Box & Bundle
There is a photo of the PSU, with its modular panel in view, at the face of the box. What matters the most for the majority of users is the ATX v3.0 badge in the top-right corner. The box provides good protection, and the bundle includes all the necessary along with an SFX-to-ATX adapter bracket, which will come in handy if you want to install the PSU in an ATX chassis, and the short cables are not an issue.
Product Photos
The PSU has large perforations on the top and front grilles so that airflow won’t be disrupted. The design is attractive but not as nice as in the Asus Rog Loki SFX-L model, which costs more.
Cables
| Modular Cables | ||||
| Description | Cable Count | Connector Count (Total) | Gauge | In Cable Capacitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATX connector 20+4 pin (300mm) | 1 | 1 | 16-20AWG | No |
| 4+4 pin EPS12V (400mm) | 2 | 2 | 16AWG | No |
| 12+2 pin PCIe (410mm) (600W) | 1 | 1 | 16-24AWG | No |
| 6+2 pin PCIe (400mm) | 3 | 3 | 16AWG | No |
| 6+2 pin PCIe (400mm+100mm) | 1 | 2 | 16-18AWG | No |
| SATA (110mm+115mm+115mm+115mm) | 2 | 8 | 18AWG | No |
| 4-pin Molex (100mm+110mm+110mm) | 1 | 3 | 18AWG | No |
| AC Power Cord (1380mm) – C13 coupler | 1 | 1 | 16AWG | – |
Two EPS connectors on dedicated cables, three PCIe 6+2 pin on dedicated cables, two 6+2 PCIe pin on a single cable, a single 12VHPWR set at 600W, eight SATA, and three 4-pin Molex connectors. The amount of provided connectors and more than enough for an SFX-L unit with 1000W max power. As expected, the cables are short, so if you use the provided SFX-to-ATX adapter bracket to install the PSU in a standard chassis, the short cables will be the limiting factor. Lastly, I won’t whine about the short distance between the peripheral connectors since this is an SFX-L unit.
Can your reviews add coil whine testing… Certain loads with coil whine Dba test results or something. I found all the Corsair PSUs appear to have some coil whine under load. Asus Loki apparently has as much if not more coil whine. Apparently Seasonic PSUs have less coil whine but a lot of complaints about fan noise (I replace fans in my PSUs) :P. I do like the Corsair PSUs, I build for silence so coil whine under load conditions defeats this goal.
Actually most complain for coil whine in the seasonic Vertex. We do test for coil whine but the fact is that we only get 2 samples per unit. If we notice coil whine we mention that in the reviews.
Another excellent review, Aris – thank you! It’s safe to say that I wouldn’t even consider buying a PSU without your thorough review. I do wonder though, I noticed that the unit is actually Platinum rated according to:
https://www.clearesult.com/80plus/sites/80plus/files/manufacturer-certificate/CORSAIR_RPS0156%20%28CP-9020246%29%20%28SF1000L%29_1000W_SOCE%206912_Report.pdf
Perhaps this was a marketing choice by Corsair, but even so, an odd one!
I’m currently torn between the Corsair SF1000L (noise isn’t a concern as long as the fan does its job), the Thermaltake Toughpower 1000W, and the ROG-Loki. However, I’m hesitant about the ROG-Loki due to reported coil whine issues. If you could only recommend one SFX-L 1000W+ PSU, which would you choose (even if not listed)?
Thanks in advance for your insights!
It is Platinum in Cybenetics, because of the different methodology that it uses compared to 80 P.
I don’t have an Asus Loki review sample so far and this troubles me. Asus marketing in general is so so, rarely sending out review samples.
I would go for the Corsair SFX-L. Currently it is the best option, especially if you don’t care about noise at high loads.
Thank you very much Aris – I’ve gone with the SF1000L!
Glad I helped!