HEC Compucase Cougar 1000CM Modular PSU
Introduction & Specifications
Published: 23rd October 2009 | Source: HEC | Price: £147.08 |
Introduction & Specificatons
I'd like to think that we've covered quite a wide range of PSU manufacturers here on OC3D over the past few years, but every once in a while a new review request drops into our inbox from a company that has been in the industry for an eternity, yet never really fallen under the Overclock3D radar. HEC Compucase is one such company, and founded in 1979 HEC Compucase originally started out life manufacturing metal sheet components for the automotive industry. However, almost 10 years later this knowledge was applied to PC chassis manufacture which was soon to become their primary focus.Natural progression finally saw HEC move into the PSU market in 1997 where the company focused mainly on supplying devices to OEM customers rather than direct to consumers. One such example of this was our recent review of the MESH Matrix II PC System which contained a HEC 550w PSU.
But times are changing, and with the release of the "Cougar" range which we will be looking at today, it would seem that HEC have their sights firmly set on entering the retail sector. HEC have sent us over the 1000w model, so let's waste no time and jump straight into the specs:
Compatible with the Latest PC Technologies
-Supports the newest specifications of ATX12V & EPS12V
-Created for usage with current and next-generation multi-core CPU and GPU platforms
Green Design for Energy saving
-80plus® certified, environmentally conscious green product design for lower energy consumption
-Meets Energy Star requirement - Standby (Off mode) <2W, Sleep mode < 4W
-High efficiency: Up to 87%
Ultra quiet
-Extremely Low Noise Level at < 23dB
-Ultra quiet 140mm fan with thermal control function. Keeps the Cougar cool and quiet at all the times
Efficient and stable component architecture
-Six independent and stable +12V rails promote the best performance to gamers
-High-end industrial grade capacitors provide more electrical power storage to promote higher efficiency and longer product lifespan
-With Active-PFC (PF>0.99) at 100% loading and Universal AC input (100-240Vac Full Range)
Modular Cable Management
-Modular cable design allows you to detach connectors freely and use only the cables you need
-Smart plug design: cable connectors are designed to connect to their proper input only
Full safety protection
-Full Protection: OCP, SCP, OVP, UVP, OPP
-Safety and EMI certified: CB, TUV, CE, UL, cUL, FCC, MIC, BSMI
-Supports the newest specifications of ATX12V & EPS12V
-Created for usage with current and next-generation multi-core CPU and GPU platforms
Green Design for Energy saving
-80plus® certified, environmentally conscious green product design for lower energy consumption
-Meets Energy Star requirement - Standby (Off mode) <2W, Sleep mode < 4W
-High efficiency: Up to 87%
Ultra quiet
-Extremely Low Noise Level at < 23dB
-Ultra quiet 140mm fan with thermal control function. Keeps the Cougar cool and quiet at all the times
Efficient and stable component architecture
-Six independent and stable +12V rails promote the best performance to gamers
-High-end industrial grade capacitors provide more electrical power storage to promote higher efficiency and longer product lifespan
-With Active-PFC (PF>0.99) at 100% loading and Universal AC input (100-240Vac Full Range)
Modular Cable Management
-Modular cable design allows you to detach connectors freely and use only the cables you need
-Smart plug design: cable connectors are designed to connect to their proper input only
Full safety protection
-Full Protection: OCP, SCP, OVP, UVP, OPP
-Safety and EMI certified: CB, TUV, CE, UL, cUL, FCC, MIC, BSMI
Although we'll take a proper look at the rail distribution in a minute, HEC have decided to split the +12v rail power over a total of six rails. Interestingly they attribute this decision as being in the best interests of gamers, but the last time I checked most other manufacturers were switching to a single +12v rail design for the very same reason. 87% efficiency is also on the cards, but with no mention of what mains voltage or load level(s) this is achievable at, this figure doesn't really mean too much. Additionally it would seem that the Cougar 1000CM has only been certified 80PLUS (Standard) rather than any of the newer Bronze/Silver/Gold ratings. This could possibly indicate that the efficiency of the unit drops as low as 80% at certain loads, or maybe that HEC just haven't got round to getting the unit properly certified.
