First Look
So, we’re reviewing a Rock power supply today? Wow! I’ve never even heard of such a thing. Every power supply reviewed so far has been made of steel. Let’s hope it’s not too heavy to lift… Oh, what? Rock is the manufacturer? Oh. I was looking forward to seeing a power supply made from stone. Oh well…
Turning the unit on its side and looking at the main label, the unit looks to have two 12v rails. The label also looks a lot like an FSP label, only, with “Rock 500W” as the brand rather than FSP. The other sticker doesn’t tell us much, other than that it is a 500W unit which can survive being hit by lightning.
Load Testing
Test 1 (120.98W Load – Cold)
| Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
| 12v1 | 2.47A | 12.37V | 39.4mV |
| 12v2 | 2.46A | 12.32V | 43.1mV |
| 5v | 5.08A | 5.08V | 11.2mV |
| 3.3v | 10.18A | 3.36V | 33.1mV |
| −12v | 0A | −12.2V | 15.0mV |
| 5vsb | 0A | 5.01V | 51.9mV |
| AC Power | 145.0W | ||
| Efficiency | 83.43% | ||
| Power Factor | 0.6 | ||
Test 2 (210.41W Load – Cold)
| Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
| 12v1 | 4.96A | 12.39V | 62.5mV |
| 12v2 | 4.92A | 12.31V | 57.5mV |
| 5v | 10.06A | 5.03V | 16.3mV |
| 3.3v | 9.79A | 3.23V | 31.9mV |
| −12v | 0.1A | −11.98V | 31.3mV |
| 5vsb | 1A | 4.99V | 39.4mV |
| AC Power | 251.5W | ||
| Efficiency | 83.66% | ||
| Power Factor | 0.58 | ||
Test 3 (269.49W Load – Cold)
| Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
| 12v1 | 7.4A | 12.34V | 73.8mV |
| 12v2 | 7.32A | 12.2V | 69.4mV |
| 5v | 10.1A | 5.05V | 21.9mV |
| 3.3v | 9.79A | 3.23V | 33.1mV |
| −12v | 0.1A | −12.10V | 36.9mV |
| 5vsb | 1A | 4.99V | 24.4mV |
| AC Power | 319.9W | ||
| Efficiency | 84.24% | ||
| Power Factor | 0.58 | ||
Test 4 (325.25W Load – Cold)
| Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
| 12v1 | 9.8A | 12.25V | 86.3mV |
| 12v2 | 9.65A | 12.06V | 77.5mV |
| 5v | 10.12A | 5.06V | 21.9mV |
| 3.3v | 9.76A | 3.22V | 37.5mV |
| −12v | 0.1A | −12.20V | 43.1mV |
| 5vsb | 1A | 4.99V | 44.4mV |
| AC Power | 390.5W | ||
| Efficiency | 83.29% | ||
| Power Factor | 0.58 | ||
Test 5 (353.72W Load – Cold)
| Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
| 12v1 | 12.21A | 12.21V | 76.9mV |
| 12v2 | 9.62A | 12.02V | 81.3mV |
| 5v | 10.14A | 5.07V | 24.4mV |
| 3.3v | 9.76A | 3.22V | 36.9mV |
| −12v | 0.1A | −12.23V | 45.6mV |
| 5vsb | 1A | 4.99V | 40.6mV |
| AC Power | 424.6W | ||
| Efficiency | 83.32% | ||
| Power Factor | 0.58 | ||
Test 6 (413.85W Load – Cold)
| Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
| 12v1 | 12.34A | 12.34V | 95.0mV |
| 12v2 | 12.19A | 12.19V | 93.8mV |
| 5v | 15.03A | 5.01V | 29.4mV |
| 3.3v | 9.76A | 3.22V | 35.0mV |
| −12v | 0.1A | −12.5V | 51.9mV |
| 5vsb | 1A | 4.98V | 48.1mV |
| AC Power | 502.4W | ||
| Efficiency | 82.38% | ||
| Power Factor | 0.59 | ||
Test 7 (443.77W)
| Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
| 12v1 | 14.63A | 12.19V | 110mV |
| 12v2 | 12.04A | 12.04V | 99.4mV |
| 5v | 10.14A | 5.07V | 36.3mV |
| 3.3v | 19.52A | 3.22V | 40mV |
| −12v | 0.1A | −12.41V | 55mV |
| 5vsb | 1A | 4.98V | 47.5mV |
| AC Power | 544.6W | ||
| Efficiency | 81.49% | ||
| Power Factor | 0.59 | ||
Test 8 (475.38W Load – Cold)
| Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
| 12v1 | 14.82A | 12.35V | 117mV |
| 12v2 | 12.19A | 12.19V | 107mV |
| 5v | 15.00A | 5.00V | 35.0mV |
| 3.3v | 19.45A | 3.21V | 41.9mV |
| −12v | 0.11A | −12.70V | 61.2mV |
| 5vsb | 1A | 4.98V | 46.3mV |
| AC Power | 594.4W | ||
| Efficiency | 78.98% | ||
