MSI continues its momentum in the PSU market with the MPG A1000G. Still, there’s still a long way to go until it starts troubling the intense competition from Corsair and EVGA. The overall performance of the A1000G is high enough and its build quality is top-notch, which is also evidenced by its ten-year warranty. With a few tweaks here and there, it could earn a spot in our best power supply article. Other good alternative options in this category are the Corsair RM1000x (2021) and the EVGA 1000 G6.
MSI enriches its MPG series with a 1000W power supply, with the model number A1000G. The flagship of the MPG line uses a different exterior design, which at least catches our eyes. With the new Intel ATX specification and PCIe 5.0 standard raising the power bar for upcoming GPUs, all brands need to focus on more powerful power supplies that will cope with increased power demands.
The MPG A1000G uses only Japanese capacitors, aiming for the high end of the Gold class 1kW efficiency. The OEM remains the same as other MPG members, Channel Well Technology (CWT), one of the best and largest PSU manufacturers, with headquarters in Taiwan and manufacturing facilities in China and the Vietnam.
The MPG A1000G is certified 80 PLUs Gold and Cybenetics Gold in efficiency, while in noise, it is Cybenetics Standard ++, which means that its average noise output is in the range of 30-35 dBA. It has compact dimensions with a depth of 150 mm and is equipped with a 135 mm FDB fan, which will last a long time. There’s also semi-passive operation that can be turned off, thankfully, if you don’t want any heat buildup inside the PSU.
Characteristics
|
Manufacturer (OEM) |
CWT |
|
Max. DC output |
1000W |
|
Efficiency |
80 PLUS Gold, Cybenetic Gold (87-89%) |
|
Noise |
Cybenetics Standard++ (30-35 dB[A]) |
|
Modular |
✓ (Fully) |
|
Intel C6/C7 power state support |
✓ |
|
Operating temperature (continuous full load) |
0 – 50°C |
|
Over voltage protection |
✓ |
|
Undervoltage protection |
✓ |
|
Protection against overvoltage |
✓ |
|
Overcurrent protection (+12V) |
✓ |
|
Overheat protection |
✓ |
|
Short circuit protection |
✓ |
|
Protection against overvoltage |
✓ |
|
Inrush current protection |
✓ |
|
Fan failure protection |
✗ |
|
No load operation |
✓ |
|
Cooling |
135mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan (HA13525H12SF-Z) |
|
Semi-passive operation |
✓ (selectable) |
|
Dimensions (W x H x D) |
150x85x150mm |
|
Weight |
1.73 kg (3.81 lbs) |
|
Form factor |
ATX12V v2.52, EPS 2.92 |
|
guarantee |
10 years |
Power specifications
| Rail | 3.3V | 5V | 12V | 5VSB | -12V | |
| Max. Power | Amps | 22 | 22 | 83.5 | 3 | 0.3 |
| watts | 120 | 999.6 | 15 | 3.6 | ||
| total max. Power (W) | 1000 |
Cables and connectors
| The description | Number of cables | Number of connectors (total) | Gauge | In Cable Capacitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20+4 pin ATX connector (600mm) | 1 | 1 | 16AWG | No |
| 4+4 pin EPS12V (700mm) | 2 | 2 | 18AWG | No |
| PCIe 6+2 pin (600mm) | 3 | 3 | 16AWG | No |
| PCIe 6+2 pin (600mm+150mm) | 2 | 4 | 16-18AWG | No |
| SATA (500mm+150mm+150mm+150mm) | 3 | 12 | 18AWG | No |
|
4 pin Molex (500mm+150mm+150mm+150mm) / FDD (+150mm) |
1 | 4 / 1 | 18-20AWG | No |
There are plenty of cables and connectors to allow the PSU to deliver its full power without issue. It’s nice to see three dedicated PCIe cables with thicker 16AWG gauges. The 24-pin ATX connector also uses 16AWG wires for lower voltage drops.
There are no built-in cable caps and all the cables are long enough to have no problems in large chassis. In addition, the distance between the peripheral connectors is ideal at 150 mm.
