The power supply may not be the first component you think of when you build a gamer system. But make no mistake, it is an essential component. A power supply that doesn't provide the right voltage can cause a number of problems that are difficult to solve. Therefore, pay special attention to the choice of your gamer PC power supply. Read this guide to learn more.
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Our selection
"Owners of the latest Nvidia or AMD graphics cards, those who want to overclock and those who want to install an SLI/CrossFire configuration will be…"
"The VS550 is part of the VS line of inexpensive power supplies produced by Corsair. It is probably the best in its class as it…"
"The ROG Thor 850P is Asus' first PC power supply and one of the few they have ever produced. Incredible! But it is clear that…"
"The Seasonic Focus GX-750 offers high performance despite its super compact size. A fully modular design and semi-passive operation allow it to improve the 3.3V…"
Owners of the latest Nvidia or AMD graphics cards, those who want to overclock and those who want to install an SLI/CrossFire configuration will be delighted with the Corsair RM750. It works quietly and efficiently.
80 £ on AmazonThe Corsair RM750 is a fully modular 750W gamer PC power supply. It has an 80 Plus Gold energy efficiency rating. The RM750 measures 160mm deep, which is standard for the ATX12V form factor. The RM series refresh for this year has resulted in a change in color scheme from gold/black on the previous generation to black with the RM750. The aesthetics are undeniably bland as a result, but that's still a detail for a PC power supply.
The Corsair RM750 is cooled by a 135mm diameter fan. There is a zero RPM mode, where the fan stays off until you reach a load of about 300W. This intelligent management will save you energy. The fully modular cables are all decent lengths and have the sought-after flat style, which makes them easy to fold and unfold. They also seem a little stiffer than the previous generation, which is a testament to quality.
The VS550 is part of the VS line of inexpensive power supplies produced by Corsair. It is probably the best in its class as it benefits from excellent build quality while offering quiet operation.
54,34 £ on RueducommerceThe Corsair VS550 guarantees a continuous power of 550 W with an energy efficiency rated at 80 Plus. This PC gamer power supply is made of high quality galvanized metal. You can also feel some texture on the power supply and this may be due to the paint used. The metal used is thick and it will not bend easily. The PSU has a very quiet 120mm fan that also has the same metal grill on top.
The cables directly integrated into the non-modular case are black and sheathed. This connector configuration makes cable management on your entry/mid-range gamer PC easy. And thanks to its relatively compact dimensions and 125 mm depth, it fits into almost any modern PC case for maximum compatibility.
The ROG Thor 850P is Asus' first PC power supply and one of the few they have ever produced. Incredible! But it is clear that the manufacturer has succeeded in its bet by offering a model with extreme performance focused on quality and style.
See priceThe Asus ROG Thor 850P is a PC power supply dedicated to gaming. It has a power output of 850W and has an energy efficiency rating of 80 Plus Platinum. The styling is quite apparent with the RGB design and the OLED display on the side of the block. However, the build quality will remain invisible to the average person. Why? Because Asus has designed a platinum power supply with massive heat sinks to ensure performance, even under heavy load.
Moreover, Asus has equipped the ROG Thor 850P with a certified 135mm diameter fan to extend the life of the PSU. The Taiwanese manufacturer offers us a fully modular block with a fairly large collection of cables, providing connectivity that should cover most needs. In addition, Asus has limited the total number of GPU connections to 4 PCIe 6+2 pin connectors. This will avoid installing 3 GPUs, which could theoretically exceed the capabilities of the ROG Thor 850P. We also note the presence of the 0 dB mode for the fan.
The Seasonic Focus GX-750 offers high performance despite its super compact size. A fully modular design and semi-passive operation allow it to improve the 3.3V transient response and reduce fan noise.
104 £ on RueducommerceThe Seasonic Focus GX-750 has a power rating of 750W. The performance of this gamer PC power supply is very good, mainly due to the excellent internal build quality and the use of high quality components. In terms of efficiency, the Seasonic Focus GX-750 achieves a maximum efficiency of 91.8% with a 500W load thanks to its 80 Plus Gold energy efficiency rating.
