Best Power Supply for Gaming PC

Special PC power supply buying guide (power supply unit or PSU). Power, Watts, Modularity, Certifications, We have detailed all the criteria to take into account to make the right choice.

Our selection of the best PC power supplies on the market  by quality level (Entry-level, Mid-range, and High-end)

Please note, the commercial (“marketing”) practice in this area is to encourage you to buy powerful power supplies while you are It is not particularly useful, we will tell you about it later in the article!

“A good PC power supply is essential for the longevity of a PC, it is something that can generally be kept from one configuration to another.”

How to choose your PC power supply?

Which power to choose?

• 430 Watts:  Used for Office, Multimedia or HTPC configurations.
• 550 Watts:  This power is sufficient in 80% of gaming configurations.
• 620-650 Watts: In the case of a high-end graphics card Nvidia or from the mid-range AMD (they consume more).
• 750-850 Watts: In the case of a high-end graphics card SLI / Crossfire.
• For beginners, this corresponds to plugging in 2 graphics cards and connecting them together.
• 1000 Watts: In the case of a Quad-SLI / QuadFire (4 high-end graphics cards) + overclocking + i7 / Phenom II x6 processor.

If the power of the power supply is not sufficient or if the voltages delivered are too unstable, the power supply can cause crashes or reboots of the machine.

Efficiency

“Why am I told that my PC will consume only 300Watts and I am told to buy a power supply of 550 / 600Watts?”

The efficiency of a power supply is between 50/60% of its load , so a PC configuration consuming 300Watts, you will be directed to a 500Watt power supply.

Power calculation

In order to avoid certain problems such as system instability, reboots and shutdowns caused by an insufficiently powerful power supply, we suggest that you use the calculators below to choose the power supply that will best suit your needs. We advise you to choose a diet slightly higher than the result that will be displayed.

The Dimensions

The most common format is the ATX format (15 x 14 x 8.6 cm). This is the one that is generally recommended unless you have a Mini-PC, in which case the SFX format (12.5 x 10 x 6.5 cm) is more suitable.

Other standards exist but are little encountered, such as the Flex ATX or the TFX, but there is little chance that you are concerned.

If you want to upgrade, the format of your news feed will be one of the first things to look at.

Modular PC Power Supply

Modularity aims to eliminate unnecessary cables, improve airflow and facilitate cable management in your PC case.

– Modular (You only connect the cables you need)

– Semi-Modular (One fixed part, one modular part)

– Non-modular (All cables in a cluster, no possibility of removing one)

From left to right, modular, non-modular, semi-modular

Sheathed Cable

Some PC power supplies also offer sheathed cables. These cables have the advantage of facilitating assembly and of limiting the “mass” represented by all the connectors. The rendering is also more elegant in your case.

The cables supplied in the power supplies are mostly black. For other colors, more information is available in our guide: modding and tuning

Certifications

This symbolizes the quality of the yield, to simplify it represents the quality of the feed. (Entry-level, Mid-range, High-end.)

Not to mention the fact that better energy efficiency means lower electricity bills. As you will have understood, we will avoid focusing on a diet that does not have at least a bronze certification.

(Sometimes the small budget leaves no choice ^^)

You should also know that the yield is not constant. In general, it is very high up to a little over 75% of the maximum power of the power supply with an optimum zone of around 50%.

There are 6 levels of certification:

• 80 Plus White power supply: 80%  minimum efficiency at 20, 50, and 100% load respectively
• 80 Plus Bronze power supply: 82, 85, and 82% minimum efficiency at 20, 50, and 100% load respectively
• 80 Plus Silver power supply: 85, 88, and 85% minimum efficiency at 20, 50, and 100% load respectively
• 80 Plus Gold power supply: 87, 90, and 87% minimum efficiency at 20, 50, and 100% load respectively
• 80 Plus Platinum power supply: 90, 94, and 91% minimum efficiency at 20, 50, and 100% load respectively.
• A Power supply 80 Plus Titanium 94, 96 and 91% minimum yield respectively 20, 50 and 100% load.

Connectors

The connection of a power supply is to be carefully monitored, especially if you plan to assemble a muscular configuration. You have to monitor the type of connection you need from your motherboard, and also your graphics card to avoid unpleasant surprises.

• For the motherboard: All power supplies are equipped with a 24-pin main ATX connector, often detachable in 20 + 4 pins in order to maintain backward compatibility with old motherboards.

