Allan 'Zardon' Campbell | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Thu, 22 Feb 2024 12:12:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png Allan 'Zardon' Campbell | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Cooler Master GX III 850W ATX V3.0 PSU Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/cooler-master-gx-iii-850w-atx-v3-0-psu-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/cooler-master-gx-iii-850w-atx-v3-0-psu-review/#respond Thu, 22 Feb 2024 12:00:34 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=648801 Should this unit tempt you for a new system build this year? We find out today

The post Cooler Master GX III 850W ATX V3.0 PSU Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
It has been some time since I last looked at a Cooler Master power supply so I am interested to see what their latest GX III 850W unit brings to the table. This current model is a fully modular power supply with an 80 Plus Gold rating, with the 850W version on sale for £130 in the UK.

In their literature for the product, Cooler Master claim that this product offers a new structural design, improved airflow, and a ‘cleaner' overall look. In their words it is the ‘epitome of strength in elegance'. Interestingly their guides also claim that the heatsinks inside are anodic coated to reduce temperatures by 5c compared to a traditional heatsink. I don't think I have ever heard that before.

Cooler Master GX III Overview:

  • ATX Version ATX 12V Ver. 3.0
  • PFC Active PFC
  • Input Voltage 100 – 240V
  • Input Current 10 – 5A
  • Input Frequency 50 – 60Hz
  • Dimensions (L x W x H) 160 x 150 x 86mm
  • Fan Size 135 mm
  • Fan Bearing HDB
  • Fan Speed 1900rpm
  • Efficiency ≥ 90% @ Typical Load
  • 80 PLUS Rating 80 PLUS Gold
  • ErP 2014 Lot 3 Yes
  • Operating Temperature 0 ~ 50℃
  • Power Good Signal 100 – 150 ms
  • Hold Up Time ≥ 16ms
  • MTBF >100,000 hours
  • Warranty 10 years

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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KitGuru’s Guide to Buying a Power Supply (2023) https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/kitgurus-guide-to-buying-a-power-supply-2023/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/kitgurus-guide-to-buying-a-power-supply-2023/#respond Mon, 16 Oct 2023 10:51:21 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=634282 One of the biggest mistakes that an inexperienced system builder will make is to place all their focus on the most powerful processor, motherboard and GPU while trying to save money on the power supply, often purchasing a no-name brand. But how do you know what to look out for? In this guide, we go over everything you need to know and give our top PSU recommendations for 2023...

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One of the biggest mistakes that a relatively inexperienced system builder will make is to place all the component focus on the most powerful processor, motherboard and graphics card while trying to save money on the power supply, often purchasing a no-name brand from China. When I am building a new rig I generally work out the power I will need first then buy the best supply I can afford, while leaving enough headroom for a possible upgrade.

Step 1 – Modular or not?

If you have a system chassis with a windowed side panel and are focusing on a tidy system build, then you will more than likely want to buy a modular power supply. There are several kinds of modular power supply available today. A ‘Pure’ modular power supply will have no hardwired cables. This means when you open the box and remove the power supply, there won’t be any cables dangling from the unit itself. A separate bag will be supplied, with every cable in it.

Other modular (or semi-modular) power supplies will have some cables hardwired into the chassis. These hardwired cables will often be the main motherboard connector, and perhaps a couple of PCIe cables and the CPU 8/4 pin connector – these primary cables are generally used all the time.

If you don’t buy a modular power supply, then you will end up dealing with a plethora of cables you might not be using. All of these will need carefully routed out of sight behind the motherboard tray. Depending on the case you are using and the specific power supply, this can get messy.

Many computer cases don’t have a lot of space behind the motherboard tray, so you will need to get creative. If cable routing is a high priority for you, we advise you opt for one of the modular supplies currently available online. You won't be trying to hide a snakes nest of cables you don't need.

We have seen many manufacturers moving away from these hardwired units as we move in 2024, but in the budget sector they are still fairly widely available.

How much power do you need?

Don’t just blindly purchase a power supply with a 1250W or higher output rating, especially if it is in the bargain basement section on some dodgy website. Many gaming systems will likely be only demanding between 400 watts and 650 watts under load. Also, with a little research it is possible to analyse the power demand of the hardware you are using in your system and working from there. While it is true some high end graphics cards such as Nvidia's RTX 4090 can still demand more than 500 watts on their own, a more modest offering such as the RX 7800 XT will be only demanding closer to 250 watts (HERE). If you own a high end RTX 4090, you could see system power draw at the wall to be between 650 watts and 800 watts (HERE) depending on the processor being used. For those interested in a quick trip down memory lane, when we reviewed a system featuring two R9 295X2 graphics cards back in 2014, this system demanded close to 1200 watts at the wall (HERE). Yes, seriously.

So how much power do you really need? A good example is that a high end gaming system utilising a Core i7 processor with Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti is likely to be only demanding between 400-500 watts of power under load. Many people would think just because a system is using a high end graphics card that a 1500W power supply is immediately needed. It is also worth bearing in mind that lesser brands with high wattage ratings will not be delivering the same quality of power as a well implemented design. Don't be immediately fooled by higher figures on a box.

If you have a system that uses 600 watts of power when gaming under load, then a 1000 watt power supply is actually a pretty shrewd investment – because you will be hitting around 60% demand under full load and in reality this means the power supply will be operating at, or close to, maximum efficiency. Noise levels will be lower, as the fan will be spinning relatively slowly. The  capacitors, specified to deliver 1000 watts, will also be less stressed.

So to clarify, a power supply will reach maximum efficiency between 40% and 60% of its maximum rated load. It is also always prudent to leave a little headroom to add in some additional hardware at a later date. Ideally you don't want to be running a power supply at above 80% full output on a regular basis. Not only will it be operating outside maximum efficiency parameters, but the fan will likely be working much harder to maintain the thermal curve. A faster spinning fan means more noise, which in the real world, most of us want to avoid.

Efficiency

Obviously this is only part of the procedure for buying the right power supply. You can also factor in the 80 Plus certification. This is the certification of rated efficiency. This will certify products that have more than 80% energy efficiency at 20%, 50% and 100% of rated load, and a power factor of 0.9 or greater at 100% load. That is, such power supplies will waste 20% or less electric energy as heat at the specified load levels, thus reducing electricity use and bills compared to less efficient power supplies.

KitGuru recommends at least 80 Plus Gold certification, and when you spend more money this will increase to Platinum and Titanium certification. Platinum and particularly Titanium power supplies are still very expensive – 80 Plus Gold units have proven popular with the enthusiast audience in the last 5 years as they combine high levels of efficiency at a reasonable price point.

Be aware that some power supplies don’t achieve the claimed efficiency levels. There have been many articles on this in the past and it certainly complicates the issue. Just because you see an 80 Plus Gold badge on the front of the box, it doesn’t mean the power supply actually has been certified. That said, as an example – all of the Seasonic power supplies we have tested in recent years have achieved their efficiency rating.

Ripple

Ripple performance is also an important factor when deciding on a power supply, because if a specific unit falls outside industry tolerance specifications, it can be potentially dangerous. Ripple occurs with all SMPSUs (switch mode power supply units). These are tiny fluctuations in a power supply's output voltage in the order of tens of millivolts, millions of times a second. Ripple is measured as a peak-to-peak value in millivolts and is measured using an oscilloscope. We detail this, and more, in all KitGuru power supply reviews.

The ATX specification sets these limits on computer PSU ripple levels (meaning we don’t want to see results in excess of these figures below):

+12V – 120mV
+5V – 50mV
+3.3V – 50mV
+5VSB – 50mV

Ideally (in my opinion) we want to see figures in this range:
+12V – 80mV
+5V – 35mV
+3.3V – 35mV
+5VSB – 50mV

A power supply which shows ripple outside (higher) than that listed by the ATX specifications can potentially cause hardware damage. There is no way of measuring when a problem might occur, but it is very possible something will go wrong, long term. A power supply that shows good ripple suppression will help aid hardware longevity.

Ripple can have a negative impact on electrolytic capacitors. A ripple reading close to a capacitor's rated ripple will potentially shorten the lifespan and ripple exceeding its rated level could cause it to blow. It is worth pointing out that electrolytic capacitors are found on a motherboard, a graphics card, the power supply and more – so the potential for damage is high. Using a power supply with good ripple suppression is very important. If you want to learn more about this, there are plenty of in-depth technical articles available online.

Additionally, If you are trying to build a quiet system it is important to factor in the fan performance of the unit. A fan that has to work hard to maintain good internal ambient temperatures will likely produce a lot of noise which can be distracting, especially if the rest of your system has been built with silence in mind. We also detail this in our reviews.

What should you buy?

So what power supplies to we recommend to buy? Thankfully, 2023 has been a great year for power supply releases, and we have reviewed a handful of stellar units this year. We haven't had many lower wattage units in to test in 2023, so we start at 850 watts and upwards.

At 850 watts we recommend the Silverstone Hela Series 850R Platinum (PCIE 5.0) power supply. We reviewed this back in April. This unit is created in conjunction with partner High Power, and is Platinum rated. It adopts high quality 105C rated capacitors from respected Japanese brand Rubycon (total output of 940uF). The primary side is APFC, Half Bridge and LLC Converter. This is a really quiet unit as well. You can buy this power supply from Overclockers UK for £219.95 inc VAT (HERE).

Read our full review of the Silverstone Hela Series 850W Platinum (HERE).

At 1000 watts we recommend the Seasonic Focus GX-1000 Gold (ATX 3.0) power supply. This is a more affordable 80+ Gold rated unit priced at around the £170 mark in the United Kingdom. This power supply was able to deliver close to 1,150 Watts before safely shutting down. It ships with 105c rated high grade capacitors from respected Japanese brands Nippon Chemi Con and Nichicon. Seasonic don't rely on any OEM – they design and create all their own supplies from the ground up. Ripple suppression rates as excellent and the high quality fluid dynamic bearing fan from Hong Hua helps ensure longevity. One of the key talking points is the small physical footprint at 140mm, ensuring it will fit easily into a variety of cases on the market today.

