The NZXT C1500 is a powerful and high-performance PSU, capable of delivering up to 3000W of power, for short periods, if required. With the upcoming NVIDIA RTX 5090 you will definately be on the safe side, with a 1500W ATX v3.1 compliant power factory.
The NZXT C1500 will be included in my best ATX v3.x & PCIe 5.x PSU picks article.
The C1500 is NZXT’s flagship PSU model, using a modern platform provided by Channel Well Technology. It can deliver up to 1500W continuously and up to 3000W for short periods, meeting the strict ATX v3.1 requirements. This is not a PSU for the average user, but it addresses highly demanding users who want to push to the max high-end and power-hungry CPUs, and especially GPUs. If you flash your RTX 4090 with a “special” BIOS, allowing for up to 1000W power levels, then a capable 1500W PSU, or an even stronger one, is required. Don’t expect to see performance gains that justify the crazy increase in power consumption under such “special” usage scenarios. Still, there are always people out there who want to push hardware beyond its limits, and I cannot blame them for that because I used to do that many years ago.
The C1500 is named Platinum because of its 80 PLUS rating. Still, Titanium in the Cybenetics scheme uses over 1450 different load combinations to calculate its ratings, contrary to a handful that 80 PLUS takes into account. Using only several load points to calculate a PSU’s efficiency is inaccurate. This could have been enough 20 years ago, but times have changed, and we should improve every certification protocol and standard we use and not remain stuck in the past. Thanks to the versatility of the Cybenetics scheme, the 1450 different load levels can easily be upgraded to 3000 or even 10,000 if required without any significant changes to the certification’s base scheme.
Back to the C1500, it uses a fully modular cable design, and its dimensions are larger than usual since it is a power beast. With a depth of 180mm, you cannot call it large since other similar-capacity PSUs are way larger. Take, for example, the Seasonic TX-1600, which measures 210mm long! I don’t like small, in-dimensional PSUs, or to put it simply, high power-density PSUs, since in most cases, their output noise is extremely high because of the restricted airflow at their internals. An overpopulated PCB with parts that have to handle high power levels will quickly develop high temperatures, so the cooling fan has to spin at high speeds to handle the increased thermal loads.
ATX v3.1 >1300W PSU Reviews:
- Seasonic Prime TX-1300 ATX v3.0 PSU Review
- 1st Player NGDP 1300W PSU Review
- XPG Cybercore II 1300 Platinum PSU Review
- Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1350W ATX v3.0 PSU Review
- Super Flower Leadex Titanium ATX v3.0 1600W PSU Review
- be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13 1600W PSU Review
- XPG Fusion 1600W Titanium PSU Review – Should Corsair Worry?
- Seasonic Prime PX-1600 ATX v3.0 PSU Review
- Seasonic Prime TX-1600 ATX v3.0 PSU Review
- Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1650W ATX v3.0 PSU Review
- Manufacturer (OEM): CWT (CTT Platform)
- Max Power: 1500W
- Cybenetics Efficiency: [115V] Cybenetics Titanium (91-93%) [230V] Cybenetics Titanium (93-95%)
- Noise: Cybenetics A- (25-30 dB[A])
- Compliance: ATX v3.1, EPS 2.92
- Operating Temperature (Continuous Full Load): 0 – 50 °C
- Alternative Low Power Mode support: Yes
- Power 12V combined: 1500W
- Number of 12V rails: 1
- Power 5V + 3.3v: 120W
- Power 5VSB: 15W
- Cooling: 140mm Magnetic Levitation Bearing Fan (MFE0251VX-1Q010-S99)
- Semi-Passive Operation: ✓ (selectable)
- Modular Design: Yes (Fully)
- High Power Connectors: 2x EPS (2x cables), 6x PCIe 6+2 pin (6x cables), 2x PCIe 12+4 pin (600W, 2x cables)
- Peripheral Connectors: 12x SATA (3x cables), 4x 4-pin Molex (1x cables)
- ATX Cable Length: 600mm
- EPS Cable Length: 700mm
- 6+2 pin PCIe Cable Length: 650mm
- 12+4 pin PCIe Cable Length: 650mm
- Distance between SATA / 4-pin Molex: 145/150mm
- In-cable capacitors: No
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 150 mm x 85 mm x 180mm
- Weight: 2.38 kg (5.25 lb)
- Warranty: 10-years
- Street price (excluding VAT): $369
Power Specifications
Rail | 3.3V | 5V | 12V | 5VSB | ||
Max. Power | Amps | 22 | 22 | 125 | 3 | |
Watts | 120 | 1500 | 15 | |||
Total Max. Power (W) | 1500W (115-240V) 1300W (100-115V) |
Hey! I read a bad reviews for NZXT C1200 Gold because terrible coil whine. How about this C1500?
