Introduction

Innovations in the ATX PSU space are quite a rare occasion, at least when compared to the leaps in performance observed in the CPU and GPU compute space. So when something new happens with power supplies, we get excited.

Sometimes those innovations are less easily noticeable, and are related to increased efficiency numbers or support for the latest ATX standards, alternatively they are a little more apparent visually. On occasion, you get a combination of both. After all, what good does a flashy PSU do if it doesn’t excel at delivering its primary function.

Just a couple of weeks ago Lian Li came out with one of the more strikingly different ATX power supplies we have seen in quite some time. And it’s not some flashy RGB lighting, but a change in the actual shape of the unit.

Why would Lian Li do that? According to the manufacturer, this new design allows the PSU to be better accommodated in dual chamber ATX cases, which Lian Li is also a leading manufacturer of, and allows for simplified cable management. An additional upside is an effectively doubled potential space for PSU cable connectors. Lian Li utilized the space where the typical power delivery sockets would go, to include a USB expansion hub for a simplified RGB controller connectivity. However, being optimized for a certain type of computer case does not mean that the EDGE series cannot be mounted to almost any regular ATX case. The PSU will still fit in nicely in any ATX case as long as it can accommodate a 182 mm depth PSU. With 850, 1000 and 1300 W flavors, all available in either black or white, Lian Li aims at the upper mid-end power envelope with its release.

Form factor aside, the EDGE series and this 1300 W unit that represents it in our review features a prominent specification sheet, with 80 Plus Platinum efficiency levels and support for the latest ATX 3.1 standard, including all the industry standard protections. The full list of specifications can be found in the table below.

Specifications