This model also features a fully modular design. This is done to reduce the number of restrictions and allow airflow to pass through all components. However, we regret that the low transient response of only 3.3V. We also notice that the Seasonic Focus GX-750 is relatively noisy when heavily loaded. And even at full power, the temperature of the power supply does not exceed 46 °C, which is good news.
Any specific needs?
The best gamer PC power supply in 2021
The best entry-level gamer PC power supply
The best high-end gamer PC power supply
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE LINE | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
8/10 |
7/10 |
9/10 |
7/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Corsair RM750
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Corsair VS550
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Asus ROG Thor 850P
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Seasonic Focus GX-750
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Owners of the latest Nvidia or AMD graphics cards, those who want to overclock and those who want to install an SLI/CrossFire configuration will be delighted with the Corsair RM750. It works quietly and efficiently.
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The VS550 is part of the VS line of inexpensive power supplies produced by Corsair. It is probably the best in its class as it benefits from excellent build quality while offering quiet operation.
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The ROG Thor 850P is Asus' first PC power supply and one of the few they have ever produced. Incredible! But it is clear that the manufacturer has succeeded in its bet by offering a model with extreme performance focused on quality and style.
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The Seasonic Focus GX-750 offers high performance despite its super compact size. A fully modular design and semi-passive operation allow it to improve the 3.3V transient response and reduce fan noise.
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Compatible form factor
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ATX12V, EPS12V
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ATX, ATX12V
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ATX12V
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ATX12V
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Power
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750 W
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550 W
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850 W
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750 W
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Modularity
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Fully modular
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Non-modular
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Fully modular
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Fully modular
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Energy efficiency rating
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80 Plus Gold
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80 Plus
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80 Plus Platinum
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80 Plus Gold
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Noise level
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20 to 25 dB
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25 to 30 dB
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15 to 20 dB
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46 dB
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Gamer PCs vary considerably, from entry-level models at 300 euros to the ultimate gamer config of over 3,000 euros. Therefore, and logically, the power requirements of the PC power supply also vary. As a general rule, however, for most modern gamer PCs you will probably need to choose a power supply in the 450-850W range. 95% of PCs will fall within this power range. However, what you can do is calculate the approximate power required by all of your PC components, and choose a PC gamer power supply that has slightly more power than you actually need. So, if your list of components requires about 400W, get a 500-550W PC power supply to be on the safe side, or a 600W model if you're convinced you'll be doing quite a bit of upgrading later
Power is certainly an important factor when choosing a gamer PC power supply, but so is efficiency. An inefficient power supply wastes energy and generates more heat, which can potentially shorten the life of your components. Because this is such an important consideration, there is a relatively simple independent rating system. You may have noticed the "80 Plus" rating on many power supplies. This represents the efficiency rating. To have this rating, a power supply must have an efficiency of at least 80%, which means that no more than 20% of energy is lost as heat. The 80 Plus rating has different levels:
As with most PC components, there are a wide variety of options when it comes to the appearance, and therefore the size, of your power supply. You need to choose a model that physically fits your PC case. Fortunately, there are standards for power supplies just as there are for cases and motherboards. Of course, the form factor is primarily about size, but also about the different connectors available. For the vast majority of gamer PC users, standard ATX and ATX12V power supplies should be fine. These are the larger form factors that provide a 3.3V voltage rail and use a single 20-pin connector as the main power connector. However, the ATX12V form factor is now the mainstream choice. This form factor additionally has a 4-pin 12V connector to power the processor exclusively. If you're a small form factor (SFF) PC enthusiast, you'll need to do a little more research to make sure your power supply will fit. There are a wide variety of sizes of SFF power supplies, such as SFX, CFX, etc.
