Cougar G1050 – GX 1050W Review

Simulated Load Results (Graphs)

For those of you not familiar with the layout of our relatively new graphs, the highest and lowest values on the Y-axis (voltage) represent the maximum and minimum voltages allowed by ATX specifications. If the results should fall outside the graph at any time, then that’s an instant FAIL. However, merely staying inside these boundaries does not necessarily indicate a good PSU. In order to display truly great voltage regulation, a PSU must stick as closely as possible to the thick white horizontal line (ideal voltage) as possible.

You will also notice that the graph is split into three sections as depicted by the Green, Amber and Red backgrounds. These indicate normal usage (green), heavily uneven load distribution (amber) and overloading of the PSU (red). For the most part all we need to worry about is how it performs in the green section, but good performance in the other sections will undoubtedly earn the PSU extra brownie points.

For a better understanding of now we conduct our PSU testing and how these results were obtained, please be sure to check out the tabulated results over on the next page.

 

The Cougar GX gets off to a good start with the +3.3v rail which drops only 0.07v from ‘idle’ to fully loaded. This gives the graph a nice gradual downward slope, rather than a full-on vertical drop that we’ve seen on some units in the past. The only let down for the PSU is how it responds in the Max Load test. Despite only running at 47w over its rated output, the +3.3v rail plummets to 3.15v showing that it really isn’t happy.

A similar trend can also be seen on the +5v rail where the voltages are really quite solid between the normal idle and fully loaded tests, but take a turn for the worst once the PSU is run slightly outside of specs. Obviously this won’t be an issue for most of us, as it takes quite a system to draw over 1050w.

And here we have the star of the show, the +12v rail. That rail is so solid that The Rock would be shaking in his boots. Seriously, a drop from 12.06v to 11.94v is nothing at all and additionally both of the cross-load results are quite solid as well. Unfortunately though the Max Load result suffers the same fate as the +3.3v and +5v rails, dropping significantly once the unit is run slightly outside of spec.

Finally it’s the tree hugging bit. Cougar have had the GX 1050w certified as an 80Plus Gold unit, which essentially means it must be 88% efficient at 210w / 1050w loads, and 92% efficient at 525w. As we can see, that’s absolutely no problem for the GX with just over 92% efficiency at 532w and 88% efficiency or greater in the rest of the standard tests.

If you’re interested in how the GX performed under the oscilloscope. Read on….