| CoolMax CUQ-1200B Modular 1200W Power Supply Unit |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Power | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Written by Olin Coles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunday, 25 November 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CoolMax CUQ-1200BWhether you're a hardcore gamer with a set SLi or CrossFire video cards or a hardware enthusiast with several hard disks and an overclocked quad-core processor, the power draw your computer created can quickly add up to an outrageous electric bill. With so many systems now consuming 600W or more of continuous power, consumers are beginning to find ways to conserve energy and save their money. CoolMax has joined the 80-PLUS revolution by offering their Green Power CUQ-1200B modular power supply unit, and Benchmark Reviews inspects their claims as we load-test this unit for AC power ripple and DC voltage regulation. I can remember almost a year ago when 1.0 kilowatt power supply units first hit the market. Around that same time, people were testing their SLi and CrossFire setups, and with rumor of Quad-SLi later becoming a reality it seemed like everyone would be using this much power into the future. Looking back, I am thankful the motherboard manufacturers essentially killed this idea, since it really seems ridiculous to need four video cards for anything. But for those who live and die by the virtual sword (gamers), there are cost-friendly solutions such as the CoolMax CUQ-1200B Modular 1200W Power Supply Unit.
Certainly by now we can all agree that the power supply unit is the single most important part of any computer. Regardless of the system or purpose there is a given rule: whether it is a simple workstation with integrated components or an advanced gaming system with newest technology available, everything requires power to operate. As anyone who has suffered the failure of a low-end power supply will tell you: not all power supply units (PSU's) are created equal, and looks really don't mean a thing. Although I believe only the most hardcore gamers would ever call upon this much power to feed their energy-thirsty team of video cards, that doesn't stop manufacturers from giving others the opportunity for expansion if it were ever necessary. Today it is our mission here at Benchmark Reviews to pick-apart the mighty CoolMax CUQ-1200B Modular 1200W Power Supply Unit. With more connections and power than any modern computer could consume, we will do our best to offer perspective on the DC voltage regulation and AC current ripple. Next generation platforms and high performance graphics cards are essential to modern gamers and hardware enthusiasts, just as much as the new software designed to use them. Complete with six PCI-Express cables (four 6-pin and two 8-pin) and nine serial ATA connectors, the CoolMax CUQ-1200B is built to provide sufficient output to power demanding GPU teams and quad-core system setups. With a maximum 12V output of 900W over four rails to provide uniform distribution of power, the CUQ-1200B is very capable of driving today's highest-end systems. With these features, this unit will have no problem accommodating the needs of bleeding-edge technology for years to come. 
Benchmark Reviews has seen some major changes within the power supply industry over the past year. Even in such a limited purpose industry, somehow fads manage to come into existence. At one point, the number of rails a PSU offered was key to media hype. At another point, you could see everyone pushing for the highest watts in their new product. I can't forget how modular power supplies, with the assortment of cables and interfaces, also shared some time in the limelight. The latest trend seemed to be 80-Plus efficiency, but since most PSU's are at least this efficient the label has lost meaning. And then without any warning, it was as if every company manufacturing power supply units suddenly decided that they could win the battle for industry dominance by combining all of the above features, and add a nice paint job or mirror finish for good measure. The new generation of power supplies has begun to amp up the competition for placement in your computer case. Antec’s EarthWatts series was among the first to cause a stir in the PSU industry by emphasizing efficient power delivery over the multi-rail hype over two years ago. But now 80% or better efficiency is very common. Somehow, the industry is shifting back to square one. The CoolMax CUQ-1200B Modular 1200W Power Supply Unit offers convenient modular cabling and more power over fewer rails. About the company: CoolMax USA, Inc.CoolMax is a rapidly growing company that was founded in the year 1992. Our initial task of providing cooling solutions for electrical and industrial applications using AC and DC voltage fans is our solid foundation. Our commitment to excellence in both products and service had earned for us the reputation as a leading thermal solutions provider in the industry. We strive to work hard, hand in hand with our clients, from the biggest to the smallest. They rely on our company's ability to provide quick and professional responses to inquiries and production demands. Our factories are located in China and are ISO9000 and 14001 certified, all our products are UL, TUV, CSA, CE approved. CoolMax is dedicated to providing