You can buy this unit from Overclockers UK for £169.99 inc VAT HERE. Be aware there is an older version of this power supply, if you are ordering online from an etailer be sure to check the EAN is correct for the latest ATX 3.0 model (4711173878049).

Read the full review of the Seasonic Focus GX 1000 Gold power supply (HERE).

At 1200 watts we recommend the FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1200W Platinum power supply. This is another highly specified Platinum rated, fully modular unit and design and built in house by FSP themselves. This unit adopts a well cooled layout and quality components throughout both primary and secondary stages. FSP are using 105c rated Japanese capacitors from Nippon Chemi Con, so no corners are being cut.

The unit achieved Platinum efficiency ratings, topping out around 95% in our testing. Ripple suppression is also excellent, falling well within industry parameters, peaking at only 25mV at full load on the +12V Rail.

This is another quiet unit, with the fan remaining almost silent up to loads of 500 watts. FSP opted for a reasonably aggressive fan profile, but they achieved a fairly balanced level, ensuring good air flow in warmer, more humid environments.

The only negative with FSP power supplies is poor availability in many regions globally. We always receive emails and public posts on our social media asking where to buy FSP power supplies. FSP have told me several times in the past that they are trying their best to improve distribution, but it still seems to be an ongoing issue sadly. This power supply is one of the best available today and if you manage to find one, they consider yourself very fortunate!

You may have some luck with the links below when buying (FSP supplied these at the time), but sadly we have no UK direct sales links available to share.

  • AMAZON (USA) HERE
  • NEWEGG (USA) HERE
  • MINDFACTORY (Germany) HERE

Read the full review of the FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1200 W power supply (HERE).

At 1600 watts we recommend the Seasonic Prime TX-1600 ATX 3.0 Titanium power supply. We reviewed this monster unit back in July and it walked away with our highest MUST HAVE award.

This power supply is not messing around, it measures 210mm long and it wont fit into smaller cases on the market today. Internally it is crammed with high quality components and Seasonic have not cut corners with the design or choice of components. Seasonic choice of 105 rated Japanese capacitors also showcases the serious intent – this unit is packed with three massive 820uF capacitors from Nippon Chemi Con for a staggering total output of 2460uF. This is significantly higher uF than the 2022 version of this supply which we reviewed back in September 2022 (HERE).

Due to this massive capacity we noticed Seasonic have used dual NTC thermistors with 20 Ohm x2 resistance. These are installed on a vertically mounted board into the main PCB to save horizontal foot print. This new version also has an upgraded power delivery capable of peaks of 3200 watts.

As this unit is designed for the most demanding users, the price point won't be accessible to a wide audience. It is available at Overclockers UK for £479.99 inc VAT (HERE). Again be careful! Because if you are buying this unit online, be sure you get the latest 2023 ATX 3.0 model, as the older 2022 model is still being sold (and often at the same price as shown in the image above).

Read the full review of the Seasonic Prime TX-1600 ATX 3.0 Titanium power supply (HERE).

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: If you are new to building a PC yourself and are trying to work out what exactly to look for when considering a power supply and which one to buy, or if you are just looking for a short list of new power supplies that have scored well in our testing – we hope this article today has helped guide you in some way.

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Seasonic Focus GX-1000 ATX 3.0 Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/seasonic-focus-gx-1000-atx-3-0-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/seasonic-focus-gx-1000-atx-3-0-review/#respond Fri, 22 Sep 2023 09:57:29 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=631411 A new high quality Gold rated power supply at a competitive price point. Is this the go to PSU in 2023?

The post Seasonic Focus GX-1000 ATX 3.0 Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Seasonic have cemented their position in the market over the last decade as one of the world's leading power supply brands. Recently they launched a range of new Focus GX units, in 750W, 850W and 1000W capacities. These new 80 Plus Gold units target the mainstream enthusiast audience, offering competitive pricing and a list of features set to tick a long list of boxes.

These new GX power supplies are all fully modular, with a small 140mm physical footprint to fit in a variety of chassis designs. Seasonic have adopted high grade Japanese capacitors throughout, along with a Fluid Dynamic Bearing fan for long life. Seasonic back these units up with a 10 year warranty, for peace of mind.

The MSRP for the three power supplies in the range is:
FOCUS GX-750 ATX 3.0: 129.90€ / 119.99£.
FOCUS GX-850 ATX 3.0: 149.90€ / 149.99£.
FOCUS GX-1000 ATX: 3.0: 199.90€ / 179.99£.

Features overview:

  • ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5.0 Cable (12VHPWR)
  • 80 PLUS® Gold certified
  • Compact Size – 140 mm deep
  • Top-Quality 135 mm FDB Fan
  • Digital Hybrid Fan Control
  • S3FC – Fanless until 30 % load
  • Cable-free Connection Design
  • Tight Voltage Regulation
  • Gold plated connectors
  • 10 years warranty

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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Enermax Revolution D.F. X 1050 PSU Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/enermax-revolution-d-f-x-1050-psu-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/enermax-revolution-d-f-x-1050-psu-review/#respond Mon, 28 Aug 2023 07:30:19 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=627466 We've not reviewed an Enermax PSU in some time, how does this unit compare to the competition?

The post Enermax Revolution D.F. X 1050 PSU Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
It has been a long time since we last looked at an Enermax power supply, so when they contacted us recently offering some 2023 review samples, we jumped at the chance to look at one of their new Revolution D.F. X units. These power supplies are 80 Plus Gold rated, fully modular, and adopt quality Japanese capacitors to help ensure longevity.

Enermax are releasing three units in the D.F. X range. We are looking at the 1050 Watt unit today, but there are also 800 Watt and 1200 Watt units also available. Enermax sent us USA pricing for the three supplies. The 1200W model is $199.99, the 1050W is $169.99 and the 850W is $149.99. UK availability right now seems sparse, but we found the 1050W listed on Grooves for £135 HERE.

Enermax back this unit up with a 10 year warranty.

Product features overview:

  • Intel ATX 3.0 & PCIe 5.0 Ready
  • Fully Modular 80 PLUS® Gold Certified
  • Native 600W PCIe 5.0 / Gen 5 12+4 Pin 12VHPWR Cable
  • Extra Dual PCIe 8 Pin to 12+4 Pin 12VHPWR Cable
  • Up to 200% Power Excursion and Instant Power-on Time
  • 6-pole Motor Fan Inside
  • 10 Year warranty
  • RGB Control Button for ON/OFF and 14 lighting Modes
  • Dust-Free Rotation Tech. for Ultra Cleanness
  • Semi-Fanless Tech. for Absolute Silence Under 20% Load

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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LAST DAY TO ENTER: Win TWO Gaming Systems with NZXT & KitGuru! (closed) https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/competitions/zardon/win-two-gaming-systems-with-nzxt-kitguru/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/competitions/zardon/win-two-gaming-systems-with-nzxt-kitguru/#respond Mon, 14 Aug 2023 09:00:50 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=624179 There is just ONE DAY left to enter for your chance to win one of two fantastic NZXT gaming PCs!

The post LAST DAY TO ENTER: Win TWO Gaming Systems with NZXT & KitGuru! (closed) first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Update: This competition is now closed and we can announce the winners… Chris Campy, winner of the Player Three Prime, and Mark Coleman is winner of the Player Two system! We have contacted both winners but if we don't hear from them in 48 hours, a new winner will be picked. Thanks to all who entered and stay tuned for more giveaways!

Fancy winning a new gaming PC? We are teaming up with NZXT to give away not one but TWO brand new PCs to two lucky KitGuru readers. This is essentially two competitions in one, so feel free to enter both and double up your winning chances! 

Before you enter – check out THIS PAGE for more details – you will be asked some questions shortly!

Prize1 – NZXT: PLAYER THREE PRIME

We are giving two PCs away from NZXT's new range. Our top prize is the Player: Three Prime, powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card.

How to enter:

We are giving away the Player: Three Prime system to one of our 318,000+ followers on Facebook. Simply head over to the competition post and read the instructions, HERE.

(NZXT will only ship to UK mainland address). This competition is running from 30th July and entries must be received by 14th August 23.59 BST. Winner will be announced on www.kitguru.net on or before 30th August 2023.

Prize2 – NZXT: PLAYER TWO

The second system we are giving away is NZXT's Player: Two PC, featuring an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card.

How to enter:

To enter for a chance to win the Player: Two PC, all you need to do is email us at ‘nzxtcompetition@kitguru.net' with the subject line ‘I want to win an NZXT gaming PC!‘. In the email, just give us the answer to the following question: ” What's the estimated frame rate for the Player: Two system when running Grand Theft Auto V at 1440p?” –  need a clue? — NZXT includes performance estimates for popular titles for all of its pre-built systems, so if you need help finding the answer, just head to the Player: Two page HERE. Look around the page, it is not hard to find.

If you have an email client installed on the computer you are using now – just click this link and it will auto fill the email address and subject line for you :Click this link

(please be aware NZXT will only ship to UK mainland address). This competition is running from 30th July and entries must be received by 14th August 23.59 BST. Winner will be announced on www.kitguru.net on or before 30th August 2023.

As already stated – Due to the size and weight of these systems, this competition is open to our UK followers. The winner of each competition will need to supply their name and address for shipping purposes. In keeping with GDPR guidelines, no personal information will be saved and all emails and correspondence will be deleted from our servers once the prizes have been delivered.

Be sure to check out the full range of
NZXT Systems at this LINK

 #NZXT #NZXTSetup

KitGuru Says: Good luck to everyone entering, we'll be back to announce the winner soon! 