Never-less, HEC state that the Cougar has been kitted out with high-end industrial grade capacitors to improve efficiency and MTBF. Hopefully they've also installed enough of the little electrolytic blighters to suppress any nasty ripple on the rails too!
A full set of safety features has been listed for the 1000CM with OCP (Over Current Protection), OPP (Over Power Protection) and SCP (Short Circuit Protection) all being be areas that will be tested for problems during the review today. Normally most units pass without any issue, but as we saw recently even the most respected of manufacturers can sometimes get things wrong.
| HEC Compucase Cougar 1000CM Rail Layout | ||||||||||
| DC Output | +3.3V | +5V | +12V1 | +12V2 | +12V3 | +12V4 | +12V5 | +12V6 | -12V | +5VSB |
| 30A | 30A | 20A | 20A | 20A | 20A | 20A | 20A | 0.8A | 4A | |
| Max Power | 175W | 960W | 9.6W | 20W | ||||||
| 1000W | ||||||||||
Each of the six +12v rails are limited to 20A with a maximum combined output of 960w across all rails. This layout is perfectly acceptable providing that HEC have evenly distributed the PCI-E connectors over each of the rails to ensure that multi-GPU configurations don't all end up trying to suck their power from only one or two rails. The +3.3v and +5v rails have also been given a reasonable amount of power with a combined max output of 175W.
Now that we've got the basics out of the way let's move on to the next page where we unbox the unit.
Most Recent Comments
shame he didnt destroy it... Horrible results for such a costly piece of hardware...Quote
It's a shame that peformance wasn't better. I would definately have bought one of these units for my rig otherwise. Maybe if they sort out some issues I might get one when I get around to painting my case orange.Quote
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Originally Posted by name='Socks'
shame he didnt destroy it... Horrible results for such a costly piece of hardware...
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Luckily the OCP/OPP kicked in before anything went "POP" every time. So at least the safety is there.Quote
still... no match for corsair or cm psus.. especially for the money...its like buying thermal take watercooling kit cos it "looks nice"....
looks over performance = FAIL!Quote
looks over performance = FAIL!Quote
Compucase have responded to the review with the following statement:
Furthermore, Compucase have also agreed to send us a revised unit when they are available.Quote
Dear James,
Firstly I would like to thank you and Overclock3d for reviewing our Cougar power supply posted 23rd October 2009. Admittedly it was not the kind of review that we were hoping for nor expecting.
Action had to be taken by Compucase HEC, this industry relies heavily on reviews and word of mouth, for us to not do anything was unthinkable, therefore the review went directly to our R&D department and the product manager in Taiwan where they took the review apart paragraph by paragraph.
The good news is a revised version will be going into production next week of the 1000w, that will address the ripple issue that you highlighted as well as some other smaller points you brought to our attention.
I firmly believe this has been a worthwhile exercise that has allowed us to revisit, review and correct the issues you highlighted, we wanted to demonstrate the level of support you could expect from Compucase HEC, being the “new kid on the block” (excuse the pun) we have to work that little bit harder to prove ourselves.
Mark Szachno
Compucase UK Ltd.
Furthermore, Compucase have also agreed to send us a revised unit when they are available.Quote
Now thats what you call a reply, they put there hands up and are looking to fix the problem.....
Now where is that XFX reply........? Nope cant find one.Quote
Now where is that XFX reply........? Nope cant find one.Quote
Good on them! Nice to see a manuf listening.Quote
thats quality from them, shud make u feel its all worth while
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QuoteNow thats a pleasant suprise.
Its not often in this day and age that a manufacturer would actually listen to a review and even let the R&D dept know of the findings so pre production changes can be tweaked.
money spent pre production will save on warranty exchanges and give a "new kid on the block" a far better reputation.