They also have a 12 volt 4 or 8 pin auxiliary connector (removable into 4 + 4 pins) or in some cases a 4 pin and an 8 pin (Ryzen).

The 24-pin ATX and 12-volt 4 or 8-pin plugs are intended to supply power to the motherboard.

Note that currently, the components mainly request 12 volts.

• For the graphics card , there is usually at least one 6-pin PCI-Express connector.

By increasing in power, the blocks are equipped with 2 PCI-Express 6 + 2 pins connectors in order to supply the most powerful graphics cards.

From 700 watts, power supplies typically have 4 6 + 2 pin PCI-Express connectors.

• The other sockets are for hard drives and accessories.

The 3 types of ventilation for your diet

Active: The power supply fan will always be active.

Semi-passive:  Basically they are built like standard active power supplies, with the difference that their fan is usually on standby and only turns on when the system exceeds a preset performance limit, typically between 40% and 50%, or at a certain temperature.

Ideal for those looking for a relatively quiet gaming PC. We have selected a few for you below.

Passive: “Passive” means the power supply comes without a fan, heat dissipation is fully supported by a large heat sink, so the system is virtually silent. It sounds ideal, but has one major drawback – it works but is limited in its performance. If the threshold is exceeded, the risk of the system overheating is real.

In which direction to install your PC power supply?

In 95% of cases designed for gamers, the power supply is positioned at the bottom of the case, the fan at the bottom.

This is because a power supply fan is designed to draw in cool air to cool the power supply. If you put your power supply with the fan up, it sucks hot air from your graphics card.

This is what explains why your box has “feet” (in order to let air pass under the box so that the power supply sucks it) and it also explains the presence of a dust filter at this location.

13 Top Power Supply for Gaming PC – Comparison List

1# Corsair CX Series 550 Watt Best Power Supply for Gaming

Presentation:

Corsair CV power supplies are ideal for your new home or office computer thanks to their 80+ Bronze certification which guarantees to always provide the maximum power necessary for your system.

The Corsair CV series power supplies are only 125mm long, allowing them to fit easily into almost any modern PC case.

 Like all Corsair power supplies, the CV Series does exactly what it says: it delivers continuous power at full capacity, regardless of the wattage selected.

Seasonic quality at an affordable price

 

2# Seasonic S12III Best Power Supply Brand

Presentation:

The Seasonic S12III 80PLUS Bronze power supply has been developed to provide maximum efficiency with very high efficiency and the lowest sound level. Displaying very advantageous technical characteristics, this model will be ideal with machines requiring very high reliability.

The S²FC function designed to have an optimal ratio between the need to cool the components of the power supply and to keep a quiet level as low as possible.

This power supply is guaranteed for 5 years by Seasonic, for use in all serenity!

 

3# Be Quiet! System Power 9 Best Budget Power Supply

Presentation:

An entry-level power supply, Be Quiet reliability! the appointment

The System Power 9 power supply from Be Quiet! was designed for anyone looking for a price-oriented PC. It combines reliability and discretion thanks to its two 12 V rails which allow it to display solid voltages. The thermoregulated 120 mm fan ensures silent and dynamic ventilation, adapting the rotation speed to a load of your PC, for an ideal silence/performance ratio in all circumstances.

The System Power 9 benefits from an 80PLUS Bronze certification which guarantees high efficiency, up to 89%, add to that high quality sheathed cables and a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty and you get a power supply with an unbeatable quality/price ratio.

 

4# Corsair CX Power Supply PC

Presentation:

CX Series power supplies provide modern power technologies and 80 PLUS Bronze certified efficiency at a competitive price. All dressed in black, with black cable sheaths and black connectors, they offer a thermally regulated 120mm fan. LLC and DC / DC resonant topology ensure full compatibility with all modern PCs today.

Also available in SEMI-MODULAR version:

• 550M Watts
• 650M Watts
• 750M Watts

 

5# Gigabyte GP Best Power Supply for mid-range Gaming PC

Presentation :

The GP-P550B is a non-modular power supply with the 80 PLUS Bronze certification.

Its large 120 mm thermoregulated fan (PWM) ensures significant ventilation in silence, thanks to its reduced rotation speed.

