Last week I took the BFG Tech MX 680w Power Supply out for a spin, which earned our Seal of Approval based on several different criteria. The unit was rock solid stable, silent, modular and would look great in most any system. But for the user on a budget or those not into hardcore gaming, the 680 watts offered is simply overkill. If you fall into this category, have no fear, as BFG Tech has something right up your alley, the MX 550w PSU. Virtually identical to its 680w bigger brother, the 550 unit we have on the test bench today is about $25 cheaper, money that could be put towards other hardware or simply stashed away for a rainy day. Will the smaller MX 550w be able to follow in the footsteps of the beefier 680 model? Join along as we put it through the ringer.


Packaging for the MX 550w mirrors that of the 680w, an average size black cardboard box with a photo of the power supply on the front and a chart detailing the unit's noise and efficiency ratings on the reverse. Features and specifications can be found on the sides of the box. Below is a complete list of features and specifications, reproduced from BFG Tech's website.

Specifications

- Quad 12V Rails
- SATA Connectors
- PCI Express Ready
- Efficiency: > 80% Typical
- Silent 120mm Intake Fan
- 80MM 'Helper' Fan (only turns on at temperature > 50°C)
- BFG Thermal Control Technology
- Protection Circuitry
- MTBF: > 80,000 Hours at 25°C
- 550W Continuous Rated at 40°C
- Safety Approval: CCC, CB, UL, TUV, CE, CSA, CUL, NEMKO, SAA, GS, VDE
- Dimensions: 8.6cm Wx 15cm H x16cm D (3.4"W x 6"H x6.4"D)
- 5 Year Warranty (Product must be registered on www.bfgtech.com within thirty (30) calendar days of the original purchase date to activate the five (5) warranty. Products not properly registered will be covered from the date of purchase by a two (2) year limited warranty)

DC Output

+3.3V = 24A
+5V = 30A
+3.3V +5V Max. Combined Wattage = 150W
+12V1 = 20A
+12V2 = 20A
+12V3 = 20A
+12V4 = 20A
+12V Max. Combined Wattage = 500W
-12V = 0.5A
+5VSB = 3.0A

Connectors (Fixed cables)

- 1 × 24-Pin (20+4-Pin)
- 1 × 8-Pin (4+4-Pin)

Connectors (Modular cables)

- 4 × SATA (× 1 cable)
- 2 × SATA (× 2 cables)
- 3 × Peripheral + 1 × Floppy (× 1 cable)
- 2 × Peripheral + 1 × Floppy (× 1 cable)
- 2 × Peripheral (× 1 cable)
- 1 × PCIe 6-pin + 1 × 8-pin PCIe (6+2-pin) (× 1 cable)
- 1 × PCIe 6-pin (× 1 cable)

Aside from the power and cable differences, everything here looks the same. Move ahead as we check out the included package contents and get a closer look at the MX 550w.