Better to be known for reliability than have a good RMA service imo.
Good on you Compucase HEC.
As Tom mentioned, XFX come out of the shadows , we know you are watching, too ashamed perhaps?Quote
Its not often in this day and age that a manufacturer would actually listen to a review and even let the R&D dept know of the findings so pre production changes can be tweaked.
money spent pre production will save on warranty exchanges and give a "new kid on the block" a far better reputation.
Better to be known for reliability than have a good RMA service imo.
Good on you Compucase HEC.
As Tom mentioned, XFX come out of the shadows , we know you are watching, too ashamed perhaps?Quote
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Originally Posted by name='lasher'
As Tom mentioned, XFX come out of the shadows , we know you are watching, too ashamed perhaps?
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Or maybe they are too busy attempting to fix their PSU as we speak.
XFX's name is too good to be tarnished so they can not leave this behind.Quote
I wonder why they didn't send you the better equipped German Version of the Cougar CM 1kW.
That Version has solid caps on the VRM for example and looks a little better, as you can see There planet3dnow.de/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=368324&garpg=4
The primary cap for example is a 105°C Nippon Chemicon over here...
I hope you can review the fixed version soon...Quote
That Version has solid caps on the VRM for example and looks a little better, as you can see There planet3dnow.de/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=368324&garpg=4
The primary cap for example is a 105°C Nippon Chemicon over here...
I hope you can review the fixed version soon...Quote
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Originally Posted by name='Stefan Payne'
I wonder why they didn't send you the better equipped German Version of the Cougar CM 1kW.
That Version has solid caps on the VRM for example and looks a little better, as you can see There planet3dnow.de/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=368324&garpg=4 The primary cap for example is a 105°C Nippon Chemicon over here... I hope you can review the fixed version soon... |
EDIT: Although its hard to see from the picture on their site, it does look like the unit still has a really weak amount of caps on the secondary side.Quote
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Originally Posted by name='Jim'
That is very interesting, thanks for bringing that up. Does indeed make me wonder why they decided to send us that model, especially when they knew the kind of equipment we'd be testing it on.
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I don't know why the lineup of PSU from HEC/Compucase UK is completely different to the rest of Europe...
You may want to take a look at cougar-world.com.
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Originally Posted by name='Jim'
EDIT: Although its hard to see from the picture on their site, it does look like the unit still has a really weak amount of caps on the secondary side. |
Would it make any difference if some of the caps were polymers?Quote
Jimbo, ya know if they are gonna send you a revised sample when made?Quote
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Originally Posted by name='Bungral'
Jimbo, ya know if they are gonna send you a revised sample when made?
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Originally Posted by name='Jim'
Furthermore, Compucase have also agreed to send us a revised unit when they are available.
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Well the 'revised model' is already available look at the (broken) Link I postet further up.
I hope it'll be soon.
I'd think that the Chief of the Cougar label wasn't happy at all...Quote
I hope it'll be soon.
I'd think that the Chief of the Cougar label wasn't happy at all...Quote
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Originally Posted by name='Jim'
Compucase have responded to the review with the following statement:
Furthermore, Compucase have also agreed to send us a revised unit when they are available. |
Looking forward to the re-reviewQuote
Oops... Read the response in the article, so skipped that post from Jim. 
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Originally Posted by name='monkey7'
1 character -.-
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That's a really awesome reply. *salutes*Quote
I know this is a rather old review but I'm wondering if by 2011 they've revised or fixed the PSUs from this series? I'm thinking of buying the Cougar CM 550W. The price looks good on it, but does it still come in the expense of proper performance?Quote
Hmmm.....Compucase HEC sounds so familiar.... If memory serves, I recall they have been around for many yrs and have been a big manufacture of PC cases. I remember seeing their products at an exhibit. 
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CSS Valid
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