You
have to figure, for a system that handles a large amount of power, system safety is a primary concern. A good PC gamer power supply should have built-in safety features, not only to protect the power supply itself, but also to protect your system in case of a power surge. The PC gamer power supply and motherboard are the only PC components that connect directly to almost every other piece of hardware in your system. Because of the power supply's unique position in the PC configuration, making sure it has built-in protection can also help protect the rest of your hardware. Therefore, you should make sure to choose a gamer PC power supply that has surge protection that shuts down the PSU in case of excessive voltage. Other safety features include short circuit protection, which can be extremely beneficial if you encounter voltage fluctuations.
As mentioned earlier, power supplies generate heat. This means they require fans to stay cool and run efficiently. You need to think about how quiet you want your PC to run, which will largely be determined by your environment. If your PC is running in a quiet space, larger fans that spin more slowly to move the same amount of air will likely result in a quieter PC. There are no real standards for cooling a gamer PC power supply, so you'll have to refer to the various reviews on the internet.
Whether you choose a wired, modular, or hybrid system will determine how clean the inside of your case is and how much work you'll have to do to keep your PC clean and organized. Non-modular cabling means that every connector is directly connected to the power supply and will therefore be present whether it is needed or not. The advantage of non-modular systems is that it is both simpler and does not impose any additional resistance with extra connectors. Modular wiring means that each connector can be added as needed. This makes it easier to keep your enclosure clean and uncluttered, but it also introduces additional complexity, price, and resistance through the ability to add more physical connections. This probably isn't relevant to most users, but it is to gamers.
In the simplest terms, the power supply routes power from your wall outlet to your PC components. Typically, a PC power supply will offer a 24-pin socket for powering your main motherboard, an 8-pin socket for your CPU, an assortment of PCI-E power sockets for your GPU(s), sockets for SATA peripherals and 5v molex sockets. High-end or high-powered power supplies often provide a variety of additional outlets and cables for a range of components.
For gamers, while a power supply doesn't directly affect gaming performance, it's not essential to spend a lot of money on a high-end power supply. You just need to choose a power supply with sufficient quality and reliability. It's important to power all your valuable new PC components for years to come without putting your system and your wallet at risk.
Chat said, buying a random cheap power supply to save money can lead to problems very quickly, and they can lead to all sorts of problems, including an increase in your electric bill due to low efficiency. With a poor quality power supply in your gamer PC, you risk premature failure of your setup.
The form factor, especially the wiring configuration, is the main thing that distinguishes gamer PC power supplies from each other. So here are the different types of PC gamer power supplies currently available on the market.
Although there are still power supplies with the AT form factor available for purchase, they are legacy products, on the way out. Even the last ATX form factor power supplies (ATX 2.03 and earlier) are becoming increasingly rare. ATX is the current standard form factor and will fit with 95% of the computer cases available on the market today.
Here are the main differences between ATX and AT power supplies:
However, while the width, height and screw placement are the same for all ATX power supplies, the depth of the model may vary. Power supplies are typically 6 inches deep, but more powerful models can be deeper. So make sure the model you're interested in fits in your case.
There are several different versions of the ATX12V form factor, and they can be very different from each other. The ATX12V v1.0 specification added a 4-pin +12V connector to the original ATX form factor to power the processor exclusively, and a 6-pin auxiliary power connector providing +3.3V and +5V voltages. The resulting ATX12V v1.3 specification added the 15-pin SATA power connector in addition to everything else that was there before.
A substantial change occurred with the ATX12V v2.0 specification, which changed the main power connector from a 20-pin format to a 24-pin format, removing the 6-pin auxiliary power connector. In addition, the ATX12V v2.0 specification also isolated the current limit on the 4-pin processor power connector for the 12V2 rail. Later, the ATX12V v2.1 and v2.2 specifications also increased the efficiency requirements and introduced various other improvements.
An EPS12V gamer PC power supply uses an 8-pin processor power connector in addition to the 4-pin ATX12V form factor connector. The EPS12V form factor was originally designed for entry-level servers, but more and more high-end motherboards are now incorporating the 8-pin connector, allowing gamers to opt for an EPS12V power supply.
The designation Small Form Factor (SFF) is used to describe a number of smaller power supplies, such as the SFX12V, CFX12V, LFX12V and TFX12V. They are all smaller than the standard ATX12V form factor in terms of physical size, and SFFs must be installed in smaller computer cases.
