Learn About Desktop Power Supplies

What is it?

Also known as PSU (power supply unit). It is responsible for providing power to all computer parts. They come in many shapes and sizes. The following are the most used standard sizes:

• ATX

  Most PC Cases

• SFX-L

  Small PC Cases

• SFX

  Small PC Cases

How does it work?

Power Supplies work by doing the following (over simplified) steps:

1. Receive power from electrical outlet
2. Make sure the electricity is safe for PC parts
3. Provide power for PC parts

Look for

• Safety

  Make sure to get a good quality power supply for your safety and to protect your parts

  It is extremely important to buy your power supply from trusted brands to avoid fires, and damaging expensive components.

• Wattage

  Make sure you get enough Wattage to power all your parts

  Note that modern CPUs and GPUs can boost performance beyond their advertised power consumption. For example, a CPU with 125W TDP can boost to very high frequencies that takes its power consumption to 300W. Make sure your power supply can handle such variations in power requirements.

• Expandability

  Make sure you get enough Wattage for future upgrades

• Compatibility

  Make sure it is compatible with your PC case, Motherboard, CPU, and GPU

• Cable Management

  Check how easy it is to manage your cables and how clean they look

  Some Power Supplies have fully modular cables, which makes it much easier to manage the cables.

• Power Efficiency

  Check the power efficiency rating

  Look for 80 Plus ratings

• Noise Levels

  Make sure the power supply has acceptable noise levels

  This is directly correlated with power consumption and cooling headroom. You need less power consumption and more cooling headroom to reduce noise levels.

• Airflow

  Make sure the airflow is good for sustained performance

Avoid

• No Efficiency Rating

  Avoid power supply with no efficiency ratings

• No name

  Avoid brands with no to little reputation

  It is extremely important to buy your power supply from trusted brands to avoid fires, and damaging expensive components.