the best cooling solutions engineered for a high-tech world while maintaining long-term customer relationships. Along with this line, we are also channeling our efforts to include our services in the field of Rapid Injection Molding. Our focus is to provide new product developers and designers with the fastest and least-expensive way to obtain low volumes of plastic injection molded parts. In this regard, we have also embarked on a new venture that will allow us to provide high quality cold forged and extruded heat sinks for a variety of applications. Our world class products can support the high-end PCs in both electronics and industrial applications. As with many companies, the focus of the company soon diversified as technological advancements created new and exciting opportunities. The challenge of providing computer users with only the best that the industry could offer opened us to a whole new horizon of opportunities in product innovations. Thus, we were able to branch out into other fields. Our major product line includes External Enclosures for hard drives, CD Rom/DVD drives, Power Supplies, Cables and Case Mods. Today, our company has since grown tremendously to emerge as one of the industry's leading computer components manufacturer. We remain continuously focused on providing the best value in the marketplace for our products and services. And as the saying goes: "Successful companies need to continually re-invent themselves." - we agree 100%. CUQ-1200B Connections
CUQ-1200B Features
Closer Look: CUQ-1200B Exterior DesignPower supplies are one of those hardware components which are at the heart of any computer system, but get none of the recognition. As I have (painfully) learned over the years, the power supply unit can cause terrible trouble for components if it's operating improperly. In fact, just last week I had a computer which would turn on but simply never reach the POST screen; as it turned out the PSU was to blame. This illustrates how important a high-quality power supply is to system stability. No power, no computing.
CoolMax enforces a strictly-business approach in their CUQ-1200B Modular 1200W Power Supply Unit. While the appearance is not as radiant or reflective as some of the other power supplies we have reviewed, namely the Hiper HPU-4K530-MS Type R Modular 530W PSU, it still offers a finger-print friendly design that will look good in any case.
While the CUQ-1200B is marketed as a modular 1200W PSU, there are more native cable groups than you might be used to in such a design. I was surprised by how many standard connections were included in the native cable group, which left a few extra connections to be tucked away from view.
CoolMax has engineered the CUQ-1200B to offer a maximum output of 1200 combines watts. The CoolMax manual and website all list the four 12-volt power rails as generating 900W, which would indicate that they figured these ratings with 83.33% efficiency. Additionally, an unnecessary 30A each is available for both of the 3.3V and 5V connections.
The uncommon size of 135mm was used for the primary cooling fan in the CoolMax CUQ-1200B, and rear-mounted 80mm cooling fan which resembles Zaward's Golf Fan design helps exhaust the heated air. Please continue on to the next section for closer details and an inspection of the cables and wiring.
CUQ-1200B Cables and WiringWith so many native cables, the modular designation of this power supply comes into question. For most casual gamers and hardware enthusiasts, you'll probably never use one of the modular connections since the CoolMax CUQ-1200B already has the capability to connect an SLi or CrossFire video card set, four SATA devices, and two standard Molex devices without them.
By utilizing so many non-modular native cables, the CoolMax CUQ-1200B PSU can be a bit overwhelming once it is installed into the computer chassis. The image above is an excellent example of the many cables and connections the CUQ-1200B offers, but it also depicts the numerous cable groups which you will have to find a home for.
Both the native and modular cables are covered with nylon sleeves and terminated with shrink wrap over the connection ends. This provides excellent durability for these wires, and should provide years of worry-free service. While all of the native connector ends are black in color, the modular PCI-E connection ends are colored red to correspond to the matching ports on the face of the power supply unit.
Unlike the very similar Thermaltake Toughpower W0133RU 1200W Modular PSU, CoolMax does not label the modular connection ports with "Peripheral" or "VGA Card" on the CUQ-1200B. Nor does the information sticker indicate which rail corresponds to a specific modular plug. Instead, the most unusable information has been listed in this interface sticker: the voltage pinout diagram. I'm sure that will come in handy; almost never.
Thanks to the active power factor correction feature built into this power supply unit, the CUQ-1200B has a very simple rear panel. The extra-large black plastic power button is a non-backlit rocker style should be easy to reach when the situation calls for it. But has CoolMax placed function before fashion, such as ePower Technology had done with their EP-1200P10 xScale 1200W PSU? In the next section, the CUQ-1200B will be load tested for AC power ripple and DC voltage regulation.
