A power supply unit (PSU) is the source of electrical power for your computer. It usually sits inside a chassis that contains your main system components and motherboard, but it can also be built into an external case. The goal of any PC build is to get the most performance from your hardware at the lowest price. A cheap power supply that’s run-of-the-mill will not only hamper performance but also cost you in the long run. In this article we’ll cover different factors to take into account when buying a PSU, as well as tips and tricks from a PC builder to maximize your investment.
What to look for when buying a power supply
There are various factors you should keep in mind when looking for a power supply. Power supply wattage – The wattage rating tells you how much power the PSU can supply to your system. A 500W power supply is able to supply 500W at once, whereas a 250W power supply can only supply 250W at once. – The wattage rating tells you how much power the PSU can supply to your system. A 500W power supply is able to supply 500W at once, whereas a 250W power supply can only supply 250W at once. Efficiency – Power supplies are rated according to their efficiency, which is the percentage of power they turn into usable watts. The higher the efficiency rating, the more efficient the PSU is. Higher efficiency means lower electricity cost, longer lifetime, and less heat generated. – Power supplies are rated according to their efficiency, which is the percentage of power they turn into usable watts. The higher the efficiency rating, the more efficient the PSU is. Higher efficiency means lower electricity cost, longer lifetime, and less heat generated. Single or multiple rail design – A PSU with a single rail design is only capable of providing one type of power, like 12V. It’s better for low-end systems with a single, dedicated graphics card. A PSU with multiple rail design can deliver power from different sources, which is useful for multi-GPU setups or high-power systems. – A PSU with a single rail design is only capable of providing one type of power, like 12V. It’s better for low-end systems with a single, dedicated graphics card. A PSU with multiple rail design can deliver power from different sources, which is useful for multi-GPU setups or high-power systems. Efficiency – Power supplies are rated according to their efficiency, which is the percentage of power they turn into usable watts. The higher the efficiency rating, the more efficient the PSU is. Higher efficiency means lower electricity cost, longer lifetime, and less heat generated.
Tips and tricks from a PC builder
PSU cleaners – Some manufacturers don’t mention this, but a few power supplies come with a cleaning kit. Similar to the process of de-greasing a CPU, a special solution is used to remove dust, fingerprints, and other gunk from the unit. – Some manufacturers don’t mention this, but a few power supplies come with a cleaning kit. Similar to the process of de-greasing a CPU, a special solution is used to remove dust, fingerprints, and other gunk from the unit. Certification and safety features – All power supplies are required to come with a certification that specifies their safety features. What’s more, some units come with additional certifications, such as a cUL (Underwriters Laboratory) seal of approval. This means the unit has been deemed safe for professional use. – All power supplies are required to come with a certification that specifies their safety features. What’s more, some units come with additional certifications, such as a cUL (Underwriters Laboratory) seal of approval. This means the unit has been deemed safe for professional use. Multiple GPU setups – In this day and age, it’s rare to see a computer with just a single graphics card. More and more, it’s common to see systems that have multiple graphics cards.
Different PSU types
– ATX: Designed for desktop computers, ATX power supplies are the most common type in use today. Compared to other types, they’re relatively cheap, offer good power, and are widely available. – EPS: The European Economic System has a lot of regulations, which is why many countries in Europe, like Germany, Italy, and France, require the use of this type of power supply. – SFX: This type is great for smaller cases, like mini-ITX, because it’s smaller than a standard ATX and uses half the space. You can’t use a SFX PSU with a full-size case, though. – M-ATX: This type is the same width as a standard ATX unit, but it’s half a depth, making it great for small cases. – ATX: The most common type and the most widely used, PSUs with ATX capability are perfect for most setups. – Mini-ITX: This is the smallest of the types and great for small builds that don’t need much power.
Final Words: Wrapping up
When looking for a power supply, be sure to consider the wattage rating, efficiency, type, and certification of the unit. It’s also a good idea to take a look at the reviews online to see what other people think. A cheap power supply will not only hamper performance but also cost you in the long run. In this article we’ll cover different factors to take into account when buying a PSU, as well as tips and tricks from a PC builder to maximize your investment.