| Cooler Master Real Power Pro 1250W Power Supply
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Conclusion:
The Cooler Master Real Power Pro 1250W Power Supply is capable of providing enough juice to power a handful of typical computers, with connectors and capacity to spare! If only I could get my hands on a 24-pin motherboard connection splitter, I just might do exactly that.
The features and specifications of this unit are very impressive, and are obviously geared only to the extreme enthusiast who knows the investment made in this unit will last him for years to come. Nine PCI-e connections. Six 12V rails. Eight SATA connections. 40A 3.3V and 5V rails. All very impressive features you won't see on too many other units. Couple these with things like a nearly silent 135mm fan, 85% efficiency, and a high power factor rating, and you have a top notch unit on your hands.
While the unit performed well under test, there are a few issues to consider, and one or two things I wouldn't mind seeing revised. The main thing I would like to see changed is the SATA drive connectors. Using this power supply made me realize most manufacturers make them at right angles to the wires, which allows for a neater installation in a tighter space. I still haven't been able to close my case since installing this unit because the connectors and cables interfere with any SATA drive installed in the sideways mounted drive bays.
Also make sure that you have an AC circuit rated for 16A or higher if you want to use the unit to its full potential, and that the inside of your case is able to accommodate an oversized unit like this.
A search of PriceGrabber turns up a number of units in Cooler Master's Real Power Pro series, but not the 1250W version. This unit is extremely new, and from my observations just made it onto the Cooler Master site itself in the past week or so. Considering that the 1000W version generally sells for over $270 (US), expect to pay well over $300 for the unit reviewed! As a point of comparison, the NZXT Precise 1200W unit we recently reviewed sells for $390. These big power supplies come with a big price tag, and they are obviously not for the casual computer user.
The Cooler Master Real Power Pro 1250W Power Supply may be extreme overkill for most users, but it may be just the thing for anyone with an over the top gaming rig that only has intentions of making its components even more insane as the years go by. Purchasing one of these units may be a big up front expense, but it could quite possibly save money in the long run thanks to lower electric bills and by eliminating the need for future upgrades.
The renowned Cooler Master quality, style, and attention to detail have all been applied to this beastly power supply unit, making it very appealing if you happen to be a part of the small percentage of people who could actually put it to good use. While most people need not apply, if you have a high end system in need of a power supply to handle your extreme demands for years to come, the Real Power Pro 1250W Power Supply would easily be considered "Recommended".
Pros:
» Should provide all the power an enthusiast could need for years and years
» Six 12V rails - Three rated for 20A and three rated for 28A
» High efficiency and power factor rating
» A total of nine PCI-e connectors is about as future proof as you can get
» Plenty of connectors and long leads should take care of any system
Cons:
» Measured ripple on 5V rail approached what other manufacturers consider to be acceptable
» Single 12V rails are back in favor for a few reasons
» SATA drive connectors should be right-angle style
» Oversized housing may not fit in all cases
» Make sure AC circuit is rated for 16A or more
Special thanks to Cooler Master for providing the Cooler Master Real Power Pro 1250W Power Supply to Bigbruin.com for review!
Please drop by the Bigbruin.com Forum and feel free to post any comments or questions.
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