TechJunkie Expert Recommendations
TechJunkie is supported by our readers. When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Read More.
When it comes to building or owning a PC, most users will think that the most important parts are the CPU, GPU, or motherboard. In reality, however, the most important part of a PC is its PSU or the power supply unit. While plugging your PC directly into your outlet is possible, it’s in no way recommended by PC experts as it can damage your entire rig.
A PSU basically delivers all of the power your PC needs in the most efficient and safest way possible. PSUs come in all shapes and sizes, with some coming with extra features to help get you the most out of your purchase. If you want to know which ones are the best, then here are the best PSUs for PCs out there right now.
Corsair is one of the biggest brands when it comes to gaming parts. Aside from coolers, keyboards, mice, and other notable products, it offers PSUs. That said, the best PSU they have is the Corsair CX450.
This budget-friendly PSU from Corsair is made with the help of two esteemed manufacturers – Great Wall and Channel Well Technology. Each of the manufacturers offers its own technologies to the platform. While the makers bring their own technology, the two versions of the CX450 are rather similar. One way to tell them apart is by checking out the RPS numbers given to both of them. Both models come with their own respective LLC converters, voltage regulation modules, as well as two high-quality fans.
Low priceComes with a variety of protection featuresRifle-bearing fan
Only one PCIe connector
XPG is one of the prominent names in the market. They have made a ton of amazing PSUs over the last couple of years, but they really set the bar with the Core Reactor line of PSUs.
The XPG Core Reactor 650W is the best 650-watt PSU right now, and that’s saying a lot considering that there are a lot of competitors in the field. The XPG Core Reactor 650W uses a high-end CWT platform, and it’s the smallest member of the acclaimed line of PSUs. It’s able to stand up against the similarly competitive Corsair RM650X and the Asus ROG Strix 650 as well, and that’s impressive as these two PSUs are very popular right now.
The only PSU in the 650-watt line that can keep up with this is the EVGA SuperNOVA 650 G3 which is now outdated and replaced by the G5. It’s worth noting that the G5 isn’t well-received right now. The XPG Core Reactor 650W features an impressive number of cables and connectors which is more than perfect considering just how powerful the PSU really is, so you can take full advantage of it.
The cable length of the XPG Core Reactor 650W is very satisfactory. It’s a simple matter to make the cable even longer, and you won’t have to worry about load regulation at all. This smart design allows you to set your PSU away from your PC for safety purposes. Of course, this means that the PSU can be used for a wider variety of purposes as well. It’s amazing how well it holds even when the cable is extended for a longer line.
The XPG Core Reactor 650W might be expensive, but that price is more than worth it. The end result is an amazing PSU that will get you everything you need in a small and compact package.
Comes with a lot of portsBest 650-watt PSUHigh power and efficient
Two EPS in one cable
You’re probably familiar with Cooler Master and its amazing line of coolers for PCs. Don’t let those coolers distract you from the fact that the brand does have a few amazing PSUs as well. For that, we’d like to introduce the Cooler Master V750 Gold V2.
The Cooler Master V750 Gold V2 is a top-performing power supply that delivers a whopping 750 watts of power, making it the best in the line right now. It’s able to outperform other top names, such as the Corsair RM750x and the EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G6 as well. What’s even better is the fact that the Cooler Master V750 Gold V2 can be very quiet despite delivering such a staggering amount of power to your PC. This might be because of the PSU’s superb cooling, which uses a fluid dynamic bearing fan with a relaxed speed profile.
The Cooler Master V750 Gold V2 also uses a fully modular cable design and compact build that makes it perfect for those that want to keep their PC rigs neat and tidy. Most of the PSUs that deliver power at this level are large; however, Cooler Master ensures that they aren’t compromising size and noise just to deliver better power.
The Cooler Master V750 Gold V2 comes with two EPS and four PCIe ports which are enough for a 750W power supply. You’ll also notice that there isn’t an FDD adapter involved, but luckily, you don’t actually need that for the Cooler Master V750 Gold V2. There are a few problems regarding the reach of the Cooler Master V750 Gold V2, which might force you to keep your devices close.
The Cooler Master V750 Gold V2 is a superb 750-watt PSU that delivers on many aspects. Hopefully, you’ll be able to snag one of these soon.