PC power supply – Mid-range

Full modular, 80 PLUS Gold

 

6# Antec HCG Best Power Supply

Presentation :

A 10-year warranty, modular cabling, a quiet 120mm fan controlled by the renowned Thermal Manager, and industrial-grade CircuitShield protection from Antec make High Current Gamer Gold one of the best choices available. Get the power you need.

80+ Gold, ultra-quiet, and semi-modular!

 

7# Be quiet pure power 11 cm Best Uninterruptible Power Supply for Gaming PC

Presentation:

The Pure Power 11 represents the new quality/price benchmark according to Be Quiet! Featuring a high-quality design, this power supply will deliver all the power needed for muscular setups to harness their full potential, all in golden silence.

To top it off, this new edition of the Pure Power features flat, sheathed cables entirely in black, right down to the connectors! For a discreet and classy look in your tower.

Semi-modular, 80 PLUS Gold!

 

8# Corsair TX M best 750w Power Supply for Gaming PC

Presentation:

Cable modularity, 80 PLUS Gold efficiency, flat cables, 100% Japanese capacitors, all advantages for this Corsair power supply unit at an excellent quality/price ratio.

Today, the Corsair TXxxxM offers new advantages in terms of flexibility of use: improvement of the circulating air flow, choice of the necessary cables, and increased readability of the connections used. The black sheathed flat cables are semi-modular. You only use the cables you need, for aesthetic results. Clearly marked connectors make installation easy and straightforward.

The range of cables available is simply impressive: 2 PCI-Express cables, 5 SATA cables, and 4 Molex, that’s enough to satisfy the most advanced configurations!

 

9# Seasonic Focus Plus GX

Presentation:

The GX is a continuation of the FOCUS Plus, powerful power supplies extremely reliable and above all very silent. The 80 PLUS Gold certification makes it possible to maintain a very high charge rate and therefore a high level of performance whatever the use: It is ideal as a power supply for gaming PCs.

PC power supply – High-end

 The best PC power supplies on the market, quality/price level.

 

10# NZXT C Series Power Supply

Presentation

The NZXT C-Series power supplies are designed to get the most out of your gaming setup. The internal design with Japanese capacitors provides excellent reliability and durability over time. Being fully modular, you can install only the cords you need to optimize the airflow inside your box. Up to 30% demand, the power supply is in 0 dB mode. The 80Plus Gold certification ensures excellent energy efficiency and guarantees stable voltages, regardless of the applied load.

A simple button activates the Zero RPM mode of the fans to reduce noise when the temperature is low. When needed, the hydrodynamic 120mm fan bearing activates to effectively cool the PSU, keeping your system stable, even during the most intense gaming sessions. Hybrid fan control and hydrodynamic bearing not only reduce noise without increasing temperature but also extend fan life through reduced rotations.

 

11# Corsair RMx (v2) Best 1000w Power Supply for Gaming PC

Presentation:

The manufacturer Corsair, a reference in power supplies, presents the RMx Series, which is proving to be a real success. The RMx series power supplies benefit from the excellent 80 PLUS Gold certification, they are completely modular, silent, and powerful. Benefit from a significant choice in terms of power since Corsair RMx power supplies are available from 550W to 1000W. Take advantage of these high-performance power supplies to make the most of their potential in both basic and gaming configurations.

One of the strengths of the Corsair RMx 650W power supply is of course its noise level which remains low in all circumstances.

Its  135 mm fan will only activate once the 40% load has been reached, ensuring a very low noise level. Beyond this percentage of load, the fan will only really start from 70% load while maintaining more than correct flow rates,  up to 21 dB for the RMx 650W power supply.

In order to reinforce the silent side,  Corsair has gone all out by introducing capacitors and transformers ensuring the annihilation of all audible parasitic noises when the fan is not active.

Gold & Semi-Passive & Seasonic Quality

 

12# Seasonic PRIME Gold

Presentation:

It has the exceptional 80+ Gold certification, reserved for power supplies with an energy efficiency of up to 92%.

For the perfect integration into your PC, it is equipped with a sober black fairing, with modern lines, a modular design with completely black flat cables. The semi-passive hybrid ventilation ensures operation at 0 dB in office automation and multimedia, and an ideal performance/silence ratio at all times thanks to the ultra-quiet thermoregulated 135 mm fan.