on the Chromas it was fine. Coil whine also has to do with the rest system parts.
So the C1500 itself doesn’t produce coil whine, if I understand correctly? Thanks for your answer.
coil whine is a difficult topic. It has to do with the rest hardware of the system which can make things worse.
Hi Aris,
I bought a NZXT C1500, and it worked fine for 2 days. On the 3rd day I went to turn on my computer in the morning and only the ram memory rgb would turn on, but the system wouldn’t boot, the cpu fan would not spin, but I would hear a “click” sound everytime I pressed the power button. I removed the PSU and did the paperclip test and the PSU fan would not spin, but I hear the click noise. I installed my old PSU and my computer turned on just fine. So I sent the PSU back to amazon for a full refund, and I’m planning on getting another new one.
Do you know what probably happened to the PSU?
Thank you!
Are you sure is the PSU’s fault? Because I have the same issues in a system, and it is the mainboard that suddenly decided not to “like” the PSU. In general I hear that DDR5 can also cause this, especially in AMD systems.
Thanks for replying Aris. Well, my system is AMD and I have DDR5, so it fits what you said, but what makes me think it’s the PSU fault is because I disconnected it from the mainboard and did the paperclip test on pins 4 and 5 of the 24pin cable connector, and the PSU fan did not start spinning (I made sure to turn the zero fan switch off), this would isolate the problem with just the PSU, unless the paperclip test is not indicative the PSU is not working properly.
for me, take a plain PSU tester, which will come in handy in the future as well. Now if you indeed de-selected semi-passive mode, the PSU’s fan should start. Make sure everything is disconnected from the PSU, only the 24-pin cable is on!
https://www.amazon.com/Computer-PC-Tester-Connectors-Enclosure/dp/B076CLNPPK/
Hello Aris, so I returned my C1500 to Amazon and they gave me a full refund, so I bought a PSU tester like the one you linked and I bought a new C1500 that just came in today. I put it on the tester and the readings seems to be tight except for the PG timing which is measuring 90ms, I did read on Corsair website that the normal for PG is between 100ms and 500ms. Do you think I should be concerned? Thank you.
Hello i would like to get your advice. I will upgrade soon from my Dark Power Pro 11 550W which is now running in my system for almost 10 years. I need the best PSU for my 9950X3D + RTX 5090 workstation build i plan to do in a few months when the parts are available.
At first I wanted to get the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W for 250€ but maybe i want a little bit more power. Currently looking at the NZXT C1500 which i can get for just 300€ which seems like a great price and the Prime TX-1300 which is significantly more expensive at 450€. Is there a reason why its so much more expensive and is it justified and worth the extra cost for critical work on the machine ? I am also skeptical about the low price for the C1500. There has to be a reason why its so cheap for a good performing 1500W unit.
I would appreciate your input here. Thank you!
The C1500 is a fine choice.
Thank you for the quick reply. That was my favorite choice too but i also like the additional quality characteristics i get with the TX-1300
I tried to understand why the Prime TX-1300 is much more expensive with 450€+ compared to 300€. It seems to me that it comes with extra cable combs to shape the cables, extra velcro straps, additional cable ties and also a ATX 24PIN 90° Adapter that is a PSU tester at the same time. The cables also seem to be less stiff and way more flexible than the cables included with the C1500. Sounds like great additions to me.
Is the 12V Voltage sag during the “Off to Full Load Turn-on” transient response or the mediocre 3.3V transient response something that can cause actually cause issues in a system or that nothing to worry about at all even when running that thing for many years ?
