ASRock recently entered the PSU segment with a diverse range that caters to all kinds of PC users. The entrance into the PSU lineup was a bit of a surprise but not entirely unexpected given that the manufacturer was expanding its component lineup such as gaming monitors and Mini PCs and as we always say, the more the competition and options in the PC industry, the better for consumers.
So today, we will be taking a look at one of the 17 models featured in the ASRock PSU lineup and it falls in the Steel Legend "Mainstream Durable" tier. Our review unit includes the SL-1000G which is a 1000W design.
ASRock SL-1000G 1000W 80 PLUS GOLD PSU Specifications
The ASRock Steel Legend PSUs are designed for mainstream enthusiasts and come in four flavors which include wattages of 650W, 750W, 850W, and up to 1000W. Our unit was the top 1000W unit and like all the other Steel Legend PSUs, it comes in a fully modular design.
Coming to the specifications, the ASRock SL-1000G PSU unit we got offers a maximum DC output of 1000 Watts and an active PFC. It's an 80 PLUS Gold unit with efficiency rated at over 90%. The PSU is fully compliant with Intel's C6 & C7 power states and has an operating temp of 0-50C. The PSU is fully IEC/EN 62638 certified.
Some protection features that you get on the ASRock Steel Legend series PSUs include:
- Over Voltage Protection
- Under Voltage Protection
- Over Power Protection
- Over Temperature Protection
- Over Current Protection
- Short Circuit Protection
As for the design of the PSU unit, it comes in an ATX form factor and measures 150 x 86 x 150 mm. The cooling is provided by a top-mounted 120mm fan which features semi-passive fan operation that can be controlled by the iCool Intelligent Fan Control software. The smaller ATX form factor is a plus. The PSU comes with a 10-year warranty and is priced at $144.99 US.
Some main features of the ASRock SL-1000G include:
- 80 PLUS GOLD Certified
- Cybenetics PLATINUM and LAMBDA A Certified
- ATX3.1 & PCIe5.1 Ready
- Fully Modular Cable Design
- Native 12V-2x6 Connector Dual Color Design
- 100% Highly Reliable Japanese Capacitors
- 135mm Striped Axial FDB Fan
- iCool Intelligent Fan Control Mode
- Built-in 5V BOOST function
- Remarkable 10-Year Warranty
ASRock SL-1000G 1000W 80 PLUS Gold PSU Unboxing & Close-Up
The unit we received comes in a large black colored package with a picture of the PSU on the front. The front also lists down several features such as its 80 Plus Gold, Cybenetics Platinum / A ratings, 100% Japanese Capacitors, ATX 3.1/PCIe 5.1 Ready design, iCool Fan, and a 10-Year warranty.
The back side also offers a list of features which we have detailed above and we will get to more details in our tear-down in a bit.
The unit is held within foam packaging which is great for durability and there's a safety manual that tells you how to install the PSU inside your PC and how to connect the 12V-2x6 connector, either using adapters or directly to the GPU.
One of the more interesting accessories within the package is this right-angled connector that can be plugged into the 24-pin cable, allowing for easier installation to the motherboard.
The PSU itself is packaged in a plastic cover.
On the back, you can see the power plug, the power switch, the iCool mode switch, and a large mesh panel that acts as an exhaust vent.
Now depending on how you use the PSU, the bottom panel reads the specifications and power ratings. The PSU is rated to output a maximum of 83.4A and 1000W through the 12V rails.
The sides of the PSU have nice ASRock and Steel Legend logos.
Coming to the connectors, there are two 8-pin CPU connectors, 1 PCIe 12+4 (12V-2x6), five PCI-e 8-pin connectors, an ATX 24-pin (14+10 pin) ATX connector, & four 6-pin connectors for peripherals.
The cables within the packaging pouch include the ATX 20+4 pin, a Gen5 (12V-2x6) connector, two EPS 12V 4+4 pin CPU connectors, 3 PCIe 6+2 connectors, 9 SATA connectors, and 4 Peripheral connectors.
The ASRock Steel Legend series comes with a built-in 5V compensation mechanism which helps boost the +5V voltage by 200mV to maintain optimal performance. In the case that there's no voltage drop, the PSU will regulate the +5V rail to approximately +5.2V.
The PSU comes with a dual-tone 12V-2x6 power connector which helps ensure that it is connected properly to the PSU and the GPU. If the green color is visible, it means that the connector isn't fully plugged in. The cable itself is also very high-quality, making use of 16 AWG UL4411/UL3266 wires & thermal resistance of up to 105W. The cable also comes with Over-Temperature protection though this feature is only applicable to the higher-end Taichi and Phantom Gaming series.
ASRock SL-1000G 1000W 80 PLUS GOLD PSU Final Impressions
ASRock's foray into the PSU segment is very recent and the company is pushing out some quality products. Even the mainstream products such as the Steel Legend PSU that we tested a very high-end units built with premium components and one that conform to the latest standards such as PCIe 5.1 and ATX 3.1.
Given that the next-generation GPU lineups are on the horizon, a 1000W PSU such as the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1000G would make for a great addition to your PCs, offering ample wattage for a range of high-end PC components while allowing some additional overclocking headroom.
For $144.99 US, the SL-1000G is a very solid product in the crowded PSU lineup if you are looking to invest in a quality and future-proof product for your PC. The PSU can also be found at sub-$140 US pricing at certain retailers such as Newegg, making it a good option for mainstream PC builders.
