Expert Consulted: Adrian Gardiner. Years of experience buying both computers and computer parts for my own new customer builds has given me a keen eye for spotting great deals when shopping. In this article, I’ll be sharing my knowledge and tips with you to find the best 1000w power supply.
Welcome to my comprehensive review of 1000-watt power supply units (PSUs) specifically designed for high-performance gaming computers.
As the unsung heroes of your gaming rig, these potent PSUs deliver the power and stability required by resource-intensive components like high-end graphics cards, for example.
In this article, I’ll examine the top models available in the market, analyzing their features, efficiency, and reliability.
I’ll also consider factors such as modularity, noise levels, and thermal performance to help you make an informed decision when selecting the ideal 1000-watt PSU to help take your gaming experience to new heights.
All units offered are from well-known, reputable brands to further ensure good quality and reliability.
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Best 1000w Power Supply Reviews
In the following sections, I’ll be reviewing the best Titanium, Platinum, and Gold power supply units currently available.
No. 1 Be Quiet! 1000W Dark Power 13 Titanium PSU
The Be Quiet! 1000W Dark Power 13 PSU is an exceptional power supply unit designed for gaming enthusiasts who demand performance and silence.
Featuring a fully modular design, 80 PLUS Titanium efficiency, and ATX 3.0 compatibility, this PSU delivers superior energy savings and fully sleeved cable management.
The fluid dynamic fan, Silent Wings, ensures ultra-quiet operation, while the full-mesh front panel maximizes airflow.
Equipped with PCIe 5.0 support, quad rail, and an OC Key for overclocking, the Dark Power 13 offers unparalleled power distribution, making it the ultimate choice for top-tier gaming setups.
Specification
The main specification is as follows:
- Continuous Power: 1000w
- Efficiency: 80+ Titanium
- Protection Features: OPP/OVP/UVP/SCP/OCP/OTP
- Noise Level dB(A): 25.8+ at 100% load
- Form Factor: EPS 12V
- Cooling: Split fan inlet with 135 mm Fan
- Modular: Fully modular
- Connectors: 1 x ATX-Motherboard (20+4-pin), 1 x P4+4 (CPU), 1 x P8 (CPU), 1 x 12VHPWR cable, 4 x PCI-e 6+2-pin (GPU), 13 x SATA
- Warranty: 10 years
- Dimensions: 175 x 150 x 86 mm (LWD)
- Weight: 2.03 kg
PROs
10 Year Warranty
Overclocking Key
Wire-free interior to improve cooling.
CONs
None
No. 2 Asus 1000W ROG Thor Platinum II PSU
Aimed at gamers who value both performance and aesthetics, the Asus 1000W ROG Thor Platinum II PSU is a high-performance power supply unit with a number of cool features.
Built-in collaboration with well-established premium PSU brand Seasonic, this 80+ Platinum efficiency-rated fully modular PSU provides excellent energy efficiency, with its double ball bearing fan ensuring quiet, effective cooling.
The Lambda A++ certification further attests to its premium noise suppression.
Enhance your gaming rig’s visual appeal with fancy, customizable RGB lighting and a cool OLED display for real-time power usage information (just be careful with your case choice so that you can actually see it!).
The ROG Thor Platinum II combines cutting-edge features, efficiency, and a really eye-catching design for a PSU.
Specification
The main specification is as follows:
- Continuous Power: 1000w
- Efficiency: 80+ Platinum
- Protection Features: OPP/OVP/UVP/SCP/OCP/OTP
- Noise Level dB(A): 30+at 100% load
- Form Factor: ATX
- Cooling: 135 mm Axial Fan
- Modular: Fully modular
- Connectors: MB 24/20-pin x 1, CPU 4+4-pin x 2, PCI-E 12-pin x 1, PCI-E 6+2-pin x 8, SATA x 12, PERIPHERAL x 6
- Warranty: 10 years (main product), 3 years (OLED Panel and RGB LEDs)
- Dimensions: 190 x 150 x 86 mm (LWD)
- Weight: 2.37 kg
PROs
Aura Sync OLED Display with real-time power draw monitoring
ROG Thermal Heatsink Solution
Zero RPM Fan Mode.
CONs
Hard to see the OLED display due to PSU shrouds in most PC cases – careful choice of case will fix this potential issue.
No. 3 Be Quiet! 1000W Straight Power 11 Gold PSU
The Be Quiet! 1000W Straight Power 11 PSU is a high-quality power supply unit designed for gamers prioritizing performance and quiet operation.
This fully modular PSU features an 80+ Gold efficiency rating, ensuring exceptional energy efficiency and stable power delivery.
The fluid dynamic fan guarantees silent cooling, while the SLI / XFire support accommodates multiple graphics card configurations.
With advanced protection mechanisms and a neat-looking design, the Straight Power 11 is a great choice for gamers looking to achieve top-end performance without compromising on noise or energy efficiency.
Specification
The main specification is as follows:
- Continuous Power: 1000w
- Efficiency: 80+ Gold
- Protection Features: OPP/OVP/UVP/SCP/OCP/OTP
- Noise Level dB(A): 32.1 at 100% load
- Form Factor: EPS 12V
- Cooling: Split fan inlet with 135 Fan
- Modular: Fully modular
- Connectors: 1 x ATX-Motherboard (20+4-pin), 1 x P8 (CPU), 1 x P4+4 (CPU), 6 x PCI-E 6+2-pin (GPU), 4 x PATA 4 pin, 11 x SATA 15-pin (HDD, Drives), 1 x FDD (Floppy), 4 x Mainboard connector (PATA 4-pin) cable, 4 x PCI-e 6+2-pin (GPU), 13 x SATA
- Warranty: 5 years
- Dimensions: 170 x 150 x 86 mm (LWD)
- Weight: 1.85 kg
PROs
Overclocking Key
Wire-free interior to improve cooling.