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Seasonic Prime TX-1600 ATX 3.0 Titanium Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/seasonic-prime-tx-1600-atx-3-0-titanium-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/seasonic-prime-tx-1600-atx-3-0-titanium-review/#respond Sun, 16 Jul 2023 11:00:45 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=622899 This is one of the best (and most expensive) power supplies we have tested. We explain why

The post Seasonic Prime TX-1600 ATX 3.0 Titanium Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Seasonic have just released a new range of power supplies in the PRIME TX range, in both Platinum and Titanium efficiencies. While they sent us some other Platinum units, today we test the company's flagship 1600W Titanium model which is priced at a somewhat staggering 550 euros / 480 pounds.

The Seasonic PRIME Titanium range is certainly fully populated now, with 1600w ATX 3.0, 1300w ATX 3.0, 1000w, 850w, 750w and 650w units available, alongside both 700 and 600 Fanless options.

As we would expect this supply is a fully modular design, equipped with a large fluid dynamic bearing fan, gold plated high current terminals, and a full suite of OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP and SCP protections.

This unit is priced at an eye watering 549.90 euros or £480 of our King Charles pounds. Married men need not apply.

Watch Leo's unboxing of the Platinium unit on youtube!

Feature highlights:

  • High efficiency – 80 PLUS® Titanium and Platinum certified
  • Cybenetics ETA Titanium and Lambda A (TX-1600) and A- (PX-1600)
  • ATX 3.0 and 16-Pin PCIe Gen 5 Cable (12VHPWR)
  • MTLR (Micro Tolerance Load Regulation) @ 0.5 %
  • Premium Hybrid Fan Control – Fanless until 40 % system load
  • Top-Quality 135 mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) Fan
  • Super low ripple noise (25 mV)
  • Cable-free connection design
  • High end components and design
  • Gold-plated high current terminals
  • Highly reliable aluminum electrolytic solid capacitors
  • Protection features: OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP, SCP
  • 12 years warranty (industry leading).

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1200W Platinum Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/fsp-hydro-ptm-x-pro-1200w-platinum-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/fsp-hydro-ptm-x-pro-1200w-platinum-review/#respond Wed, 12 Jul 2023 08:30:57 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=622758 FSP's last PSU was top class, how does the new Hydro PTM X Pro 1200W shape up?

The post FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1200W Platinum Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
2023 has been a good year so far for FSP – the last PSU I reviewed from them (FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W) was one of the best I have tested in recent years. Based on a lot of emails we received, if FSP could get around their long term supply issues, many of our readers would already have that unit in their systems. Today I take a look at another power supply from the company, the Platinum-rated Hydro PTM X Pro.

This new unit from FSP is ATX 3.0 compliant. It is a fully modular unit, rated at Platinum efficiency levels. FSP claim the unit incorporates 105C-rated Japanese capacitors for longevity and reliability and it is a modern day half bridge LLC topology circuit design. Furthermore, unlike other units with this kind of power output, FSP are trying to keep the footprint compact (130mm), for better support in a wide variety of chassis design. This is always welcome to see.

Features:

  • High power density inside 130mm chassis
  • LLC Half Bridge Topology
  • 450V, 105c Rated Japanese bulk capacitors
  • Quiet and durable FDB fan
  • 100,000 hours MTBF
  • Fully modular design.
  • +12V single rail design
  • Complies with ATX 12V V3.0 and EPS 12V V2.92
  • Eco Semi fanless control switch
  • Black Flat cables
  • Complete protection: OCP/OVP/OPP/SCP/OTP
  • 10 Year Warranty
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DeepCool PX1000G (80 Plus Gold) Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/deepcool-px1000g-80-plus-gold-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/deepcool-px1000g-80-plus-gold-review/#respond Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:06:48 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=619396 Another unit featuring one of CWT's latest OEM designs. It's very good

The post DeepCool PX1000G (80 Plus Gold) Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
DeepCool are well known in 2023 for producing a variety of chassis and coolers, and we have reviewed many on KitGuru. They recently released a series of new PCIe Gen 5 ATX 3.0 power supplies in various capacities. Today we look at the 1000 Watt model, called the PX1000G.

There are three models in the PX range, an 850W model, a 1000W model and a 1200W model. For a full list of DeepCool power supplies head over to their website HERE for further details.

According to sales documentation we received from DeepCool they are offering the units in either black or at a £10 premium in white. SCAN have the black version listed at £179.99 HERE but the white version shows NEW but EOL HERE. We would imagine they are awaiting stock and that is just a placeholder.

DeepCool are offering a 10 year warranty with this power supply, for peace of mind.

Key features:

  • ATX 3.0 Certified
  • Dedicated PCI-e Gen 5.0 power cable (12VHPWR)
  • 5 EPS/PCI-e ports
  • Up to 300% TGP and 200% Total System Power excursions
  • Dual 105C Japanese main capacitor topology
  • Silent Fan mode
  • 80 PLUS Gold certified
  • Cybenetics Certified
  • Compact 160mm size
  • Available: 850w, 1000w, 1200w
  • Warranty: 10 years

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post DeepCool PX1000G (80 Plus Gold) Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
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Corsair SF1000L SFX-L Power Supply Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-sf1000l-sfx-l-power-supply-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-sf1000l-sfx-l-power-supply-review/#respond Tue, 30 May 2023 13:17:10 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=617320 It's a 1000W unit from Corsair, utilising the SFX-L form factor, on sale for £220

The post Corsair SF1000L SFX-L Power Supply Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
There have been quite a few high quality power supplies released in the last month and today we take a look at another new one from Corsair, the SF1000L. This is a fully modular SFX-L form factor unit, offering 80 Plus Gold Certification and high levels of build quality across the board.

Right now this power supply is available from Overclockers UK For £219.95 inc vat (HERE). While we will take a closer look when we open the unit later in the review, Corsair are keen to point out that the adoption of Japanese capacitors and low noise PWM fan ensures long life and reliability, they are also backing this unit up with a 7 year warranty. Not quite at the highest levels we see from other manufacturers such as Seasonic (12 years), but it should provide coverage for two to three system upgrades.

  • Compact SFX-L Form-Factor PSU: Delivers 850/1000W of continuous power, ideal for power-dense small-form- factor PCs, or saving space in larger builds.
  • Fully Modular, Micro-Fit Type-5 PSU Connectors: With flexible cabling, taking up less space for tidy cable management and compatibility in small cases.
  • Intel® ATX 3.0 Certified: Compliant with the ATX 3.0 power standard, supporting the PCIe Gen 5 platform and resisting transient power spikes.
  • 120mm Rifle Bearing PWM Fan: Delivers quiet, powerful cooling, with Zero RPM fan mode for near-silent operation at lower loads.
  • 80 PLUS Gold-Certified: Operates at up to 90% efficiency, and Cybenetics-certified for lower power consumption, less noise, and cooler temperatures.
  • 100% Japanese 105°C-Rated Electrolytic Capacitors: Ensure unwavering power and reliability.
  • Modern Standby Support: Unlocks extremely fast wake-from-sleep times and better low-load efficiency.
  • 40°C Maximum Operating Temperature: For reliable power even under high-stress conditions.
  • Resonant LLC Topology: Provides clean, consistent power and enables use of more energy-efficient sleep states.
  • 10. Seven-Year Warranty: For complete peace of mind.
The post Corsair SF1000L SFX-L Power Supply Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
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FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W Titanium (2023) Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/fsp-hydro-ti-pro-1000w-titanium-2023-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/fsp-hydro-ti-pro-1000w-titanium-2023-review/#respond Thu, 18 May 2023 17:57:36 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=615289 Is this one of the best power supplies we have ever tested?

The post FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W Titanium (2023) Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
It has been a while since I last looked at an FSP power supply, so I jumped at the chance when they offered me their latest Hydro Ti Pro unit, in 1000W capacity. They also make a 850W model which they didn't send us. FSP, like Seasonic, are an OEM that many companies will partner with when they want to release a PSU to market. We have reviewed FSP designs in be quiet! products before and, like Seasonic, they also release their own brand of units directly to the public.

This new platform is exclusive to FSP right now and as far as we know none of their partners have access to it (yet). They sent us a special edition model which has a slightly different colour. Technically it will be the same as the model people can buy from retail stores. FSP are backing these units up with a 10 year warranty.

FSP say the unit incorporates 105C capacitors

Product overview:

  • Complies with ATX12V V3.0 &EPS12V V2.92
  • Efficiency ≧ 94% @ typical load
  • Active PFC ≧ 0.9
  • 450V, 105°C Japanese bulk capacitors
  • Japanese electrolytic capacitors
  • Industrial-grade design with conformal coating application
  • +12V single-rail design
  • +5V & 3.3V DC to DC module design
  • Eco semi-fanless fan control switch
  • 135mm fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) fan
  • Fully modular cabling design
  • Black flat cables
  • Complete protection: OCP/OVP/OPP/SCP/OTP
  • 10 Year warranty.
The post FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W Titanium (2023) Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
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Corsair RM1000e ATX 3.0 PSU Review (2023) https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-rm1000e-2023-atx-3-0-psu-review-2023/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-rm1000e-2023-atx-3-0-psu-review-2023/#respond Thu, 18 May 2023 13:00:39 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=615112 It's a brand-new 80 Plus Gold PSU, coming in at just over £165 - is it too good to be true?

The post Corsair RM1000e ATX 3.0 PSU Review (2023) first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Corsair recently sent us a couple of new power supplies for analysis. Today we look at the latest RM1000e unit which is a fully modular, 80 Plus Gold certified supply at a very competitive price point around £170 inc VAT. This new 2023 unit offers ATX 3.0 certification and is PCIe 5.0 ready.

We always recommend our readers to aim for at least 80 Plus Gold Efficiency when considering a new power supply. This particular unit is said to ship with 105C rated capacitors, deliver excellent electrical performance and has the backing of a seven year warranty. While we have no confirmed UK price from Corsair, Amazon UK are already stocking the new 2023 model for £167.95 HERE. (Do be careful, Amazon are still stocking the older 2022 model as well).

Additionally, many people will find this unit appealing as it is a relatively compact 14cm length suited to installation inside a massive cross section of case designs and sizes.

