Sparkle 1250 Watt Modular Power Supply

Packaging/Closer Look:

The front graphic looks fancy without being overbearing. Overall good packaging design

Upon opening the box, you’re greeted with a cardboard spacer and a folder detailing in pretty graph format the PSU’s stats through the 80 plus certification. It’s nice to see how the PSU performs throughout the entire certification process instead of a manufacturer slapping a sticker on the box and saying it’s good to go.

Everything seems to be fitted perfectly into the box. The actual unit comes enclosed in a fabric bag that reminds me of my favorite Canadian whiskey’s more purple packaging.

In addition to the main unit having its own bag, the included cables also have their own bag to help store wires that you don’t use.

The large 139mm fan means this unit can stay cool without generating much noise. In our testing, we found the noise to be minimal and shouldn’t really be noticeable over normal case noise. The side of the unit lists off all of the specifications.

The GW‐EPS1250DA is not 100% modular. This isn’t a fault against it, more of an observation. The main 24 pin motherboard connector and accompanying 4/8 pin connector are permanently attached. There isn’t much need to ever remove those cables, unless replacing them with a new one or one of a different length. Some people prefer this style while others like the 100% modular design. Honestly, as long as the build quality is good, 100% modular power supplies can be just as good as their semi-modular brethren.

When I first realized that this power supply didn’t have what many would consider a normal power cord socket, I was taken aback. It instead uses one more commonly found in various high power IT equipment and in UPS (Wikipedia link here. see C19 and C20). After thinking about it, it makes sense. Devices that are actually able to stress a 1250 watt power supply are going to be drawing a large amount of current. This is where the other socket type comes into play. Sparkle is kind enough to include a very high gauge cord with the PSU. I understand the reason why they had to change it to the other socket type, but it’s still an inconvenience that you can’t plug it in with some old cord you have lying in your spare wire bin. This will also prevent cheap thin gauge cords from being plugged in, that could possibly burn up with that much current flowing through them.

The good news is that you won’t have to worry about your friends stealing your power cord at LANs.

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