CONs
None
Buying Considerations
To help with the process of buying a PSU, here are some of the most important technical aspects that you need to be aware of to help in your decision.
Efficiency Rating
In layman’s terms, a PSU efficiency rating refers to how effectively the PSU converts the power drawn from the wall outlet into the power used by your computer’s components (i.e., the CPU, Storage drives, cooling fans, and graphics card if fitted).
A higher efficiency rating means that the power supply unit wastes less energy in the form of heat and delivers more power to your PC components, resulting in lower electricity consumption and potential cost savings.
The 80 PLUS certification system represents the efficiency of a power supply unit (PSU) using different industry-standard ratings of Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium, with Bronze being the lowest and cheapest right up to the high-end, highest performing, and most expensive Titanium rated units.
Each rating signifies a specific level of energy efficiency at certain percentages of the PSU’s load capacity, 10% (Titanium only), 20%, 50%, and 100%).
Here’s a breakdown of the efficiency levels for each rating:
| 80 PLUS Bronze: |
| At least 82% efficiency at 20% load At least 85% efficiency at 50% load At least 82% efficiency at 100% load |
| 80 PLUS Silver: |
| At least 85% efficiency at 20% load At least 88% efficiency at 50% load At least 85% efficiency at 100% load |
| 80 PLUS Gold: |
| At least 87% efficiency at 20% load At least 90% efficiency at 50% load At least 87% efficiency at 100% load |
| 80 PLUS Platinum: |
| At least 90% efficiency at 20% load At least 92% efficiency at 50% load At least 89% efficiency at 100% load |
| 80 PLUS Titanium: |
| At least 90% efficiency at 10% load At least 92% efficiency at 20% load At least 94% efficiency at 50% load At least 90% efficiency at 100% load |
A higher rating indicates that the power supply unit operates more efficiently, converting more of the power it draws from the wall outlet into usable power for the computer components while wasting less energy as heat. This results in lower electricity consumption and potential cost savings.
Stable Power Delivery
One of the main advantages of opting for a 1000w PSU is the stable power delivery it offers. High-performance gaming components, such as powerful GPUs and overclocked CPUs, can draw significant amounts of power.
A 1000W PSU would usually be sufficient for most computer systems to ensure that all components receive the power they need to operate efficiently and maintain peak performance (this, of course, is so long as the power supply has been carefully chosen to be able to cover the demand from the computer components in the first place).
Power supply units (PSUs), and in particular, the PSU models reviewed in this article, employ a number of commonly used methods to maintain stable power delivery to computer components. These methods also help to prevent voltage fluctuations that can negatively impact system performance or damage hardware:
- Voltage regulation: PSUs use voltage regulators to maintain a constant voltage output. These regulators can be linear or switch mode, with switch mode regulators being more efficient and commonly used in modern PSUs.
- Filtering capacitors: PSUs have filtering capacitors on the input and output sides, which helps to smooth out voltage ripples and minimize fluctuations.
- Active Power Factor Correction (PFC): Active PFC regulates the input voltage and current to improve the power factor, resulting in stable power delivery and reduced harmonic distortion
- Multiple +12V rails: Some PSUs feature multiple +12V rails, each supplying power to different components. This design can help balance the load and ensure that each component receives stable power.
- Over-voltage, under-voltage, and over-current protection: PSUs incorporate protective mechanisms to prevent damage from voltage or current fluctuations. These protections automatically shut down or regulate the PSU when irregularities are picked up.
- High-quality components: Power supply units with durable, high-quality components, such as Japanese capacitors and solid-state components, tend to offer more stable power delivery over time.
By employing methods like those stated above, PSUs can provide consistent and stable power to computer components, ensuring the best performance and longevity (including the life of the PSU itself).
If you’d like to find out more about how you can ensure your power supply unit lasts as long as possible, my article, How Long Do Power Supplies Last, covers this subject in detail.
Final Thoughts On the Best 1000w Power Supply
In conclusion, a high-quality 1000-watt power supply unit is essential for gamers or, indeed, anyone seeking top-level performance and stable power delivery for their gaming computers, especially if you want them to last a long time.
In this article, I’ve reviewed some of the best Titanium, Platinum, and Gold rated PSUs available, each offering unique features and benefits.
The OLED lighting options offered with ASUS ROG Thor are a non-essential, nice-to-have feature but come with a price premium; plus, you’ll need to choose your case carefully to actually see the lighting effects.
Both the Be Quiet units are excellent choices, with the Dark Power 13 coming with a 10-year warranty!
By considering all the above factors, such as efficiency, modularity, noise levels, and thermal performance, you should be able to make an informed decision when selecting the perfect 1000-watt PSU for your gaming setup.
Investing in a reliable PSU will not only enhance your gaming experience but also protect your expensive, carefully chosen components, giving you peace of mind and helping to ensure their long-lasting performance.
Either one of these power supplies would be an excellent choice.