The new Extreme 2 entry-level power supply series from Cooler Master comes in four different versions: 475 W, 525 W, 625 W, and 725 W. They don’t have an active PFC circuit and, therefore, don’t carry the 80 Plus certification. Let’s take an in-depth look at the 475 W model, which costs only USD 50.

The first thing that caught our attention was that it isn’t written on the product box or product label  that the unit is a 475 W power supply. The manufacturer carefully avoided adding the letter “W” after “475,” a typical maneuver when the unit isn’t able to deliver its labeled wattage. This way, the manufacturer can claim that “475” is not the power supply wattage, but its model number. Also, it is written on the product supply label: “The +3.3 V & +5 V & +12V1 & +12V2 combine (sic) power shall not exceed 408.9 W.” If we add the 3.6 W limit of the -12 V output and the 12.5 W limit of the +5VSB, we have a 425 W power supply. However, the manufacturer’s website lists this unit as a 475 W model.

click to enlarge
Figure 1: Cooler Master Extreme 2 475 W power supply

click to enlarge
Figure 2: Cooler Master Extreme 2 475 W power supply

The Cooler Master Extreme 2 475 W is 5.5” (140 mm) deep, using a 120 mm sleeve bearing fan on its bottom (Young Lin DFS122512H).

The reviewed power supply doesn’t have a modular cabling system, and only the main motherboard cable has a nylon sleeve that comes from inside the unit. This power supply comes with the following cables:

• Main motherboard cable with a 20/24-pin connector, 19.3” (49 cm) long, permanently attached to the power supply
• One cable with two ATX12V connectors that together form an EPS12V connector, 22” (56 cm) long, permanently attached to the power supply
• One cable with one six/eight-pin connector for video cards, 19.7” (50 cm) long
• Two cables, each with three SATA power connectors, 20.9” (53 cm) to the first connector, 3.9” (10 cm) between connectors
• One cable with three standard peripheral power connectors and one floppy disk drive power connector, 19.7” (50 cm) to the first connector, 3.9” (10 cm) between connectors

All wires are 18 AWG, which is the minimum recommended gauge.

click to enlarge
Figure 3: Cables

Let’s now take an in-depth look inside this power supply.