The COUGAR GR 1000 combines ATX 3.1 support, a native 12V-2×6 connector, 100% Japanese capacitors, and a fully modular design at an aggressive $129 price point. Read our in-depth review to see how its voltage regulation, acoustics, and overall performance compare against the competition.
Product Name: GR 1000W
Manufacturer: COUGAR
MSRP: US$129.00
COUGAR has sent us its value-oriented GR Series 1000W power supply, an 80 PLUS Gold-rated unit built around the latest ATX 3.1 specification. It features a fully modular cable design, PCIe 5.1 support, 100% Japanese capacitors, and a native 12V-2×6 connector ready for the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics cards. Priced at just $129, the GR 1000W is clearly aimed at budget-conscious PC builders, especially at a time when rising DRAM and SSD prices are stretching system build budgets. But can COUGAR deliver the reliability, performance, and efficiency expected of a modern 1000W PSU without compromising on quality? Let’s find out in this review.
COUGAR GR Series 1000/1200
The COUGAR GR 1200/1000 is an 80 PLUS Gold-certified power supply, delivering reliable performance even at 40°C. Designed with a native PCIe 12V-2X6 connector, it meets Intel ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 standards. As a modular PSU, it efficiently supports next-gen GPUs with a single 12+4-pin cable, reaching up to 91% efficiency. This reduces energy consumption, lowers electricity costs, and ensures stable power delivery.
Learn more about the COUGAR GR Series 1000/1200 PSU at the COUGAR website.
Learn more about COUGAR’s power supply unit lineup here.
Features and Specifications
Features
• Supports PCI Express 5.1 Graphics Cards with 12+4 Pin Connector for true 200% power excursion dynamic outputs.
• 80 PLUS Gold Certified for up to 91% efficiency in power conversion, reducing electricity bills.
• Durable Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan lets you experience noiseless gaming.
• 100% Refined Japanese Capacitors for outstanding component longevity in the PSU.
• Designed for current and next-generation multi-core CPU platforms, compatible with the latest PC technology.
• Powerful performance even at 40°C ambient temperature.
• Full Protections with UVP, OCP, SCP, OTP, OVP, OPP
• Platinum Cybenetics rating for efficiency (1000W only)
• A+ Cybenetics rating for noise level. (1000W only)
• 10-year warranty
Specifications
Dimensions (L*W*H)
150 x 150 x 86mm
The COUGAR GR 1000 is built on a platform designed by RSY (Ruishengyuan), a well-established Chinese original design manufacturer (ODM) known for producing power supply platforms for several reputable hardware brands, including Enermax, COUGAR, and Seasonic. While the OEM alone does not determine a PSU’s quality, RSY has earned a solid reputation for delivering reliable and competitive designs across various market segments, particularly in the mainstream and value-oriented categories.
Packaging, Bundle, and Cables
The COUGAR GR 1000 comes in a coloured box sealed with a plastic wrap. Information about the PSU is printed all over the box.
Inside the box, the PSU is protected by a fabric pouch, while the modular cables are packed separately in a sealed plastic bag. Also included are the user manual, warranty leaflet, and quick start guide.
Unlike many competing brands, the GR 1000 PSU itself is not enclosed in a plastic sleeve. However, the retail box is factory-sealed in shrink wrap, which should provide adequate protection against dust and moisture during storage and transit.
The COUGAR GR 1000 literally is packed and bundled similarly with the COUGAR GLE 1000 I have previously reviewed – its accessories included are a pack of screws to mount the PSU onto the chassis and a couple of Velcro straps for cable management.
Cables
The COUGAR GR 1000W includes two 4+4-pin EPS connectors for high-end motherboards with dual CPU power headers, three PCIe 6+2-pin connectors for previous-generation graphics cards, and a native 600W 12V-2×6 cable for the latest PCIe 5.1 graphics cards.
600W-rated 12V-2×6 cable
Like the COUGAR GLE 1000, the GR 1000 also uses embossed flat cables that emulate the appearance of individually sleeved cables, offering a cleaner aesthetic while retaining the flexibility and ease of cable routing associated with flat cable designs.
