NorthQ Giant Reactor 1kw ATX PSU
Looking Inside
Published: 22nd February 2007 | Source: Komplett | Price: |
Being surprised by the rather standard size of the Giant Reactor in comparison with some other 1kw+ units on the market, I was anxious to see what was inside. Normally the quality of a power supply can be determined by the size and weight of the components inside the PSU, however, recent power supplies from manufacturers like FSP and Seasonic have proven this thoery to be wrong.
After reviewing just under 30 power supplies for Overclock3D, I'd like to think that I can recognise most units by looking at their insides. This was certainly true when I opened the Giant Reactor only to find that the entire layout of the PSU was very similar to a unit i'd tested in the not so distant past....
As you can see from above, the NorthQ Giant Reactor is based on exactly the same internal components as the Silverstone Strider 850w ST85F (minus the Striders modular connector backplane). This was further confirmed when I retrieved the Strider 850w from storage and compared both units side-by-side, finding no differences in the components used.
This then begs the question: If both of these units use the same internal components, how is it possible for one to be rated at 850w and the other 1000w?
 NorthQ Giant Reactor 1000w |
As you can see from above, the NorthQ Giant Reactor is based on exactly the same internal components as the Silverstone Strider 850w ST85F (minus the Striders modular connector backplane). This was further confirmed when I retrieved the Strider 850w from storage and compared both units side-by-side, finding no differences in the components used.
This then begs the question: If both of these units use the same internal components, how is it possible for one to be rated at 850w and the other 1000w?
The Giant Reactor also makes use of the same 135mm brushless fan as used in Silverstone's ST85F. Unfortunately I was unable to find any specifications for this fan, however NorthQ state that it runs at over 25dBA when the unit is at 1000w load.
Most Recent Comments
Ouch
Bit out of order rating an 850w as a 1kw
Bit out of order rating an 850w as a 1kw
sneaky
do we really need that much power tho
i am chugging along with 580w
do we really need that much power tho
i am chugging along with 580w
Ripped 'em a new one 
But, it really is pretty poor form...Admittedly it's cheaper than other 1000 watters out there, but c'mon. Imagine how saggy the volts would be if you could get 1000W out of it. 
But, it really is pretty poor form...Admittedly it's cheaper than other 1000 watters out there, but c'mon. Imagine how saggy the volts would be if you could get 1000W out of it. No one will ver buy from them now!
Very nice review but what the hell where they thinking?
Very nice review but what the hell where they thinking?
It`s a re-badge, I think that`s what it comes down to. As opposed to the regular `user` rating it @ an optimum 850w, they`ve chosen to label it as a "meh, we got 1kw out of it in the labs, 1kw will do".
I`d rate it as 0W tho coz u were lucky to have a spare kettle lead.
I`d rate it as 0W tho coz u were lucky to have a spare kettle lead.
Very shady this company is... I don't mind them rebadging, that's just good marketing really as it is a good PSU, just not as what it's advertised to be. The problem here is that they've stuck it with a higher price tag with the claim of it being a 1kw supply which makes the other 800+w supplies a better choice for the money.
Good review XMS, always nice to uncover the truth
Good review XMS, always nice to uncover the truth
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