CONCLUSION

   We haven't really had the chance to use/test many power supplies by COUGAR during the past few years but the ones we have tested performed extremely well including the brand new GX-1050 V3. Of course as you're all aware by now it may not offer the highest possible rail stability but aside it being very good it does so at low noise levels (at least lower than most in its league) and comes with a complete set of electrical protections. Now i would prefer a fully-modular design if just so COUGAR could use the same future-proof pitch many manufacturers do (whether or not we will see a change in the 20/24pin power cable anytime soon that remains to be seen) but at least you do get flat modular cables which can indeed make things easier when routing them behind your mainboard tray.

   As we speak the COUGAR GX-1050 V3 1050W power supply unit (GX1050V3 as some have listed it as) retails for USD149.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 144Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) a price tag which is actually very good for a 1050W 80 Plus Gold certified unit and places it amongst the most affordable 1000-1100W models in the market. True some models offer 80 Plus Platinum and even Titanium certifications and that's why they cost a lot more but leaving out the fact that there are many Gold Certified units out there that cost more (even some Bronze certified ones) we don't think that at least for the majority of users Platinum and Titanium certifications matter much. Overall the new GX-1050 V3 (GX1050V3) delivers a very good bang for your buck and that's why it gets our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Design
- Very Good Rail Stability
- Noise Levels
- 5 Years Warranty
- 80 Plus Gold Certified
- Electrical Protections (OCP/OPP/OVP/OTP/UVP/SCP)
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- None