⚠️ Disclaimer: I originally published this review back in the late 2000s when the ABS Dark Beret 1000W was still relevant. The product is outdated today, but I’ve kept this page online for archival purposes. If you’re looking for modern recommendations, check my updated guide:
When I first tested the ABS Dark Beret 1000W, PC hardware was going through a crazy phase. Multi-GPU setups like Quad SLI and CrossFire were on the rise, CPUs were pulling more power, and enthusiasts were chasing every bit of performance they could squeeze out of their systems.
The problem was simple: if you wanted a kilowatt PSU back then, you usually had to spend a lot. That’s where the Dark Beret 1000W came in. It promised enough wattage to feed those power-hungry rigs while keeping the price within reach. The question I asked myself was — could it really deliver stable power without breaking the bank?
ABS Dark Beret 1000W Power Supply Review
Design & Build
The Dark Beret looked every bit the part of a serious PSU. It had a matte black housing with the Dark Beret branding across the side. I liked that it was fully modular, which made cable management a lot easier inside cramped gaming cases.
The unit felt solid in hand — heavy, well-built, and equipped with a large cooling fan that spun up quietly. Inside, ABS used decent-quality capacitors, and while it wasn’t the most premium design I’d seen, it gave me confidence this wasn’t a cheap throwaway PSU.
Features & Specifications
Here are the key specs that mattered most when I reviewed it:
- Power Output: 1000W continuous at realistic temps (not “peak” marketing numbers)
- Efficiency: 80 PLUS certified (roughly 82–85%)
- 12V Rail(s): Strong enough to handle multi-GPU rigs of the time
- Connectors:
- 24-pin ATX main connector
- Dual 8-pin EPS/CPU connectors
- 8x PCIe (6+2 pin) for GPUs
- Plenty of SATA and Molex connectors
- Cooling: 135mm fan with thermal control
- Protections: OCP, OVP, SCP, OTP — the standard safety features you’d expect
For me, the modular cables were one of the best parts. Back then, not every PSU offered it, and it made the Dark Beret stand out in its price range.
Performance (Back in the Day)
When I loaded the Dark Beret up with dual-GPU setups, it stayed stable. Voltages didn’t wobble much under stress, and it had no problem handling heavy gaming loads. Efficiency wasn’t amazing compared to premium brands like Seasonic or Corsair, but at its lower price point, it was hard to complain.
Noise levels were also decent. The fan spun up when I pushed it hard, but it was quieter than a lot of kilowatt PSUs I’d tested in the same era. For a “budget kilowatt,” it impressed me more than I expected.
Relevance in 2025
Now, if you’re thinking about using this PSU today, I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s simply too outdated:
- No ATX 3.0 or PCIe 5.0 support
- No native 12VHPWR connectors for modern GPUs
- Efficiency standards have moved on — today, I’d expect at least Gold or Platinum, not Silver or basic 80 PLUS
That said, if you’re building a retro rig for fun, the Dark Beret 1000W still has some collector’s appeal. But for a modern gaming PC, you’d be much better off with something like the Corsair RM1000x Shift, Seasonic Focus GX-1000, or even Enermax’s Revolution DF series.
Legacy
The ABS Dark Beret 1000W wasn’t a record-breaker, but it made kilowatt-class power affordable at a time when that was rare. For a lot of budget-conscious enthusiasts, it opened the door to multi-GPU gaming without requiring them to spend flagship PSU money.
👉 If you’re serious about building a system today, though, I strongly recommend you check out my updated guide:
FAQs
Q: Can I still use the ABS Dark Beret 1000W today?
I wouldn’t use it for a new build. It works, but it lacks modern standards and is far less efficient than current models.
Q: Was it good for multi-GPU rigs?
Yes — that was its main selling point. It had plenty of PCIe connectors to feed multiple graphics cards.
Q: What’s the modern equivalent?
The Corsair RM1000x Shift or Seasonic Focus GX-1000 are the closest modern alternatives in terms of price-to-performance balance.
