Corsair HX1000i Shift Crystal PSU reviewed: fanless up to 500W, loud when hot

Originally published on ColdCaseTech.

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Then vs. Now (News report): Then: Corsair announced the HX1000i SHIFT CRYSTAL, a 1000W fully modular ATX 3.1 power supply with transparent panels, PinProtect+ per-pin protection, Cybenetics Platinum efficiency and a ten-year warranty. Now: Tom's Hardware reviewed the unit on 2026-11-12, the date it gives for the launch, and reported excellent efficiency, fanless operation up to 500W and a loud fan when hot.

Tom's Hardware published its review of the Corsair HX1000i Shift Crystal 1000W power supply on 2026-11-12, the date it gives for the unit's launch (Tom's Hardware). Its verdict calls the unit a showpiece with excellent efficiency, tight regulation and low ripple, and notes that the fanless window covers half of its rated output at room temperature (Tom's Hardware). Against that, the review lists Taiwanese capacitors, a noisy hot run and a 200 mm long chassis (Tom's Hardware). The company's product page currently lists the unit at $339.99 (Corsair (official statement)).

Key Facts

Timeline

• 2026-10-29: Corsair's product page lists the HX1000i SHIFT CRYSTAL at $339.99 with a ten-year warranty (Corsair (official statement)).
• 2026-11-12: Tom's Hardware publishes its review and gives this date as the launch date (Tom's Hardware).

Details (as Reported)

Corsair describes a built-in PinProtect+ that monitors current across each 12V pin on the 12V-2x6 connection and limits GPU power if excessive current persists (Corsair (official statement)). Alongside it, the company lists an integrated iCUE LINK System Hub that connects up to 24 iCUE LINK devices, and a 140mm Magnetic Dome bearing fan with a zero RPM mode (Corsair (official statement)). Steady output reaches up to 91% efficiency, and the fan ramps up automatically under heavy loads (Corsair (official statement)). The page also notes that 30mm of clearance between the power supply and the side panel is required (Corsair (official statement)).

Tom's Hardware reports that the unit is built by CWT, was first shown at Computex 2026, and is rated to deliver its full output continuously at ambient temperatures up to 50°C (Tom's Hardware). At 150 x 86 x 200 mm, the unit has clear polycarbonate panels on three sides (Tom's Hardware). Among its reasons to buy, the reviewer lists Cybenetics Platinum certification, tight voltage regulation, low ripple, fanless operation up to 500W, per-pin 12V-2x6 protection and the ten-year warranty (Tom's Hardware). The bundle contains the AC power cord, four mounting screws, black cable ties and a safety leaflet, which the reviewer calls spartan for the class (Tom's Hardware). Cables include a native 12V-2x6 cable rated for 600W, eight SATA connectors and eight Molex connectors (Tom's Hardware).

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What Is Not Yet Confirmed

• The review's specification table lists the MSRP as unknown (Tom's Hardware).

Sources

• Corsair (official statement), 2026-10-29
• Tom's Hardware, 2026-11-12

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