The ASUS TUF Gaming 550W Bronze is a budget-oriented PSU that manages to achieve high-performance thanks to the modern platform that it uses. Nevertheless, the competition is rough. Although units like the XPG Pylon 550, Corsair CX650M, and Thermaltake Smart BM2 550 use less-advanced platforms, they still take the lead in overall performance, leaving no room for the TUF Gaming 550 to earn a place in our best PSUs article.
The TUF-Gaming series consists of four PSU models with capacities ranging from 450W to 750W. The model we are evaluating here has 550W max power, ideal for a a small home PC with a mid-end GPU or a business-oriented PC with an embedded GPU. To keep the production cost low, ASUS used a non-modular but modern design provided by Great Wall. This is the same platform found in the Corsair CX line, which has been replaced by the CX-M line that might utilize a semi-modular design but also uses a less advanced platform than CX.
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The TUF 550 is 80 PLUS Bronze, and Cybenetics Silver certified in efficiency. In noise, it received a Cybenetics Standard++ rating, which is not so flattering for a low-capacity PSU, especially one using a modern platform. Its dimensions are standard, with 150mm depth, allowing the installation of a 135mm fan.
Specifications of Asus TUF Gaming 550W
| Manufacturer (OEM) | Great Wall |
| Max. DC Output | 550W |
| Efficiency | 80 PLUS Bronze, Cybenetics Silver (85-87%) |
| Noise | Cybenetics Standard++ (30-35 dB[A]) |
| Modular | ✗ (fixed) |
| Intel C6/C7 Power State Support | ✓ |
| Operating Temperature (Continuous Full Load) | 0 – 40°C |
| Over Voltage Protection | ✓ |
| Under Voltage Protection | ✓ |
| Over Power Protection | ✓ |
| Over Current (+12V) Protection | ✓ |
| Over Temperature Protection | ✓ |
| Short Circuit Protection | ✓ |
| Surge Protection | ✓ |
| Inrush Current Protection | ✓ |
| Fan Failure Protection | ✗ |
| No Load Operation | ✓ |
| Cooling | 135mm Double Ball-Bearing Fan (CF1325H12D) |
| Semi-Passive Operation | ✓ |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 150 x 85 x 150mm |
| Weight | 1.92 kg (4.23 lb) |
| Form Factor | ATX12V v2.53, EPS 2.92 |
| Alternative Low Power Mode (ALPM) compatible | ✓ |
| Warranty | 6 Years |
Power Specifications: Asus TUF Gaming 550W Bronze
| Rail | Row 0 – Cell 1 | 3.3V | 5V | 12V | 5VSB | -12V |
| Max. Power | Amps | 25 | 20 | 45.8 | 3 | 0.8 |
| Row 2 – Cell 0 | Watts | Row 2 – Cell 2 | 120 | 549.6 | 15 | 9.6 |
| Total Max. Power (W) | Row 3 – Cell 1 | Row 3 – Cell 2 | 550 | Row 3 – Cell 4 | Row 3 – Cell 5 | Row 3 – Cell 6 |
Cables & Connectors for Asus TUF Gaming 550W
| Captive Cables | Row 0 – Cell 1 | Row 0 – Cell 2 | Row 0 – Cell 3 | Row 0 – Cell 4 |
| Description | Cable Count | Connector Count (Total) | Gauge | In Cable Capacitors |
| ATX connector 20+4 pin (610mm) | 1 | 1 | 18-20AWG | No |
| 4+4 pin EPS12V (820mm) | 1 | 1 | 18AWG | No |
| 6+2 pin PCIe (610mm+100mm) | 1 | 2 | 18AWG | No |
| SATA (400mm+110mm+110mm) | 1 | 3 | 18AWG | No |
| SATA (410mm+110mm) | 1 | 2 | 18AWG | No |
| 4-pin Molex (400mm+150mm+150mm+150mm) | 1 | 4 | 18AWG | No |
| Modular Cables | Row 8 – Cell 1 | Row 8 – Cell 2 | Row 8 – Cell 3 | Row 8 – Cell 4 |
| AC Power Cord (1390mm) – C13 coupler | 1 | 1 | 18AWG | – |
Given its capacity, the PSU has enough cables and connectors. On top of that, the cables are long, especially the EPS, which reaches 810mm! Lastly, the distance between the 4-pin Molex connectors is adequate at 150mm.
