⚠️ Disclaimer: I originally published this review back in the early 2010s when the Enermax ERV 1020EWT (Revolution85+ 1020W) was a premium PSU option. It’s outdated today, but I’ve kept this page online for archival purposes. If you’re shopping for modern options, check my updated guide:
When I first tested the Enermax ERV 1020EWT, better known as the Revolution85+ 1020W, it was clear Enermax wanted to dominate the high-end PSU market. This wasn’t built for your average gaming rig — it was aimed at serious enthusiasts running SLI or CrossFire setups, overclocked CPUs, and power-hungry hardware.
At over a kilowatt of output and carrying the then-impressive 80 PLUS Silver/Gold-level efficiency, the ERV 1020EWT promised stability, clean power delivery, and premium build quality. My job was to find out if it lived up to the hype.
Enermax Revolution 85+ ERV 1020EWT
Design & Build
The Revolution85+ 1020W looked and felt premium from the moment I unboxed it.
- Sturdy steel casing with a matte finish and bold Enermax branding.
- Fully modular cable design with plenty of connectors.
- Large 135mm fan that stayed relatively quiet under most loads.
- Internals built with high-quality Japanese capacitors and solid soldering — no shortcuts here.
This was the kind of PSU that immediately gave you confidence when you held it in your hands.
Features & Specifications
Here are the highlights that mattered when I tested it:
- Wattage: 1020W continuous output
- Efficiency: 80 PLUS Silver/Gold-level (up to ~90% peak efficiency)
- +12V Rails: Six independent rails, combined output over 80A
- Connectors:
- 24-pin ATX
- 2x 8-pin EPS/CPU connectors
- 8x PCIe (6+2 pin) for GPUs
- 14x SATA + 10x Molex for drives/peripherals
- Cooling: 135mm fan with dynamic speed control
- Protections: OVP, OCP, UVP, SCP, OTP (all the essentials)
- Form Factor: ATX, ~190mm depth
Performance (Back Then)
In stress testing, the ERV 1020EWT impressed me:
- Voltage regulation was excellent, even under heavy dual- and quad-GPU loads.
- Ripple and noise were very low — something cheaper units struggled with.
- Efficiency was among the best available at the time, edging close to Gold-level performance.
- The fan rarely ramped up loudly, keeping noise levels acceptable even during gaming marathons.
In short: it handled everything I threw at it and didn’t flinch.
Relevance in 2025
As good as it was, I wouldn’t recommend using the ERV 1020EWT today for a modern build:
- No ATX 3.0 or PCIe 5.0 (12VHPWR) support for the latest GPUs.
- Efficiency is behind today’s Platinum and Titanium PSUs.
- Bulkier and less cable-friendly compared to today’s more compact designs.
If you’re building a retro rig, it’s still a solid piece of engineering. But for new PCs, I’d suggest looking at the Seasonic PRIME TX-1300, Corsair AX1600i, or Enermax Revolution DF 1200W.
Legacy
The Enermax Revolution85+ 1020W was one of those PSUs that enthusiasts held in high regard. It showed Enermax could compete head-to-head with the very best, offering rock-solid stability and excellent efficiency when kilowatt-class PSUs were still rare.
👉 If you’re picking parts for a new gaming PC today, check out my updated guide:
FAQs
Q: Is the Enermax ERV 1020EWT still usable today?
I wouldn’t use it for a modern system. It works, but it lacks ATX 3.0 support and newer protections.
Q: Was it really efficient for its time?
Yes, it pushed into early Gold-level efficiency, which was top-tier back in the early 2010s.
Q: What’s the closest modern replacement?
The Enermax Revolution DF 1200W or Corsair AX1600i carry forward the same “high-end enthusiast” positioning.
