I'm putting together a new PC with a Ryzen 7 5700X and a Radeon 9060 XT 16GB. I found a fully modular Cougar Auric power supply with an 80+ Gold rating for under $50 after discounts. I'm new to PC building, so I'm unsure how trustworthy Cougar is and was initially concerned because the price seemed unusually low. The exact model appears on a PSU quality list with a B rating and an asterisk, which seems acceptable for my planned system. My alternative is a Cooler Master MWE Gold V3 650W, but it costs more and is non-modular. Has anyone used the Cougar Auric, or have experience with Cougar power supplies in general?
2 Answers
A B-tier rating is generally suitable for a normal gaming build like this, assuming the exact model and revision are the ones listed. Brand reputation matters less than the specific platform inside the PSU, since many brands have units manufactured by different OEMs. Warranty length is also worth considering.
Power supplies are one part where it’s best not to choose solely by price, since a poor-quality unit can damage other components. Check the exact model against a reputable PSU quality list and make sure the listing matches the tested version, not just the product family.
That makes sense. I checked the exact model, and it includes a seven-year warranty. The low price seems to be from a particular seller and several coupons, while other sellers list it around $20 higher, so I decided to buy it.