Key Features:
  • Fully Modular PSU: Reliable and efficient low-noise power supply with fully modular cabling, so you only have to connect the cables your system build needs.
  • Intel® ATX 3.0 Certified: Compliant with the ATX 3.0 power standard, supporting the PCIe Gen 5 platform and resisting transient power spikes.
  • Keeps Quiet: A 120mm rifle bearing fan with a specially calculated fan curve keeps fan noise down, even when operating at full load.
  • 105°C-Rated Capacitors: Delivers steady, reliable power and dependable electrical performance.
  • Modern Standby Compatible: Extremely fast wake-from-sleep times and better low-load efficiency.
  • 80 PLUS Gold-Certified: Steady power output at up to 90% efficiency, and Cybenetics Platinum certified for lower power consumption, less noise, and cooler temperatures.
  • Zero RPM Fan Mode: For near-silent operation at lower loads.
  • The Right Fit: Compact 140mm-long casing ensures an easy fit in modern enthusiast PC cases.
  • Resonant LLC Topology with DC-to-DC Conversion: Provides clean, consistent power and enables use of more 
energy-efficient sleep states.
  • Seven-Year Warranty: Your guarantee of reliable operation for peace of mind through multiple builds.
The post Corsair RM1000e ATX 3.0 PSU Review (2023) first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
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Silverstone Hela Series 850R Platinum (850W) https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/silverstone-hela-series-850r-platinum-850w/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/silverstone-hela-series-850r-platinum-850w/#respond Tue, 25 Apr 2023 10:33:36 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=611951 We check out an 850W Platinum-rated PSU from Silverstone, priced around £220

The post Silverstone Hela Series 850R Platinum (850W) first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Silverstone recently launched a new series of HELA Platinum power supplies and today we look at their 850 watt model, priced at around £220 in the UK. This unit is fully modular with an ultra-quiet 135mm fluid dynamic bearing fan and incorporates Japanese capacitors throughout.

We consider 80 Plus Gold certified power supplies an entry level option now for our audience, so when we get offered Platinum or Titanium power supplies we see this as a good thing. To achieve such efficiency, companies generally have to spend a little more on higher quality components which we like.

HELA 850 PLATINUM AT A GLANCE:

  • 100% modular cables.
  • Super flexible black flat cables.
  • All Japanese electrolytic capacitors.
  • Supports 12VHPWR PCIe connector with ATX 3.0 and PCIe Gen 5 standard.
  • 24/7 continuous power output with 50c operating temperature.
  • 180° angled SATA connectors designed for stack mounted hard drives.

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post Silverstone Hela Series 850R Platinum (850W) first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
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Endorfy Supremo FM5 Gold 1000W Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/endorfy-supremo-fm5-gold-1000w-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/endorfy-supremo-fm5-gold-1000w-review/#respond Tue, 21 Mar 2023 12:00:37 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=596667 A new budget-oriented 1000W Gold-rated PSU, targeting a European audience. Is it any good?

The post Endorfy Supremo FM5 Gold 1000W Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Today we check out a new range of power supplies from Endorfy. According to Polish parent company – COOLING Sp. z o.o. – the name ‘Endorfy' is set to signify a ‘boost of positive energy'. While this name won't mean much to many of our readers, the previous brand name SilentiumPC had a good reputation across Europe. The Supremo FM5 Gold series is supplied in three capacities, with 750W, 850W and 1000W units. All of them adopt Japanese capacitors and are fully modular with 80 Plus Gold certification.

The Supremo FM5 has been designed to be as compact as possible, it measures only 140mm in length ensuring it will fit into most chassis available on the market today and ideal for compact ATX builds. The company are keen to highlight that they are using ‘Always on Fluctus fans' with a speed limit of 1,400 rpm. These fans are co-developed with Synergy Cooling. These fans came highly regarded as part of the Fera 5 CPU cooler bundle, so we will be interested to take a look at this fan later when we open the unit.

ENDORFY Supremo FM5 Gold Overview:

  • Product Type: ATX Power Supply.
  • Dimensions: 77x140x150.
  • Efficiency: 80 Plus Gold.
  • Fan: 120mm Fluctus.
  • Colour: Black.
  • Continuous Power: 1000 Watt.
  • Cabling: Fully Modular Black Ribbon, Black Sleeved ATX.
  • All Japanese Capacitors.
  • Whisper Free Operation.
  • 7 year warranty.
  • Fully Modular Cables.
  • MTBF 100,000 hours.

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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Corsair RM1200x Shift Series PSU Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-rm1200x-shift-series-psu-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-rm1200x-shift-series-psu-review/#respond Tue, 14 Mar 2023 12:00:24 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=595916 It's an innovative new PSU design from Corsair, but we find out if it is technically proficient

The post Corsair RM1200x Shift Series PSU Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Today we analyse the latest Corsair RM1200x Shift power supply, a high-end 80 Plus Gold rated unit with a new innovative side positioned modular panel to aid cable management. The RM1200x offers Intel ATX 3.0 certification and PCIe 5.0 compliance. If you want to see how the Shift works in the real world, my colleague Leo has installed it into a build, you can check out this video below. Today I'll be giving the unit a thorough technical analysis and showcasing the strengths and weaknesses.

Watch via our Vimeo channel (below) or over on YouTube at 2160p HERE

Corsair are releasing four units in this new range in 750 watt, 850 watt, 1000 watt and 1200 watt capacities.

The USP with the SHIFT range of power supplies is that you can easily access the cables from the side of the case – the modular panel has been ‘shifted' to the side. I think it is actually a really good idea especially if you like to tinker and tweak your build on a fairly regular basis. It won't suit every chassis design, but we applaud Corsair for trying new things.

Corsair have listed $269.99 for the 1200W model we review today. UK prices seem to be holding around the £260 mark (HERE from OCUK).

Key Features

  • Innovative Easy-Access Connection Position: Modular connections on the side of the PSU mean easier access for your cables and simpler, cleaner cable management.
  • Fully Modular Micro-Fit PSU Connectors: CORSAIR Type 5 Gen 1 micro-fit PSU cables mean you only connect the cables your system needs while taking up less space.
  • 140mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan: Utilizes a specially calculated fan curve for high performance, low noise, and superior reliability.
  • Intel® ATX 3.0 Certified: Compliant with the ATX 3.0 power standard, supporting the PCIe Gen 5 platform and resisting transient power spikes.
  • 100% 105°C-Rated Japanese Electrolytic Capacitors: Premium internal components deliver unwavering power delivery and long-term reliability.
  • Modern Standby Compatible: Extremely fast wake-from-sleep times and better low-load efficiency.
  • 80 PLUS Gold Certified: Steady power output at up to 90% efficiency, and Cybenetics – certified for lower power consumption, less noise, and cooler temperatures.
  • Zero RPM Fan Mode Support: At low and medium loads the cooling fan switches off entirely for near-silent operation.
  • Resonant LLC Topology with DC-to-DC Conversion: Provides clean, consistent power and enables use of more energy-efficient sleep states.
  • Ten-Year Warranty: Your guarantee of reliable operation that will last across several system builds.
The post Corsair RM1200x Shift Series PSU Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
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Seasonic Vertex GX-1200 PSU Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/seasonic-vertex-gx-1200-psu-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/seasonic-vertex-gx-1200-psu-review/#respond Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:00:51 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=595685 A new quality design from Seasonic, but did you expect anything else?

The post Seasonic Vertex GX-1200 PSU Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Today we check out one of the latest power supplies from Seasonic, the Vertex GX. The Vertex units fall just below the PRIME flagship range and the 1200W GX unit we are looking at today is rated at 80 Plus Gold efficiency. Seasonic are also making a Vertex PX range available in Q2 which will offer Platinum efficiency. While nothing is set in stone, Seasonic chatted with me recently to say the Focus V3 range, which is also ATX 3.0/PCIe5 compatible, will hopefully be available around May. Additionally, the new PRIME PCIe 5.0 range is said to be releasing soon. It certainly looks to be a busy year for Seasonic.

The Vertex GX and PX range were first announced in 2022, and its taken quite a bit of time since then for the samples to arrive. It hasn't helped that I haven't been very well lately, so our reviews have bene somewhat delayed after getting the first samples some time ago. There is still currently limited stock of these new power supplies in the United Kingdom, and they appear to be selling out quickly. Overclockers UK currently has this 1200W unit listed for £289.99 inc VAT (HERE) which was in stock at the time of writing, but is now only listed for pre-order.

This new Vertex GX range is offered in 750 watt, 750 Watt, 1000 watt and 1200 Watt capacities. We are looking at the flagship model today, offering support for both ATX 3.0 and PCIe Gen5 standards. This is a fully modular design to aid with a clean easy to route system and Seasonic are offering a 10 year warranty for peace of mind. As always, Seasonic are keen to highlight the use of high grade Japanese capacitors, but I will get a closer look at this later in our review today.

SEASONIC VERTEX GX AT A GLANCE

  • Added 12VHPWR cable to comply with the new graphic cards
  • 135mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) fan for quiet operation
  • Seasonic Hybrid Silent Fan Control for optimal cooling
  • Complete protection features: OPP / OVP / UVP / SCP / OCP / OTP
  • 10 years warranty – our commitment to high quality
  • Gold Plated High Current Terminal (MB, CPU and PCIe)

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post Seasonic Vertex GX-1200 PSU Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
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MSI MEG Ai1300P PCIE5 Power Supply Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/msi-meg-ai1300p-pcie5-power-supply-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/msi-meg-ai1300p-pcie5-power-supply-review/#respond Mon, 03 Oct 2022 17:01:07 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=576877 MSI have a few new power supplies on the market. Today we look at the flagship model

The post MSI MEG Ai1300P PCIE5 Power Supply Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
It has been some time since we have analysed a power supply from MSI, and today we are happy to check out their latest Platinum rated fully modular unit, the Ai1300P – priced at around 360 euros. This power supply is ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5.0 ready and MSI say it has 3x GPU power excursion and 2x total power excursion capabilities with a 600W native 16 Pin (12VHPWR) cable included.

