
Cooler Master
Cooler Master RS700-ASABL3-UK GX-Lite 700W Power Supply
★★★★★
700W
An 86–88% efficient single-rail 700W supply that keeps mid-to-high-range builds powered cleanly without overcomplicating the wiring harness.
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Overview
Key Features
Efficiency: 86% Typically
OVP/SCP/OPP Protection
Hold Up Time: >17ms
Specifications
Brand
Cooler Master
Model
RS700-ASABL3-UK
Wattage
700W
Efficiency
86% typical, up to 88%
12V Rail Configuration
Single rail
Hold-Up Time
>17ms
Protections
OVP, SCP, OPP
Form Factor
ATX
Cable Management
Fixed (non-modular)
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- 86–88% efficiency rating reduces wasted heat output compared to sub-80% PSUs, keeping the chassis cooler under sustained load.
- Single 12V rail architecture allows the full current budget to be drawn by any connected component without per-rail caps interrupting high-demand GPUs or storage arrays.
- OVP, SCP, and OPP protection circuits guard against the three most common electrical fault conditions, providing a hardware safety net for downstream components.
- >17ms hold-up time meets ATX specification, ensuring clean power delivery through momentary AC interruptions such as UPS transfer transitions.
- 700W output gives adequate headroom for mid-range GPU plus multi-core CPU configurations without requiring a higher-tier unit.
👎 Cons
- The RS700-ASABL3-UK does not carry a clearly documented 80 PLUS tier badge (Bronze, Gold, etc.), making efficiency comparisons against newer certified units less straightforward.
- No modular or semi-modular cable design — all cables are hardwired, which increases cable clutter inside the chassis compared to modular alternatives at this wattage class.
- 700W is a constrained budget for pairing a modern high-TDP discrete GPU (250W+) with a 12+ core CPU under full synthetic load; sustained workloads may push utilization close to the rated ceiling.
- The UK model designation (RS700-ASABL3-UK) indicates it was designed for the UK/EU market; buyers outside that region should verify input voltage range and plug compatibility.
- Hold-up time is rated at the minimum ATX threshold (>17ms), not the extended hold-up found on higher-end or server-grade supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the GX-Lite 700W use a single or multi-rail 12V design, and why does it matter?
It uses a single 12V rail. A single-rail design delivers all available 12V amperage as one pool, meaning a high-draw component like a GPU can pull what it needs without hitting per-rail current limits. This simplifies load balancing and avoids the nuisance tripping that multi-rail designs can exhibit under uneven loads.
What protections does the RS700-ASABL3-UK include against electrical faults?
The unit includes OVP (Over Voltage Protection), SCP (Short Circuit Protection), and OPP (Over Power Protection). These three cover the most common failure modes: voltage spikes that could damage components, dead shorts on a rail, and sustained overload beyond the PSU's rated output.
What does the >17ms hold-up time specification mean for system stability?
Hold-up time is how long the PSU continues delivering regulated power after input AC drops out. The >17ms spec meets the ATX standard minimum, meaning the system remains stable through brief AC line interruptions — such as the momentary drop during a UPS switchover — rather than crashing and corrupting data.
Is this PSU compatible with current ATX motherboards and PCIe 4.0/5.0 GPUs?
The RS700-ASABL3-UK uses a standard ATX form factor and should be physically compatible with current motherboards. However, it predates the PCIe 5.0 connector specification — GPUs requiring a 16-pin 12VHPWR connector will need an adapter, and 700W may be a tight budget for high-TDP cards like an RTX 4080 paired with a power-hungry CPU.
What is the rated efficiency, and does it carry an 80 PLUS certification?
Cooler Master lists typical efficiency at 86%, with up to 88% under optimal load. The product predates widespread 80 PLUS tiered certification labeling on this model line, so buyers should verify whether a specific 80 PLUS rating applies to this SKU if certification is a procurement requirement.