INTRODUCTION

    The power supply unit is often the most overlooked part of a computer build, quietly doing its job behind the scenes while more glamorous components like GPUs and CPUs steal the spotlight. Yet without it, nothing works, it’s the gatekeeper of stability, converting raw electricity into clean, usable power for every part of your system. A good PSU doesn’t just deliver wattage, it protects against surges, regulates voltage, and ensures your machine runs smoothly under pressure. Over the years, these units have evolved to become smarter, more efficient, and whisper-quiet, with features that cater to both performance and aesthetics. Choosing the right PSU is more than a technical decision, it’s a commitment to reliability and today with me I have what's probably the most advanced model to roll out from be quiet!, the Dark Power 14 1200W.

    We are the German premium brand manufacturer of quiet hardware components for gaming, workstations and desktop PCs. Since our foundation in 2001, we are proud to have more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Our goal from the very beginning has been to develop products of the highest quality that are not only quiet, but also extremely powerful. With a wide range of power supplies, PC cases, water and air coolers and fans, we have established ourselves as a leading manufacturer in this field.

    The Dark Power 14 line currently includes 3 power outputs (850/1000/1200W) all of which are fully modular, ATX 3.1 & PCIe 5.1 compliant and 80 PLUS Titanium certified (up to 95.57% efficiency). The 1200W output model that I have here with me features two 12V-2x6 power connectors, four 6+2 pin PCIe power connectors, four +12V rails (33/33/45/45A) capable of delivering 100% of the units’ total power output (they can also be combined as a single powerful rail) and has a peak power output of no less than 1341W (peak should be up to 2682W for up to 100ms - once again however this is not something I can test). Other features and specifications of the Dark Power 14 include full bridge LLC topology with synchronous rectifier and DC to DC module design, active PFC, zero fan mode for the 135mm fan (starts spinning after a specific load), high-quality Japanese capacitors certified for use up to 105 degrees Celsius, sleeved cables and a full array of electrical protections including over-current (OCP), over-voltage (OVP), under-voltage (UVP), short-circuit (SCP), over-temperature (OTP), surge and in-rush (SIP), and over-power (OPP). Finally, be quiet! covers the entire Dark Power 14 line of power supply units with a generous 10-year limited warranty.