For most normal humans, the least exciting PC component to shop for is a power supply (PSU). All a PSU needs to be is sufficient, efficient, and, for bonus points, quiet. Sure, some include RGB, but aquarium-style cases are falling out of fashion, replaced by dual-chamber designs that hide the PSU under the floorboards, making aesthetics irrelevant.
But Fractal Design, the Swedish masters of classy cases, can’t help themselves. After all, when “Design” is in your name, aesthetics are kind of an obligation. Their latest non-case offering is the Ion 3 Gold lineup of ATX 3.1 power supplies. Fractal provided us with the 1000W Ion 3 Gold for testing.
After putting the Ion 3 Gold through its paces, installed in a Fractal Epoch XL-based gaming rig, I leave this review impressed. It’s a power supply, so I don’t have the zoomies thinking about it, but as a PC builder and a demanding user, I can certainly appreciate a well-made power supply that nails the fundamentals.
“The Fractal Design Ion 3 Gold checks all of those boxes without the added price premium that often accompanies innovation.”
It’s relatively small, stylish, available in white or black, and offers a feature set comparable to other similarly priced units. Inside the understated, environmentally friendly packaging are the 150x150x86 mm power supply, 11 modular cables, a wall plug, a jumper connector, screws and zip-ties, and an instruction manual. The power supply also comes in a mesh drawstring bag that can be reused to store extra cables.
It’s hard for companies to build a PSU that stands out. Some of the more innovative power supplies include the Corsair RM1000x SHIFT, which moved the connection points to the side, and Cooler Master’s X Silent Edge Platinum, which uses heat pipes instead of fans. Really, though, most users are just looking for minor quality-of-life improvements, competitive components, and up-to-date compatibility. The Fractal Design Ion 3 Gold checks all of those boxes without the added price premium that often accompanies innovation. It’s gimmick-free and focused solely on performance.
It supports ATX12V 3.1 and PCIe Gen 5, ensuring it can reliably power modern high-end components. Older power supplies often had enough wattage to get a system running, but could shut down during brief spikes in power draw, known as power excursions. ATX12V 3.1 is designed to handle these spikes safely, which is especially important for high-end GPUs that produce them as part of normal operation.
A smaller quality-of-life improvement is the cables. One of my gripes about most new power supplies is that the connectors seem to be made out of butter. My GameMax PSU, for example, had connectors that could be scuffed or gashed with a fingernail, and locking tabs that developed stress whitening after a few uses. The Ion 3 Gold cables feel notably sturdier and are made from higher-quality, textured plastics that remind me of my trusted (and ancient) Corsair CX 750M.
The modular set of Fractal cables is also UltraFlex and flat-profiled, making them easy to keep tidy during cable management. They can be pulled taut pretty aggressively without kinking or straining the header. The cables are also decently long, which is always a nice surprise. There was more than enough slack to comfortably run the CPU cables from the bottom of a full-sized ATX case to their respective ports near the top.
The truth about power supplies in 2025 is that it’s hard to find a bad one. Gold Efficiency certification is quickly becoming the de facto bar for entry. Every manufacturer you can think of, and most of the ones you’ve never heard of, are cranking out PSUs that are verified 80+ Gold. If you’re ever curious about the validity of certs on a new brand, you can verify claims here: https://www.clearesult.com/80plus/
“With the Ion 3 Gold, you are effectively getting the backing of two respected names for the price of one.”
A big gold badge makes for great marketing, but it is only part of the story. Energy efficiency says nothing about lifespan or safety. The PSU space is increasingly crowded with models that are getting ever cheaper, while the cost of what they power is skyrocketing. Given that a power supply could fry an entire system in one fell swoop, it’s wise not to choose one on price alone.
You will pay a little more for parts from a reputable brand, but as the saying goes, buy once, cry once. With the Ion 3 Gold, you are effectively getting the backing of two respected names for the price of one, which, in a way, makes it half-price. What a deal. Fractal designed and signed off on the Ion 3 Gold, while manufacturing is handled by Sea Sonic, one of the most trusted OEMs in the power supply space.
In terms of performance, the Ion 3 Gold closely resembles Sea Sonic’s own FOCUS GX lineup. The FOCUS GX models cost slightly more and include a few additional refinements, but the two sit firmly in the same class. Both are ATX 12V 3.1 compliant, use fluid dynamic bearing fans, feature zero RPM operation below roughly 30 percent load, support PCIe 5, and ship with very similar cable assortments. Both also include a PSU tester, which is a small jumper that plugs into the motherboard cable to enable functionality checks outside the case.
The key difference is in looks. The Fractal Ion is an OEM part, but it does not have that generic OEM aesthetic. Instead, it feels purpose-built to pair with Fractal’s Epoch lineup of cases. If creating a colour-matched, appropriately styled power supply for a case that hides its PSU under a shroud seems unnecessary, that is because it is. But damnit, I appreciate the effort. When I look at my PC, I don’t see the power supply, but I know it’s right. It is a minor detail, but it still counts. There is also some comfort in knowing I have a good-looking PSU on hand in case my next chassis leaves it exposed.
That next chassis, by the way, is the ludicrously oversized and overengineered Cooler Master Cosmos Alpha. Stay tuned.
The Fractal Design Ion 3 Gold comes in three different Wattages, all available in white or black
1000 Watts for 159.99
850 Watts for 126.99
And, 750 Watts for 119.99
The performance of the Ion 3 Gold is on par with similarly specced units from Corsair and Sea Sonic, while the Fractal’s price is notably more affordable. Its aesthetics aren’t as flashy as other offerings, but honestly, I kind of prefer that.
The Fractal Design Ion 3 Gold is an excellent choice for any build. It’s reliable, affordable, and backed by a strong warranty. It’s a solid workhorse of a power supply that I feel confident recommending for PC builds at all price points and for builders of all skill levels. I have a feeling this Ion 3 Gold will be my test bench standard for years to come.
