Briefly about dimensions, 80 Plus certificate, power and other characteristics that you need to consider when choosing a power supply
You should not save on the power supply unit – if it fails, your other components will also suffer. But we also do not recommend buying the most expensive model blindly – this way you will throw your money down the drain.
First of all, pay attention to the dimensions. We are interested in ATX power supplies (PSUs) that are suitable for Midi Tower gaming cases. They have standardized height and width (86×150 mm), but the length varies (some models exceed 200 mm). They usually come with a 120mm fan. The PSU has a more powerful 140-mm turntable.
Speaking of power, how do you know how much power your system is using? This can be done in two ways. Use a wattmeter (the device will act as a kind of link between the PC and the outlet) – you will see the indicators in real time. The more components in the computer, the higher the consumption. There is a simpler and inexpensive way: drive the accessories into an online calculator, for example from be quiet! or Seasonic . Add 100 watts to the result. Power supply units need to be bought with a margin, including with the expectation of a subsequent PC upgrade.
600W of power is enough for a system that allows you to play modern games at maximum settings in Full HD and WQHD (2560×1440). Look not only at the nominal value, but also at the power on the 12 V line, which accounts for the main power consumption. Let’s say that the Aerocool VX Plus 500W has a rated power of 500 W, and the power on the 12V line that powers the video card and processor is 456 W.
Another important point is the efficiency of the PSU. It is confirmed by the 80 Plus certificate, and it has different levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium. The efficiency of the power supply unit marked with the 80 Plus icon remains at least 80% under different loads.
The 80 Plus Gold badge adorns the box of the Corsair RM 750x alongside the warranty and power
Cables are usually neatly listed on the manufacturer’s website and in the online store: for the motherboard, processor, video card, drives, etc. They can be removed completely, partially, or not at all. PSU with detachable cables is called modular. Such solutions are more expensive. However, they are more convenient, as they allow you to more economically use the space in the case.
Here is a set of connectors and cables for be quiet! System Power 9 600W
Keep in mind that even well-known companies like Thermaltake and Cooler Master often use “stuffing” from different manufacturers in the power supply unit. Information on a specific model should always be double-checked – for example, read reviews on specialized sites.
To summarize: when choosing a power supply, consider its power, energy efficiency and price. It is desirable that it be quiet and protected against overheating, overload and other abnormal situations.