Load TestingI am well aware of what the more knowledgeable readers think about these power supply reviews: impractical and often useless. Benchmark Reviews is working hard to change that impression. Recording voltage with a digital multimeter alone offers no value to the test, since power fluctuates a great deal in the span of a single millisecond. Because of this, Benchmark Reviews has taken a corrected approach to testing PSU's and hopes to offer the best analysis possible. Power supplies are not like most other computer components, where it is a simple matter of comparing the item to others in the same category. Power supply's are comprised of several different variables, such as maximum output, energy efficiency, voltage regulation, and current ripple. Each of these variables must be analyzed with unique tools, which makes it properly review a power supply unit without them. Benchmark Reviews has researched the equipment necessary to complete the most thorough power supply unit review possible. We spent the time learning what it takes because the best possible PSU tests are what we want to give to our readers. But after discovering the prices on a programmable output DC power supply system, variable range load testing units, and a DC power analyzer (Oscilloscope), we felt that more than ten-thousand dollars worth of equipment would be far too cost prohibitive for testing power supply units worth $100-$300. So without compromising too much, we made a slightly less-expensive investment into a good quality Oscilloscope in order to test DC voltage regulation and AC power ripple. Additionally, the CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD 1500VA 900W LCD UPS reports the total power load drawn by the system. Used together, the Oscilloscope. LCD UPS, and digital multimeter will offer readers the best measurement of power stability any review site could reasonably offer. Test System (200W Idle / 280W Loaded)
Test Equipment
Test MethodologyOur testing process is comprised of measuring the AC current ripple, and the DC voltage regulation. There are several key steps, all of which allow us to measure and record our readings using the identical methods for every test we perform. Over time, there have been many changes to the test environment in terms of system hardware and software versions. We understand that consistent in our testing methods is very important in order for the results obtained to be comparable. At the start of every test, the Velleman PCSU-1000 Oscilloscope is calibrated with the PC-Lab2000SE software. After calibration is complete, the voltage on the 12V rails are measured and recorded with the Extech 450 digital multimeter to ensure comparable margin across all rails. Once the Velleman 60MHz probe has been grounded and attached to the 12V lead, our test system is powered on and left at the Windows logon screen for ten minutes. Once this lightly-loaded idle warm up period is complete, the Velleman PCSU-1000 Oscilloscope was allowed to run for one minute measuring the AC power ripple. These readings are displayed several times per second, so a visual inspection of the most common (average) reading is recorded for our test results. After the results have been recorded from the light idle load, our test system then receives heavy load by utilizing ATITool to scan for artifacts. This forces the video card into high-power 3D mode, and after many months of research this program alone has proven to create more power draw than the Folding at Home clients or a combined EVEREST System Stability Test. After another minute of heavy load the power supply is again measured, and the AC power ripple and 12V DC voltage regulation results are recorded. Voltage Regulation & Ripple Test ResultsIn the test results below, it might be necessary to explain what you are viewing. In each image the AC power ripple is represented by the yellow trace line making up the waveform. While every personal computer power supply unit available to the retail market has some degree of measurable AC power ripple, it is most important that measurable AC ripple is very minor and does not create a large peak to peak voltage (Vpp) distortion. Stable, well-regulated power is critical to system stability and hardware longevity. AC Ripple Waveform at Light Idle Load
The waveform image above shows the AC power ripple under light idle load, which is measured inside of a 1ms recording frame. Waveform data recorded during the light idle load measurement is represented in the chart below: AC Ripple Waveform Data at Light Idle Load
The waveform data above describes the actual measurements at light idle load. The maximum peak-to-peak AC voltage distortion was 190.6 mV, and the AC RMS ripple was 24.2 mV under light idle load. Note that these results are slightly better than the average results we have collected under light idle load. Here are the average AC RMS ripple measurements under light idle load for power supplies we have recently tested:
The waveform image below shows the AC power ripple under heavy load. The maximum peak-to-peak AC voltage distortion was 232.8 mV, and the AC RMS ripple was 30.85 mV under heavy load. Note that these results are only slightly better than other test results we have collected under heavy load. AC Ripple Waveform at Heavy Load
Under heavy load, the CoolMax CUQ-1200B Modular 1200W Power Supply Unit measured an average AC RMS ripple just a little higher than the ripple at light idle load, which is very good. The waveform data recorded during the heavy load measurement is represented in the chart below: AC Ripple Waveform Data at Heavy Load
Because the CoolMax CUQ-1200B 1200W PSU offered above-average results in the idle readings, I didn't really expect them to get any better; but this PSU recorded excellent results into the heavy load tests. Here are the average AC RMS ripple measurements under heavy load for other power supplies we have recently tested:
The power dropped down to no less than 12.00 V, which means that even under heavy load there is almost no chance that system stability will be affected. Under light idle load conditions the DC regulation averaged 0.19 Vpp, and deviated only slightly more under heavy load to a measured 0.25 Vpp; both results are excellent. The DC regulation data recorded at light and heavy load is displayed in the chart below:
DC Voltage Regulation Waveform Data at Light Idle and Heavy Load
Many of the power supplies we test here at Benchmark Reviews have DC voltage regulation measuring above the 12V baseline more often than below. For obvious reasons, the diversion from the 12V baseline with increased voltage is more preferred than below it since dropping too far under 12V will cause a system to power off or recycle. Plainly put, no power supply is ever perfectly centered at 12V DC; instead they most often maintain a DC mean voltage higher than they are regulated at.
