EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 P+ 1600W Power Supply: features, specs and fit

The EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 P+ (model 220-PP-1600-X1) is an internal PC power supply rated at 1,600 watts. It is aimed at high-end desktops and workstations that run several power-hungry components at once, such as multiple graphics cards. Here is what its main features mean and what to confirm before choosing a unit this size.

What 1600W of capacity means

A power supply's wattage is the maximum it can deliver to the components inside the case. It is not what the PC draws all the time. Most systems run well below their ceiling, and a supply typically works most comfortably when the load is somewhere in the middle of its range. A 1600W unit is generally chosen for systems with several high-draw parts, or for people who want plenty of headroom for future upgrades.

Adding up the rated power of your processor, graphics card or cards, drives and fans is the usual way to size a supply. Many builders then leave a margin on top.

80 PLUS Platinum efficiency

EVGA lists this unit as 80 PLUS Platinum certified, with 92% efficiency or higher under typical loads. The certification is a test programme that measures how much of the power drawn from the wall reaches the components instead of being lost as heat. Platinum is one of the higher tiers.

In practice, higher efficiency means less wasted heat for the fan to remove, and a lower electricity draw than a less efficient supply delivering the same output. The difference matters most in systems that run at heavy load for long periods.

Fully modular cabling

Fully modular means every cable detaches from the unit, including the main motherboard connector. You attach only the cables your build needs. EVGA says this reduces clutter and improves airflow. With fewer unused cables in the case, routing is easier, and air moves more freely around the components.

Capacitors and voltage stability

EVGA says the unit uses 100% Japanese capacitors and a DC-DC converter design intended to improve 3.3V and 5V stability. DC-DC designs generate the lower voltages from the main 12V rail, which is common on modern supplies. For the buyer, the point is steadier voltage to the parts that use those rails, such as storage and some motherboard circuits.

Fan and ECO mode

The fan is a double ball bearing type, which EVGA says supports quiet operation and a longer life. The unit also has an ECO Mode, which EVGA describes as a way to reduce fan noise. Fan behaviour in this mode typically means a slower or stopped fan at light loads, but check the manual for how to switch it on and what it does.

Size, weight and warranty

The listing gives dimensions of about 7.9 x 5.9 x 3.4 inches (roughly 20 x 15 x 8.6 cm) and a weight of 12.1 lb (about 5.5 kg). EVGA backs the unit with a ten-year limited warranty and includes a Power On Self Tester, a small tool for checking that a supply starts without being connected to a motherboard.

Who it suits

It suits large builds: multi-GPU workstations, high-end gaming PCs and rendering machines that need substantial power and room to expand. For a typical single-graphics-card desktop, a smaller supply is usually enough.

What to check before you buy

• Case fit: confirm your case takes a standard ATX power supply of this length, and has room for the cables behind the motherboard tray.
• Power need: add up your components' rated draw, and check the graphics card's recommended supply wattage.
• Connectors: make sure the supplied cables include the right plugs for your graphics cards and motherboard, as the manual lists them.
• Mains supply: a 1,600W unit can draw a lot from a wall outlet at full load, so check the circuit it will be plugged into.
• Noise: ask how the fan and ECO Mode behave at your usual load.
• Warranty terms: read what the ten-year limited warranty covers.

The short version

• A 1600W ATX power supply, model 220-PP-1600-X1, from EVGA.
• 80 PLUS Platinum certified, with 92% efficiency or higher under typical loads.
• Fully modular cables, Japanese capacitors and a DC-DC design for 3.3V/5V stability.
• Double ball bearing fan with ECO Mode.
• Ten-year limited warranty and a Power On Self Tester in the box.

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