MSI have worked with CWT in the design of this power supply and they allow the end user to switch between single and multi rail modes to cover a variety of possible system configurations. MSI support this unit with a 10 year ‘limited' warranty – depending on the region.

When I queried the 10 year warranty terms, I was told the 10 year support does indeed cover the United Kingdom, but I am waiting to hear back on support for other locations globally.

The unit has OCP, OVP, OPP, OTP, SCP and UVP protections and MSI claim 100% Japanese 105c Capacitors throughout – which we will look at later in the review.

Specifications:

  • 80 PLUS Platinum Certification
  • PCIe 5.0 and ATX 3.0 Ready
  • 100% Japanese Electrolytic capacitor
  • Full Modular design
  • Sleeved Cables
  • Active PFC design
  • Industrial level protection with OCP,OVP,OPP,OTP, SCP,UVP
  • DC-DC Module Design
  • MEG SILENT GALE P12 Fan
The post MSI MEG Ai1300P PCIE5 Power Supply Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
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Seasonic Prime TX-1600 Titanium Power Supply Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/seasonic-tx-1600-titanium-power-supply-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/seasonic-tx-1600-titanium-power-supply-review/#respond Thu, 01 Sep 2022 08:00:52 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=571720 One of the best power supplies we have tested from the market leader

The post Seasonic Prime TX-1600 Titanium Power Supply Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Today we take a look at a new power supply from Seasonic – a flagship Titanium unit firmly targeting the high end enthusiast sector. This fully modular 1600W PSU is priced at £479.99/€469.90/$419.99 and are the first Seasonic power supplies to ship with cables equipped with new 16-pin 600W Gen5 12VHPWR connectors. They are compliant with the ATX 2.53 standard and for a limited time Seasonic are also including a free GaN charger for EU and USA customers.

We were initially surprised to see that these newly released power supplies aren't fully ATX 3.0 compliant. Seasonic said that while they are working on an upcoming range of ATX 3.0 compliant power supplies, these are interim units.

On the next page of this review when we show images of the cables in the box – we will post verbatim the statement that Seasonic sent us about ATX 3.0 compliance.

MSRPs for the new units are as follows:

  • PRIME TX-1600: £479.99 / €469.90  / $419.99.
  • PRIME TX-1300: £409.99 / €389.90  / $349.99.
  • PRIME PX-1600: £429.95 / €379.90  / $339.99.

Seasonic Prime TX-1600 / TX-1300 / PX-1600 Overview:

  • High efficiency – 80 PLUS® Titanium and Platinum certified
  • MTLR (Micro Tolerance Load Regulation) @ 0.5 %
  • Premium Hybrid Fan Control – Fanless until 40 % system load
  • Top-Quality 135 mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) Fan
  • Super low ripple noise (25 mV)
  • Cable-free connection design
  • High end components and design
  • Gold-plated high current terminals
  • Highly reliable aluminum electrolytic solid capacitors
  • Protection features: OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP, SCP
  • 12 years warranty- industry-leading

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post Seasonic Prime TX-1600 Titanium Power Supply Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
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Corsair HX1500i PSU (Platinum) 2022 Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-hx1500i-psu-platinum-2022-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-hx1500i-psu-platinum-2022-review/#respond Tue, 12 Jul 2022 13:00:04 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=566798 Today we look at the latest flagship power supply from Corsair, priced at over £330

The post Corsair HX1500i PSU (Platinum) 2022 Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Today we take a look at a new high capacity power supply from Corsair, a brand who have had great success in this sector over the years. This new range of HXi units incorporates only two models – a 1000W unit and a more powerful 1500W version which we test today. Make no mistake, these are flagship models targeting a very niche demographic. Pricing in the UK is £199.99 for the 1000W unit and £333.90 for the 1500W model.

These two new power supplies are 80 Plus Platinum rated and incorporate fluid dynamic bearing fans (FDB). They have three EPS12V connectors and are designed to tackle complex high power draw systems. Corsair has adopted high grade Japanese capacitors throughout the design of these units and offer a 10 year warranty for peace of mind.

With these new flagship models Corsair has integrated iCUE functionality to allow the end user to adjust fan curves, as well as to monitor and adjust power settings. The new HXi range also utilise ZERO RPM mode to stop the fan spinning and to reduce noise when lower loads are in place.

Key Features

  • Fully Modular Cabling: Connect only the cables your system needs, making clean and tidy builds easy.
  • Triple EPS12V Connectors: For full compatibility with modern motherboards.
  • 140mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) Fan: Delivers extremely quiet and long-lasting fan performance.
  • Powerful CORSAIR iCUE Software: Create custom fan curves, monitor power settings, and toggle between single to multi-rail overcurrent protection (OCP) on-the-fly.
  • Zero RPM Fan Mode: At low and medium loads the cooling fan switches off entirely for near-silent operation.
  • 80 PLUS Platinum Certified: Up to 92% efficiency for exceptional low power consumption, less noise, and cooler temperatures.
  • 100% Japanese 105°C Electrolytic Capacitors: Premium internal components ensure unwavering power delivery and long-term reliability.
  • Modern Standby Compatible: Extremely fast wake-from-sleep times and better low-load efficiency.
  • Fully Digital Platform: Resonant LLC topology and DC-to-DC conversion provides clean, consistent power and minimizes coil whine and noise for quiet operation.
  • Ten-Year Warranty: Your guarantee of reliable operation that will last across several system builds.

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post Corsair HX1500i PSU (Platinum) 2022 Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
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Win a Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti Gaming OC graphics card! (closed) https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-announcement/zardon/get-a-free-system-upgrade-gigabyte-rtx-3070-ti-gaming-oc/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-announcement/zardon/get-a-free-system-upgrade-gigabyte-rtx-3070-ti-gaming-oc/#respond Wed, 30 Mar 2022 10:00:32 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=553818 Want to win an RTX 3070 Ti graphics card for FREE? Of course you do - and best of all, it is OPEN WORLDWIDE! Get all the details and find out how to enter here...

The post Win a Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti Gaming OC graphics card! (closed) first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Update: This competition is now CLOSED! Our winner this time is… Ryan Jackson! We'll be getting in touch with the winner today to arrange prize shipping. If you missed out this time around, then keep an eye out as we'll have more competitions coming up soon. 

There is no doubt it has been a tough couple of years for gamers – system components have risen in price substantially since 2021, and graphics cards in particular have become very tough to acquire. With that in mind we decided to do a little shopping on Amazon – and picked up a Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti Gaming OC card, priced at around £800. One lucky KitGuru reader will be able to use this card as a system upgrade in the coming weeks. We have had good success with Gigabyte Gaming OC cards in the past so we picked this card out of the selection available on Amazon last week.

TO ENTER: Entering this competition is very simple. All you need to do is head over to THIS FACEBOOK POST HERE and share a picture of your current GPU or PC system. That's it – no strings attached! A winner will be chosen at random once the competition has closed.

Terms and Conditions: The competition will run for 10 days, opening 10am GMT March 21st, and closing 10AM BST March 31st. The winner will be chosen at random. KitGuru will cover the cost of shipping anywhere in the world. However, be aware while we will mark the shipment as ‘competition prize'  and we are shipping from the United Kingdom so depending on your country, local import duties may occur which are out of our control. In compliance with GDPR, any emails between winner and KitGuru staff will be deleted from our mail server inbox after the competition is closed and your details will not be shared with any third parties, we respect your privacy. Our decision is final.

The post Win a Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti Gaming OC graphics card! (closed) first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
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Seasonic SGX-750 SFX Modular PSU Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/zardon/seasonic-sgx-750-sfx-modular-psu-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/zardon/seasonic-sgx-750-sfx-modular-psu-review/#respond Wed, 23 Feb 2022 12:00:45 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=550488 Today we take a look at a power supply from Seasonic's Focus range, new for 2022

The post Seasonic SGX-750 SFX Modular PSU Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
During the height of the Covid pandemic getting hands on a quality power supply proved problematic, but in recent weeks we have seen stock levels improving in the UK. With this in mind, Seasonic sent us a newly released power supplier – the SGX-750. This is a fully modular 80 Plus Gold unit targeting a wide audience of enthusiast user.

Seasonic told us there are a range of power supplies launching at the end of February 2022- The SPX 650, SPX 750 and SPX 750 in White, along with the SGX 550, SGX 650 and SGX 750 which we review today. Seasonic confirmed that the SGX 750 we are reviewing today will be priced around £145 inc. VAT in the United Kingdom.

Seasonic SGX Overview:

  • 80 PLUS® Gold efficiency
  • Available power output: 750, 650 and 550 W
  • FOCUS SGX- Fully modular
  • Compact SFX Size @ 100 mm deep
  • Ideal fit for smaller chassis
  • Smart and Silent Fan Control (S3FC)
  • Protection features: OPP, OVP, UVP, SCP, OCP, OTP
  • 10-year warranty

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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KitGuru and the value of honest reviews https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/announcements/zardon/kitguru-and-the-value-of-honest-reviews/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/announcements/zardon/kitguru-and-the-value-of-honest-reviews/#respond Fri, 14 Jan 2022 14:40:37 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=402818 Can you trust the new brand of 'influencers' online? Are some companies fooling you into buying hardware?

The post KitGuru and the value of honest reviews first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
If you are reading this then there is a strong likelihood that you may be a regular reader, and for that alone I thank you. Due to your support, KitGuru has developed over the years into what you see today. Although this website was formed almost a decade ago and I produced all our content myself initially we now have a 13 strong team and we produce daily content, every day of the year. We have been developing our social media for a long time, and have been focusing on improving our YouTube and Vimeo channels in the last year. We recently just hit 140,000 subscribers on YouTube, an achievement the team are all very proud of.

I don't often write these kind of posts, because it can sometimes sound a little self indulgent. I do however feel what I have to say is long overdue, so I hope you take the time to read it.

