As with any hardware component, finding the right balance between cost, quality, and performance is essential. Even in the PSU realm there are units with eye watering price tags of >$500 (yes, I'm thinking of the recently reviewed Cooler Master X Silent Edge) where the engineers definitely go the extra mile. On the other hand, I'm sure we could still find PSUs that fail at barely 50% of their rated load. These are usually included with cheap cases, and I'm grateful that we see fewer and fewer of them these days. Ideally you'd be able to find the quality of the first example, at the price offered by the second, but that's a dream that will probably never come true.

The MONTECH TITAN PLA 1000 W proves to be a solid overall performer with great +12 V voltage regulation, high efficiency even at lower loads and almost dead silent operation even at high loads. Especially the noise levels are impressive—at up to 1000 W sustained load it will run whisper quiet. Only when we intentionally overloaded it to 1200 W, the noise levels became noticeable. Very impressive! Could there be improvements? Sure? Better power factor correction, better minor voltage rail regulation, the ability to plug in another 12V-2x6 cable (at least for the higher specced 1200 W model). But overall, the TITAN PLA is a very respectable offering that can definitely be placed on your PSU selection shortlist.

In terms of pricing, it's priced very reasonably, too, especially considering its great performance. For example, it's cousin, the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000, currently sells for $270, which is considerably more money. A slightly cheaper, but less efficient and slightly louder option could be the previously reviewed Montech TITAN GOLD.