Component Analysis
We strongly encourage you to review our PSUs 101 article, which provides valuable information on PSUs and how they work, allowing you to better understand the components we are going to discuss.
| General data | |
| Manufacturer (OEM) | CWT |
| PCB type | Double sided |
| Primary side | |
| Transient filter | 4x Y caps, 2x X caps, 2x CM chokes, 1x MOV |
| Inrush current protection | 1x SCK203R0 NTC thermistor (3 ohm) and relay |
| Bridge rectifier(s) | |
| MOSFET APFCs |
2x Infineon IPA60R099P6 (600V, 24A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 0.099Ohm)
|
| APFC Boost Diode |
1x on semiconductor FFSP1065B (650V, 10A @ 139°C)
|
| Bulk cap(s) |
1x Nichicon (400V, 820uF, 2000h @ 105°C, GL)
|
| Main switches |
2x Infineon IPA60R125P6 (600V, 19A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 0.125Ohm)
|
| APFC controller | Champion CM6500UNX & CM03X |
| resonant controller | Champion CU6901VA |
| Topology |
Primary side: APFC, Half-Bridge & LLC converter |
| secondary side | |
| MOSFET +12V | 8x international rectifier IRFH7004PBF (40V, 164A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 1.4mOhm) |
| 5V&3.3V | DC-DC converters: 2x UBIQ QM3054M6 (30V, 61A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 4.8mOhm) & 2x UBIQ QN3107M6N (30V, 70A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 2.6mOhm) PWM controller(s): uPI-Semi uP3861P |
| Filter capacitors |
Electrolytic: 2x Nippon Chemi-Con (105°C, W), 1x Nichicon (2-5,000h @ 105°C, HD), 2x Nippon Chemi-Con (1-5,000h @ 105°C, KZE), 2x Nichicon (4-10,000h at 105°C, ET), 1x Nippon Chemi-Con (4-10,000h at 105°C, KYA), 1x Rubycon (4-10,000h at 105°C, YXJ) |
| IC supervisor | Weltrend WT7502R (OVP, UVP, SCP, PG) |
| fan controller | PIC16F1503 microchip |
| Fan model | Hong Hua HA13525H12SF-Z (135mm, 12V, 0.5A, Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan) |
| Circuit 5VSB | |
| Rectifier | |
| Standby PWM controller | On bright OB2365T |
This appears to be CWT’s CSZ platform, which goes all the way up to 1200W, delivering Gold efficiency in the 80 PLUS and Cybenetics standards. The PCB is small for a 1000W PSU, so it’s packed full of parts. This will make airflow more difficult, so the fan will have to work harder to cool the internal components. Nevertheless, high performance levels will help. Build quality is high despite the leaning heatsink holding the rectifier bridges.
The transient/EMI filter has all the necessary parts including an MOV and an NTC thermistor supported by a bypass relay. However, the resistance of the thermistor must be higher to limit inrush currents more effectively with a 230 V input.
The pair of rectifier bridges are bolted to a steeply angled heat sink.
The APFC converter uses two Infineon FETs and a powerful boost diode provided by On Semiconductor. The bulk cap is from Nichicon and has enough capacity to deliver over 17ms of hold time.
Primary-switched Infineon FETs are installed in a half-bridge topology. They are accompanied by a resonant LLC converter to reduce power losses on the primary and secondary sides.
Eight FETs regulate the 12V rail, and the minor rails use four UBIQ FETs and have a common PWM controller.
All filter caps are of good quality. In addition to electrolytic plugs, many polymers are used for ripple filtering purposes.
The standby PWM controller is an On Bright OB2365T IC and the secondary side rectifier of the 5VSB circuit is a D10PS45L SBR.
Several busbars for power transfer to the modular board, as well as a number of polymer caps and a large electrolytic.
The main supervision integrated circuit is a Weltrend WT7502R.
The quality of the weld is good.
The cooling fan is 135mm in diameter and uses a smooth dynamic bearing. Hong Hua offers good products at reasonable prices, and that’s why it dominates the power supply market.
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