Cougar GEX X2 1000W ATX 3.0 Power Supply Review

Delivers reliable power with solid voltage regulation and ripple suppression, all in a compact ATX 3.0-compliant design.

The Cougar GEX X2 line includes two members, with 850W and 1000W max power. Both are ATX v3.0 and PCIe 5.0 compatible and are equipped with a 600W 12VHPWR connector. The dimensions are super-compact, with only 140mm depth, and utilize a fully modular cable design. In Cybenetics, the GEX X2 1000W achieves the Platinum efficiency rating, while in noise, it scores Cybenetic A-, which means 25-30 dBA average noise output. The warranty is seven years long. With a price of $175, the GEX X2 1000W is in line with the competition since the Thermaltake GF3 1000W goes for $180 and the Montech Titan Gold 1000 for $190. The GEX X2 model uses a platform that I haven’t encountered so far, and this is good because it makes it stand out from the crowd. Currently, most 850W, 1000W, and 1200W ATX v3.0 compatible units utilize CWT’s CSZ platform with minor differences between each implementation, so you basically have the same PSU with a different model number and labels.

Cougar, founded in 2007, is a well-established manufacturer in the PC peripherals and components industry. The company initially gained recognition for its high-quality gaming cases and cooling solutions, and has since expanded its product portfolio to include power supply units (PSUs), gaming peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and headsets, as well as gaming chairs and other accessories.

In this review, we will be examining the Cougar GEX X2 1000W, a power supply unit designed to comply with the ATX 3.0 standard. This 1000W PSU is very compact and yet powerful solution, featuring all-black ribbon cables and a 12VHPWR connector to accommodate modern graphics cards. The GEX X2 has a 80Plus Gold certification that, along with the rest of its features and current retail price, place it in-between the mainstream and the premium gaming/workstation PC market. Based on our testing, we can say that it’s not quite efficient enough to surpass any of the best power supplies, but the $169 Cougar GEX X2 is more than functional enough for most builds.

Specifications and Design