The tech industry has been shifting in recent years. Most of you will remember the days when all tech reviews were purely in a written format. In recent years, the move towards video content has been swift, and it has been our focus to bring in fresh talent to expand our capabilities in this regard. We don't hire presenters, we don't script videos – we only have reviewers. Every person we have in our team, has strong opinions and is completely separated from any advertising we may run on the website and in our videos. We have always maintained strict separation between sales and editorial. “Yeah, So what?” you say…

… There is a very clear reason for this. At heart I am still just like our core audience. I love technology. I live it. I adore music, headphones, PCs, gadgets and even mechanical watches. Since I was a kid, I loved engineering. I had the back of my parents Cathode Ray Tube TV in pieces when I was a kid. My father went crazy when he saw it. I never realised i could have killed myself. I have always been like this.

KitGuru on an editorial level has always been based on my decisions. I manage all the writers, I edit and produce all the content with my team. I have picked all the people who work here based on their capabilities and knowledge. Sometimes I have created posts here and on our social media saying we are looking for new reviewers. I have actually hired some people who were readers, wanting to get into this for the same reason I am. To live, and review technology. I have a pretty simple view of life. What would I want to read? I am very proud to say, that is what KitGuru is.

So while editorial is my primary function, I don't deal with sales – we have a separate team for this. If an advertiser wants to spend money to get their branding on the site this never influences the results of our reviews. Most of our reviewers wouldn't even know who is advertising here unless they studied all the ads themselves. They get paid money every month for their work. Yes, it is a real job. We are one of the few left who can hire a team of people to create unbiased, honest content.

Many advertisers actually like that our sales is completely isolated from editorial content. It is worth pointing out that many companies have gotten review awards on KitGuru and they have never spent any money on advertising with us – Noctua for instance are one such that spring to mind. In recent years however a growing number of companies want to work in a very different way. It's actually a growing trend and it concerns me that much, I just had to share my opinion on it all today in this post.

I get a lot of emails from companies asking to send us their latest products. They say that ‘influencers' are important now. This term in itself sounds very innocuous, but when you delve a little deeper it is very damaging for this industry and worst of all, its completely misleading to you – the customer.

An email chain can go like this. ‘Can we send you some of our new products? We love KitGuruTech on YouTube and we feel your audience is perfect for us. We will send you £1000 of products. You give them a favourable review, you can keep them, and if you want to embed a clip in the video saying to buy them from amazon we will give you 10% of each sale. Obviously the more positive you make the review, the better sales you will get and we can get you more money'.

These companies don't want to advertise in the traditional way. They don't want to show you offers in adverts. They want to buy opinions. Many of these ‘influencers' on YouTube get hardware – such as a free laptop and  they are so happy with getting a free laptop that they give it glowing recommendations. On top of this you are giving them money for viewing their monetised video. Its a win win for everyone – well except you.

Is that the kind of article that gives you good buying advice? Is it a ‘review' or just a new clever, devious way of marketing products to people who value a particular YouTube host.

So how does KitGuru operate? It's pretty simple. All our reviewers get paid for their opinions by me, not a company who make the products they review. They are reviewers, not presenters. Their opinions are never edited out by me, or rejected. They wouldn't be working for us if I didn't feel they could do the job. If a review is negative, and the company is an advertiser then I deal with any fallout. Most companies we work with are actually really good with negative feedback. Some have even taken our negative feedback on board as constructive criticism and improved future versions of the products. This is when I normally feel quite buzzed. We have helped improve a product. One you might buy later. Our opinions have helped shape a better product for readers. I still get excited about that. On the other hand, a few have pulled their advertising budget and have never spoken to us again when we delivered an honest, open review. Their loss, I say.

We don't keep or request free samples. We don't sell products on eBay. We survive on you guys unblocking our ads, and valuing us as one of the websites that actually is trying to serve your best interests, not that of a company who wants to throw free products in our direction and to buy our opinion.

I get many people asking how they can support us, and this is great to hear. It means we are doing something that you value. The simplest thing you can do is unblock our ads. We don't track anything, we serve only ads from companies who you will value – companies like ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, Seasonic – all leading brands we know you buy. We don't serve casino or gambling ads, no porn, no pop ups, pop unders or text tracking hyperlinks everytime you roll over words like ‘Intel' or ‘AMD'. That drives me nuts and I don't want to be a part of it.

Yes we have quite a few static ads running and I know sometimes they can be a bit of a pain to see – but by viewing these ads, looking at the offers on hand, you are supporting all the people who work here – your favourite reviewers like Leo, Luke, Dominic, James and Andy.

We hope you value our free services this year and I would like to extend the option to email me directly if you have anything you want to say. I do try and answer everyone who emails me so I am not a faceless guy in a suit who doesn't care about you. You make this site, and I want to be sure we are doing the best job we can. If you need help buying the best products on the market, check out our BEST OF products (HERE) – updated regularly by the team. We started this in 2019 and we hope it helps you get the best system you can.

If you value what we do and want to donate to the cause then you can send any donations to paypal@kitguru.net. or look at supporting via PATREON https://www.patreon.com/kitgurutech. I have some cool KitGuru branded fans in a box in storage. I can't promise I will send everyone a fan, but I will do my best. Email me at allan@kitguru.net.

Thanks for all your support on behalf of the KitGuru team. Leo, Luke, James, Dominic, Andrzej, Andy, Matthew, Jack, Alistair and myself.

Allan ‘Zardon' Campbell 
KitGuru Editor In Chief/Managing Director.

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AMD Behemoth System gets driven to competition winner! https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/zardon/amd-behemoth-system-gets-driven-to-competition-winner/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/zardon/amd-behemoth-system-gets-driven-to-competition-winner/#respond Thu, 14 Oct 2021 10:29:30 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=535583 Kitguru has been working with AMD on creating a bespoke custom system we nicknamed ‘The BEHEMOTH’ . This project creation took many hundreds of man hours and captured the attention of a large audience. When the project was completed AMD decided we should give it away to one lucky Kitguru reader. We had thousands of entries for the chance to win this, and one lucky chap – Cameron Marples ended up winning this £22,000 monster PC.

The post AMD Behemoth System gets driven to competition winner! first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Kitguru has been working with AMD on creating a bespoke custom system we nicknamed ‘The BEHEMOTH' (see more HERE). This project creation took many hundreds of man hours and captured the attention of a large audience. When the project was completed AMD decided we should give it away to one lucky Kitguru reader. We had thousands of entries for the chance to win this, and one lucky chap – Cameron Marples ended up winning this £22,000 monster PC.

Shipping a system weighing close to 50KG isn't easy, and after the UPS shipping disaster with the Seasonic system, we decided to keep the competition inside the UK and drive the system ourselves by car to Cameron. At least this way we knew it wouldn't get destroyed.

James filmed the handover so we can share with our readers today. If you missed it all be sure to check out all the AMD BEHEMOTH system content over HERE

Building two systems with individual custom cooling loops and 30, yes THIRTY(!), fans in one system was never going to be an easy task. However, we relish the challenge here at KitGuru and always see a project build through to the end. AMD Behemoth is possibly one of the most difficult builds we have done, with two very high spec systems, dual custom cooling loops, 30 Corsair LL120 fans and some of our own modifications and customisations to give it a unique appearance. It looks stunning now it is complete.

System Specification

Main System

Second System

Cooling

Learn more about AMD:

Radeon 6000 series: https://www.amd.com/en/graphics/amd-radeon-rx-6000-series
Ryzen: https://www.amd.com/en/processors/ryzen
Ryzen Threadripper: https://www.amd.com/en/products/ryzen-threadripper

Follow AMD on social media:

AMD UK

AMD US/HQ

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

KitGuru says: We hope you have enjoyed the AMD Behemoth series as much as we have enjoyed building the system. Congratulations to Cameron for being the lucky person to enjoy this system for many years to come!

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Lian Li Q58 (REVISITED) Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/cases/zardon/lian-li-q58-revisited-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/cases/zardon/lian-li-q58-revisited-review/#respond Thu, 07 Oct 2021 13:50:29 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=534709 Leo is back with another look at the Lian Li Q58 - following up on last week's review

The post Lian Li Q58 (REVISITED) Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Leo decided to return to the Lian Li Q58 chassis he reviewed last week, this time focusing on a variety of cooling solutions and showing how the Lian Li chassis copes under different situations.

Lian Li showed the Mini-ITX Q58 case at their Digital Expo 2.0 in June and now the time has come for a full review. This Mini-ITX model has a volume under 15 litres, supports a full length triple-slot graphics card and is supplied with a PCI Express Gen 4.0 riser. This combination of features promises great things (and also caused some headaches during the build process…)

Main features

  • Compact Design and Enormous Versatility. The Q58 is an all-new 14.5L mini ITX aluminium chassis that can fit an SFX or an ATX PSU. This small form factor case offers impressive modularity, radiator support, and cooling performance.
  • The Q58 is a modular case with high-end materials that create an elegant style. The top of the chassis is an aluminium mesh panel and the front panel is a solid aluminium panel, with the black version sporting a dual texture finish.
  • Swappable Side Panels. The two sides panels are composed of four removable hinged panels, two 3mm thick tinted tempered glass panels, and two fully mesh panels. The location of each panel can be swapped according to the user’s preference.
  • The glass side panels are equipped with a curved slot hole at the rear to attach the panel to the main chassis with a thumbscrew that holds the glass in place even when the panel is opened. When the glass panel is installed at the bottom, the fixed thumbscrew prevents it from completely sitting on the table, avoiding any possible damage
  • Uncompromised Storage Support. There are 4 different storage mounting spaces in the Q58, users can mount up to 4×2.5-inch SSDs or 3×2.5-inch SSDs+ 1×3.5-inch HDD.