One notable difference between the GR 1000 and the GLE 1000 lies in the cable lengths. The GR 1000 features longer EPS cables, measuring 700mm instead of 650mm, making them better suited for larger chassis. However, its PCIe cables are slightly shorter at 600mm compared to the GLE 1000’s 650mm, which may affect cable routing in some full-tower cases.
The COUGAR GR 1000 PSU includes the following cables:
1x 24Pin Motherboard ATX (600mm)
2x 8Pin (4+4Pin) EPS (700mm)
1x 16Pin PCIe 5.1 12V-2×6 (600mm)
3x 8Pin (6+2Pin) +8Pin (6+2Pin) PCIe (600mm)
3x 3xSATA + 1xMOLEX (450mm+150mm+150mm+150mm)
2x 8Pin (4+4Pin) EPS (700mm)
1x 16Pin PCIe 5.1 12V-2×6 (600mm)
3x 8Pin (6+2Pin) +8Pin (6+2Pin) PCIe (600mm)
3x 3xSATA + 1xMOLEX (450mm+150mm+150mm+150mm)
Closer Look (External)
The COUGAR GR 1000W retains a compact 150mm chassis, making it suitable for a wide range of ATX-compatible cases. Compared to the GLE 1000, the GR 1000 adopts a simpler, more conventional fan grille design, although the addition of the COUGAR badge at the centre gives the unit a more refined appearance.
One side of the PSU features the specifications label containing the unit’s electrical ratings and certifications. Like the GLE series, this label is positioned on the side that typically faces inside in cases with a bottom-mounted PSU, keeping it out of sight and helping maintain a cleaner, more minimalist system aesthetic.
The COUGAR GR 1000W features a fully modular cable design for easier cable management and cleaner system builds. Compared to the GLE 1000, COUGAR has also improved the orientation of the modular connectors. The upper row retains the locking tabs on the top, while the lower row places them underneath, making the release clips much easier to access when disconnecting cables. It’s a small but thoughtful refinement that improves usability during installation and maintenance.
The rear of the GR 1000 features a conventional ventilation grille alongside the AC power socket and power switch. There is no dedicated switch for enabling an intelligent or semi-passive fan mode, meaning the cooling fan operates using a fixed active profile.
Closer Look (Interior)
The COUGAR GR 1000 is cooled by a 140mm Globe Fan RL4Z S152512HH fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) fan. According to Cybenetics, the fan achieves an A+ noise rating, indicating quiet operation across its operating range.
Internally, COUGAR backs its claim of using 100% Japanese capacitors throughout the PSU. The primary switching components and power conversion circuitry are cooled by a large aluminium heatsink, while the layout follows a typical modern design with a single primary capacitor — a common approach for power supplies in this price segment.
The primary capacitor is a 420V 560uF Rubycon MXE unit, while the secondary side also utilises Rubycon capacitors.
Even the capacitor mounted behind the native 12V-2×6 connector is sourced from UNICON, another well-regarded Japanese manufacturer, further validating COUGAR’s claim of an all-Japanese capacitor design.
Overall, the internal component selection inspires confidence, particularly considering the COUGAR GR 1000’s competitive price point. With premium Japanese capacitors, a quiet FDB cooling fan, and a clean internal layout, the unit appears well-equipped on paper. The next step is to see whether these hardware choices translate into solid real-world performance under load.
Testing Methodologies & Results
Testing Methodologies & Results
We will be using an ElmorLabs PMD2 that monitors and measures voltage, current, and power flowing through the CPU, GPU and motherboard power cables.
Our testing methodology will now be using OCBase’s OCCT Enterprise Edition software for power loading and monitoring. Tweaking the OCCT Stability Test, we can set different power loads for the PSU easier rather than playing around with various software to achieve set power loads. All testing is conducted using the 230V residential power standard.
Methodology
The ElmorLabs PMD2 features several monitoring points which includes two 8-pin EPS connectors (EPS1 and EPS2), three +12V 8-pin PCIE (PCIE1, PCIE2, and PCI3), one 12V-2×6 connector (HPWR) and readings on the 24-pin which include +12V, +5, and +3.3. For the +12V output on the peripheral/molex cable, we will be using a multimeter.
