Description

In addition to numerous low-priced yet highly regarded chassis and an extensive range of accessories, the Kolink brand already offers long power supplies of various performance classes. After the successful entry into the European market for PC power supplies at the end of 2015, Kolink is now working with the Core series and shows that particularly inexpensive power supplies are possible without the customer having to forego basic quality features. A Kolink-Core power supply delivers everything that is really important, while less important features are consistently saved. So the Cores are technically solid, but still hardly more expensive than the all-but-no-name products.

For the entry-level series, Kolink uses, for example, the 80 Plus certificate, which guarantees efficiency of more than 80 percent from 20 percent utilization at 115 volts. In the European 230-volt network, all models of the Core Series meet the requirements of EU Regulation No. 617/2013. Since July 2014, this has presumably required a minimum efficiency of 82 to 85 percent for all power supplies used in complete PCs. Because the mandatory requirements for standby power consumption and standby efficiency are also met, Kolink core power supplies are therefore a low-cost but right-safe choice for all integrators and system houses.

The fact that Kolink is familiar with its entry-level products is also evident in the equipment with connections. The 500 watt model offered here has a 4 + 4-pin EPS12V connector for the processor as well as a 6 + 2-pin connector for the graphics card, in addition to the 20 + 4-pin ATX connector for the mainboard. Four SATA and two Molex connectors are available for the other components. The Kolink Core 500 Watt can therefore prove its performance at any time in real systems. Even gaming systems with mid-range and performance graphics cards are supplied without problems.

It is also worth noting that Kolink – unfortunately as part of the minority of the power supply brands – carries out both product design and final quality control completely in Europe before delivery to specialist retailers, system integrators and end customers. Despite the aggressive prices, these products are full-fledged retail products for the needs of European customers, whose quality is ensured by manufacturers at all times. A power supply must ultimately function reliably in the end, so that the computer runs smoothly.

Saving on the other hand is something that many users in this price class do not value: That Kolink delivers all power supplies without a power cable which protects the environment and saves costs, whereas most potential buyers already have cables already at home. Kolink also has a purist style in terms of optics, the cable strings are held together by convenient cable ties instead of elaborate sleeves. The surface is simply black lacquered, so the power supply in the PC hardly noticeable. In short, if you only have a tight budget, the core power supply is currently the best choice.

Model
Core Series KL-C500

Wattage Output
500W

Size
ATX

Modular
No

SLI/CrossFire Ready
N/A

Protection
Active PFC (0.9)

Operation Temperature
N/A

Cooling Fan
1 x 120mm (automatic control)

Max Efficiency
At least 80 percent at 50/20/100 percent load
80 Plus certified

Certifications
80 Plus Certified

Connectors
(Fixed)
1 x 20 + 4-pin
1 x 4 + 4-pin (CPU / ATX12V / EPS12V)
1 x 6 + 2-pin PCIe
4 x SATA
2 x 4-pin Molex

Dimensions (W x H x D)
140 x 86 x 150 mm

Additional Features
Rated power: 500 W + 3.3V: 15A + 5V: 15A + 3.3V / + 5V: 100W + 12V: 396W / 33A -12V: 0.3 A / 3.6 W + 5Vsb: 2.5 A / 12.5 W