1st Player NGDP 1000W PSU Review

Epilogue

The 1st Player NGDP 1000W achieves high overall performance with tight load regulation, decent ripple suppression, which is not competitive, tight transient response, and high efficiency in all load ranges. The soldering quality is good, but I don’t like the fan that Helly used. Yate Loon’s products are inferior to Globe Fan’s and Hong Hua’s, so they cost way less. Helly wanted to keep the cost down in this product, so they chose this fan. Nonetheless, the provided warranty is extended at ten years, which makes me wonder if the fan will manage to outlive it, especially under high operating temperatures for prolonged periods. Thankfully it uses ball bearings instead of a fluid dynamic one, which is less tolerant to heat. In any case, this is a high-performance platform with a fair price if 1st Player manages to release it at 190 dollars. The white version will be ideal for users with similar colored chassis since there are few white PSU options in today’s market. I am looking forward to the 1300W version, which I will have soon in my hands.

Another thing that left a good impression on me is that 1st Player provides a Chroma 8000 report for all NGDP units, meaning that each one is tested before it leaves the factory and reaches into consumers’ hands. This will play a significant role in minimizing RMA. Usually, production PSUs are tested with less capable load testers and not at the top-of-the-line Chroma 8000 ATE systems, which are expensive to acquire and maintain (calibration and certification). Kudos to 1st Player for taking this extra step to ensure everything leaving Helly’s factory is in good working order. Lastly, the 1st Player NGDP 1000W is among the first PSUs to have the fresh Cybenetics ATX v3.0 “Pass” badge, ensuring that the unit meets all of Intel’s newest specification requirements. Please keep in mind that the tough transient response tests, although highly important, are not the only thing required to have ATX v3.0 compatibility. The hold-up time needs to exceed 17ms, the power ok signal to be higher than 16ms, the PSU timings to be within the defined ranges, and dozens of other requirements. So far, almost all brands could name their product as ATX v3.0 ready, but now an independent certification agency checks that. For quite some time now, from the moment the ATX v3.0 spec was in effect, all Cybenetics PSU reports include ATX v3.0 testing and compatibility check, but there wasn’t a corresponding badge.

To wrap up today’s review, the 1st Player NGDP 1000W is a nice surprise from an OEM that is not so known in the market, and I expect that several brands will opt to get this platform and use it for their products, especially if it is offered in a reasonable price. So, I am looking forward to a version of this platform with higher quality FETs and fan, which might not be as affordable as the NGDP 1000, but still, it will meet the competition more effectively.

To check all alternative PSU offerings, read my Best ATX v3.0 PSUs article before investing in a new power supply. You help me a lot by using my affiliate links, which don’t increase the product’s price. I get a commission from Amazon every time you do it, which can make a difference for me, especially now that I am on my own, working exclusively for my media and not for someone else.