BRONZE-certified power supplies MAG A550BN and MAG A650BN from MSI, with a simplified compact design
MSI has released an entry-level power supply unit that has earned the 80 PLUS BRONZE certification. There are two models in the lineup: the 550W "MAG A550BN" and the 650W "MAG A650BN".
A straightforward cable-directed power supply unit with a shallow depth of 140 mm. A 120mm silent fan with sleeve bearings serves as the cooling mechanism. Along with a DC-DC conversion board that enables extremely efficient operation, it incorporates a variety of protection functions, including OCP / OVP / SCP / OPP / OTP. The cable configuration is standard, and includes ATX 24pin x 1, EPS 8pin (4 + 4pin) x 1, PCI-Express 8pin (6 + 2pin) x 2, SATA x 5, and peripheral / FDD x 3.
External dimensions are 150 mm in width, 140 mm in depth, and 86 mm in height. The manufacturer provides a 5-year warranty.
MAG A550BN Market estimated selling price is 53 USD/EUR and the A650BN costs 62 bucks.
Senior Member
Posts: 2887
Joined: 2013-03-10
With all the recent controversy in the news regarding power supplies, I find it quite surprising that any company is launching budget 80 plus bronze PSU's.
It seems multiple states in the US won't allow sales of prebuilts with 80 plus bronze PSU's, and Gigabyte have proven why you shouldn't skimp on the PSU when building your system!
Yeah, although to be fair, I'd rather take a PSU with solid quality and lower efficiency rating than a Gigaleak with seemingly high rating but a flawed design and random components from the bottom of the barrel. That being said, I naturally have no idea about this MSI power supply. For all we know, they might come from the same factories as the Gigabyte ones. For years I've bought nothing but Seasonic and EVGA PSUs, only models I've selected carefully. I'm not really interested in experimenting with PSUs I've no idea of. Like you said, a PSU is the worst place to save pennies in when building a PC.
Senior Member
Posts: 803
Joined: 2015-05-19
The real problem is that the Gigabyte one isn't even a cheap budget model (or at least it wasn't supposed to be). It was marketed as decent middle-class, eg. the type you can go to if you don't want to spring for super high-end.
Senior Member
Posts: 1335
Joined: 2007-11-09
Well atleast it comes with a free dented up used look but I'll wait for an GN review before making a decision on whether or not to add this to the do not buy pile headed by Gigagarbage and NZXT then Adata oh yeah and now WD
Member
Posts: 68
Joined: 2011-03-15
With all the recent controversy in the news regarding power supplies, I find it quite surprising that any company is launching budget 80 plus bronze PSU's.
It seems multiple states in the US won't allow sales of prebuilts with 80 plus bronze PSU's, and Gigabyte have proven why you shouldn't skimp on the PSU when building your system!