Cougar STX 550w Non-Modular Power Supply Review

Final Thoughts

Pricing

Given that this is a relatively entry-level style of a power supply. As such, it is not widely available with retailers. Based on prices we have found though, the average sale price is something in the region of £45-£50. This is clearly not a lot of money for a power supply. The real question comes down to whether you are getting value for that. The truthful answer is that it depends what you want from it.

If you’re looking for a nice, inexpensive power supply for your computer, then the Cougar STX is definitely an option. If you’re looking for something to go into your gaming PC, this isn’t it.

There is also, of course, the whole matter of it being non-modular that is quite a significant factor here.

Overview

For a small and efficient power supply, this does everything it promises on the packaging. In terms of high-end performance though, this doesn’t have it. The non-modular design and drop off in efficiency at the highest load (which let’s face it, at 550w it’s always going to be erring in the upper areas) is a factor to consider and one which I don’t think helps to push this product as a viable option for gamers on even below-average systems.

Efficiency and Beyond

The Cougar STX 550w perfectly fulfilled the mandate it set on the box with our testing. That being said though, it is not a bronze rated power supply and the efficiency results clearly show why. At full load, an 80.8% efficiency rating is just barely within the mandate. Now, admittedly, tests can sometimes vary depending on the methodology. Indeed, an exact copy of the one we have might give more positive results, I do, however, have my doubts.

Should I Buy One?

You can very easily have a gaming PC running on a 550w power supply. Your choice, however, has to be smart. If you were, therefore, looking for something inexpensive as a power supply, the Cougar STX 550w might be perfect for you. Beyond that remit though, I struggle to recommend it any more. If the efficiency had been a little higher at full load I’d be lauding this as a great budget option, but the test results consistently showed that when pushed to the limits this power supply struggled to deliver.

Any system builds with this PSU in mind should, in my opinion, calculate itself to around 450w maximum for best performance. The alternative is facing the perils of a power supply that struggles to deliver its highest figures. This is particularly something you don’t want if you are going to be consistently asking it to do so.

I’m not saying that this is a bad product and I daresay there are many happy owners out there. Between the design and the results though, if I had to put a column together of pro’s and con’s, the con’s would win. For as little as £20 more, you can get a vastly superior power supply with a longer durability that would be bronze rated in efficiency. This type of power supply unfortunately just doesn’t have a market amongst the savvier of PC owners.

Never forget though, in this price range, you get what you get. In my experience though, going cheap is rarely to your benefit with power supplies.