ASRock power supplies explored: Taichi, PG, Steel Legend, and Challenger

ASRock is now one step closer to taking over your system with the launch of its first-ever power supplies. The company’s taking aim at every corner of the market, with models boasting a wide variety of wattages. Each of the four product series also offers a feast of features and high-level certifications from both 80 Plus and Cybenetics. Suffice to say, these PSUs appear more than ready to hold their own against their plentiful competitors.

Adopting the same branding as its motherboards, ASRock splits power supplies into four series: Taichi, Phantom Gaming, Steel Legend, and Challenger. All but the latter have a fully modular design, wholly use Japanese capacitors, sport ten-year warranties, and are ATX 3.1 compatible out of the box. There are more minutiae to unpack with the series’ unique offerings, so let’s take a closer look.

Taichi

The most premium power supply series in ASRock’s arsenal is Taichi. Available in 1,300W and 1,650W flavours, perfect for high-performance systems, these flagship PSUs are the most efficient and quietest of the company’s entire lineup. More specifically, they boast Titanium and A+ ratings from 80 Plus and Cybenetics, respectively.

Naturally, Taichi power supplies are the most robust as well. These models can handle up to 235% of their rated wattage (3,878W / 3,173W), allowing them to manage any system power spikes with ease. This in part thanks to the series rocking both Infineon CoolMOS and SiC SBD components under the hood.

To further boost stability, the units and their Phantom Gaming brethren also have a togglable 5V boost mode at their disposal. Once activated, it boosts the +5V rail by 200mV to +5.2V, to better maintain voltage levels across USBs.

Though powerful enough for all consumer builds, I like the fact that ASRock ensures wide chassis compatibility with PSU casing that’s only 180mm deep.

There are two Taichi models: TC-1650T and TC-1300T.

Phantom Gaming

For the enthusiast gamer, meanwhile, ASRock has Phantom Gaming power supplies. This series comes in a wider variety of wattages, ranging from 750-1,600W and shares many of its qualities with the more-premium Taichi series. Both 1,600W and 1,300W models earn Cybenetics’ coveted Platinum efficiency certification, while the 1,000W, 850W, and 750W follow closely behind with a proverbial gold medal. However, all muster an A grade on the acoustic front, making for PSUs that are both efficient and quiet under load.

Picking up a Phantom Gaming PSU is the most affordable way to nab yourself ASRock’s PCIe 5.1 cable complete with all its features. This 12V-2X6 cable comes with a dual-colour connector design, and cable materials with thermal resistance up to 105°C. What separates this version from others, though, is an NTC sensor that monitors temperatures, communicating them to the power supply to ensure safe operation.

Finally, Phantom Gaming power supplies support up to 220% power excursion – meaning a great ability to handle temporary power spikes – and carry Infineon CoolMOS components as well as an array of Japanese capacitors under the hood.

There are five Phantom Gaming models: PG-1600G, PG-1300G, PG-1000G, PG-850G, and PG-750G.

Steel Legend

Steel Legend fits the bill for mainstream builds. Available in wattages from 650W-1,000W, the series is no slouch when it comes to efficiency or acoustics with its 850W model earning respective Platinum and A+ ratings from Cybenetics. It’s also the only family available in black or white colourways, with 1,000W and 850W variants rocking both options.

Naturally, as a more affordable option, Steel Legend focuses on providing the biggest value in terms of features. For instance, it trades away fancy braided cables for a flat styling, while maintaining full modularity. Similarly, it forgoes an NTC sensor on its PCIe 5.1 cable but retains the dual-colour design and durable materials.

It’s still all quality underneath the white or black chassis of Steel Legend PSUs, too, with 100% Japanese capacitors. The toggleable 5V boot function of its Taichi and Phantom Gaming siblings also returns, running automatically where possible.

There are six Steel Legend models: SL-1000G, SL-1000GW, SL-850G, SL-850GW, SL-750G, and SL-650G.

Challenger

For those on a budget, Challenger answers the call. This is ASRock’s most affordable power supply series, arriving on store shelves in wattages ranging between 650-850W with 80 Plus Gold efficiency certification to boot. However, should you grab a prebuilt PC from a system integrator, you may spot other similar PSUs flying the series’ banner albeit with bronze efficiency ratings.

As one should expect from entry-level power supplies, Challenger is the only series not to feature a modular design. However, the 750W and 850W models still have a PCIe 5.1 cable built-in, saving you from reaching for an unsightly dongle should you pick up a new graphics card. It also shares the same automatic 5V boost as the Steel Legend series, ensuring optimal power delivery to your USBs.

The only other notable concessions the Challenger series makes in the name of affordability is a shorter warranty period of five years, down from the 10 years of its siblings. However, this is actually two years longer than competing models from other manufacturers.

There are six Challenger models: CL-850G, CL-750G, CL-750B, CL-650G, CL-650B, CL550B.

That’s a wrap on ASRock’s new power supply models, all of which seem to be worthy additions to the market. Given my experience with the company’s X870E Taichi Lite, I’m quietly confident that these positive first impressions will carry from on-paper to real-world performance. I personally look forward to seeing them powering next-gen graphics cards, particularly given the green colour-matching of Nvidia GeForce and the dual-colour design of that PCIe 5.1 cable.