INTRODUCTION

   When many of us first started using PCs in the early 90's power supply units were probably the last hardware component we cared or knew anything about and that didn't change until many years later. As a matter of fact, up until the turn of the century we'd all spend large sums of money on pretty much every single hardware component such as CPU's, RAM, HDDs, optical drives and graphics/audio/storage controller cards but literally no one I know gave a second thought about what PSU was in the system back then. Granted back then we didn't have power hungry systems so any PSU in the market regardless of output and features would do fine (which is also why we didn't have many models to choose from - also features and outputs were limited at best). That however has long changed so today not only are power supply units extremely important but there are countless models out there with different power outputs and features. Antec recently revamped their High Current Gamer line of power supply units and after testing its lower output brothers today with us we have the flagship model the High Current Gamer Extreme 1000W (HCG1000 Extreme).

   Antec, Inc. is the global leader in high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself markets. Founded in 1986, Antec is recognized as a pioneer in the industry and has maintained its position as a worldwide market leader and international provider of quiet, efficient and innovative products. Antec has also achieved great success in the distribution channel, meeting the demands of quality-conscious system builders, VARs and integrators. Antec is headquartered in Fremont, California, with additional offices in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, as well as in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, China and Taiwan. The company’s products are sold in more than 40 countries throughout the world.

   As clearly stated by its name the High Current Gamer 1000 is a power supply unit that features a continuous power output of 1000W (maximum/peak power output of up to 1139W) thus making it ideal even for multi-GPU configurations (depends on the models however). The HCG1000 Extreme also features an 80 Plus Gold Efficiency Certification (up to 92% efficient), PhaseWave server-class design, fully modular design (future-proof), flat modular cables (increased airflow levels and easier routing), 135mm fluid-dynamic bearing fan with hybrid mode (completely off at low loads), server-grade temperature rating (up to 50 degrees Celsius ambient), 100% Japanese primary heavy-duty capacitors, single +12V powerful rail (83A) which can use almost 99% of the units total rated power output (996W) and the CircuitShield array of electrical protections OVP/OCP/UVP/SCP/OPP/OTP/SIP/NLO). The High Current Gamer Extreme line currently includes two models (850/1000W) both of which are covered by Antecs Quality 10 year limited warranty.