14 DAY TRIAL // There seems to be no end to the power frenzy that has ruled over the heads of PSU manufacturers. Although an 8800 SLI configuration coupled with a quad core doesn?t need more than 700W from a PSU (and that is true in case you use a Quad FX setup because a Kentsfield will consume less than 600W in the same configuration) the manufacturers keep on coming with 1KW PSUs.
However, there are reasons for these monsters to exist. First, there will always be overclockers. And then, the upcoming PCIe Gen2 standard will give an additional 75W so a total of 300W could be consumed by a single video card. Coupled with a fast quad core system, such a multi-GPU setup would require at least an 850W PSU.
In 2006 most powerful PSUs came from Tagan, PC & P and Enermax. These were the only producers able to hit the 1KW mark. But that didn?t last more than a few months because OCZ and Ultra decided to jump directly into the 2KW boat.
OCZ decided to place two 900W PSUs inside a huge external box and ?glue? them together. A small box inside the case is connected to the external PSU but it also provides all the needed cables for the PC. Modularity is needed here so don?t think at it as an option. Ultra, on the other hand managed to create a huge internal box which delivers 150A on the +12V rails but only fits in very large cases. Unfortunately in U.S. you will need to use 2 power cables in order to start this baby.
No matter what PSU you will choose, it won?t be easy to work with these power boxes. OCZ?s giant will remain partially outside the case no matter what you do while the Ultra 2KW PSU will only fit in large spaces. Anyway, until the products will hit the stores you will have enough time to decide.