Cougar Power X 550W Non-Modular Power Supply Review

Trying to find the Cougar Power X 550W listed on UK and American retailers was a bit of a nightmare. We know that the Cougar Power X 550W power supply has a MSRP of $69.99 in the USA which is really excellent pricing when you consider MSRPs are often much higher than actual selling prices (You can currently find the 700W model listed for $75.99 on Newegg). In the UK we would thus expect to see around £60-70 (based on how companies tend to forget about exchange rates when sending products across the Atlantic). Indeed on Amazon.co.uk we could find the Cougar Power X 550W, but only for a cheapest price of £73.90. That said UK pricing is a bit rubbish right now but when we see proper availability and proper pricing I would hope to see the unit made available for around £60 if it is to be made competitive with existing units currently on the market.

Cougar’s Power X 550W power supply is another excellent addition to the budget power supply market. We’ve seen it has top-notch voltage regulation, very consistent and strong noise/ripple suppression, above average PFC and 80 Plus Bronze efficiency. It is even relatively quiet at most usage scenarios. The unit is let down slightly by the non-modular design and a fan that can get noisy at higher loads. The quality of the coloured finish is also a bit hit and miss and can be easily scratched especially if you do not have a case with a padded power supply mounting area.

Pros

• Affordable price
• Voltage regulation
• PFC and efficiency
• Good noise/ripple suppresion
• Slightly above certified efficiency
• Bold Aesthetics

Cons

• Non-modular
• Poor paint finish
• Can get noisy
• Cables not fully sleeved or black

eTeknix says: “Cougar aren’t the first name that come to mind when we think of power supplies but their Power X 550W power supply shows us that they really are strong contenders and a force to be reckoned with in this market. If you are looking for a clean and stable power supply and aren’t too worried about noise or attention to detail then the Cougar Power X 550W power supply is one of the best options on the market. Sure the product could benefit from some refinement but then again if you are a gamer or just a value-orientated system builder then the Cougar Power X 550W fits the bill perfectly.”

Thank you to Cougar for providing this review sample.