Final ThoughtsWhen I approach a power supply review, I look closely at a few specific items. Looks are important, but they aren't at the top of the list. More important is the PSU's ability to do its job, and do it efficiently. CoolMax had done a good job at delivering the product in an appealing design, but there were only a few small items which kept me from considering this for the Editor Choice award.
While there are just a few little items on my list of recommended improvements, for the most part they are all refinement issues. The large array of native cable groups is sure to cut down on RMA issues due to faulty modular cables, but I think there are too many for this unit to take advantage of the modular connections. The use of a second 80mm cooling fan may have been unnecessary for a PSU marketed as ultra-efficient. Otherwise, this unit survives my inspection with no real flaws to be found. CoolMax CUQ-1200B ConclusionCoolMax emphasizes the Green-format environmental friendliness in every aspect of their retail packaging design. On the front of the box in extra-large font is the catch phrase "Max Green, Purify Environment", which is essentially the first impression you receive with this product. Using simple green on white color schemes, the CUQ-1200B would have you believe that it's actually saving the planet. While the presentation is nice, I discovered it to be more or less a mixed message. After all, you can't market your environmentally friendly position by ignoring recycled cardboard packaging. CoolMax describes the finish on their CUQ-1200B as a "Hairline Aluminum Effect Surface", which is another way of saying it's not polished. A polished finish may potentially add some luster to the smoky raw-aluminum chassis, but I seem to agree with CoolMax in their decision to keep the chassis finger-print friendly. The gold fan grills add accent. Power supply units are one of the few computer components which historically have been built solid. In all honesty, you could throw a PSU around the room like dodge-ball and it would still probably work just fine. This takes the structural weakness away from the chassis, an places it onto accessories like modular cabling. One downside to modular cables is that you'll have a hard time replacing one if it becomes unusable. CoolMax has a mix of native cable groups with accessories utilizing the modular connections. The CUQ-1200B offered average AC current ripple fluctuation results, but the DC voltage regulation is well above average. While the marketing material boasts a maximum 87% efficiency, the test results indicate that this sort of performance would only be possible in a best-case lab scenario. The 80-PLUS certification is real, however, and the list of features extends well beyond efficiency and convenience. Presently the CoolMax CUQ-1200B Modular 1200W Power Supply Unit is available at NewEgg.com for $299.99, making it the most affordable 1200W PSU sold. Even at this price I still suspect that only the most elite hardware enthusiasts and hardcore gamers running SLi or CrossFire will ever be shopping for a product like this, the value is unbeatable and opens the door for those interested in future-proofing or upgrading their existing system. Everything a serious hardware enthusiast or hardcore gamer could ever want is available in the CoolMax CUQ-1200B Modular 1200W PSU. The value is clearly a welcome bonus, since the bulk of 850~1000W units are selling within the same range as this 1200W unit. Additionally, highly-stable voltage regulation and sufficiently tame AC ripple make the CUQ-1200B a great choice when shopping for a high-output power supply unit. Pros:
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Comments
tape up the rear fan and cover the big fan. If it gets a gulp of cool
air, it shuts down like someone pulled the plug! This thing is brand
new and I can't return it. $189 + shipping, I guess I'm screwed!
Know this, I won't buy another COOLMAX.