Digital Trends
A PSU, or a power supply unit, is a more important aspect of your PC than you might think. If you’re buying one of the best graphics cards, or are or are looking to try some overclocking, you’ll need a power supply that has a high wattage and high-end components, but you can get a great power supply without all the bells and whistles, too.
Our favorite power supply is the Corsair RM850x, as it’s all the power you need to run the most high-end PCs, with top-tier components. But whatever your budget or needs, here are the best power supplies you can buy.
Corsair
Corsair RM850X 850w
The best all-round power supply
Pros
- Plenty of power for the most high-end components
- Runs cool and quietly
- Modular design lets you use only the cables you need
- Attractive style
Cons
- Lacks the power for heavy overclocking top GPUs
Why you should buy this: It’s all the power supply almost anyone could need.
Who’s it for: Gamers and system builders using high-end components.
Why we picked the Corsair RM850X:
The Corsair RM850X is a great all-around power supply, with quality components, a quiet fan, and excellent build quality. It’s fully modular, so you can make do with just the cables you need, helping to reduce cable mess inside your case. It supports six PCI-Express 6/8pin connectors, so there are plenty for the most high-end of graphics cards. There is no native support for the new 16-pin Nvidia power connector for its RTX 40-series cards, but you can use the adapter just fine.
This model is available in other wattage capacities, including 1,000W if you wanted to use it for powering top-tier cards like an RTX 4090, but you can run that with an 850W PSU without difficulty.
This PSU is made with 100% Japanese capacitors, rated to hit up to 105 degrees without difficulty, so stability is all but guaranteed. It’s also 80 Plus Gold certified, so runs very efficiently to help keep energy bills low.
Corsair RM850X 850w
The best all-round power supply
FSP
FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W
Best midrange PSU
Pros
- Supports ATX 3.0 and PCIE 5.0
- 1000W capacity is plenty for any hardware
- Excellent modularity
- Gold efficiency
- Long 10-year warranty
Cons
- Not as efficient as top models
Why you should buy this: It’s a powerful midrange PSU at an affordable price.
Who’s it for: Those wanting to spend less than $150 on a capable PSU.
Why we picked the FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W:
This is a stable, capable, and powerful PSU that’s more than enough for almost any gaming or enthusiast PC, despite its relatively affordable price tag. With 1,000W, there’s almost no hardware that this PSU can’t run, and it has native support for the latest standards for graphics cards and motherboards.
It has 80+ Gold efficiency, which is good enough for most users, and though it isn’t quiet as efficiency as Platinum or Titanium, which means the build quality won’t be quiet as good, but this is still a high-quality unit at a very affordable price.
It’s fully modular, helping to keep cable mess down, and it has semi-passive modes to help keep noise levels down when it’s not doing much.
FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W
Best midrange PSU
EVGA
EVGA 550 BP
Best budget power supply
Pros
- Modest wattage is more than enough for most PCs
- Affordable price
- Great build quality
- Stable PSU rails
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Lacks high wattage for top-tier components
- Not as efficient as more expensive models
Why you should buy this: It’s an affordable power supply for entry-level PCs.
Who’s it for: Anyone wanting a cheap power supply that will still keep your components safe.
Why we picked the EVGA 550 BP:
The PSU we recommend in most of our budget gaming system builds is the EVGA 550 BP. It isn’t a trendsetter or showstopper, but it is a stable and safe power supply. At this kind of price, that’s exactly what you need. Its 550W capacity is more than enough for most PCs, outside of those with top-tier graphics cards, and it’s a quiet and well-built PSU, with a capable 120mm fan, and all of the typical voltage protections to ensure your components remain safe
Despite the relatively low cost, you still get a three-year warranty and 80+ Bronze certification for reasonable efficiency. Compatible with all modern CPUs and motherboards, the EVGA 550 BP has the cabling to power dual PCIe 6/8-pin graphics cards, and a great number of SATA drives. It’s not modular, so you’ll need to tuck away the spare cables, but most ATX cases have plenty of space for that.
You can go cheaper than this, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Those power supplies tend to not be as stable, nor offer the kind of protection of units like this one.
EVGA 550 BP
Best budget power supply
Thermaltake
Thermaltake Touchpower GF3 1350W
Best PSU for top graphics cards
Pros
- 80 Plus Gold certified efficiency
- ATX 3.0 certified with 16-pin VGA power connector
- Modular design lets you use the cables you want
Cons
- Expensive
- Lacks top-tier efficiency rating
Why you should buy this: It’s a powerful, stable power supply with support for the new ATX 3.0 standard.
Who’s it for: Gamers and enthusiasts building a PC with a modern, flagship graphics card.
Why we picked the Thermaltake Toughpower GF3:
The Thermaltake ToughPower GF3 is the perfect power supply for those running high-end RX 7000 or RTX 40-series graphics cards,. It has all the power they need to run, and then some — so there’s room for overclocking or running other high-end components. It also has all the connections you could need, including multiple traditional 6-pin and 8-pin PCI-Express power, as well as a single Nvidia 16-pin power connector. That means there’s no need to use those nefarious adapters with this power supply.
