ASUS TUF Gaming 550B 550W Bronze Power Supply: features and specs

The ASUS TUF Gaming 550B is an internal power supply that delivers up to 550 watts to a desktop PC. It carries an 80 PLUS Bronze efficiency certification and a fan designed for quiet running. It suits a mid-range gaming or general-purpose build where the parts do not need a very large power demand.

What 550 watts covers

The power supply must cover the combined draw of the processor, graphics card and everything else in the case. A 550W unit typically suits systems with a modest graphics card and a mainstream processor. Check the recommended power figure for your graphics card and leave some headroom, since a supply that runs near its limit all the time tends to be noisier and warmer.

What 80 PLUS Bronze means

80 PLUS is a testing programme that rates how efficiently a supply converts wall power into the DC power a PC uses. Bronze is the entry certification level, and it requires roughly 82% efficiency or better at the tested loads. Less wasted energy means less heat for the fan to remove. ASUS says the certification is earned with high-quality components that pass rigorous testing.

Fan design and quiet running

ASUS describes an Axial-tech fan with a smaller hub, which allows longer blades, and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure. The fan uses dual ball bearings, which ASUS says can last up to twice as long as sleeve bearings.

The 0dB Technology means the fan stays off at low loads, so a PC doing light work can run in near silence. The fan starts when the load or temperature rises.

Component quality

ASUS states that all critical capacitors and chokes pass demanding tests to earn what it calls Military-grade Certification. That is the brand's own term for its component testing. The aim is dependable operation under sustained load.

Cables and connectors

The listing specifically mentions an 80cm 8-pin (EPS 12V) CPU connector. The extra length helps in larger cases where the motherboard's CPU power socket sits at the top, far from the supply. The listing does not detail the remaining cables, so confirm the number of PCIe and SATA connectors in the full specification.

Size and warranty

The unit measures about 5.9 x 5.9 x 3.4 inches (15 x 15 x 8.6 cm). A six-year warranty is included.

What to check before you buy

• Your graphics card's recommended power and the power connectors it needs.
• That your case takes a standard ATX supply of these dimensions.
• How many PCIe, SATA and Molex connectors you need compared with the cables supplied.
• Whether the cables are fixed or modular, if cable tidiness matters to you.
• Warranty terms in your region.

The short version

• 550W power supply with 80 PLUS Bronze certification.
• Axial-tech fan with dual ball bearings and 0dB mode for quiet light loads.
• 80cm 8-pin EPS CPU cable.
• Six-year warranty included.

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