The PRIME features a fully modular design, allowing for easy installation in your PC, an ultra-clean and uncluttered look, as well as maximized airflow, resulting in better temperatures for your components and better quietness Operating. For a clean and tidy installation, all cables are flat and have black sheaths running from end to end, for cleaner cable management than ever before.

 

13# Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 12

Presentation:

Be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12  stands out as a real benchmark in terms of silence. It is equipped with a thermo-regulated 135 mm SilentWings fan, a model of the brand known for its very low noise level, barely audible even at full load (20.1 dB). The chassis be quiet! innovates, it is based on 2 anti-vibration bands

incorporated at the ends of the block. 5-year manufacturer’s warranty with an on-site exchange for 1 year, the quality and performance offered by this be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 is close to perfection! Mechanics is worthy of the best configurations.

Dark Power Pro 11 features DC-to-DC technology and 80+ Platinum certification. The maximum energy efficiency amounts to 92% and actively participates in the reduction of consumption. Adapt the architecture to your use in 4-rail + 12V or single-rail mode thanks to the overclocking switch. The build quality be quiet! is flawless and the integration of all energy standards increases the life of the unit.

 

14# Asus ROG Strix

Presentation:

Brought to you by ASUS ROG, here is a powerful, fully modular Strix power supply that’s 80 PLUS Gold certified for energy efficiency, built with 100% Japanese capacitors for stability and durability. Its efficient cooling does not cause noise at rest (0db) and its Axial-Tech fans guarantee an excellent airflow constantly. In order to be as close as possible to your style, it also has a magnetic logo as well as stickers that you can position (or remove) wherever you want. Finally, it is guaranteed for 10 years by Asus.

PC Power Supply- ULTRA High-End

Here you will find the most expensive PC power supplies on the market, with Titanium or Platinium certification, full modular!

15# Seasonic PRIME TX

Presentation:

The Seasonic PRIME TX power supply represents the best in desktop PCs today. Featuring a high-quality design using only premium components, the PRIME power supply breaks new energy efficiency records.

It has the exceptional 80+ Titanium certification, reserved for power supplies with an energy efficiency of up to 96%.

For the perfect integration into your PC, it is equipped with a sober black and aluminum fairing, with modern lines, a modular design with entirely black flat cables. The semi-passive hybrid ventilation ensures operation at 0 dB in office automation and multimedia, and an ideal performance/silence ratio at all times thanks to the ultra-quiet thermoregulated 135 mm fan.

For a clean and tidy installation, all cables are flat and have end-to-end black sheaths, for cleaner cable management than ever before.

16# Asus ROG THOR

Overview:

Brought to you by ASUS ROG, here is a powerful Thor power supply, fully modular, 80PLUS Platinum certified for energy efficiency, built with 100% Japanese capacitors for stability and durability. Its efficient cooling is noise-free (0db) thanks to its dust-proof IP5X fin fans and built-in ROG heat sinks for cooler operation. Equipped with the LiveDash interface with OLED power display, it allows you to monitor it in real-time. Original, this power supply features addressable RGB lighting with Aura Sync. The Aura Sync offers an almost endless spectrum of colors and the ability to synchronize effects across an ever-expanding ecosystem of ASUS Aura Sync compatible products. Finally, it is guaranteed for 10 years by Asus.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Price of a PC Power Supply?

Obviously, the price varies depending on the competition and some manufacturers will be more attractive than others. Keep in mind, however, that price orders are simply based on the power of the power supply, since this is the heart of the machine. Apart from the offers, the prices will therefore remain relatively similar.

The manufacturer and the warranty?

Food is made to last. In other words, it is essential to opt for a manufacturer recognized for its seriousness, its professionalism, and its know-how in the matter. We think for example of Corsair, Cooler Master, be quiet !, Seasonic, Aerocool, or ASUS. A majority of them also play the trust card, offering an extended manufacturer’s warranty, often up to 5 years.

Where to buy a PC power supply?

Several options are available to you. You can first go to a specialized store where several models will be available and where a (normally) a knowledgeable employee will be able to advise you on the most suitable choice according to your configuration. Note, however, that the range of possibilities remains limited since you are conditioned to a single store.

• Buying online then has undeniable advantages. In addition to more advantageous pricing (regular offers), shopping platforms allow you to compare both prices and available models. You also benefit from virtually unlimited information, such as reviews and reviews. So we can only highly recommend that you buy your PC power supply online directly.