Epilogue
The competition is intense in the 1000-1050W range, but the Thermaltake GF3 A3 1050W achieves a high overall performance, taking second place among numerous similar spec PSUs that I chose for comparison purposes. The load regulation is tight enough, especially at 12V, where it matters the most, ripple suppression is excellent, and the transient response is decent. However, I would like lower voltage drops at 12V and the hold-up time is extended. Moreover, compared to the 1200W unit, the difference in noise output is tremendous, with the 1050W unit achieving a Cybenetics A- noise rating. Not many similar capacity units are notably quieter than the GF3 A3 1050W.
Similar to the 1200W model, I cannot say that I am excited about the CapXon caps used everywhere in the unit’s secondary side, but from what I hear, Chinese cap factories have nothing to do with the past and produce way better products. After all, this product is covered by a hefty ten-year warranty, meaning Thermaltake has faith in it, or else it wouldn’t offer it.
Overall, the Thermaltake GF3 A3 1050W is a capable power supply that can compete with any other in this price range. With 150 dollars, you get a genuine ATX v3.0 unit with high overall performance. I am skeptical about the fan’s quality, and I wonder why TT didn’t use the same fan with the 1200W unit. However, on the other hand, the fan change also helped keep noise output lower. In any case, the product is covered by a ten-year warranty, so you will be covered if something goes wrong with the fan. There are several alternative choices if you don’t want, for your reasons, to go with this TT PSU, including the Asus ROG-Strix-1000G-Aura-Gaming, the XPG Core Reactor II 1000W, the 1st Player NGDP 1000W, the Cooler Master MWE Gold V2 1050W, the Corsair RM1000x Shift, the Super Flower Leadex VII XG and others, which you will find in the overall performance graphs or my Best ATX v3.0 PSUs article.
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.
- Affordable price (given its specifications)
- Delivered full power at 47°C
- High overall performance
- Efficient (Cybenetics Platinum)
- ATX v3.0 and PCIe 5.0 ready
- Highly efficient 5VSB rail
- Low vampire power
- Tight enough load regulation
- Excellent ripple suppression
- Good soldering quality
- Long hold-up time
- Alternative Low Power Mode (ALPM) compatible
- Fully modular
- 12+4 pin PCIe connector (600W)
- Compact dimensions (140mm depth)
- Ideal distance between the peripheral connectors (150-155mm)
- Ten-year warranty
- Mediocre transient response at 12V in the ATX v3.0 tests
- Highly set OCP triggering points on the minor rails (especially 3.3V)
- High inrush currents
- Efficiency should be higher at light and super-light loads
- PF readings at 230V could be higher
I just received my TT GF A3 1050W today and I was pretty surprised to see a TT-1225 fan inside it.
I got it on amazon.fr, sold by amazon itself.
What is your opinion on Stop-Fan features for powersupply ? Do you think it’s better to keep the fan running all the time for better cooling, or is it better to enable the stop-fan feature for less dust and less wear on the fan?
Thank you so much for your awesome reviews!
TT GF A3 1050 There are two production factories,hkc/China(ce link),TTP-1050FKG and TTP 1050FLG
TT GF A3 1050 There are two production factories,hkc/China(ce link),TTP-1050FKG and TTP-1050FLG
Hi Aris! Am contemplating on buying the GF A3 1050W, but am not sure if it’s compliant with your advice here: https://hwbusters.com/psus/how-to-select-a-new-psu-now-with-the-12vhpwr-upcoming-change/
It has a 12VHPWR but what about 2×8 pin? It says 6+2 on the CPU/PCIE connectors. Is it the same as the 8pin you mention? Is this a future proof PSU for the 3.1 standard like you mention in your article?
Also, I would gladly buy from your eshop if you can suggest an 1000W+ silent PSU under 200eu that would be future proof for ATX 3.1.
Hi Thanos, the sockets on the PSU side are not the problem, but the ones on the GPU are usually the culprits behind melting connectors, etc.
The new connector is just safer, protecting from misuse. I have used 12VHPWR from day one and installed numerous PSUs and GPUs without any issues. From PSUs, I don’t even remember what we have on our site.
Hi Aris! Am contemplating on buying the GF A3 1050W, but am not sure if it’s compliant with your advice here: https://hwbusters.com/psus/how-to-select-a-new-psu-now-with-the-12vhpwr-upcoming-change/
It has a 12VHPWR but what about 2×8 pin? It says 6+2 on the CPU/PCIE connectors. Is it the same as the 8pin you mention? Is this a future proof PSU for the 3.1 standard like you mention in your article?
Also, I would gladly buy from your eshoip if you can suggest an 1000W+ silent PSU under 200eu that would be future proof for ATX 3.1.
Thanks!
There is so much options I’m unsure which powersupply to buy around 130-160 euro, I want to avoid a direct 16 to 16pin connection also as I’d feel more secure with a 2×8 to 16 pin connection. I had the RM1000e but it had horrible knocking sounds from the fan so I returned it.
Corsair RMx Shift then
Would it be the best go to option do you think? I see also the NZXT c1000 but I’m unaware how well any of their products perform other than AIOs.
GF A3 is by HKC, using a rather new platform. The NZXT C1000 uses CWT CSZ platform, which has higher build quality (better caps), identical to the GF3 units. If the price difference is high, go for the GF A3, else C1000 or TT GF3 1000W which practically is the same as the NZXT.