Specification:

  • Motherboard support: Mini-ITX
  • Expansion slots: 3
  • Included fans: None
  • Fan mounts with SFX PSU: 2x 120/140mm roof, 1x 120mm floor
  • Fan mounts with ATX PSU: 1x 120/140mm roof, 1x 120mm floor
  • Radiator mounts with SFX PSU: 240mm/280mm roof, 120mm floor
  • Radiator mounts with ATX PSU: 120mm roof, 120mm floor
  • Internal drive bays with SFX PSU: 4x 2.5-inch SSD or 3x 2.5-inch SSD + 1x 3.5-inch HDD
  • Internal drive bays with ATX PSU: 2x 2.5-inch SSD
  • 5.25-inch optical drive bays: None
  • Front I/O ports: 1x USB 3.0 type-A, 1x USB 3.1 type-C, audio
  • Dimensions: 250mm H x 342mm D x 170mm W

 

Testing

To put this case through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an AMD Ryzen 5 5800X, Sapphire RX 6800 XT 16GB and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the Lian Li Q58X4‘s cooling capabilities.

Test System:

  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5800X (8 cores/16 threads)
  • CPU Cooler: Fractal Design Celsius+ S24 Prisma
  • Thermal compound: Arctic MX-5
  • Motherboard: Gigabyte B450 I Aorus Pro WiFi BIOS F62b
  • Memory: 32GB G.Skill TridentZ Neo RGB DDR4-3600
  • Graphics card: Sapphire RX 6800 XT 16GB
  • Power supply: Seasonic Focus SGX-650 Gold 650W
  • SSD: 500GB Sabrent Rocket 4.0 M.2 NVMe
  • OS: Windows 10

Cooling Performance

Cooling Performance Overview

The Lian Li Q58 survived our cooling stress test by the smallest of margins, however the main thing is that it did indeed deliver the goods. With the two fans on the AIO cooler running at 1,000rpm the Ryzen 7 CPU throttled slightly however when the speed was increased to 1,500rpm the CPU could perform to full effect. That is no mean feat when you consider our Mini-ITX PC was drawing 530W at the wall socket and had to shift a significant amount of heat. Our main takeaway is that air flow inside the Q58 suffers as a result of the inevitable mess of cables inside this tiny 14.5 litre chassis.

Closing Thoughts

We like the Lian Li Q58. It looks cute and interesting, and also packs in some unusual ideas. Balanced against that the Q58 is a bit of an oddball that will inevitably please a slice of the KitGuru audience while simultaneously baffling many others.

The problem, as we spell out, is that the Q58 is almost too clever for its own good. It can support either ATX or SFX power which will satisfy those of you who hate to pay a premium for an SFX power supply. Those of us who adore SFX will point to the crazy limitations that ATX imposes within this tiny, svelte chassis.

Our advice here is simple; if you are going down the Mini-ITX path and are spending more money to build a smaller PC you should stop mucking around with ATX and go the whole hog with an SFX power supply. Of course it will need to be an SFX power supply that can power your mighty RTX 3080/3090 or RX 6800/6900 graphics card, as anything less will look out of place in the Lian Li Q58.

We were initially intrigued by the integrated PWM and ARGB fan hub at the rear of the case, however we quickly realised it was irrelevant to us as our chosen Fractal Design Celsius+ S24 Prisma has a small fan/ARGB hub on the radiator. Clearly there is no harm in having an unused feature but this illustrates the point that changing one component can shift your perspective during a review.

There was a more serious consequence  from our choice of the Celsius+ cooler as the coolant hoses attach to pivotting unions at the pump body. This feature can be really useful in  a regular mid-tower chassis as it allows you to route the hoses without suffering any kinks. Inside the Q58 it meant we were unable to follow Lian Li's illustration in the user guide, with the result the hoses went the ‘wrong' way and were awkward to route.

We mentioned in our video that we struggled with the idea you could install a 280mm AIO in the roof of the Q58. Lian Li has responded by telling us the fans need to be installed above the radiator in pull, rather than push. We have decided the Q58 does indeed merit a second look so be sure to check back and follow Leo's further adventures with the Lian Li Q58 in the near future.

You can currently pre-order the Lian Li Q58X4 for £136.99 from Overclockers UK HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.

Pros:

  • Stylish good looks, particularly those split side panels.
  • Q58 X4 and W4 models support PCIe Gen 4.
  • Support for a full length triple slot graphics card.
  • Clever design gives the choice of ATX or SFX power.

Cons:

  • Cable management is difficult.
  • Installing an AIO means you have to find a path for the coolant tubes.
  • You have to remove the top panel to gain access to the SSD caddy or open the side panels.
  • We want to see a version that is Full Mesh (and some may want Full Glass)

KitGuru says: Lian Li's Q58 is stylish, unusual, quirky and also slightly frustrating.

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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Kingston ‘FURY’ Build (11700k) https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/zardon/kingston-11700k-fury-build/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/zardon/kingston-11700k-fury-build/#respond Thu, 30 Sep 2021 10:47:32 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=533712 Kingston recently announced a new line up of FURY branded memory - based around this they decided to raise some awareness with KitGuru readers and sent Leo a bunch of new hardware for us to build a system. As well as the new hardware, Kingston also decided to send Leo a massive box of Kingston branded Merch. We have to admit that watching Leo playing with Kingston branded Merch gave Kitguru staff quite a chuckle this morning.

The post Kingston ‘FURY’ Build (11700k) first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Kingston recently announced a new line up of FURY branded memory (see HERE) – based around this they decided to raise some awareness with KitGuru readers and sent Leo a bunch of new hardware for us to build a system. As well as the new hardware, Kingston also decided to send Leo a massive box of Kingston branded Merch. We have to admit that watching Leo playing with Kingston branded Merch gave Kitguru staff quite a chuckle this morning.

Video timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:15 Introduction
00:56 Kingston send Leo a box of Merch!
02:55 The hardware
03:41 The build
08:25 BIOS and startup

Test System Spec:
Processor: Intel Core i7-11700K (8 cores/16 threads, 4.6GHz all cores)
CPU Cooler: Fractal Design Celsius+ S24 Prisma
Motherboard: MSI MAG Z590 Torpedo
Memory: 64GB Kingston Fury Renegade RGB DDR4-3000
M.2 SSDs: 2x 2TB Kingston KC2500 M.2 NVMe
SATA SSDs: 2x 2TB Kingston KC600
Graphics card: Sapphire Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB
Case: Fractal Design Torrent
Power supply: Fractal Design Ion+ 2 Platinum 860W
OS: Windows 10 Pro

Buy from EBUYER HERE

Kitguru Says: Let us know if you are interested in getting any of the new Kingston memory or storage options for a new system build

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Corsair TX550M Gold Power Supply Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-tx550m-gold-power-supply-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-tx550m-gold-power-supply-review/#respond Wed, 29 Sep 2021 10:46:40 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=533437 A new 80 Plus Gold rated unit that is actually in stock in the UK at £70. Any good?

The post Corsair TX550M Gold Power Supply Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Corsair recently launched a new range of semi modular Gold rated power supplies in 550W, 650W and 750W capacities.  These competitively priced units incorporate high grade Japanese capacitors and a compact size of 140mm to fit into a variety of chassis on the market. Corsair are offering a full 7 year warranty.

Corsair are targeting the mainstream audience with these new TX-M range of units, the 550W, 650W and 750W are modestly priced at £72.99, £82.99 and £92.99 respectively. Corsair sent us the 550W unit to look at today – a £70 power supply will certainly fit into most peoples budget.

Key Features

  1. Low-Noise Operation: A 120mm rifle bearing fan creates less noise than traditional bearings, letting you focus more on the task at hand, whether it’s gaming or work.
  2. Semi-Modular Cabling: Lets you connect the cables you need for a cleaner build with easy cable management, while dual EPS12V connectors ensure wide compatibility with modern graphics cards and motherboards.
  3. 105°C-Rated Japanese Capacitors: For consistent and reliable power.
  4. 80 PLUS Gold Certified: Guarantees up to 90% efficiency to use less AC power and produce less heat.
  5. Modern Standby Compatible: Extremely fast wake-from-sleep times and better low-load efficiency.
  6. Resonant LLC Topology with DC-to-DC Conversion: Provides clean, consistent power, reduces coil whine for quieter operation, and enables use of more energy efficient sleep states.
  7. Compact Size: At just 140mm long, the TX-M Series is designed for great flexibility in build configurations.
  8. Seven-Year Warranty: Your guarantee of reliable operation for years to come.

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

The post Corsair TX550M Gold Power Supply Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]> https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-tx550m-gold-power-supply-review/feed/ 0 Fractal Design ION Gold 850W PSU Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/fractal-ion-gold-850w-psu-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/fractal-ion-gold-850w-psu-review/#respond Wed, 21 Apr 2021 13:00:42 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=512156 This 850W power supply will set you back £95, making it a bit of a bargain in 2021

The post Fractal Design ION Gold 850W PSU Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Fractal release their new range of power supplies today, the ION Gold series. These will ship in four capacities, 550W, 650W, 750W and 850W, the latter of which we look at today. These will be priced at £68.99, £77.99, £86.99 and £94.99 respectively. All these supplies are fully modular and measure only 150mm deep, making them well suited to a wide variety of chassis designs.

 

 

Key features:

  • 80PLUS® Gold Efficiency for reduced heat generation and energy consumption.
  • Supports the latest ATX 2.52 standard with improved start-up time and transient load response.
  • DC-DC design for more precise electrical output and full compatibility with modern components.
  • Fully modular design for reduced clutter and maximum ease of installation.
  • Temperature-controlled Dynamic Series 140 mm fan specially customized for power supply use with
    extra-low minimum speed.
  • Premium Japanese 105° C capacitors on the primary side for enhanced reliability and durability.
  • Compact 150 mm depth easily fits compact spaces, allowing extra headroom for cable management.
  • Full electrical protection suite includes Over Power Protection, Over Voltage Protection, Short Circuit.
    Protection, Under Voltage Protection, Over Current Protection and Over Temperature Protection.
  • Backed by 7-year warranty.

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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Corsair RM1000x PSU Review (2021 80+ Gold) https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-rm1000x-psu-review-2021-gold/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-rm1000x-psu-review-2021-gold/#respond Tue, 30 Mar 2021 13:00:12 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=507676 Corsair's RMx series has been updated for 2021 - is this a unit to consider?

