Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 500 W is the perfect example to explain why maximum power isn’t everything. This power supply can really deliver 500 W, but with efficiency above 80% only when you pull between 40% and 60% load (between 200 W and 300 W) and electrical noise level above the maximum allowed if you pull 80% load or more (i.e., starting at 400 W).

On the other hand, we have pricing. At USD 40 (or USD 30 if you buy at Newegg.com and don’t forget to fill-out the USD 10 mail-in rebate form), it is probably one of the cheapest “real” 500 W power supplies around.

On the good side, we have a good number of SATA and peripheral power connectors for a low-end product.

We can’t recommend this power supply, however if you are really on a budget this may be an option until you have money to buy a decent power supply for your PC.

Compared to the 460 W model we have already reviewed, the main components are the same, with the switching transistors replaced with more powerful models. The printed circuit board, however, is different.