Corsair has officially launched the HX1000i SHIFT CRYSTAL, a 1000W power supply designed for high-end gaming PCs, on November 12, 2026. The new model combines transparent panels, customizable RGB lighting and integrated iCUE LINK connectivity with PinProtect+, a protection system that monitors individual pins on the 12V-2×6 graphics card power connector.
The retail launch follows the power supply’s initial prototype appearance at Computex 2025 and its formal announcement at Computex 2026. Corsair had already disclosed its major specifications and protection features earlier this year, making commercial availability the significant development in the latest announcement.
The HX1000i SHIFT CRYSTAL is entering the retail market through Corsair’s sales channels and retailers. US retail listings have shown a price of approximately $339.99, although pricing and stock availability may vary by seller and region.
The power supply is based on Corsair’s existing HXi SHIFT platform and supports the ATX 3.1 standard alongside PCIe 5.1. It carries Cybenetics Platinum efficiency certification, features a fully modular cable design and includes a native 600W-capable 12V-2×6 connection intended for modern high-performance graphics cards.
Its most technically significant feature is PinProtect+, which addresses a specific limitation of conventional power supply overcurrent protection.
Traditional overcurrent protection generally monitors the power delivered through an entire rail or connection. However, a 12V-2×6 cable distributes current across multiple conductors, and an uneven distribution can place excessive electrical load on an individual pin even when the connector’s total power draw remains within its rated capacity.
PinProtect+ monitors current at the individual pins rather than relying exclusively on the combined load. If a monitored pin exceeds its configured current threshold for too long, the system can interrupt power delivery to the graphics card.
This distinction is particularly relevant to concerns surrounding high-power GPU connectors, including RTX 5090 connector current imbalances that can place additional electrical stress on individual conductors.
Corsair says PinProtect+ provides more precise monitoring than its standard PinProtect implementation, with lower current thresholds, finer measurement increments and additional software controls.
Through Corsair’s iCUE application, users can view individual pin current readings, adjust protection thresholds and configure the response delay between 10 and 180 seconds. The software also allows users to enable or disable PinProtect+, although disabling a protective function removes that additional safeguard.
When a protection event occurs, the system can reduce power to the affected GPU connection, causing the graphics card to shut down. This is designed to limit prolonged overcurrent conditions rather than guarantee that connector overheating or physical damage can never occur.
The HX1000i SHIFT CRYSTAL’s integrated RGB fan can also provide a visible warning by illuminating red when the protection system detects an overcurrent condition.
While Corsair positions PinProtect+ as an additional safety feature for expensive graphics cards, its inclusion should not be interpreted as proof that every possible connector failure can be prevented. Actual protection depends on operating conditions, configured thresholds and the nature of the electrical fault. The manufacturer’s broader safety claims should therefore be distinguished from independently demonstrated performance.
Beyond GPU protection, the new power supply emphasizes integration with Corsair’s iCUE hardware ecosystem.
An integrated iCUE LINK System Hub supports up to 24 compatible devices, allowing builders to connect supported cooling and lighting components without installing a separate hub. This can simplify cable management in systems equipped with multiple Corsair fans, liquid coolers and RGB accessories.
The iCUE software also provides power supply monitoring, fan control and the ability to switch between single-rail and multi-rail overcurrent protection configurations.
Physically, the HX1000i SHIFT CRYSTAL uses transparent polycarbonate panels on three sides to expose its internal circuitry. Corsair has incorporated a white circuit board, coordinated internal components and custom-made capacitors rated for operation at temperatures up to 105°C.
A 140mm RGB fan with a magnetic dome bearing provides cooling, while Zero RPM operation allows the fan to stop under sufficiently low loads.
The fully modular design includes individually sleeved cables and side-mounted power connections, continuing the SHIFT series approach of moving cable attachment points away from the conventional rear-facing layout.
That arrangement can make cable installation easier in compatible cases, but it also introduces a practical consideration. Builders need sufficient clearance beside the power supply for the side-mounted connectors and cable routing.
The unit measures approximately 200mm in length, making case compatibility especially important in smaller chassis or systems with restricted power supply compartments.
Its transparent design also has the greatest visual benefit in cases that leave the power supply exposed. In conventional gaming PC enclosures with enclosed PSU shrouds, much of the internal lighting and transparent construction may remain hidden.
Corsair backs the HX1000i SHIFT CRYSTAL with a 10-year warranty.
For enthusiasts building systems around demanding graphics cards, the combination of 1000W output, native 12V-2×6 connectivity and individual-pin current monitoring provides an alternative to conventional high-wattage PSUs. The integrated iCUE LINK hub and transparent construction further distinguish the model for builders already using Corsair’s cooling and lighting ecosystem.
The November 12 launch marks the transition of a previously demonstrated enthusiast power supply into a commercially available product, with PinProtect+ remaining its primary technical differentiator rather than a feature newly introduced at launch.