Thank you for your insight!
NZXT C1500 vs ASRock PG 1600G (Phantom)?
Tough, it depends on the prices.
NZXT C1500 – $ 360
ASRock PG 1600G – $ 300 + TAX
it prices are similar I would probably go for the C1500. I need to review the PG 1600G, to have the complete picture.
Thanks for the reply!
Will wait for your review before making a final decision.
The only thing I don’t like about NZXT PSUs is their connecting cables.
They are quite stiff and difficult to manage.
However, the PG 1600G has the same type of cables for the motherboard and 12V-2×6 connectors.
Have the C1500 , 12v rail reading , 11.872v no load , OCCT , HWiNFO64 and BIOS , with normal load , 11.760v and OCCT 11.704v for 10 minutes and OCCT GPU load on my 4090 11.778v .
Also I have a FSP PTM PRO 1200W , used for a year , its 12v rail is 12.040v no load ,with load 11.812v , RTX4090 12v 11.99v to 12.050v.
My spec are ASUS X570 DARK HERO- 5950X 64GB 4X16
https://youtu.be/Z5t_fBfq9Cw
https://youtu.be/p1ewIb_KjuM
Excellent review , order the C1500 for my system , Amazon UK ,free shipping 40 dollars saved, for a final bill of 285 dollars !!
Great site though, thank you.
For the love of God, please lose the ad at the bottom of the page! It drives me INSANE and no other site I visit has it. Thank you.
Can you send me a screenshot? Also, we need ads to survive!
It’s not the ad itself, but it’s position on the page. The ads either side of your content are not distracting, but the space at the bottom of the page containing the ad that can be hidden, is a constant distraction and a pain in the arse! Anyway, maybe it’s just me.
NZXT C1500 vs Be Quiet! Pro 13 1600W? For future proof (Nvidia RTX 5XXX), less risk with connectors melting and overall performance?
Thanks a lot!
NZXT C1500 ATX v3.1 vs Seasonic PRIME PX-1600 ?
PX-1600
At £150 more for the Seasonic from Scan in the UK!
I just bought the NZXT C1500 based on your excellent review, currently using a Seasonic TX1000. Only upgraded in anticipation of upgrading to a Nvidia 5090. Thanks so much for your content Aris.
MEG Ai1300P vs. C1500
I will buy one of them and really need your opinion on this versus. I’ll be so glad if you reply this one.
Thanks.
C1500
So, I picked C1500 today. Thanks so much again!
Thanks for the thorough review. Maybe I missed it, but I didn’t see any EMI testing. Did you look at that?
I bought this one to replace my old Corsair RM1000X, but the +12v Rail reports to be 11.904 in BIOS and in Windows it’s between 11.904/11.808; More like 11.808 than 11.904 that is. The PCIe +12v Rails report around v12.060 with v11.883 under load. I wonder whether this is an issue with the power supply or some other component that could be giving me issues. Should I return the PSU?
Do not pay attention to what the mainboard’s sensors say, they are not accurate, at all.
have the same issue as you just bought this psu , have you fixed it ?
I don’t understand one thing, why this C1500 platform called CTT has the same nomenclature as the platform mounted on XPG Cybercore II 1300 and MSI MEG Ai1000P PCIe5.
They are so different, starting from the double transformer of the 12v, passing through the number of capacitors on the primary, the different dc to dc stage, the different position of many components, the output connectors with only solid state capacitors for c1500 while there are electrolytic ones for the other two. On the other hand the CST platform of the Dark Power Pro 13 1600W is much more similar to the CTT.
the platform has several changes, requested by NZXT as I remember.
Thi is really a great PSU, CWT is always synonymous with trust and quality.
I saw on their site that they produce a 2000w psu with the acronym CTT, atx 3.1 pcie 5.1, 80+TITANIUM, with only one 12V-2×6 connector but there is no review or internal photo to see if the platform is further updated.
Can I say that the C1500 has a superior performance compared to the TF11550?
Yes
Hi,
Just a quick one, those Sunon Maglev fans, do they not have an issue operating vertically- as I read this somewhere.
Thanks
No they are just fine.