Build Quality
As we already know the Cougar BXM 700 features a single 135mm fan design that is used in the same vein as 120mm fans in that these can provide for quiet cooling environments due to the ability to move a larger volume of air at slower speeds than a smaller diameter fan. The 135mm fan is just about the largest diameter fan we are likely to see in ATX power supplies given the physical constraints of the form factor. While great for quiet computing environments the key criteria in our evaluation is whether or not the cooling solution is sufficient, not necessarily it’s sound output level or form factor, although we certainly listen for offending units.
External Build Quality
The exterior of the Cougar BXM 700 has a rather interesting design going for it today. The layout is traditional for a semi-modular unit with an overhead fan in the ATX12v/EPS form factor. Cosmetically, the unit carries the Cougar BXM 700 branding in a mixture of embossed text and silver/orange-red accents. The branding is particularly striking on the top of the unit and does give this unit a bit of the “wow” factor today. The modular interface is well labeled for the connectors that are present. Rounding things out, the unit has a durable black finish that is slightly textured.
The Cougar BXM 700 comes in at a total length of ~6 3/8 inches while the cables come in at a length of ~18″ to 26″ to the first or only connector. Additionally, the cables are a mix of standard wire loom and FlexForce style cables which is excellent.
Internal Build Quality
Once we open the top of the Cougar BXM 700 we see an older HEC platform. The topology does at least feature DC-DC VRM’s for the minor rails so it is not all bad. The fan cooling this unit today is an FDB fan from PowerYear rated at 0.38A at 12v. This is an HDB Fan which stands for Hydro Dynamic Bearing Fan with the goal of extended durability and lower noise levels. It is paired with one large heatsink and one small heatsink on the primary side along with one small heatsink on the secondary side. Lastly, the soldering is excellent on the primary side and a bit less so on the secondary side of this single layer PCB.
The Cougar BXM 700 input filtering begins up on the housing itself where we find a PCB with some X capacitors and Y capacitors. The balance of the input filtering is found on the back edge of the main PCB. Next up is the bridge rectifier attached to a heatsink. The APFC, and other primary side power components, are attached to the only substantial heatsink on the primary side followed by the APFC coil. Speaking of this heatsink and coil, the main input capacitor is right next to and behind them and it is provided by Teapo with a rating of 420v 470uF 105C.
The secondary side of this unit looks a bit crowded. Through the middle of the unit, we find the Cougar branded XPOWER main transformer along with the rest of the transformers. In between these transformers and the DC-DC VRM PCB we find a small heatsink for cooling the 12v MOSFETs. Next to this, we find the DC-DC VRMs housed on their own PCBs (populated with Teapo capacitors). Around these PCB’s, we find a few standard electrolytics provided by Teapo. The modular PCB construction looks good on the front with more Teapo solid capacitors while the soldering on the rear is not so good.
Build Quality Summary
Today’s Cougar BXM 700 is the first power supply we have seen from Cougar and it starts things off looking sharp on the exterior. Overall, the build quality looks good and this unit is a bit shorter than the housing itself so we may see this platform in other, smaller, products from Cougar later on. The exterior is very nice and striking with its Cougar branding and color scheme. The cables on this semi-modular unit are a mix of standard wire loom and FlexForce style cables. The integration seems to be well done and the component selection is on the value end of the spectrum. This is largely due to the Teapo solid and standard electrolytics used in this system. That said, we do get a YoungYear FDB fan which should make our quiet cooling folks happy. All in all, then, the Cougar BXM 700 is a visually striking unit, but will the component selections hold it back when we get to the load testing portion of today’s review. Let’s move on now to the load tests and see how this unit performs!