Cougar G1050 – GX 1050W Review
Simulated Load Results (Tables)
If you’ve seen the simplified graphs over on the previous page you will undoubtedly already have a good idea of how the Cougar GX 1050 performs. However, certain results from the test can be too difficult to incorporate into the existing graphs, and for this reason all of the result data is also provided in the table format below.Â
All testing is conducting using OC3D’s trusty SunMoon SM-268+ DC load tester. This equipment is capable of placing a user specified load on all of the PSU’s rails (+3.3v, +5v, +12v, -12v, +5vSB) up to a maximum load of 1680w. As the maximum load for this device on the +12v rail is restricted to 75A we can also call on additional help from our Analogic Series 2000 DC load tester, so that anything up to an additional 166A can be added if necessary. All testing is conducted at 50°C (±5%) with the results being recorded using a Fluke Multimeter and Thermostat.
| Cougar GX 1050w @ 50c |
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| Â | Â +3.3v | Â +5.0v | Â +12v | Â +5vSB | Â -12v | Â AC Watts / Â DC Watts |
 Efficiency |  Intake /  Exhaust |
Δ Temp | |
| Test1 (25%) |
5.00A | 5.00A | 18.25A | 1.00A | Â 0.12A | 296w / 269w |
90.87% | 49.6°C / 49.9°C |
0.3°C | |
| 3.37v | 5.07v | 12.06v | 5.05v | Â -11.88v | ||||||
| Test2 (50%) |
10.00A | 10.00A | 36.50A | 2.00A | Â 0.25A |
575w / |
92.52% |  50.2°C / 54.3°C |
4.1°C | |
| 3.35v | 5.05v | 12.00v | 4.98v | Â -11.87v | ||||||
| Test3 (75%) |
15.00A | 15.00A | 54.75A | 3.00A | Â 0.37A | 859w / 781w |
 90.91% | 51.5C / 57.3°C |
5.8°C | |
| 3.33v | 5.00v | 11.96v | 4.91v | -11.86v | ||||||
| Test4 (100%) |
20.00A | 20.00A | 73.00A | 4.00A | 0.50A | 1177w / 1042w |
88.53% |  50.4°C / 60.0°C |
9.6°C | |
| 3.32v | 4.98v | 11.94v | 4.84v | -11.79v | ||||||
| TestX1 (x-load) |
20.00A | 20.00A | 1.00A | 0.00A | 0.00A | 216w / 176w |
81.48% | 50.7°C / 50.7°C |
0.0°C | |
| 3.30v | 4.93v | 12.10v | 5.06v | -11.92v | ||||||
| TestX2 (x-load) |
 1.00A |  1.00A |  73.00A |  0.00A |  0.00A | 955w / 873w |
91.41% | 51.6°C / 58.2°C |
6.6°C | |
| 3.32v | 5.03v | 11.94v | 5.02v | -11.97v | ||||||
| TMax1 (Max) |
 25.00A | 25.00A | 74.50A | 4.00A | 0.50A | 1245w / 1097w |
88.11% | 50.1°C / 58.8°C |
 8.7°C | |
| 3.15v | 4.77v | 11.72v | 4.83v | -11.93v | ||||||
A quick browse over the results shows that the GX 1050 puts out its best numbers at 50% load. The efficiency is extremely close to Cougars stated 93% given the margin of error, the +12v rail is at bang-on 12.00v and the +3.3v and +5v rails are also extremely close to their ideal values. Things don’t change much either when the load is increased all the way up to 100%. All rails remain extremely tight, and the only result that dips slightly is the efficiency.
Similar things can also be said for both of the cross-load tests, where the GX exhibits stable voltages once again. In fact, the only area that lets the Cougar down slightly is in the Max Load test where the unit fails to deliver much more than 1097w without the voltages falling drastically. This possibly shows that the Cougar is stretched to its limits already and has been designed to deliver 1050w..and not a drop more.
| Â Cougar GX 1050w Scope Results @ 50c | ||||
| Â | Â +3.3v | Â +5.0v | Â +12v | |
| Test1 (25%) |
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| Test2 (50%) |
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| Test3 (75%) |
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| Test4 (100%) |
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| TestX1 (x-load) |
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| TestX2 (x-load) |
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| TMax1 (MAX) |
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Ripple refers to the small fluctuations in voltage that occur in all PSU’s on a millisecond scale. Large quantities of ripple on a PSU can damage or kill components in your PCÂ over time and therefore testing a PSU’s performance in this area is just as important as any other part. ATXÂ specification states that ripple should be no higher than 50mV on the +3.3v/+5v rails and 120mV on the +12v rails, so what we’re looking for in the screenshots above is for all rails to stay well within these limits during Test 1-4 at the very least.
Aaaaand……we have a pass! The GX 1050 manages to keep everything well in check throughout all of the standard tests 1-4 with a maximum ripple of 64mV on the +12v rail and 32mV or less on the other rails. Although this may not be the best results I’ve ever seen from a PSU, it’s certainly one of the better outcomes.
