonymous with enthusiast computer desktop builds. You have likely purchased one if not more of its products in the past if you build your own boxes. The GXII line popped up on our radar recently, as we were seeing it on many brick and mortar computer store shelves, so we bought one to see what it is made of.
What is more quiet than a computer power supply with a fan? You guessed it, a PSU with no fan. This unit has small footprint builds in mind featuring excellent Platinum efficiency, flexible flat cables, and of course no sound profile to speak of. Does the 520 watt rated SilverStone Nightjar hold up when we put it in the incubator?
Cooler Master has been off the enthusiast radar in terms of computer power supplies for a while now. It simply walked a different line than much of the rest of the field. Today however we have one of Cooler Master's second foray back into the high end with a mid-level PSU rated for operation at 650 watts.
Antec comes to us today with a mid-level 750 watt enthusiast computer power supply that touts Gold efficiency. This PSU is somewhat light on marketing and heavy on features such as Japanese capacitors, "unprecedented tight voltage regulation," and low ripple and noise to "maximize your system's performance."
Seasonic is one of our longtime favorite brands when it comes to enthusiast computer power supplies. Its new 1,200 watt powerhouse still outshines many PSUs that it competes with. Interestingly enough Seasonic's biggest true competition seems to be... well... Seasonic.
Thermaltake has been hit and miss in the power supply department over the years. It has produced some excellent PSUs and some that were just "good," and others that did not meet ATX12V specification. Thermaltake comes to us today with its Smart Series PSU that touts Bronze efficiency with its semi-modular design.
EVGA does not have a lot to say about its SuperNOVA NEX650G Gold Power Supply. It does however mention it being designed with enthusiast needs, and this PSU being the "the best choice to power next generation enthusiast computers" with exceptional features, and stunning efficiency. We of course will be the judge of those claims.
Cooler Master has been off our radar for a few years now as its power supplies were simply not up to snuff. Cooler Master's focus is back on enthusiast PSUs now with a lineup of new power supplies. The first one we are reviewing powers in at 850 watts, is a fully modular unit and it touts a host of high quality components and features.