Best PSU: top PC power supplies for gaming and more

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Best PSU: top PC power supplies for gaming and more

Power up your PC with one the best PSUs

 

(Image credit: Future)

 

When you have the best PC power supply inside your computer, you can rest assured that your PC is running at optimum power efficiency, resulting in a more stable, better performing system. Anything less could lead to your components not working the way they should or you not getting the most out of your PC. 

 

So, if you’re building a PC, don’t just blow all your money on the best graphics cards and processors. Save some of it to invest in the best PC power supply, whether you need to power the most powerful internals or you have a budget build that can only handle some light productivity and gaming.

 

To help you find the best PC power supply for your rig, here are our top picks. Be sure to check the included price comparison tool as well so you can get the best price available.

Best PSU at a glance:

1. Corsair AX1000
2. EVGA 500 B1
3. be quiet! Straight Power 10
4. Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 1050W Platinum
5. Silverstone SFX Series SST-SX550
6. Thermaltake Toughpower PF1 ARGB 1200W
7. XPG Core Reactor 750W
8. Corsair CX750F RGB
9. Corsair AX1500i
10. NZXT E650

(Image credit: Corsair)

The Corsair AX1000 may be among the priciest on this best PC power supply list, but it’s well worth the money for your next build thanks to its performance and quiet operation. It boasts a solid load regulation, super high efficiency levels and excellent benchmark results, an ace for ATX’s specification requirements. It’s fully modular as well, with eight PCIe & two EPS connectors to boot.

An economical power supply like the EVGA 500 B1 may be right up your alley. (Image Credit: EVGA)

If you’re on the market for an affordable power supply that doesn’t cut too many corners, there aren’t a lot of options right now. So, an economical power supply like the EVGA 500 B1 may be right up your alley. For less than the price of a new game, you’ll get a full 500 watts of power transmitted through several SATA cables and two PCIe cables. This is hands down one of the best power supplies because it covers the bare essentials and nothing more, which is exactly what a budget PC component needs to do. The three year warranty is a nice touch, as well. 

be quiet! Straight Power 10 runs nice and quiet. (Image Credit: be quiet!)

Even the best PSUs seem to have extremely loud fans, and unlike case fans, it’s not exactly easy to replace them. Luckily, the Straight Power 10 line-up runs nice and quiet. Options range from 400w to 700w, and they’re SLI and Crossfire certified. They’re also modular, meaning you only need to use the cables that are necessary for your build.  

Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 1050W Platinum delivers high overall performance. (Image credit: Thermaltake)

Thanks to the advanced and reliable platform it uses, the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 1050W Platinum delivers high overall performance. It also boasts five vivid RGB lighting modes – controllable via a button in the back, a built-in memory function and a Smart Zero Fan that’s ultra quiet. 

Silverstone SFX SST SX550 is a compact power supply that fits in plenty of cases. (Image Credit: SilverStone)

The best PC power supplies unfortunately tend to be giant hunks of metal that don’t fit into smaller PC cases. However, the Silverstone SFX SST SX550 is a compact power supply that fits in plenty of cases. It’s half the size of most of the other PSUs on this list, allowing for more room for better airflow. This makes it an easy pick for anyone building a mini ITX or micro ATX build, and you can even slide it into a mid- or full-tower, if you feel like it. It’s easy to see why the Silverstone SFX is one of the best PC power supplies.

If you’ve got a high-powered mirrored setup, the Thermaltake Toughpower PF1 ARGB 1200W is the best PC power supply for you.  (Image credit: Thermaltake)

The Thermaltake Toughpower PF1 ARGB 1200W is braun and beauty rolled in one, delivers high performance with RGB lighting features. If you’ve got a high-powered mirrored setup, this one’s the best PC power supply for you. Better yet, it’s fully modular and built like a tank so it’ll last you a long time. All these high-end features come at premium price, but if you happen to have extra cash lying around, it’s completely worth it.

XPG Core Reactor 750W is a mighty PSU with higher quality parts and high performance. (Image credit: XPG)

The XPG Core Reactor 750 may have some pretty tough competition out there, like the Corsair RM750x, for example. It’s high price tag doesn’t help. However, it’s a mighty PSU with higher quality parts and high performance. In addition, it’s also one of the very few power supplies that’s fully-compatible with the new ATX specifications. And, it’s pretty compact, ideal for more compact computer setup.

(Image credit: Corsair)

With the Corsair CX750F RGB, the company has come up with a winner. The PSU combines a modular design with a bronze 80 Plus efficiency rating and a relatively low noise fan for a perfect PSU for under a hundred bucks. Add to that, RGB lighting that can be controlled three different ways and you can’t really go wrong with this one. While it won’t power the most muscular of builds, it should handle most just fine. 

 

If less power is needed, you can also take a look at the CX550F RGB White, which delivers 500W power and comes in a pristine white color that simply looks fantastic with the RGB light on.

Corsair AX1500i can power an absolute behemoth of a rig. (Image Credit: Corsair)

If you’re a serious builder that plans on building an absolute behemoth of a rig, with multiple graphics cards, cooling systems on top of some healthy overclocking, the Corsair AX1500i is the best PC power supply for you. It has the highest possible 80 Plus Titanium efficiency rating, and is fully modular, so you only need to add the cables your build actually requires. 

NZXT E650 is a fully modular power supply. (Image Credit: NZXT)

If you’re really trying to maximise the visual appeal of your build, a modular power supply is almost essential – you can avoid all of those messy looking wires cluttering up your case. The NZXT E650 takes things a step further. Not only is it a fully modular power supply, meaning you only need to connect the wires you actually need, but it’s also extremely attractive itself, begging to be shown off in your case. This is all topped off with an 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating and a 10-year warranty – not only will it look good, but it’ll deliver power efficiently and last forever while it does it. 

 

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article

 

 

Best PSU: top PC power supplies for gaming and more