Take me to PSU recommendations.
What is a PSU and why is it important?
We’ll have to introduce you to our PSU buyer! If you meet anyone who's passionate about buying a
product then it's him – and his favourite subject is the Power Supply Unit (PSU).
His rational is that it's the heart of your PCs electrical system, its under-rated, under-valued, and needs
more love. So this guide and the products we’re recommending hopefully address that, and while it
doesn’t affect performance directly, it’s fair to say that a good PSU is crucial for stability and
longevity. Here’s why:
- Power Conversion: The PSU converts the AC (alternating current) from your
wall socket into DC (direct current) that your PC components need. It provides several
voltages—12V, 5V, and 3.3V—to power the CPU,
GPU, storage, and other parts.
- System Stability: A bad PSU can cause random crashes,
freezes, or shutdowns—issues that might seem unrelated to power.
Inconsistent or low-quality power delivery can result in long-term instability.
- Component Protection: The PSU also helps prevent power surges from
damaging sensitive components. Reliable power delivery is key to keeping your system safe.
In short, our buyer is right—the PSU is a vital but often overlooked component that
ensures your system runs smoothly and reliably – and now's the time to upgrade – see offers
below.
What to consider when choosing a PSU
When selecting a PSU, there are several critical factors to consider to ensure you're getting the right one
for your build.
Key factors to consider:
- Wattage: The PSUs power rating, measured in Watts (W), is crucial. It
determines how much power the PSU can provide to your system.
- High-end systems with powerful GPUs (e.g., RTX 3080/4090) might need
750W-1000W PSUs, while a basic office PC might need just
300W-400W.
- Efficiency: PSUs are rated for efficiency (e.g., 80 Plus Bronze, Silver, Gold,
Platinum). Higher efficiency means less wasted power and heat, leading to:
- Lower electricity bills
- Quieter operation (because the PSU fan works less)
- Longer lifespan for the PSU.
- Voltage Rails: The 12V rail is most important, as it powers the GPU and
CPU. Ensure your PSU has enough capacity on this rail to handle your system’s load.
- Form Factor and Connectors: Ensure compatibility with your case (e.g., ATX,
SFX sizes) and that it has the necessary connectors for your components, such as 8-pin
PCIe for GPUs, 4+4-pin CPU, and SATA power for storage.
How to future-proof your PSU purchase
A PSU is a long-term investment in your system’s stability. Choosing one that can handle future upgrades
and provide flexibility is essential. Here’s how to future-proof your PSU:
- Wattage Headroom: Opt for a PSU with extra wattage. Aim for around
20%-30% more than your current needs. This headroom can accommodate future GPU or CPU
upgrades without stressing the PSU.
- For example, if you need 600W today, a 750W PSU might be a better
choice for future-proofing.
- Efficiency: Buy a PSU with at least 80 Plus Gold certification for better
efficiency. This ensures less energy loss and better long-term savings on electricity.
- Modular Design: Consider a fully modular PSU. It allows you to use only
the cables you need, helping with cable management, airflow, and keeping the build clean. This is especially
important for larger cases and custom PC builds.
- Upgrade Potential: If you're planning to upgrade your GPU to something more
power-hungry (like a RTX 4090), ensure your PSU has the necessary PCIe
connectors and sufficient power on the 12V rail to handle the load.
Summary
When choosing a PSU, think of it as the backbone of your system—critical for performance, stability, and
long-term reliability. Take the time to select the right wattage, efficiency rating, and modularity to not only
meet your current needs but also accommodate future upgrades. By investing in a quality PSU now, you ensure a
stable and efficient system for years to come.
Our PSU Recommendations
Essential power supply units
Not every PC needs a top of the range PSU, and for a lot of people an entry-level PSU will deliver the reliable
offering that they need. These PSUs won’t break the bank and are ideal for entry and mid-range gaming
machines as well as office or work stations.
Gigabyte P650SS 650W 80+ Bronze
Fair to say that this is one of the best pound for pound deals out there. Gigabyte are bringing the
value here, a top notch brand bringing the ideal entry level upgrade.
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Cooler Master MWE v2 650W 80+ Bronze
Premium brand for those who truly wish to stick to the mantra of “don’t skimp on
PSU”. Save up to 10% on energy use compared to a typical 80+ white PSU.
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Now
Gigabyte P650G 650W 80+ Gold
This is an amazing value PSU for those with low to mid end gaming PCs and for most office specs. If
you're looking for a real bargain at this end of the market this is the one for you.
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Cooler Master MWE V2 750W 80+ Bronze
A little step up from the last 3 PSUs as this Cooler Master adds an extra 100w. This means that
it's great for higher end specifications whilst remaining on a budget. The extra headroom can
also push the normal operating wattage into a better efficiency band: so you could offset the extra
cost with energy saving.
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Now
High end PSUs
These PSUs will offer a great mix of power and efficiency for the majority of mid to high range gaming PCs and
mid range workstations. In addition you'll find that these units offer great quality, solid warranties,
headroom for futureproofing and usually some energy savings.
Corsair RM850e 850W 80+ Gold
Corsair is the most popular brand for power supplies at market leading prices. ATX 3.0 compatible out
of the box, so great for the latest gaming hardware.
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Corsair RM1000e 1000W 80+ Gold
Fully modular, low noise and steady power for your system. Five universal 8 pin connectors will help
you satisfy all the powers needs of modern motherboards and GPUs.
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ASUS ROG Strix Aura Gold Edition 1200W 80+ Gold
This Asus ROG Strix combines premium components, superior ccoling and captivating RGB. Its in a
premium finish and a powerhouse at an amazing price.
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Now
