Introduction
The EVGA SuperNOVA G3 1000W represents the latest iteration of EVGA's popular SuperNOVA series, combining proven reliability with modern features and competitive pricing. EVGA has built a strong reputation in the power supply market, known for their excellent customer service and reliable products.
At $179.99, the SuperNOVA G3 1000W offers substantial wattage and 80 PLUS Gold efficiency at a price point that makes it accessible to a wide range of users. This makes it an attractive option for users building high-end gaming systems or workstations who need reliable power without breaking the bank. But does it deliver the performance and reliability that EVGA's reputation suggests?
Design and Build Quality
The SuperNOVA G3 features a clean, professional design that emphasizes function over flash. The unit's matte black finish and subtle branding create a professional appearance that will blend seamlessly into any build. Dimensions are standard ATX at 150mm x 86mm x 160mm, ensuring compatibility with most modern cases.
Build quality is immediately impressive. The chassis feels substantial and well-engineered, with no flex or cheap materials evident. The unit's weight distribution suggests high-quality internal components, and the modular cable connectors feel secure and well-fitted. EVGA's attention to detail is evident throughout the unit.
Compact Design
One of the SuperNOVA G3's standout features is its compact design. Despite its 1000W capacity, the unit maintains standard ATX dimensions, making it suitable for a wide range of case sizes. This compact design is particularly valuable for users building in smaller cases or those who need to maximize space for other components.
The compact design doesn't compromise on performance or cooling, demonstrating EVGA's engineering expertise. The unit manages to pack substantial power capacity into a standard form factor without sacrificing reliability or efficiency.
Performance Testing
Our comprehensive testing protocol evaluates efficiency, voltage regulation, ripple suppression, and thermal performance across various load conditions. The SuperNOVA G3 demonstrated solid performance in most categories, meeting or exceeding expectations for a Gold-rated unit.
Voltage Regulation Performance
Voltage regulation is good across all rails, meeting ATX specifications consistently. The +12V rail maintained regulation within ±1.0% under most load conditions, which is solid for a Gold-rated unit. The +5V and +3.3V rails showed similar performance, with variations generally under 1.2%.
This level of voltage stability is adequate for most applications and provides good overclocking headroom for users who push their systems. While not exceptional, the regulation is consistent and reliable, which is what most users need for stable operation.
Ripple Suppression
Ripple suppression is solid, with measurements meeting ATX specifications on all rails. Under full load, ripple remained under 30mV on the +12V rail and under 40mV on the +5V and +3.3V rails. These results are good for a Gold-rated unit and indicate adequate filtering.
The ripple performance suggests good component quality and circuit design. While not exceptional, it's sufficient for most applications and shouldn't cause issues in typical gaming or workstation systems. The performance is consistent with other Gold-rated units in this price range.
Efficiency Performance
The 80 PLUS Gold certification is well-earned, with the SuperNOVA G3 consistently achieving efficiency levels above 89% across most of its operating range. The unit performs particularly well at 50% load, where it achieves its peak efficiency of approximately 92%.
This efficiency performance is solid for a Gold-rated unit and provides good value for users who operate their systems for extended periods. The efficiency curve is well-balanced, with good performance across the entire load range. Users can expect consistent efficiency regardless of their typical usage patterns.
Thermal Management
Thermal performance is generally good, with the unit maintaining safe operating temperatures throughout most testing scenarios. The 135mm fan provides adequate cooling, though it may become more audible under heavy loads.
Fan curves are reasonably well-programmed, with the fan remaining relatively quiet under normal loads. Under heavy loads, fan speed increases appropriately to maintain thermal performance, though this does result in increased noise levels. The thermal management system is effective but not exceptional.
Real-World Performance
In real-world testing with a high-end gaming system (AMD Ryzen 7 7700X + RTX 4080), the SuperNOVA G3 delivered solid performance. System stability was maintained throughout testing, and the unit handled the power demands of modern gaming without issue.
The 1000W capacity provides substantial headroom for most single-GPU configurations, including high-end processors and graphics cards. Users planning dual-GPU setups should carefully consider their power requirements, though the unit's capacity should be sufficient for most such configurations.
Modular Cable System
The fully modular cable system is well-designed and user-friendly. All cables, including the 24-pin motherboard connector, are detachable, allowing for excellent cable management. Cable quality is good, with flat ribbon-style cables that are easy to route and manage.
Cable lengths are well-considered, providing adequate reach without excessive slack:
- 24-pin motherboard: 600mm
- 8-pin CPU: 650mm
- 6+2-pin PCIe: 650mm + 150mm
- SATA: 500mm + 150mm + 150mm
- Molex: 500mm + 150mm + 150mm
Protection Features
The SuperNOVA G3 includes comprehensive protection systems including OVP (Over Voltage Protection), UVP (Under Voltage Protection), OCP (Over Current Protection), OTP (Over Temperature Protection), and SCP (Short Circuit Protection). These features provide important safeguards for your system components.
EVGA's implementation of these protection features is solid and reliable. The unit has demonstrated proper protection behavior during our testing procedures, and users can be confident that their systems are well-protected against common power-related issues.
Noise Performance
Acoustic performance is generally good under normal loads, with the unit operating relatively quietly. Under light to moderate loads, noise levels are minimal and shouldn't be noticeable in typical gaming environments.
Under heavy loads, fan speed increases to maintain thermal performance, which does result in increased noise levels. However, these noise levels remain reasonable and shouldn't be problematic in most gaming setups. The noise profile is typical for a Gold-rated unit in this price range.
Value Proposition
The SuperNOVA G3's strongest attribute is its value proposition. At $179.99 for a 1000W 80 PLUS Gold fully modular unit, it offers substantial power capacity at a competitive price point. This makes it an attractive option for users who need reliable power without the premium pricing of Platinum or Titanium units.
The unit's performance, while not exceptional, is solid and adequate for most applications. For users building gaming systems or workstations where cost is a consideration, the SuperNOVA G3 represents good value for money. The combination of capacity, efficiency, and reliability makes it a compelling choice.
EVGA's Customer Service
One of EVGA's strongest selling points is their exceptional customer service. The company is known for their responsive support team and generous warranty policies. The 10-year warranty on the SuperNOVA G3 provides peace of mind and demonstrates EVGA's confidence in their product.
EVGA's customer service reputation extends beyond just warranty support. Users report positive experiences with technical support, RMA processes, and general customer service inquiries. This level of support adds significant value to the product and makes it an attractive choice for users who prioritize customer service.
Competition Analysis
The SuperNOVA G3 competes directly with offerings like the Corsair RM1000x, be quiet! Straight Power 11 1000W, and Seasonic Focus Plus 1000 Gold. In terms of performance, it holds its own against these established competitors, offering similar efficiency and build quality.
Where the SuperNOVA G3 stands out is in its combination of features, pricing, and customer service. It offers solid performance at a competitive price point while providing the exceptional customer service that EVGA is known for. This combination makes it a compelling choice for many users.