Non-modular power supplies have all the cables already connected to the power supply. They generally look less premium than their modular counterparts, have color-coded cables that are generally not stressed, and have an overall outdated look. Investing in one makes sense if aesthetics aren't a big selling point for you and your budget is tighter.
Nevertheless, these are not reasons to be discouraged. Low-end power supplies still work the same way as high-end power supplies. If you buy from a trusted manufacturer and consider the total power consumption of your components before you buy, you should be safe. Make sure you get at least an 80 Plus Bronze certification.
The fully modular PC gamer power supplies come with fully replaceable cables. None of them are permanently attached to the power supply. Because of this, you have a lot of flexibility and you'll have a lot more ease in managing cables. With a fully modular power supply, you can use only the cables you need, without the added clutter of those you will never use.
One of the main reasons a fully modular power supply is useful is that it allows the user to choose custom wire colors for their enclosure. Obviously, this provides an extra degree of customization that a gamer would probably want to take advantage of. Of course, it's not just about the color of the wires, but also being able to choose the length of the wires.
Ultimately, each type of feed has its advantages and disadvantages. It will depend on the context and the user profile. Generally speaking, most PC users will want to use non-modular power supplies, especially those who want to prioritize cost efficiency and don't really care about aesthetics.
You should always aim for a power supply with higher efficiency and fully modular models will be able to guarantee this, especially if you're setting up a PC for gaming. That being said, the extra money spent on a fully modular power supply guarantees a model that is made with better quality materials, better cable management options, and that benefits from easier troubleshooting in case of problems.
More power is not always better
Many PC users, including hardcore gamers, assume that the higher the total power, the better the performance of the PSU. Although huge 1800W power supplies are useful for running multiple drives and graphics-intensive applications. To find out exactly how much power you need, online power calculators will give you a rough estimate of your daily power consumption
Choose larger power supplies
Although
they can be quite bulky, large gamer PC power supplies are more reliable than lightweight models. Larger PSUs have more advanced internal components and benefit from better cooling management. The fans are also larger, which means they can move more air, make less noise, and keep your PC cool during your intense gaming sessions.
Know your load
You
need to estimate the total power of your load. Don't buy a 1,000W power supply when your load is only 100W. It's a waste of money, and you can't maximize efficiency either. Also, don't buy a power supply with the same power rating as your load. Although by design, there should be no problem because power supply engineers design their product above full load to get a margin. However, you can't maximize the efficiency of your power supply. Power supply efficiency is at its highest at 50-70% load.
Check voltage input and output specifications
Always
choose
a power supply with a wide input range, for example 100-240V. This is very important to avoid anomalies. Consider the input frequency range suitable for your use. If you plan to use a DC input, buy a power supply with a DC input voltage capability (e.g. 127-300 V DC).
Check security certificates
This is
a very important thing to consider. A power supply without a safety certificate can cause fire and electric shock. Safety agencies control creapage and clearance between electrical devices. Improper creepage and clearance can cause arcing that can start a fire.
The best gamer PC power supply depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are the best.
One of the biggest things that confuses new gamers is how many watts they need for the gamer PC they are putting together. In the simplest terms, a gaming PC with a single graphics card will require a power supply ranging from 400 to 650 watts to function properly. But if you're using more than one graphics card in an SLI/CrossFire setup, you'll generally need a power supply that's higher than 650W.
The +12V rail on a power supply is, in many ways, a much better indicator of the type of system the power supply can handle. In fact, the +12V rail on a power supply is responsible for powering your two most power-hungry components, namely the graphics card and the processor.
While a power supply doesn't really have a direct impact on your gaming performance, it is an important component that will determine the quality of the system you can put together. A cheap 400W power supply will limit the type of graphics card you can get, which in turn will limit the gaming performance you get.
There aren't many gamers who will never need to use a power supply with more than 1000W of power. Really, the power supplies in this range are monsters and are best suited for enthusiasts looking to build extreme setups for fun.
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