Introduction and Features
Zalman’s latest high-end power supply uses two heat pipes to help quietly and efficiently deliver up to a 1,000 watts of clean, stable power with support for dual and 3-way graphics adapters. Check it out!
IntroductionThe ZM1000-HP Plus power supply is the latest and largest addition to Zalman’s line of PC switching power supplies. It features a combination of fixed and modular cables, support for multiple high-end graphic cards, and is 80 Plus Silver certified. The ZM1000-HP Plus uses two heat pipes to augment the internal cooling system for increased reliability and to help reduce noise. While not the first PSU manufacturer to take this approach, Zalman certainly has a strong history of effectively using heat pipes in many of their CNPS (Computer Noise Prevention System) enabled products.
(Courtesy of Zalman)
Zalman has a well earned reputation in the PC industry for delivering high-quality components that are designed to reduce noise. In addition to PC power supplies, Zalman also offers desktop and HTPC enclosures, air and water-cooling solutions, along with numerous noise fighting accessories for the PC enthusiast.
Zalman ZM1000-HP Plus PSU Key Features:
• 1,000 watt continuous power output
• High efficiency: 80 PLUS Silver Certified
• Heat pipe technology used to enhance cooling
• Quiet 140mm cooling fan maximizes airflow
• ATX12V v2.3 and EPS12V support
• Four +12V outputs (up to 82A/984W combined)
• Six PCI-E connectors support dual and 3-way graphics card systems
• Combination of Fixed and Modular cables (fully sleeved)
• 16 AWG (heavy gauge) wire used to minimize voltage drop
• EZ grip connectors with gold plated terminals
• Active PFC with Universal AC line input
• 3-Year warranty
Heat Pipe Technology
The Zalman ZM1000-HP Plus power supply uses two copper heat pipes to transport heat from the main heatsinks over to arrays of aluminum fins that are cooled by air exhausting out the back of the power supply. Zalman isn’t the first company to use heat pipes to help cool a power supply. Both Silverstone and Thermaltake used heatpipes in their fan-less PSU’s several years ago.
A heat pipe is a highly efficient conductor of heat and using one in this manner greatly increases the effective surface area of the internal heatsinks. A properly constructed heat pipe has a very low thermal resistance, which is roughly independent of its length (unlike ordinary metal rods whose thermal resistance increases with length). Heat pipes are commonly used to transport heat from one location to another.
Heat pipes work on the principle of evaporation and condensation. A working fluid (frequently distilled water) evaporates inside one end of the heat pipe (the hot-end) absorbing heat in the process. A partial vacuum inside the heat pipe allows the water to evaporate at low temperatures. Once formed, the water vapor diffuses from an area of high vapor pressure (where it is being generated) to the other end of the tube where the vapor pressure is lower.
The vaporized fluid then condenses back to liquid (cold-end) and the heat is dissipated into the air from the metal cooling fins. The working fluid returns to the hot end via capillary action thru an internal wicking structure (sintered metal coating, fine wire mesh, or grooves) so the heat pipe does not have to rely on gravity to recycle the working fluid. The key to a heat pipe’s high efficiency is the working fluid’s latent heat of vaporization.
PSU Testing Methodology
Establishing an accurate load is critical to testing and evaluating a PC power supply. PCPerspective’s power supply test bench can place a precise 2,000 watt DC load on the PSU under test. Each power supply is tested under controlled, real-world conditions up to its maximum rated load (at 40ºC), using both 115 VAC and 240 VAC line voltage. Our current suite of tests includes:
• DC Load Regulation
• DC Line Regulation
• DC Cross-load (unbalanced load)
• AC Ripple and Noise
• Power Factor
• Efficiency
• Differential Temperature
• Noise
The Zalman ZM1000-HP Plus power supply was evaluated on both features and performance. A full range of equipment was used to test the power supply under controlled load conditions.
• (2) CSI3710A Programmable DC load (+3.3V and +5V outputs)
• (4) CSI3711A Programmable DC load (+12V1, +12V2, +12V3, and +12V4)
• (2) 200W Precision resistor load bank (+12V5 and +12V6)
• Switchable precision resistor load bank (-12V and +5VSB)
• Extech MultiMaster MM570 digital multimeter (Accuracy ±0.02%)
• Extech 380803 Power Analyzer (Accuracy ±0.5% of full scale)
• DS1M12 “StingRay” digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)
• Powerstat Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA, 0-140 VAC
• Extech Model 407738 digital sound level meter (Accuracy ±1.5 dB)
• Custom PC60 enclosure to simulate real-world operating conditions
This is comparable to the
This is comparable to the Antec Truepower Quattro TPQ-1000 1000W.
The Zalman cost over 50% more than the Antec.For an extra $100 I would expect more from the Zalman.
They both have two 6pin and two 8pin PCI-E connectors.
You can get 70 AMPS (840W) from all the 12V on the Antec
You can get 80 AMPS (960W) from all the 12V on the Zalman
50% more money for ~ 12% more performance, but Zalman has some kind of special jojoba oil coated around it to prevent it from damageoverheating which greatly increases it’s lifespan, so it’s worth it in a way.
Just my personal opinion.
I’ve been using zm1000hp plus
I’ve been using zm1000hp plus for 4 mos now and i haven’t heard its fan yet, its passive cooling is just amazing. I payed AU$220.00 for it and i think it is worth every penny.
I wonder if it will start ramping up its fan when I start doing crossfire.
the only downside is not modular but it does the job, though could be longer i suppose for bigger cases, else its limited to ATX.