On the side of the PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1KW are four small holes (hidden behind a sticker) which allow external access to a series of internal voltage regulating potentiometers for making adjustments to the +3.3V and +12V power lines. On the left-hand side is a third small hole which allows access to a potentiometer for making adjustments to the +5V line. These devices are not intended to be user-serviced, so we recommend leaving them alone.

When computer systems are heavily overclocked, the extra power draw can cause drops in any of the 3.3V, 5V, and 12V supply lines that some users may wish to compensate for. You will void your warranty if you make any changes to these potentiometers - so keep that in mind.

PC Power & Cooling is well known for addressing this aspect of PC power delivery which is specific to heavily overclocked PCs (ie, if the PC is not overclocked, there is no reason to make any voltage adjustments). Users are thus able to fine-tune the voltage tolerances for the best possible delivery of power on each of these three power lines for their specific system loads.

Inside, the PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1KW is a maze of electrical components and heatsinks, which explains the weight of the unit. Note the internal voltage regulating potentiometers mentioned earlier, as well as the beefy heatsinks that PC Power and Cooling has used with its internal circuits.

The AC power socket is EMI shielded and filtered - this is one of the simplest tell-tale signs of a good PSU manufacturer. Cheap power supplies will often lack any attempt at EMI filtering on the AC power socket.

The 80mm exhaust fan used with the PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1KW for venting is fairly quiet, but louder than other power supplies we've reviewed lately which use 120mm internal fans with lower RPM speeds. In this case however, there isn't enough space inside the PSU for a large 120mm fan to be used, the company has put emphasis on the electronics which deliver power rather than sacrificing that for the space necessary to install a larger cooling fan.

Also note that a black wire fan grill has been used, rather than a punched out sheet metal fan guard. Wire fan guards are known to have very little air flow resistance, and do not create any extra noise. The PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1KW is not marketed as a 'silent power supply,' but it's hardly intrusive either. Next to your ear you will notice it, but not under the desk in your case.

Now let's test this 1000W power supply!