Review: be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 (1,200W)

Conclusion

Engineering a best-in-breed PSU is an expensive business because chasing that last one or two percent of efficiency requires investment in new platforms and chassis. This is exactly what be quiet! has done with its premier Dark Power Pro 12 line aimed at the well-heeled enthusiast entrenched in the HEDT space.

Available in 1,200W and 1,500W capacities, Dark Power Pro 12's performance credentials are not in doubt. It's consistently better than an 80 PLUS Platinum, as you would expect, though do understand the differences aren't huge. One can only tell their electrical performance apart using specialist equipment, so for the vast majority something like the Straight Power 11 is more than sufficient.

This is the kind of PSU you'd include in a dream build. To that end, it fulfills its design brief well, though we'd make minor changes to the chassis corners and have the overclocking key integrated into the casing. Other than that, if you can get past the £370 price tag, this is about as good as consumer PSUs get.

Bottom line: the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 is a high-quality, high-cost supply primed for £5,000 systems where performance matters far more than value.

be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 (1,200W)

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