| Power Factor | 0.59 | ||
The good news for the Rock is that the voltage regulation was great. Nothing even came close to going out of ATX specifications during any of the tests. The efficiency was another plus, since it stayed above 80% for all but test 8, and even then, it was fairly close. The bad news is the ripple suppression. Sure, the ripple stayed in spec (other than in test 1 on the 5vsb, when it had no load), but only just during test 8. We would have like to have seen the ripple much lower than the 117mV we got on the 12v1 rail during test 8. Another thing that was a little disappointing is the fan noise. It becomes quite noisy when loaded higher than 200W. Some even worse news is that the unit was unable to deliver 500W of power. If we attempted to load the unit any higher than we did in test 8, it would shut down. At least that is better than having it fail and damage your hardware.
| Rail | Test 7 (443.77W) | Test 8 (475.38W) |
| 12v1 |  |
 |
| 12v2 |  |
 |
| 5v |  |
 |
| 3.3v |  |
 |
| −12v |  |
 |
| 5vsb |  |
 |
A look inside
_
Yes, this is definitely an FSP build. Inside, we have all the usual characteristics of FSP, from the “SPI” markings on the transformers to the undersized heat sinks, which explains the fan noise (and why the front of the case near the secondary heat sink was too hot to touch at high loads). The unit’s input filter consists of a single X capacitor, one differential-mode choke, two common-mode chokes, a pair of Y capacitors (plus a third after the rectifier, inside a heatshrink sleeve), and a pair of MOVs. The primary switching transistors used in the Rock are a pair of Advanced Technology Electronics D209L transistors rated at 12A at 25°C, although the data sheet doesn’t say what the ratings are at higher temperatures. The primary capacitors are 680μF and are made by OST.
Turning the PCB around, we have each of the two 12v rails sharing a pair of Jilin Sino HBR16200 16A Schottky Barrier rectifiers. This is just enough, considering the 348W (29A) combined maximum rating of the two 12V rails. The 5v rail uses an STPS2045CT Schottky rectifier rated at 20A. This is not enough when the 5v rail is rated at 28A. The rectifier on the 3.3v rail is a Fairchild MBRP3045N Schottky Barrier rectifier. While not undersized like the 5V rail, it is just enough. Another problem worth pointing out is with the wires. At 20AWG, they are all thinner than the minimum recommended 18AWG. The capacitors on the secondary are a bit of a let down too, since all but one of them are made by Teapo (the other one is a CapXon near the 5Vsb transformer).
The fan used on the Rock is a Yate Loon, which seems to be one of FSP’s favourite brands. They are generally fairly reliable as long as they are temperature controlled and not run at full speed all the time.
Specifications
| Real Wattage | 475W |
| OEM | FSP |
| PFC | None |
| Price | $55 (AUD) |
| ATX Connector type | 20+4 pin |
| CPU Connector | ATX12V (4 pin) |
| PCI-E Connectors | 1× 6 pin |
| Molex (Peripheral) Connectors | 3 |
| FDD Power connectors | None |
| SATA Power connectors | 3 |
Conclusions
Pros: Efficient, affordable, good voltage regulation
Cons: Can’t deliver 500W, noisy, small heat sinks, undersized secondary silicon, low power factor
Bottom Line: It’s not too bad for a budget power supply, but if you’re after a top quality one, look elsewhere.
Score: 6/10
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Review sample source: Removed from PC
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