HEC Compucase Cougar 1000CM Modular PSU
Simulated Load Testing
Published: 23rd October 2009 | Source: HEC | Price: £147.08 |
Simulated Load Testing
To provide accurate and consistent results in all of our PSU testing, Overclock3D uses professional grade DC electronic load equipment capable of placing a sustained load of 3690w across a total of six rails (including +5vsb and -12v) on the PSU! This is achieved by using a combination of SunMoon and Analogic electronic load equipment which allow us to adjust amperage loads in increments as small as 0.01A while also measuring voltage and wattage readings on-screen.
During today's tests, we will be placing the Cougar 1000CM under 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% load levels inside a hot box regulated to a temperature of around 50°C. Additional 'Cross Load' and a 'Max Load' tests will also be performed under these conditions to simulate how the PSU reacts to heavily uneven loads as well as running above its specified output.
HEC Compucase Cougar 1000CM Results @ 50°C | ||||||||||
| +3.3v | +5.0v | +12v | +5vSB | -12v | AC Watts / DC Watts | Efficiency | Intake / Exhaust | Δ Temp | ||
| Test 1 (Low) | 5.25A | 5.25A | 16.75A | 1.00A | 0.20A | 288w / 255w | 88.54% | 50.8°C / 53.0°C | 2.2°C | |
| 3.36v | 5.03v | 12.10v | 5.04v | -12.07v | ||||||
| Test 2 (Med) | 10.50A | 10.50A | 33.50A | 2.00A | 0.40A | 563w / 506w | 89.87% | 50.2°C / 56.8°C | 6.6°C | |
| 3.31v | 4.96v | 12.04v | 4.96v | -12.08v | ||||||
| Test 3 (High) | 15.75A | 15.75A | 50.25A | 3.00A | 0.60A | 851w / 759w | 89.18% | 53.2C / 66.3°C | 13.1°C | |
| 3.22v | 4.90v | 11.84v | 4.89v | -12.11v | ||||||
| Test 4 (Full) | 21.00A | 21.00A | 67.00A | 4.00A | 0.80A | 1155w / 999w | 86.49% | 50.3°C / 72.9°C | 22.6°C | |
| 3.21v | 4.81v | 11.70v | 4.83v | -12.12v | ||||||
| Test 5 (x-load) | 21.00A | 21.00A | 1.00A | 0.00A | 0.00A | 233w / 185w | 79.39% | 50.6°C / 51.6°C | 1.0 °C | |
| 3.32v | 4.93v | 12.16v | 5.06v | -12.09v | ||||||
| Test 6 (x-load) | 1.00A | 1.00A | 77.00A | 0.00A | 0.00A | 1069w / 958w | 89.61% | 53.0°C / 66.0°C | 13.0°C | |
| 3.32v | 4.98v | 11.94v | 5.03v | -12.12v | ||||||
| Test 7 (MAX) | 21.00A | 21.00A | 70.00A | 4.00A | 0.80A | 1257w / 1031w | 82.02% | 53.3°C / 77.1°C | 23.8°C | |
| 3.22v | 4.82v | 11.70v | 4.82v | -12.12v | ||||||
HEC Compucase Cougar 1000CM Performance Overview | |||||
| +3.3v Diff. T1-T4 | +5.0v Diff. T1-T4 | +12v Diff. T1-T4 | Avg Effic. T1-T4 | Noise Rating | |
| -4.46% | -4.37% | -3.30% | 88.52% | Low | |
Starting off with the performance overview chart which shows the fluctuation in voltage between Test 1 and Test 4 results, we can see that the Cougar 1000CM manages fairly reasonable voltage stability with less than 5% fluctuation between idle and load on the +3.3v and +5v rails. The +12v rail rail also performs reasonably well with 3.30% fluctuation between Test 1 and Test4. However, when comparing these results to other PSU's tested recently the Cougar 1000CM doesn't quite make it into our top 10. PSU's such as the Corsair HX850w and PCP&C Silencer 910w have shown to be capable of less than 1% fluctuation on the +12v rails and around 2% on the +3.3v and +5v rails, offering much tighter voltages between idle and load.
During the cross-load tests 6 & 7 the Cougar copes surprisingly well with no out-of -check voltages at all. Only the efficiency takes a nose-dive during test 5, dropping to just under 80%. This is a fairly surprising result considering the average results from the other tests so far, but very few PSU's pass these tests so the Cougar deserves a few points here at least.
Finally in the MAX Load test, it is quite obvious to see that the Cougar 1000CM is already stretched to its limits as far as power output is concerned. Although the unit was briefly capable of up to ~1400w before OCP/OPP kicked in and shut it down, the maximum sustainable load was just 1031w. Obviously at this load the voltages were quite similar to those at 1000w in Test 4 with the only difference being a 4% lower efficiency at 82.02%.
HEC Compucase Cougar 1000CM Scope Results @ 50c | ||||
| +3.3v | +5.0v | +12v | ||
| Test 1 (Low) |  |  |  | |
| Test 2 (Med) |  |  |  | |
| Test 3 (High) |  |  |  | |
| Test 4 (Full) |  |  |  | |
| Test 5 (x-load) |  |  |  | |
| Test 6 (x-load) |  |  |  | |
| Test 7 (MAX) |  |  |  | |
And now we hit the major snag. The ripple output across all rails on the Cougar 1000CM was quite frankly shocking! Actually scratch that...I don't think there is a word which can describe how appalling 144mV of ripple on the +12v rail is during Test 1! This is already outside of ATX specification which states that ripple should be no higher than 50mV on the +3.3v/+5v rails and 120mV on the +12v rails, and we havent even applied any significant load yet! Similary the +3.3v and +5v rails are also cringe-worthy topping out at 118mV and 106mV respectively.
Fast forwarding to Test 4 and as you'd expect, things only get worse. 194mV of ripple on the +3.3v rail, 192mV on the +5v rail and 212mV on the +12v rail. It's almost like somebody forgot to solder in the capacitors! At this point we actually uplugged the Cougar from the testing equipment and tried a different PSU in there to make sure that there wasn't an issue with our load tester. There wasn't.
The strange thing is that most of the high ripple output is attributed entirely to infrequent spikes. Sometimes they would only be as high as 100mV while other times they would go completely off the chart and hit closer to 300mV. If it wasn't for this the average ripple of the 1000CM could actually be quite reasonable.
Most Recent Comments
shame he didnt destroy it... Horrible results for such a costly piece of hardware...
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.
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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.
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!
looks over performance = FAIL!
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.
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.
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.
Now where is that XFX reply........? Nope cant find one.
Good on them! Nice to see a manuf listening.
thats quality from them, shud make u feel its all worth while
Now 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?
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?
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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.
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...
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...
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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.
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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?
Jimbo, ya know if they are gonna send you a revised sample when made?
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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...
I hope it'll be soon.
I'd think that the Chief of the Cougar label wasn't happy at all...
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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-review
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*
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?
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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