The ZM1000-EBT might not set new performance standards in its category since it is based on a rather outdated Sirfa platform, but its affordable price and decent performance allow it to score a very high performance-per-dollar score that leaves all other offerings with 1 kW capacity behind. According to Zalman, this unit will cost $130, which is a great price for a fully modular, Gold-certified PSU with Japanese capacitors. At seven years, its warranty is also pretty long, and all seems perfect until we come to its noise output, which is this PSU's main drawback. In my opinion, Sirfa didn't have a reason to use a fan profile that forces the fan to operate at near-full speed once operating temperature exceed 37-38°C regardless of the load. Had they kept noise output lower, this PSU would sell better, given many users nowadays are also concerned about how noisy a PSU is. A strong PSU shouldn't have to be dead silent, especially at high loads; however, it should offer a silent-enough operation at light and medium loads. I wouldn't recommend a semi-passive operation since this is an older platform, but I strongly believe that Sirfa and Zalman could lower the fan's speed at light and medium loads to quieten the PSU down when it is hardly being taxed.

If you need an affordable but strong PSU capable of delivering its full power in extremely tough conditions and don't mind noise, the Zalman ZM1000-EBT should be among your top choices. It offers decent performance, a fully modular cabling design, and a long warranty, which is due to its exclusive use of Japanese caps. At its price range, it is hard to find PSUs equipped with nothing but Japanese capacitors, and Zalman preferred to use this older Sirfa platform with quality components rather than a modern platform with Taiwanese or Chinese caps. Since the ZM1000-EBT scored the highest performance-per-dollar ratio from amongst all 1 kW PSUs, I think it deserves our budget award, at least as long as its street price is close to $130.