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Component Analysis of Asus TUF Gaming 550W
We strongly encourage you to have a look at our PSUs 101 article, which provides valuable information about PSUs and their operation, allowing you to better understand the components we’re about to discuss.
| General Data | – |
| Manufacturer (OEM) | Great Wall |
| PCB Type | Single Sided |
| Primary Side | – |
| Transient Filter | 4x Y caps, 2x X caps, 2x CM chokes, 1x MOV |
| Inrush Protection | NTC Thermistor 15S1R5M (1.5 Ohm) |
| Bridge Rectifier(s) | 1x GBU15K (800V, 15A @ 100°C) |
| APFC MOSFETs | 2x ROHM R6020ENX (600V, 20A, Rds(on): 0.196Ohm) |
| APFC Boost Diode | 1x NXP BYC8B-600 (600V, 8A) |
| Bulk Cap(s) | 1x Lelon (450V, 330uF, 2,000h @ 105°C, LSG) |
| Main Switchers | 2x STMicroelectronics STF24N60DM2 (600V, 11A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 0.2Ohm) |
| APFC Controller | Champion CM6500UNX & CM03AX |
| Resonant Controller | Champion CM6901X |
| Topology |
Primary side: APFC, Half-Bridge & LLC converter Secondary side: Synchronous Rectification & DC-DC converters |
| Secondary Side | – |
| +12V MOSFETs | 4x Advanced Power AP9990GP (60V, 80A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 6mOhm) |
| 5V & 3.3V | DC-DC Converters |
| Filtering Capacitors |
Electrolytic: 7x Lelon (4-7,000h @ 105°C, RXW), 2x Teapo (3-6,000h @ 105°C, SY) |
| Supervisor IC | IN1S429I – DCG |
| Fan Model | Champion CF1325H12D (135mm, 12V, 0.6A, Double Ball Bearing) |
| 5VSB Circuit | – |
| Rectifier | 1x PFC PFR30L45CT SBR (45V, 30A) |
| Standby PWM Controller | Power Intergrations TNY278PN |
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The platform is modern. Typically lower efficiency units use older platforms, with the only modern touch being the DC-DC converters on the secondary side. In this case, though, GW used a half-bridge topology and an LLC resonant converter, a design that we meet in higher efficiency platforms. Moreover, a synchronous design regulates the 12V rail on the secondary side.
The significant compromises that had to be made to keep the cost low were the low-quality bulk and filtering caps and the fixed cables. We don’t mind much about the latter, but we do mind the Lelon caps.
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The transient/EMI filter has all require parts and it does an almost perfect job.
The single bridge rectifier can handle up to 15A at 100°C.
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The APFC converter uses two FETs and a single boost diode. The bulk cap is rated at 450V and 105°C, but its capacity is low, and to make things even worse, it is by Lelon, which is not among the good capacitors brands.
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The primary switching FETs are two STMicroelectronics installed in a half-bridge topology. An LLC resonant converter is also used for increased efficiency.
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Four FETs regulate the 12V rail and a pair of DC-DC converters handle the minor rails.
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The filtering caps are mostly by Lelon and Teapo. The Lelon caps have good specs. Nonetheless, we would prefer if all caps were by Teapo.
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The standby PWM controller is a TNY278PN IC. The rectifier on the secondary side of this circuit is an SBR.
The main supervisor IC is an IN1S429I – DCG.
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Soldering quality is good.
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The cooling fan uses a double ball-bearing. We didn’t expect to find a quality DBB fan in this PSU.
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