The box arrived in perfect condition and the PSU is well packaged with cardboard inserts. PCPower has always boxed their PSU's very well. The TC1KW comes in black, and its length once thought to be problematic, has fit in three different size cases here at the "lab."



Inside the box accessories include; 8- to 4-pin CPU power connector/adapter, 20/24-pin ATX motherboard connector, a manual, power cord (14-gauge) and sticker. Sorry folks, no marketing fodder here such as key-chains and little velvet pouches to place cables in. No nonsense translates throughout the PCPower design philosophy.



The Turbo-Cool Maximum Power series begins with the 850SSI, the power supply's size increases from the standard PSU approx 150mm in depth to 230mm in depth. The full dimensions of the Turbo Cool 1KW are as follows: 86mm x 149mm x 230mm (HxWxD). Dimensions can be found here (PDF).



PCPower has chosen to eschew any modular connectors from their product line based simply on the fact these create unnecessary points of resistance. The company feels the "convenience" of modular cables does not outweigh the potential for oxidation and failure at the quick connector points. Cables carrying current from the Rails to the PC should remain a straight forward engineering concept bereft of any interruptions. While on the topic of included cords and cables, a subject rarely if ever discussed in power supply articles, is that of the power cord gauge.



PCPower includes a 14AWG (American Wire Gauge) for most of their high current models, whereas the majority of manufacturers include an 18AWG power cord. If you are investing several thousand dollars on a high-end graphics or server tower, a 1KW power source is no longer the exception but is rapidly becoming the rule of thumb. I thought this would all change with Conroe and advancements in microchip architecture however mobile technology has not permeated through every sub-sector such as graphics. If your power supply maker is selling you an 800W+ PSU, and neglecting appropriate wire gauges on the power cord, you are getting less than you paid for. Take a look at your power cable regardless of PSU wattage I'd bet it's 18AWG.

Let’s take a look at the internals ->