EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G3 PSU Review

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We already reviewed the SuperNOVA 850 G3, which left a good impression on us. Today, we're looking at the 1000 G3, this family's current flagship model. It's a physically diminutive PSU that offers high performance in every area.

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Packaging, Contents, Exterior, And Cabling

Packaging

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This PSU's box is similar to the 850 G3's. The biggest difference is, of course, the model number up front. Again, the 80 PLUS Gold badge is small, and next to it EVGA mentions that this is a 1000W PSU (for anyone who couldn't figure that out based on the model number).

There's a power specification table on one of the sides, along with the fan's speed curve using ECO mode (EVGA's name for its semi-passive feature). Should you wish for the fan to spin constantly, it's possible to disable ECO mode.

Around back is a pretty long list of features, plus a description of the provided cables and their connectors. EVGA adds several pictures of the PSU, a couple of which show its internals.

Contents

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As usual, we find the user's manual on top of the PSU. EVGA protects the 1000 G3 with two foam spacers and a black bag.

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The bundle includes Velcro straps, a set of screws, a jump-start ATX plug, the AC power cord, and a user's manual common to the 750W, 850W, and 1000W G3 units.

Exterior

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Up front, you'll find a power switch and the ECO switch (used to toggle EVGA's semi-passive mode on or off).

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On the sides are stickers with the power specifications table and 80 PLUS Gold badge. Two more stickers are applied to the bottom with the PN, EAN, UPC, and serial numbers.

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The modular panel covers a significant part of the PSU's back side. Notice that the EPS sockets are different than the PCIe ones, so you don't have to pay close attention while you're connecting the modular cables. We like to see this.

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The finish is of good quality. We like the new fan grille and the specially-designed fan blades visible underneath. Aside from its good looks, another of the grille's major advantages is that it's less restrictive than punched one found on last generation's G2 units.

Cabling

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You don't get flat cables, but at least they're black to blend in with dark, windowed cases. Only the main ATX cable uses 16-gauge wires for lower voltage drops; the other cables employ standard 18AWG wires.

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We removed the heat-shrink tubing to take a peek at the filtering caps. As you can see, they are provided by Teapo, and not by a Japanese manufacturer. This isn't a problem per se, since the hard work is already done by ripple filtering caps on the PSU's secondary side and modular panel. Still, it would be nice if EVGA/Super Flower used Japanese caps on the cables as well since it's bragging about using "100% Japanese Capacitors" on the box.

Aris Mpitziopoulos
Contributing Editor

Aris Mpitziopoulos is a Contributing Editor at Tom's Hardware US, covering PSUs.

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13 Comments Comment from the forums
  • powernod
    140$. Exactly the same cost with Corsair's RMx1000 current pricing. Not sure which unit i would choose between those 2.
    Reply
  • BugariaM
    Nice.

    >>>The 1000 G3's single bulk cap is provided by Chemi-Con (400V, 820uF, 2000h @ 105°C, CE)

    Strangely, but I did not find "CE" series of capacitors in the Nippon Chemi-Con catalog
    Reply
  • 10tacle
    Wow. The price point of this and overall performance makes this a serious player even for those who were in the market for nothing more than 850W gold or even platinum PSUs. So many people out there say "you don't need more than a xxxW power supply for your build." I like to buy based on <60% of calculated max load use of my build for less fan noise, heat output, and higher efficiency wall draw.

    Buying a gold 600W PSU when my rig uses 500W for example does not make much sense to me. I'd prefer to spend a little more and buy a gold 850W ($110USD vs. $130USD in the example of these two 650 & 850 G3 series on NewEgg right now). Not only for a higher efficiency operation as described above, but for future headroom growth. But I understand many do not think that and look to save a few dollars everywhere...one being on the PSU.
    Reply
  • 10tacle
    19478429 said:
    140$. Exactly the same cost with Corsair's RMx1000 current pricing. Not sure which unit i would choose between those 2.

    Keep in mind when comparing the RM1000x that it was introduced at $180 in November 2015 and it took nearly a year to see the prices drop down below $150. The EVGA was originally released at $170 and has only been out for four months. Also keep in mind that the Corsair is marketed more for silent operation (drawback to that shown below).

    If none of the drawbacks described and shown here do not bother you, and if overall "hot" efficiency and exhaust temperature are among top priorities for you, then the EVGA is the better performer. Average efficiency result of 7 load line tests, and the average exhaust temps under each test:

    EVGA - 88.571%, 45.0C
    Corsair - 87.857%, 49.8C

    ^^While the <1% efficiency difference is nominal and will not be seen on your monthly power bill, that nearly 5C difference coming out can make a slight difference in the temperature of your room in the summer. So the Corsair being quieter has a drawback.

    http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=494 (EVGA)
    http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=449 (Corsair)
    Reply
  • Co BIY
    I would have liked to see the EVGA 1000 G2 in the performance tables as well. Both to see the generational improvement and to make a value comparison while both units are on the market.

    Is EVGA stopping production of the G2 series ?
    Reply
  • hst101rox
    10TACLE, if the efficiency of the EVGA and the Corsair are nearly identical, the ~5 degree C temp difference could be just from the amount of airflow being less in the Corsair. Power consumption is the only thing that equates to BTUs, heat.
    Reply
  • 10tacle
    19479497 said:
    10TACLE, if the efficiency of the EVGA and the Corsair are nearly identical, the ~5 degree C temp difference could be just from the amount of airflow being less in the Corsair. Power consumption is the only thing that equates to BTUs, heat.

    That's why I stated the downside to the Corsair is the hotter air coming out the back. Same thing with a video card: you have to sacrifice more heat output for a quieter fan speed.

    Reply
  • Aris_Mp
    I don't have 115V test results (but only 230V) for the G2s, so I couldn't add them to the graphs.
    Reply
  • Co BIY
    "We didn't get any OCP results because our unit died during the OPP test, meaning either that this particular sample had a problem or OPP is set very high."

    Seems like this would be a big deal ?

    Maybe at least one bullet in the Con column.
    Reply
  • Aris_Mp
    I have another one here, which come late, to test. If it dies as well then I will update the con list.
    Reply