Performance (40% of the final score) - I'm not sure I can say enough good things about this unit. The numbers speak for themselves - the HX1000 did simply an amazing job keeping the voltages in spec, and doing it with efficiency results that rival the best I've ever seen. If there is one thing I can nitpick about it's the ripple results I got on test five's 12V readings, but I have to say that these readings are offset somewhat by, oh I don't know, throwing down full power at a temperature ten degrees hotter than promised. A point comes off though for NOT USING THREADLOCKER on the small heatsink screws. 9.
Functionality (20% of the final score) - cables? This thing's got cables for everything. This thing has so many cables, you could power five computers with it. Ok, maybe that's a small exaggeration. And they're gorgeous cables, too, with more than enough length for anything I can think of. And there are more goodies than one can shake a stick at including an owner's manual in seemingly all the languages of the UN and some very cool thumbscrews for mounting the unit to one's case. 9.
Value (30% of the final score) - I'm finding this unit at a price as low as $225, which is a bit toward the upper range of units this size, but to be perfectly honest the unit has been so awesome a performer I have to say it's an outstanding value. 10.
Aesthetics (10% of the final score) - Mr. Fuji and I are still drooling. The finish is fantastic, the color combination is gorgeous, and I can't think of a single thing to complain about. Another 10.
Performance
9
Functionality
9
Value
10
Aesthetics
10
Total Score
9.5
Summary
Corsair is late to the party with the HX1000, and for a long time I've been hearing that they were waiting until their very exacting standards had been met before releasing such a creature. Well, I don't know about Corsair's standards, but they sure have met my own standards with this unit. It's going to take a whole lot to top this unit, and I think I'm going to be drooling over that 60 degree number for quite some time.
The Good:
full power without shutting down at ten degrees over spec while maintaining ripple and regulation in spec
excellent regulation
looks fantastic
all the cables one could wish for
quiet fan under most circumstances
excellent efficiency
The Bad:
I'm not sure my old camera will ever forgive me
The Mediocre:
short heatsink screws with no threadlocking compound
