Cougar GX 1050W Power Supply Review

1. Introduction2. Cougar GX 1050W (Bundle & Cabling)3. Cougar GX 1050W (External)4. Cougar GX 1050W (Internal)5. Testing Methodology and Results6. Closing Thoughts7. View All Pages

Many readers might not have heard of Cougar, but they are a retail subset from parent company HEC, who also produce computer cases in Europe. They manufacture a full range of power supplies, including 600, 700, 800 and 900 Watt models, and today we are looking at their highest rated product, the GX 1050W.

The GX1050W is a modular design with 80 Plus Gold Certification which Cougar claim can give up to 93% efficiency.

With a large 140mm fan on board and a generous 5 year warranty, it seems good on paper, but today we will find out if it is worth the considerable £200 cash outlay.

Specifications:

• MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY
  Up to 93% of efficiency, compliant with 80-PLUS® GOLD efficiency requirement .
• RST (RAPID SWITCH TECHNOLOGY) POWER
  COUGAR® GX provide highest efficiency performance with Rapid Switch Technology.
• DC-DC TECHNOLOGY
  DC-DC technology provides highest efficiency, most stable performance, and perfect regulation (Regulation <3%).
• CLC FILTER DESIGN
  CLC filter design efficiently suppress Ripple/Noise ‹1%
• COMPATIBLE WITH LATEST PC-TECHNOLOGY
  Supports the newest specifications of ATX12V. Created for usage with current and next-generation multi-core CPU platforms.
• SUPPORT MULTI-GPU TECHNOLOGY
  Support PCI Express 2.0 next-generation graphic card with 8(6+2)pin PCI-E connector.
• HIGHEST DURABLE & RELIABLE SOLID CAPS FOR 12V,3.3V,5V
  The best solution for a High-End PSU by using solid caps for 12Vs, 3.3V, 5V, solid caps provide highest efficiency, best reliability, and extend power lifespan.
• 105°C JAPANESE CAPACITORS
  COUGAR® use highest durable 105°C Japanese capacitors providing uncompromised performance and reliability and delivering 4 times the lifespan of conventional 85°C rated capacitors.
• HIGH PERFORMANCE AT 50°C
  Non-stop high performance and full rated wattage at 50°C/122°F ambient temperature.
• HDB (Hydro-Dynamic Bearing) 14cm FAN
  Advanced HDB (HYDRO-Dynamic Bearing) fan provide best lifespan and super silent performance. Temperature-controlled design adapts its rotating speed to the PSU temperature. Even on its highest rotating level the fan is still quiet enough to be barely noticeable.
• DYNAMIC MULTI-12V
  Automatic dynamic load distribution on multi-12V line provide power separately to the GPU and the CPU. If you are not using all output lines, the PSU automatically reroutes needed power from unused lines. This improves the performance and safety of the 12V lines considerably for systems with high-end graphic cards in SLI® or CrossFire® mode and provides high voltage stability to keep components safe.
• FLEXIBLE CABLE MANAGEMENT
  The modular cables that reduce air friction help maximize airflow through the PC case. The modular design also simplifies installation as it allows unprecedented flexibility in using only those cables which are needed.
• COMPLIANT WITH LATEST EUROPEAN DIRECTIVE 2005/32/EG (EuP)
  In Standby consumption is ‹0.3W, compliant with economy-friendly electrical equipment.
• SUPPORTS THE ENERGY STAR 5.0
  Compatible with Energy star 5.0 computer system.
• FULL PROTECTIONS WITH OCP, SCP, OVP, UVP, OPP, OTP

The Cougar GX 1050W power supply arrives in a stylish black box, with a logo that wouldn't look out of place on a sports car.

The fold out box is compartmentalised with various pull out boxes inside.

The bundle includes a region specific power cable, fitting screws, a felt cable tidy and a user manual. The modular cables are nicely finished with duotone sleeving and are supplied in one of the internal boxes. There is no dedicated storage pouch however for excess cabling, although they can be stored in the main packaging.

Cable	Amount
MB 20+4 pin	x1 (600mm)
8-Pin EPS / ATX 12V connector	same cable as above (600mm+)
4+4-Pin EPS / ATX 12V connector	x1 (+300mm + 300mm)
PCI E 8 pin (6 pin +2)	x6 (500mm)
Sata power connectors	x12 (3 cables 600mm – 1110mm)
Peripheral 4 pin (molex)	x5 (500mm)
Floppy connector	x1

Two of the cables have both Molex and SATA cables mixed, with a total of 12 SATA connectors and 5 Molex between them.

Additionally Cougar include three different types of CPU connector on the one cable which is unusual.

The Cougar GX 1050W power supply is nicely finished in a textured black chassis with bronze highlighting.

The badge is featured prominently on the sides of the chassis and in the center of the fan area at the top.

The rear is fully vented to aid airflow, and next to this is a power switch and power connector socket.

The Cougar GX 1050W is a semi modular design with the main cables emerging from the right side. The modular connectors are colour coded to help with the install phase.

Cougar GX 1050W Power Supply
DC Output	+3.3V	+5V	+12V1	+12V2	+12V3	+12V4	+12V5	+12V6	-12V	+5Vsb
Max Output	25A	25A	25A	25A	25A	25A	25A	25A	0.5A	4A
Combined	160W		1008W
Total	1050W

Each of the +12V rails (6 of them) are rated to 25A each, to produce 1008W of the total output.