It’s 80 Plus Gold certified, so runs efficiently, but it’s not quite as efficient as the very top models, so try to keep it in the sweet spot range of between 50 and 80% load if you want it to run at its best. It’s entirely modular, so you only have to use the cables that you need, and it runs cool and quiet, so you’ll never hear it, even if it’s working hard.
It’s on the expensive side, but this is a power supply that will last you a decade or more, so it’s a worthy investment.
Thermaltake Touchpower GF3 1350W
Best PSU for top graphics cards
be quiet!
Be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000Q
Best high-end PSU
Pros
- High wattage for high-end hardware
- Native support for PCIe 5.0
- Smart modular design
- Quiet operation
- Titanium efficiency
Cons
- Expensive
- Overkill for most
Why you should buy this: It’s a top-tier PSU with all the most important features, at a fair price.
Who’s it for: Anyone who wants a top-tier PSU without costing the Earth.
Why we picked the be quiet! Dark Power 13:
Be quiet! is a sterling brand in the power supply space, so it’s no surprise to see one of its top models on our list. This Dark Power 13 has stellar reviews everywhere you look, a massive capacity so it can handle even the most powerful of graphics cards and CPUs, and it’s loaded with native support for all the latest standards. That includes a 600W PCIe 5.0 power cable, and multi-CPU plugs for the top motherboards.
It’s entirely modular, too, so you can chop and change whatever cables you need and reduce overall cable clutter. The Titanium efficiency is as good as it comes, too, so you can guarantee you aren’t wasting power when you’re running your high-end gaming system.
Any concerns? Be quiet! has you covered with a 10-year warranty for complete peace of mind.
Be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000Q
Best high-end PSU
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Asus ROG Thor 1000W
The most efficienct top-tier power supply
Pros
- High wattage
- Cool-looking OLED display
- Platinum efficiency
- ATX 3.0 certified
Cons
- Expensive
- More than most need
Why you should buy this: It’s an awesome-looking PSU with support and power for anything.
Who’s it for: Enthusiasts who want a unique-looking PSU with fancy features.
Why we picked the Asus ROG Thor 1000W:
The Asus ROG Thor is a PSU that’s overengineered in almost every way, and we love it for it. It has a 1000W capacity, giving it enough power for any gaming PC – even one equipped with an RTX 4090 and Intel Core i9-13900K. It has an OLED panel built into the side, which looks very cool, even if it’s largely just for cool animations and keeping track of usage. The RGB lighting looks nice too, making this one of the best-looking power supplies.
It’s also incredibly efficient, with an 80 Plus Platinum rating ensuring that you waste as little power with this PSU as possible; even at very low loads. It’s entirely modular, so you can use the cables you need and nothing more, and it is ATX 3.0 certified, so it has a PCIe Gen 5.0 12-pin power cable for some of the most powerful GPUs you can buy.
Asus ROG Thor 1000W
The most efficienct top-tier power supply
Image used with permission by copyright holder
EVGA Supernova 850GM
Best small form-factor PSU
Pros
- Compact SFX form-factor
- High wattage
- Excellent efficiency
- Impressive build quality
- Handy accessories
Cons
- No benefit to compact design in larger PCs
- More expensive than contemporaries at this wattage
Why you should buy this: It’s a powerful PSU in the SFX size.
Who’s it for: Anyone building a powerful, compact PC.
Why we picked the EVGA SuperNova 850GM:
Most power supplies use the ATX form factor, but SFX offers system-builders the chance to have a powerful PSU in a much more compact size. The SFX form factor is shorter and shallower than your average PSU, making it a great fit for compact PCs. And yet, it still delivers up to 850W of power, and it’s 80 Plus Gold efficient, so it won’t even waste too much energy.
It’s a modular design, so you can choose the cables you use, and it has a quiet and effective fan, helping to keep the high-quality capacitors cool. It also comes with useful extras like a custom backing plate to help fit it to your case, and a 24-pin jumper for helping to test the PSU or any attached accessories and components.
EVGA Supernova 850GM
Best small form-factor PSU
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gold or Titanium efficiency matter?
For efficiency and money saving, the difference isn’t too dramatic. A Titanium PSU will save you money over time, but whether it will make up the price difference between two units is harder to say. What a Titanium unit will be, though, is higher quality. They have to be made to a higher standard, so their components tend to be better. You’re more likely to find higher-temperature thresholds, which can mean passive operation for quieter use.
You don’t need a higher-efficiency, but it can be worth paying for if you want a higher-quality PSU.
What wattage PSU should I buy?
This depends on the components you’re using, and you are best adding it up yourself to be sure. However, for a quick guide:
- 550W — For entry-level PCs using onboard graphics, this is plenty.
- 650W — For basic gaming PCs with older or lower-power graphics cards.
- 850W — High-end gaming PCs and powerful workstations need additional power from units like these.
- 1000W+ — Top-tier gaming PCs with the most powerful graphics cards, or anyone doing demanding overclocking.
If you want some more advice on power supplies for the latest graphics cards, check out our guide to the best PSUs for the RTX 4090 and 4080.