The Best PC Power Supplies: Unsurpassed Performance.
Nowadays, the demand for reliable, efficient and powerful PC power supplies is ever-increasing. Thanks to the constantly surpassing performance figures promised by modern devices, it is essential to choose the right power supply that best suits your computer specs. Similarly, as the PC power supplies industry has seen tremendous progress in recent years, there are many models to choose from, with different features, prices and wattage levels – so, how can one find the best-suited PC power supply for their needs?
In this blog post, we are going to take a detailed look at the different types of PC power supplies, their various internal components and their power capabilities, as well as make recommendations for the best PC power supplies for various purposes and fit for different gaming, streaming and work setups.
Let’s begin by taking a look at the different categories of PC power supplies and their key features.
Types of PC Power Supplies
The most readily available and commonly used PC power supplies on the market belong to the ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) family of products, which are the labeled as the standard size. This form factor is favored by many, due to its compatibility with most PCs, as well as its average wattage range of 300 to 600 watts, which is perfect for typical gaming rigs, workstations, or mid-range streaming PCs.
The second most popular PC power supply form factor is SFX, which stands for small form factor, and is specially designed for small form factor cases such as cube-shaped PCs. This form factor has a very small footprint, typically under 2lbs, but still packs a maximum wattage of up to 500 watts, enough to power most typical PCs with ease. The downside of this form factor is its lack of compatibility with standard cases or motherboards, so if you’re planning to use it in a standard form factor case or even a larger form factor case, you’ll need an SFX to ATX adapter.
For small PCs and other applications, there are also the low-profile versions of the ATX form factor. This type of power supply is designed to fit in slim line PCs with very thin chassis, as well as in small-form-factor systems. These power supplies are often limited to a maximum wattage of 300 to 350 watts and are thus suitable for modern applications such as office PCs, entry level gaming PCs, NAS or media streaming PCs that don’t require a lot of wattage, but still benefit from the extra efficiency.
Components of a PC Power Supply
Power supplies are made up of several components and the design of each one can differ greatly, depending on the requirements and intended use of the unit.
The most critical and often most expensive element in any power supply is its Transformer. Transformers are used to convert alternating current (AC) from outlets into direct current (DC) in order to provide the correct input to power supply components. Naturally, a transformer with a high wattage rating will be capable of outputting more power than one with a lower wattage rating.
The fan is another important component of the power supply, as its job is to keep the unit and connected components cool, which will prevent it from overheating and even ensure the PSU’s longevity. A bigger fan with a higher RPM rating should provide more airflow, offering better cooling.
The capacitors are another essential component of modern power supplies, as they are responsible for both storing and regulating electric charge, which prevents surges or spikes, while at the same time delivering a steady power output. Lower-end power supplies may use cheaper capacitors that last less, while higher-end models will use better quality caps with longer lifespans, but higher price tags.
The actual power output of a power supply is measured in watts, so higher wattages mean more power can be delivered to attached components. This is especially important for gaming PCs and work stations, as the amount of power necessary for some components such as a CPU, a graphics card, or multiple storage devices will be a lot higher than for a typical office PC.
Finally, different power supplies may also have additional features such as modular cables for better cable management, various voltage settings, as well as different certifications and protections.
The Best PC Power Supplies
Now that we have a better understanding of the different components and form factors that power supplies can take, let’s take a look at some of the best PC power supplies on the market.
For those looking to get the best value for their money, we recommend the Corsair RM750x or the be quiet! System Power 9 750W, both of which offer great performance at an affordable price. Both models feature semi-modular cable designs, a quiet fan and enough wattage to power most mid-tier gaming PC builds.
Those seeking a more powerful solution and don’t mind spending a bit more money to get a high-end power supply should consider the EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G2 or the Cooler Master V1000. These power supply models offer very high wattage, silent operation and will also provide even the most demanding gaming PCs with more than enough power for any component.
Finally, for smaller form factor PCs, the best power supplies include the be quiet! SFX L 600W for budget builds, the FSP Group Hexa 600W for those looking for something slightly more powerful and the SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Gold 750W for a powerful, modular design.
Conclusion
To find the best PC power supply, you need to first decide on your PC’s specs, then consider the form factor of the said power supply and the desired wattage you will require. Different form factors offer different sizes, wattage and price ranges, as well as additional features, so depending on your build, you will be able to tailor the perfect PC power supply to your needs.
We hope that this blog post has been helpful and has given you an insight into the world of PC power supplies and their various form factors, components and wattage level capabilities. Now that you know your way around these products, you should have no problem finding the best PC power supply for you build.
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