The XPG Cybercore II 1300W ATX 3.0 PSU Review: A Slightly More Modest High-End PSU

Power Supply Quality

As part of our testing, we also check output parameters are within specifications, as well as voltage ripple and line noise.

The electrical performance of the XPG CYBERCORE II 1300W PSU is very good, although not in any way extraordinary for a unit of this class. It displays very tight voltage regulation on all voltage lines, at about 0.7% on all of its major voltage outputs, which is very good for such a powerful unit. Voltage filtering is fair, with a maximum ripple of 44 mV on the 12V line under maximum load, which technically is very good and less than half of what Intel’s Design Guide dictates, yet not an excellent result for a unit of this class and higher than what the previous version of the CYBERCORE could accomplish.

As part of our standard testing, we test the primary protections of all PSUs we review (Over Current, Over Voltage, Over Power, and Short Circuit). All of the protections of the XPG CYBERCORE II 1300W PSU engaged normally. Even the OCP and OPP protections, which are frequently set a bit too high on ATX 3.0 compliant units to avoid issues with the high power excursion requirements, kicked in quite quickly, immediately shutting down the unit at less than 115% of the unit’s rated electrical figures.

Conclusion

In terms of quality, the XPG CYBERCORE II 1300W demonstrates commendable build quality, incorporating high-quality Japanese electrolytic and solid-state capacitors alongside high-performance active components. The layout and assembly quality is excellent. Additionally, the inclusion of the NIDEC 120mm fan with its highly reliable dual ball bearing engine ensures its cooling and enhances the unit's long-term reliability. The OEM/ODM for the XPG CYBERCORE II is Channel Well Technologies (CWT), the same manufacturer as the previous generation. The second generation CYBERCORE units are based on a platform similar to the first but it has been significantly upgraded to fully comply with ATX 3.0 requirements.

Electrical performance is perhaps the primary selling point of the XPG CYBERCORE II series. It delivers very tight voltage regulation, whereas the filtering is fair but not high for a unit of this class. Its trump card lies with the energy conversion efficiency, where the unit easily meets the 80Plus Platinum certification requirements regardless of the input voltage. The high efficiency allows it to operate without having to rely on its cooling fan at all while the load is low, having the CYBERCORE II unit operating passively with loads as high as 600 Watts.

The thermal performance of the XPG CYBERCORE II is a bit complex – as the fan is disabled at lower loads, the temperatures will get high. Nevertheless, the temperature never reaches dangerous figures that would immediately impact the longevity of the unit, and the thermal control circuitry will force the fan to start whenever that is necessary regardless of the unit’s loading. Users that may find the operating temperatures uncomfortably high should consider that XPG covers the CYBERCORE II units with a 10-year long warranty, a warranty period that they'd have a tough time meeting if there was any significant thermal stress occurring. Noise levels are practically zero at low to medium loads, thanks to the fan remaining inactive when the load is below 50% of the unit's capacity at room temperature. However, under heavy and prolonged loads, the fan will become loud. Nevertheless, the overall noise performance is outstanding for a unit with that kind of capacity.

Overall, the XPG CYBERCORE II presents a well-built and reliable power supply option, offering good power quality, efficient thermal management, and highly competitive noise levels. Although not yet available in the US/EU markets, the XPG CYBERCORE II 1300W unit is expected to be released here at an MSRP of $319.99. But looking at retailers over in Asia, where the PSU is already available, the price is closer to $280 at current exchange rates; if XPG can do better than their official MSRP and match those prices here, then they'll have a hot commodity on their hands with a reasonably priced option for those seeking a high-end ATX 3.0 PSU. But even with its expected pricing, the CYBERCORE II is priced very competitively for high-end 80Plus Platinum designs, making it poised to become a compelling choice for users demanding high-end performance from their ATX 3.0 power supply units without breaking the bank.