Our testing setup are as follows:
CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K (5.3GHz)
Cooling: Noctua NH-D15 G2
Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS EXTREME X
Graphics Card: GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 EAGLE OC / COLORFUL iGame GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
Memory: ADATA XPG Lancer DDR5-8000 32GB Kit
Storage: ADATA Legend 960 Max 1TB / 2TB Seagate SkyHawk 5900 RPM
Room Temperature: ~24°C
Average Room Noise Level: ~40 dBA (test PC off)
PMD2 Connectors
HPWR (12V-2×6): GeForce RTX 3070
PCIE 1: Unpopulated
PCIE 2: Unpopulated
PCIE 3: GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
Cooling: Noctua NH-D15 G2
Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS EXTREME X
Graphics Card: GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 EAGLE OC / COLORFUL iGame GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
Memory: ADATA XPG Lancer DDR5-8000 32GB Kit
Storage: ADATA Legend 960 Max 1TB / 2TB Seagate SkyHawk 5900 RPM
Room Temperature: ~24°C
Average Room Noise Level: ~40 dBA (test PC off)
PMD2 Connectors
HPWR (12V-2×6): GeForce RTX 3070
PCIE 1: Unpopulated
PCIE 2: Unpopulated
PCIE 3: GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
Results
Voltage
Voltage Regulation
With our test configuration, system load peaked at approximately 811W during the maximum load test, achieved by running CINEBENCH 2024’s multi-core stress test alongside OCCT’s Power Stability Test. Throughout testing, the COUGAR GR 1000 delivered consistently stable voltages across all monitored rails, with every reading remaining comfortably within the ATX specification.
Maximum Load
The +12V rails demonstrated excellent regulation. The native 12V-2×6 connector varied by less than 1.0% across the entire load range, although it was only powering an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 that peaked at around 216W during our maximum workload. The EPS connectors exhibited a slight voltage sag once system load exceeded roughly 40%, driven by the power-hungry Intel Core i7-13700K, but the largest deviation is also under 1.0%. Likewise, the PCIe outputs remained within approximately 1.5% of the nominal 12V output, while the +5V and +3.3V rails recorded deviations above 1.00% having less stricter voltage regulation.
Although the slight drop below 12.00V on the EPS rails was not observed on the higher-end COUGAR GLE 1000— which maintained even tighter regulation throughout our testing—the GR 1000’s results remain well within the ATX ±5% specification and have no practical impact on system stability. The difference likely reflects the GLE platform’s more refined power delivery design, which is expected given its higher market positioning. Even so, the GR 1000 delivered excellent voltage regulation across all output rails, making it a strong performer for an 80 PLUS Gold-rated PSU in this price segment.
OCCT Stability Tests
The graphs below show the 60% load test and the maximum load tests.
The EPS +12V rails exhibited a modest voltage sag as soon as the CPU was placed under load, becoming more noticeable once system load exceeded 40%. At both the 60% and maximum load tests, the EPS rails settled at approximately 0.25% below the nominal 12V output. While this indicates the CPU power rails are more susceptible to voltage drop under sustained heavy loads than the PCIe outputs, the deviation remains exceptionally small, well within the ATX ±5% specification, and is unlikely to have any measurable impact on system stability or performance.
As discussed earlier, a slight voltage sag was observed on the loaded EPS and PCIe +12V rails once system load exceeded roughly 40%. This is expected, as these connectors were actively supplying power to the CPU and graphics cards under increasing load. Meanwhile, the unpopulated PCIe connectors, which carried virtually no current, remained above the nominal 12.00V throughout testing. The graphs below illustrate this difference, demonstrating how connector loading influences the measured output voltage.
The +5V and +3.3V remain well above specifications across all load scenarios.
Overall, the COUGAR GR 1000 delivered respectable voltage regulation throughout our testing. Despite a small amount of voltage sag on the loaded EPS rails at higher system loads, all outputs remained comfortably within ATX specifications, providing stable and reliable power delivery that exceeds expectations for a PSU in this price segment.
