While Bronze, Silver, and Gold are becoming relatively common in most consumer PC builds, Platinum and Titanium ratings are generally reserved for either very high capacity PSUs used in workstation PCs where a few percentage points can make a big difference to the power draw , or server PSUs. Refer to the chart below for an overview of minimum efficiencies for each rating at key loads. The higher the power draw, the more small changes in efficiency percentage will affect overall cost. Below is an example of this calculated comparison.
To download and use our template for calculating potential power supply savings, click here. In addition to the potential savings on your power bill, a general rule is that the more efficient the power supply, the better its longevity and reliability and oftentimes the better the longevity of the PC as a whole.
Instead, electricity routes from the alternating current AC provided by the power company into the direct current DC used by PC components in the required voltage. In fact, a failing power supply can often cause other problems such as random resets and freezes that can otherwise remain mysterious. Picking the right power supply will give you the best possible performance and help contribute to a lifetime of reliability.
Prices and availability of products discussed were accurate at time of publication, but are subject to change. While there are several important factors to consider when choosing a power supply — just like with every PC component — identifying one of the most important factors is refreshingly simple. To use the tool, you need to select your components from the drop-down lists for each category. You could choose a watt power supply to be safe — and buying a suitable option is just a click of a button away.
Of course, you might want to run some scenarios to make sure you can handle your long-term needs. You get the picture. An important note regarding power: continuous power and peak power are different things.
Some power supply manufacturers will build in protections to help keep your components safe from power-related issues. These protections often add some cost to a power supply, but they can offer some additional peace of mind as well. The first is overvoltage protection, which refers to a circuit or mechanism that shuts down the power supply unit if the output voltage exceeds the specified voltage limit, which is often higher than the rated output voltage.
This protection is important since high output voltages may cause damage to computer components that connect to the power supply. The second is overload and overcurrent protection. These are circuits that protect the power supply unit and the computer by shutting down the power supply unit when there is excessive current or power load detected, including short circuit currents. Another is its efficiency rating, which is a measure of how much DC power it sends to the PC and how much is lost primarily to heat.
As an example, consider a PC that requires watts of power. Choosing the more efficient power supply will save some cash on your monthly power bill. At the same time, a power supply with a higher efficiency rating will allow your PC to run cooler as well. Every PC component generates some heat, and that tends to work against top performance. That makes it easier to dial in exactly the level of efficiency that you want to achieve in your new PC.
Look for this information in the detailed item specifications or on the PSU information label. The 80 Plus rating system basically tells you how efficient a power supply is at converting AC power into DC power. However, it is true that power supplies that achieve the higher spectrum of 80 Plus ratings Gold, Platinum, and Titanium are generally well-built and quality units.
For a large portion of people who build their own computers, aesthetics play an important role in the component selection process.
Yes, there are RGB power supplies out there. And, there are power supplies that look better than others. You can spend a lot of time ensuring that your other components are color-coordinated and you can have the cleanest cable management around and you can show it all off inside of a case with a nice full-glass side panel. And, if you are purchasing a modular unit, you can always swap the cabling out for custom sleeving, too.
While power supplies might not be the sexiest components in system builds, they are one of the most important. Your email address will not be published. Can u help me? Hi, just a thank you for the comprehensive yet concise article with technical content made accessible through well structured writing that lead me from ignorance to enlightenment regarding my PSU hunt at least in seconds, and wider kudos for the site as a whole.
Such a rarity to find quality content, especially without pop ups, affiliate links and sponsored content. Outstanding piece of work. Thank you! Hey Beach Boui, thanks for reading and commenting. Glad you found the guide helpful. Good luck with your new build! Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar Skip to footer Tech Guided is supported by its readers. How to Choose A Motherboard 4. How to Choose A Graphics Card 5.
Smaller units and units specially designed for enterprise and server applications are also available; but for common desktop systems, ATX power supplies are it.
When searching for a power supply, keep your eyes on three crucial features: power output, rails, and efficiency. A higher-watt PSU can supply more power. Desktop power supplies have a power output rating of from watts to watts for ultra-high-end, enthusiast-class products. Wattage ratings higher than that would exceed the capabilities of a typical ampere electrical outlet.
The important number here is the one for sustained or continuous power, not the one for peak power. Most power supplies can operate at peak power for only brief periods. Ideally your unit will delivers plenty of power to your components and offers some extra headroom in case you want to attach additional components later. Most power supplies hit their peak efficiency levels with loads in the range of 40 to 80 percent.
In a high-end system loaded with components that may peak collectively at watts, a watt PSU would work well. Many modern gaming systems with a 6 or 8-core CPU and a midrange to high-end graphics card should get by with a W to W power supply, with W being a long-time sweet spot for gamers.
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