Proper protection featuresFully modularCompatible with alternative sleep mode
Small distance between connectors
Looking for even more power? A high-quality PSU is needed for high-end gaming PCs, and other PC builds. If that’s the case, the EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G7 has certainly set the bar for quality power supplies.
The EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G7 is able to outperform most other PSUs it competes with. That’s a lot to be had, especially considering that it’s going up against the likes of the Corsair RM850x, which in itself is a highly formidable PSU. It’s not a perfect PSU, of course, but the EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G7 comes with a lot of caveats that make its premium pricing more than worth it for those looking for high power.
One of the best assets of the EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G7 is its compact form. It’s tough finding an 850-watt PSU that is as small or smaller than the EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G7 but is also efficient. Despite its small size, the PSU is able to deliver power at very efficient levels. The size is perfect for those that want to properly organize their entire rig in a nice and neat manner as well.
Superb built qualityTop performance at 850w
High inrush currents
When it comes to gaming products, one name that you can certainly rely on is MSI. Building a high-end gaming PC is expensive, but if you want to make sure that it’s getting the right power, you’ll need the MSI MEG Ai1000P PCIe 5.
The MSI MEG Ai1000P PCIe 5 achieves top performance, which isn’t surprising for a gaming brand like MSI. The device uses an ATX 3.0 form-factor and PCIe 5.0, which ups the bar for other PSUs that it competes with. In return, you’re getting one of the best high-performance PSUs out there. In our opinion, the MSI MEG Ai1000P PCIe 5 is the best PSU you can get for a high-end gaming rig right now, but that’s if you can overlook the more than hefty price.
The MSI MEG Ai1000P PCIe 5 is compatible with the latest sockets and ports that you need. On top of all this, the entire rig is encased in a very stylish frame that looks and feels premium. We suppose that the case is just right, considering the $300+ price tag of the device. As this is MSI we’re talking about, it’s expected that the PSU is at its best when it works with other MSI parts, so you may want to keep that in mind as well.
The device features a semi-digital platform that’s provided by Channel Well Technology. This means that the PSU is compatible with the MSI Gaming Intelligence application, which you can use to adjust several settings. Those include the fan’s speed and even toggle the single +12V mode. The device can also monitor the PSU’s vital functions, as well as its power delivery, which is more than impressive, to say the least.
While pricey, the MSI MEG Ai1000P PCIe 5 definitely packs a mean punch. It has everything that you’ll need for your gaming PC, so it’s worth the splurge.
Best for high-end gaming PCsPremium quality buildHigh performance
Very expensive
Last but not least, we have another amazing PSU from the experts over at Corsair. While the CX450 is reserved for budget buyers, the CX550F is best for those who are looking for a middle-priced PSU.
The Corsair CX550F is one of the best mid-level PSUs right now. It even includes RGB lighting, which doesn’t affect performance in any way, but it does work well if you’re looking for a device that will help bring the aesthetics of your rig to new levels. The developers worked with HEC to create this line, and you’re getting a modern platform that includes a quality fan. The production cost of the Corsair CX550F has increased, so it’s a bit pricier, especially when compared to its predecessors. Worry not, though, as the price increase is definitely worth it.
Aside from the crisp aesthetics, the Corsair CX550F also offers amazing performance. It’s even quiet by PSU standards. Not a lot of people appreciate RGB, especially when it comes to devices like their PSU, but there are still a lot of people that will enjoy this extra addition. The Corsair CX550F is the lowest capacity of its family line. Building a mid-ranged CPU with this being used as the power supply is a smart choice, as it does a lot of great things for a device of its price. One thing worth noting, however, is that the Corsair CX550F is a bit pricier compared to its competitors.
The Corsair CX550F might not be as powerful as other items on this list, but building a mid-tier PC has never been easier because of this. Finding the right rig to support this PSU is easy, considering that there are a lot of affordable mid-range parts on the market.
Very efficientReliable platformFully modular
Loose load regulation
314 Articles Published
We're not just tech junkies, but we're also tech experts. Each and every "Best of.." list on TechJunkie is curated by our content-area subject matter experts to provide a well-rounded, unbiased perspective to help and inform you, our reader. Our lists are constantly reviewed and updated, so you can be sure you're reading relevant and up to date information.
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
If you don’t see an app that should be here, let us know what it is