Acoustics
The COUGAR GR 1000 performed well in terms of acoustics throughout our testing. No coil whine was detected from our sample unit, while system noise measured approximately 55 dBA at idle and 65 dBA under maximum load. Even during high-power workloads, the PSU remained relatively unobtrusive, with the graphics cards and CPU air cooler contributing far more to the overall system noise than the power supply itself.
These observations are consistent with the unit’s Cybenetics A+ noise certification, demonstrating the effectiveness of its 140mm Globe Fan RL4Z S152512HH fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) fan. Overall, the GR 1000 offers quiet operation that should satisfy the vast majority of gamers and PC enthusiasts.
Conclusion
At an MSRP of $129, the COUGAR GR 1000 is positioned as the brand’s value-oriented 1000W 80 PLUS Gold power supply. While it sits below the GLE series in COUGAR’s lineup, it doesn’t compromise on the essentials that matter most to enthusiasts. It offers a fully modular cable design, native 12V-2×6 support, 100% Japanese capacitors, and a generous 10-year warranty — features typically associated with more expensive power supplies. For builders looking to maximise their budget amidst rising component prices, the GR 1000 presents a compelling balance of features, quality, and affordability.Design and Aesthetics
The COUGAR GR 1000 adopts a straightforward, no-frills design without decorative RGB lighting or elaborate styling. Instead, COUGAR has focused on practicality, delivering a compact 150mm chassis that fits comfortably in most ATX cases. The fully modular design, paired with embossed flat black cables, makes cable management considerably easier while helping create a cleaner, less cluttered system.
COUGAR has also improved the orientation of the modular connectors compared to the GLE series, placing the locking tabs in more accessible positions and making cable removal noticeably more convenient during installation and maintenance.
Performance
The COUGAR GR 1000 performed well throughout our testing, delivering stable voltages across all rails while remaining comfortably within the ATX specification under loads of up to 811W. Although the EPS rails exhibited a slight voltage sag under heavier CPU workloads, the deviation was minimal and had no practical impact on system stability. Compared to the higher-end GLE 1000, the GR 1000’s voltage regulation is not quite as refined, suggesting the GLE benefits from a more sophisticated power delivery platform. Nevertheless, the GR 1000 still offers excellent regulation for its price class, making it more than capable of powering today’s high-performance gaming and productivity systems.
Value
Backed by a 10-year warranty, the COUGAR GR 1000 stands out as one of the more affordable fully modular 1000W 80 PLUS Gold power supplies on the market. Combined with ATX 3.1 compliance, PCIe 5.1 readiness, 100% Japanese capacitors, and dependable electrical performance, it offers excellent value for builders seeking a high-capacity PSU without paying a premium. While the SAMA G1000 is available at a slightly lower price and offers a comparable feature set, its 5-year warranty falls well short of the GR 1000’s 10-year coverage, giving COUGAR a clear advantage in long-term value and buyer confidence.
For builders who prioritise value, the COUGAR GR 1000 is an easy recommendation. Backed by a 10-year warranty, it delivers modern ATX 3.1 features, dependable performance, and excellent build quality at a price that’s especially appealing as rising DRAM and SSD costs continue to squeeze PC building budgets. While availability remains stronger across APAC than Europe, the GR 1000 is now available in North America through Amazon for just $119—below its $129 MSRP — making an already compelling value proposition even more attractive for budget-conscious builders.
Pros
+ 10-year warranty
+ Fully modular cable design
+ 100% high-quality Japanese capacitor
+ Quiet 140mm FDB fan
Cons
– Less stellar voltage regulation (vs GLE 1000)
– No semi-passive (Zero RPM) fan mode
– Limited availability as of this writing.
+ 10-year warranty
+ Fully modular cable design
+ 100% high-quality Japanese capacitor
+ Quiet 140mm FDB fan
Cons
– Less stellar voltage regulation (vs GLE 1000)
– No semi-passive (Zero RPM) fan mode
– Limited availability as of this writing.
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