The post Corsair RM1000x PSU Review (2021 80+ Gold) first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Today we take a look at one of the newest power supplies to hit our labs, the Corsair RM1000x – a fully modular 80 Plus Gold rated unit featuring high quality Japanese capacitors. These units target the mainstream enthusiast hardware gamer, with 550W, 650W, 750W, 850W and 1000W capacities available.

The Corsair RMx Series feature a magnetic levitation (ML) fan which has been specifically tuned for use in a power supply. Earlier versions of these ML fans were first used in Corsair power supplies back in 2016. Corsair claim lower noise levels with these magnetic levitation bearing models, as well as high performance.

The 2021 RMx models have a new version of the Levitation fan with lower fan noise throughout the entire range. The power supplies also feature a zero RPM mode to help reduce fan noise under lower load conditions.

All models are a compact size, measuring 160mm long, except the 1000W model we have today for review, which is 180mm in length.

Key Features:

  1. Magnetic Levitation Fan: Utilizes magnetic levitation bearings and custom engineered rotors for high performance and low noise.
  2. 100% All Japanese 105°C Capacitors: Premium internal components ensure unwavering power delivery and long-term reliability.
  3. Modern Standby Compatible: Extremely fast wake-from-sleep times and better low-load efficiency.
  4. Zero RPM Fan Mode: At low and medium loads the cooling fan switches off entirely for near-silent operation.
  5. Fully Modular: Only connect the cables your system needs, making clean and tidy builds easier.
  6. Compact Size: A 160mm-long casing ensures an easy fit in almost all modern enthusiast PC cases.
  7. 80 PLUS Gold Certified: High efficiency operation for lower power consumption, less noise, and cooler temperatures.
  8. Ten-Year Warranty: Your guarantee of reliable operation that will last across several system builds.

Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here

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be quiet! Dark Power 12 850W (Titanium) Review https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/be-quiet-dark-power-12-850w-titanium-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/be-quiet-dark-power-12-850w-titanium-review/#respond Tue, 09 Mar 2021 12:00:21 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=506152 A new power supply from be quiet! - if you can find one in stock, it's well worth a look

The post be quiet! Dark Power 12 850W (Titanium) Review first appeared on KitGuru.]]>
Today we are taking a look at one of the latest power supplies from be quiet! – specifically the 850 Watt version of the Dark Power 12. This unit is fully modular, and Titanium rated. be quiet! offer three versions in this range, a 750 watt, 850 watt and 1000 watt model.

be quiet! have had pretty good success with their high end power supplies over the years, relying on relationships with well known OEM partners to deliver quality products to the discerning enthusiast.

The topology of these latest units is based around an active rectifier with Full Bridge LLC + SR + DC-DC. This unit is equipped with five daughter cards that provide technologies such as active rectifier, active PFC, Full Bridge LLC and DC to DC transformation.

be quiet! have always focused on reducing noise within their power supplies and these units are supplied with a frameless fan, which rests in a funnel shaped opening. This unique fan is based on the award winning Silent Wings technology to keep noise levels to an absolute minimum.

be quiet! are quite confident with this design and are offering a 10 year warranty without any geographical restrictions. We will take a close look at the design later in the review.

The company sent us over the table above showing how the Dark Power 12 fits slots into the portfolio of be quiet! units. Their plan is for the Dark Power 12 to completely replace the Dark Power Pro 11 range.

Key points:

  • 80 Plus Titanium certification
  • Active Rectifier + Full Bridge LLC + SR + DC-DC
  • be quiet! frameless Silent Wings fan
  • Overclocking Key
  • Modular cables and classic design
  • Ready for Windows Modern standby mode
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KitGuru – Children’s Hospice Charity PC Auction (closed) https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/announcements/zardon/kitguru-childrens-hospice-charity-pc-auction/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/announcements/zardon/kitguru-childrens-hospice-charity-pc-auction/#respond Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:20:45 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=505231 We can all agree that the last 12 months have been challenging and stressful for everyone, and I wanted to utilise Kitguru in a positive way for a great cause. Over the next two weeks, we are holding a silent auction via email for our readers and supporters, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice. Additionally KitGuru will be donating the same amount as the winning bid, effectively doubling the donation to the charity. This is a very worthy cause that we want to support this year and everyone who enters will know that they are potentially going to help children in real need.

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We can all agree that the last 12 months have been challenging and stressful for everyone, and I wanted to utilise Kitguru in a positive way for a great cause. Over the next two weeks, we are holding a silent auction via email for our readers and supporters, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice. Additionally KitGuru will be donating the same amount as the winning bid, effectively doubling the donation to the charity. This is a very worthy cause that we want to support this year and everyone who enters will know that they are potentially going to help children in real need.

The NI Children's Hospice has been helping children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions as well as their families for over 35 years. It is a cause that we are very much in support of and we hope many of our readers will be interested in getting involved on some level. We discussed possibly holding this auction on the UK's biggest platform – EBAY, however we really wanted to involve as many of our readers as possible, without directing it towards the mass public who are not associated with the KitGuru audience. I didn't want this system going to a random person in the UK who doesn't really understand what we are trying to do.

KitGuru will be matching the winning bid for the chance to own this Gaming PC, doubling the overall amount we donate. KitGuru will also give the winner a full 1 year warranty directly. So if any component or peripheral was to fail in the first year, we will replace it and it will be shipped to your door, completely free of charge.

In the gallery below, you can see the gaming PC and accompanying peripherals that make this build, including a 144Hz gaming Monitor.

Here are the full specifications for the system:

  • AMD Ryzen 3800X CPU
  • Asus ROG Strix B550-F (Wi-Fi)
  • Gigabyte Gaming OC 5700 XT
  • T-Force Xcalibur 16GB kit (2X8GB) DDR4-3600
  • Cougar Trofeo Case
  • Cougar Aqua 240 AIO Cooler
  • Cougar GEX 650W PSU
  • Cougar Attack X3 Keyboard RGB
  • Cougar Bunker mouse Bungee RGB
  • Cougar Revenger S mouse RGB
  • Cougar Neon mouse mat RGB
  • Viper VPN100 1TB M.2 SSD
  • AOC 24G2U 24” 144Hz monitor

While the prices of these components are constantly changing, the current market value as we go live to print today is around £1700. Special thanks to all the great companies involved that jumped at the chance without questions to help such a great cause.

Entering is really simple. If you want to be in with a chance to get this system delivered to your door just send your single best ‘bid' to ‘hospiceauction@kitguru.net‘. Subject field ‘Bid for Hospice Charity System'.

Please do not send your address or any personal information in the email – we just need to know your final bid for the system in pounds sterling – please only submit a bid you can afford and will be able to send when it ends. There is no minimum bid you can offer, but the more you can bid, the greater your chances of winning the auction.

If you have an email client installed click here to enter.

Please do not send multiple entries with various bids from the same email, and only submit a bid that you can afford. We do not want anyone to have financial problems due to entering this auction.

At the end of the auction period, we'll contact the person with the best offer – get payment sent to our business account directly over bank transfer then KitGuru commits the same amount – effectively doubling the donation – which we directly send to the Children's Hospice.

The charity auction will end 10th Of March and the winner will be announced by 15th of March and contacted directly by email.

Shipping information: We can only accept submissions inside the United Kingdom due to complex and troublesome Brexit terms which came into play January 2021. Kitguru covers all of the shipping costs inside the United Kingdom – all of the hardware will be shipped UPS tracked and insured directly to the winner. From date of delivery KitGuru will cover the cost and replacement of any hardware that fails inside a one year period including any related shipping costs.

Terms and Conditions: In compliance with GDPR, all emails and correspondence will be deleted from our servers once the auction ends. We do not keep or store your personal data and you won't be signed up to any mailing lists by entering. No personal data is shared with any companies. We value your privacy as much as we value our own.

KitGuru Says: Thanks to all who participate in this charity auction. Good luck to everyone who enters – Allan ‘Zardon' Campbell. KitGuru Editor In Chief/Managing Director.

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Intel Answer Leo’s Questions on Rocket Lake S https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/zardon/intel-answer-leos-questions-on-rocket-lake-s/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/zardon/intel-answer-leos-questions-on-rocket-lake-s/#respond Sun, 01 Nov 2020 10:09:08 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=492389 In the latest video from Leo, he discusses Intel Rocket Lake S and the possible problems Intel might have. Leo also took the time to ask Intel a couple of questions about the upcoming launch. Leo, as always speaks his mind and asks the tough questions. Leo discusses his thoughts on the new platform, including the Rocket Lake S maximum core count of 8 (16 threads) as well as some of their claims, The Intel XE graphics, Intel Deep Learning, the new Intel 500 Series chipset and their new memory controller with official support of DDR4 3200 memory speeds. But what about the clock speeds?

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In the latest video from Leo, he discusses Intel Rocket Lake S and the possible problems Intel might have. Leo also took the time to ask Intel a couple of questions about the upcoming launch. Leo, as always speaks his mind and asks the tough questions. Leo discusses his thoughts on the new platform, including the Rocket Lake S maximum core count of 8 (16 threads) as well as some of their claims, The Intel XE graphics, Intel Deep Learning, the new Intel 500 Series chipset and their new memory controller with official support of DDR4 3200 memory speeds. But what about the clock speeds?

Timestamps:

00:00 Video Start
00:13 Rocket Lake S details
02:17 Ice Lake hasn’t worked
02:29 Rocket Lake S – up to 8 cores/16 threads
03:20 Intel claims – some issues
04:12 Intel XE graphics
04:41 20 lanes of PCIe Gen 4
05:26 Intel Deep Learning Boost
06:03 Intel 500 Series Chipset
06:55 New Memory Controller – DDR4-3200
07:33 But what about clock speeds?
08:17 Intel respond to Leo’s questions

READ OUR MANTRA OVER HERE

KitGuru says: As always let us know what you think in the comments.

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