The Cougar GX Fan (PLA14025S12M) is a seven blade design and is sourced from Power Logic. This is a Hydro Dynamic bearing unit (MTBF 150,000 hours) which is said to lower noise levels. Rated specifications, while not easily available online are said to be 100 CFM @ 1,800rpm. We will analyse this later in the review.

The Cougar GX PSU is a DC-to-DC design with synchronous rectifying. This is an HEC designed product.

The GX 1050W uses primary capacitors from Nippon Chemi Con, a popular choice. They are rated 420v, 390uF @ 105c. Secondary capacitors are sourced from Teapo. The rectifier bridge has a dedicated heatsink for added stability under load. There is full safety protection implemented (OCP, SCP, OVP, UVP, OPP & OTP). They claim that due to the CLC filter design that ripple suppression is very good.

Additional technical assistance: Peter McFarland and Jeremy Price.

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
• SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa)
• Digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)
• Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA

We are combining +12V output to get the results.

DC Output Load Regulation
Combined DC Load	+3.3V		+5V		+12V		+5VSB		-12V
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
100W	1.55	3.39	1.78	5.08	6.65	12.24	0.50	5.06	0.20	-12.04
250W	3.45	3.37	4.40	5.07	17.17	12.16	1.00	5.05	0.30	-12.06
500W	7.04	3.35	9.11	5.03	34.63	12.09	2.00	5.03	0.50	-12.08
750W	11.02	3.32	13.73	4.98	52.79	11.97	2.50	5.01	0.50	-12.10
1040W	21.13	3.27	20.03	4.95	71.33	11.89	2.50	4.98	0.50	-12.12

This power supply produced solid load regulation across all outputs, even when delivering 1040W. All rails held within 2.2% of the reference voltage, well in excess of the +/-5% threshold.

Cougar GX 1050W	Maximum Load
	1130W

We managed to get another 80W from the power supply before the protection circuitry kicked in. We are happy to report a safe shut down verifying that the overcircuit protection is doing its job.

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
885W	2.0	3.32	2.0	5.03	72.0	11.88	0.2	-12.02	0.50	5.03
240W	20.0	3.28	24.0	4.93	2.0	12.15	0.2	-12.07	0.50	4.95

The Cougar GX PSU handled the Cross loading tests very well and we didn’t experience any issues at all. All the voltages remained well within specification.

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
100W	15	15	20	15
250W	15	25	35	20
500W	25	35	50	30
750W	35	45	55	35
1040W	40	50	65	40

Noise suppression is within the rated parameters, but we noticed that the +5V is right at the recommended limit under full load. The +12V output is within specifications, but again is not one of the better results in recent months, peaking at 65 mV under full load.

Efficiency (%)
100W	81.78
250W	89.12
500W	91.56
750W	89.78
1040W	87.69

Efficiency is quite good, although a little lower than we would expect from an 80 Plus Gold Certified product.

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 SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa) 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 Refridgerator
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)
100W	27.9
250W	28.0
500W	29.3
750W	31.4
1040W	33.2

The Cougar GX 1050W power supply is quiet throughout all the power range, becoming audible only in the last 200W of total power output. Stellar results indeed.

Temperature (c)
	Intake	Exhaust
100W	35	37
250W	35	41
500W	38	44
750W	43	52
1040W	46	57

The large 140mm fan handles the ambient temperature increases well, right across the full output, rising to an 11c above ambient intake threshold at 100% load.

Maximum load	Efficiency
1130W	85.34

Pushing the PSU above its rated limits generates an efficiency level of around 85.34%. This is not a viable ‘real world’ situation, but its interesting nonetheless.

The Cougar GX 1050W power supply is an interesting design, presented inside top quality packaging and with an appealing chassis design. The cabling quality is top drawer and we love the overall appearance, it really does stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Technically, the Cougar GX 1050W is a decent design, but it does fall down in a few areas. Noise suppression via the +5V output is quite high, barely achieving figures set out in official guidelines (50mV borderline result). We don't think it is a big deal in the real world as we loaded the supply heavily over the course of a week, with an overclocked 990X and dual HD6990's and didn't experience any issues, but it does raise an eyebrow, especially when compared directly against flagship supplies from other leading manufacturers.

One area is does excel in is with noise emission. This is a quiet supply and clearly there are some benefits from adopting Hydro Dynamic bearing technology … the 140mm fan does a stellar job of keeping everything in check.

Overall we do like the supply, it is well built and looks great. In the real world it had no problems powering an ultra high end computer with multiple HD6990's in CrossfireX, but we do have a few minor concerns over noise suppression which means it can not win our highest award.

As this is a 80 Plus Gold Certified product, there is a price premium to pay, and retail prices in the UK now, are around the £200-£210 mark.

Pros:

• looks stunning
• cabling is great
• quiet
• internal design is clean
• capable of powering ultra high end systems without problem

Cons:

• efficiency isn't quite as high as we hoped
• Noise suppression could be better

Kitguru says: A very good power supply, if you can pick it up at the right price, then its recommended.

EDIT: We had some queries from the public regarding the Hydro fan in this review. HEC said the following. POWERLOGIC SAYS: Powerlogic make it the same code name between sleeve & Hydro, because of the safety registration issue they will specially mark “Hydro-Dynamic” under the model number in the fan label.

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