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When building a high-end gaming PC with top-tier components like the RTX 50 series, the 9950X3D, or the 9800X3D, a stable power supply is crucial for both performance and system stability. Systems equipped with the latest high-performance graphics cards and CPUs require a power supply with sufficient wattage, and many consumers prefer a higher capacity than the recommended wattage.
Modern graphics cards, in particular, can experience power spikes, demanding very high power instantaneously. Therefore, simply considering the average power consumption isn’t enough. This is why choosing a power supply with ample capacity is recommended for overall system stability and future upgrade potential.
For high-performance graphics cards like the recently released RTX 5080 and RTX 5090, 1200W power supplies are often preferred over 1000W models. Today, we’ll take a closer look at the NZXT C1200 80PLUS Gold Full Modular ATX 3.1 power supply, distributed by Daewon CTS.
Specifications and Components
NZXT is a global brand manufacturing premium PC components, including cases, cooling solutions, and power supplies. They are recognized by many users for their minimalist design and outstanding quality. Recently, they’ve strengthened their power supply lineup, offering diverse products for high-performance PC builds.
NZXT’s power supplies boast industry-leading performance and stability, as well as their design. In particular, their full modular design and use of high-quality components make them competitive in the premium market.
The detailed specifications of the NZXT C1200 80PLUS Gold Full Modular are as follows:
Product Specifications
Product Name
NZXT C1200 80PLUS Gold Full Modular ATX 3.1
Rated Output
1200W
Form Factor
ATX 3.1
Certification
80PLUS Gold Efficiency Certification (Up to 90% Efficiency)
Cable Type
Full Modular Design
12VHPWR Connector
Includes 600W cable for latest RTX series support
Protection Circuitry
OVP, UVP, OTP, SCP, OPP, OCP, and other multiple protection features
Cooling Fan
135mm FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing) fan
Dimensions
160mm (L) × 150mm (W) × 86mm (H)
Warranty
10 Years
NZXT offers an industry-leading 10-year warranty on the C1200, demonstrating their confidence in the product. A 10-year warranty is significantly longer than the typical 3-5 year warranty offered by most power supply manufacturers. In Korea, Daewon CTS handles official distribution and after-sales service, providing added reliability. Daewon CTS is a leading company in the domestic PC component distribution industry, operating a systematic A/S system based on their extensive experience and expertise.
The NZXT C1200’s 80PLUS Gold rating indicates the power supply’s efficiency. This certification requires achieving at least 87%, 90%, and 87% efficiency at 20%, 50%, and 100% load, respectively. The NZXT C1200 meets these standards and boasts an impressive efficiency of approximately 90% at 50% load (600W).
High efficiency not only saves on electricity costs but also reduces heat generation, making it easier to manage internal system temperatures. This contributes to overall system stability and noise reduction.
Package Contents
The NZXT C1200’s packaging follows NZXT’s design identity, utilizing purple and white colors. Upon opening the package, you’ll find the main unit and a cable pouch. The pouch, also in the brand’s signature purple, adds a touch of luxury.
The full modular design allows you to connect only the necessary cables, improving airflow and cable management within the case. The included cables are as follows:
* 24-pin ATX motherboard cable (1) – Length: 600mm
* 8-pin (4+4) EPS/ATX12V cable (2) – Length: 700mm
* 8-pin (6+2) PCIe cable (3) – Length: 650mm
* 12VHPWR (12+4) cable (1) – Length: 650mm, Supports up to 600W
* SATA power cable (3, total 12 connectors) – Length: 500mm + 150mm intervals
* Peripheral cable (1, total 4 connectors) – Length: 500mm + 150mm intervals
Also included are mounting screws, a user manual, and a power cord.
The cables are braided for durability, and the 12VHPWR cable, in particular, meets the high power demands of the latest RTX series graphics cards.
Appearance and Features
The NZXT C1200 features a simple yet sophisticated design. The matte black metal chassis gives it a premium feel, and its compact 160mm depth ensures compatibility with a wide range of cases. The brand logo and product name are located on the side.
The NZXT C1200 is 80PLUS Gold certified, guaranteeing 87% efficiency at 20% load, 90% at 50% load, and 87% at 100% load. Since most systems operate within the 40-60% load range in real-world usage, high efficiency in this range is critical.
The NZXT C1200’s full modular design allows users to connect only the necessary cables, optimizing internal case space and airflow. This also simplifies cable management, resulting in a clean internal setup.
The cooling fan is a 135mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) fan, known for its longer lifespan and quieter operation compared to traditional sleeve bearing fans. The FDB fan minimizes friction using a fluid bearing, significantly reducing noise and vibration.
Additionally, it supports a zero-fan mode, where the cooling fan completely stops at low loads under 50%. This minimizes noise for quiet operation during web browsing or document editing.
The NZXT C1200 utilizes high-quality Japanese capacitors rated for up to 105°C. These capacitors ensure stable operation even under extreme conditions, significantly enhancing product lifespan and electrical stability. It also incorporates various protection circuits, including UVP, OTP, SCP, OPP, and OCP. These protection circuits ensure system safety in various scenarios, such as Windows errors or power outages.
System Configuration and Testing
For testing the NZXT C1200 80PLUS Gold Full Modular ATX 3.1, a system was configured using an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and an Nvidia RTX 5070.
System Configuration
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
GPU
RTX 5070
Motherboard
ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO
RAM
G.Skill DDR5 TRIDENT Z5 RGB 48GB CL40
The full modular design made cable management extremely easy. The cable length and flexibility were ideal for clean routing. Its compact 160mm depth allowed for easy installation in a standard mid-tower case, and the 12VHPWR cable offered appropriate bend radius.
Modern graphics cards like the RTX 50 series can demand high power instantaneously, so choosing a stable Gold or Platinum-rated power supply is recommended.
Before testing, the voltage was measured using a power supply tester. The 3.3V, 5V, and 12V lines all maintained stable voltages within the normal range. The 12V line, in particular, exhibited very stable voltage within ±5%.
Benchmarking and Performance Testing
A system stress test was conducted using OCCT. While applying maximum load to the CPU and GPU and monitoring voltage stability, the voltage and power remained very stable, as shown in the graph.
Power consumption measurements in real-world usage scenarios are as follows:
* Standby Mode: 0.8W (ErP compliant)
* Idle: 122W
* General Office Work: 150-180W
* Gaming: 413-453W
Power consumption, CPU boost clock, and temperature changes were measured while playing PUBG for 10 minutes. The test confirmed that the power supply has the potential to provide ample capacity and stability, not just for the RTX 5070 used in the test, but also for much higher-performance graphics cards or overclocked systems.
Conclusion
The NZXT C1200 80PLUS Gold Full Modular ATX 3.1 power supply is equipped with the performance and specifications required by modern high-performance systems. Its compliance with the latest ATX 3.1 standard and support for the 12VHPWR connector ensure full compatibility with top-tier graphics cards like the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090.
Its ample 1200W capacity and excellent efficiency, thanks to its 80PLUS Gold certification, provide headroom for even the most power-hungry combinations of modern CPUs and GPUs. It is particularly appealing to enthusiasts who overclock both high-end Intel and AMD CPUs alongside RTX series graphics cards.
The use of high-quality Japanese capacitors, various protection circuits, a quiet cooling system with a zero-fan mode, a long 10-year warranty, and Daewon CTS’s reliable after-sales service provide peace of mind after purchase.
If you’re planning to build a high-performance gaming PC and are looking for a robust and stable 1200W power supply, the NZXT C1200 80PLUS Gold Full Modular ATX 3.1 is worth considering.
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