What you need to know when Buying a New Power Supply
Power ratings and wattage
Power ratings are an important factor to consider when choosing a power supply for your PC. The power rating of a power supply indicates the maximum amount of power that it can provide to your PC's components. It's important to choose a power supply that can provide enough power to meet the needs of your system, but not too much power that it goes to waste.
To determine the power requirements of your PC, you'll need to add up the power consumption of all of your components. This includes the processor, graphics card, motherboard, hard drives, and any other peripherals. It's a good idea to leave some headroom for future upgrades or expansion.
Power supplies are typically rated in watts (W). A higher wattage power supply can provide more power to your PC's components, but it will also be more expensive. A power supply that is too weak will not be able to provide enough power to your components, which can cause stability issues or even hardware damage. On the other hand, a power supply that is too powerful will be inefficient and will result in wasted energy and higher electricity bills.
It's a good idea to choose a power supply that is at least 80% efficient, which means that at least 80% of the power it consumes is delivered to your PC's components. Power supplies with higher efficiency ratings, such as Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Titanium, are more expensive but can save you money on your electricity bills in the long run.
Efficiency ratings
Efficiency ratings are a measure of how well a power supply converts the electricity it consumes into power that can be used by your PC's components. Power supplies with high efficiency ratings are able to convert a higher percentage of the electricity they consume into usable power, which results in less wasted energy and lower electricity bills.
Efficiency ratings are typically measured as a percentage and are often displayed as a label on the power supply itself. The most common efficiency ratings are 80 Plus Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium. Power supplies with these ratings have been tested and certified to be at least 80% efficient under a variety of conditions.
For example, an 80 Plus Bronze power supply must be at least 82% efficient at 20% load, 85% efficient at 50% load, and 82% efficient at 100% load. An 80 Plus Silver power supply must be at least 85% efficient at 20% load, 88% efficient at 50% load, and 85% efficient at 100% load. The requirements for 80 Plus Gold, Platinum, and Titanium power supplies are even higher.
Power supplies with higher efficiency ratings tend to be more expensive, but they can save you money on your electricity bills in the long run. They also generate less heat, which can help with cooling and extend the life of your PC's components.
Form factors
The form factor of a power supply refers to its size and shape, as well as the layout of its connectors and cables. It's important to choose a power supply with a form factor that is compatible with your PC case.
The most common form factor for power supplies is ATX, which is the standard for most desktop PCs. ATX power supplies come in various sizes, but the most common is the standard ATX size, which measures 150mm x 86mm x 140mm. There are also smaller versions of the ATX form factor, such as microATX and miniATX, which are used in smaller PC cases.
In addition to the ATX form factor, there are several other form factors that are used in specialized PC cases or for specific purposes. For example, the SFX form factor is used in small form factor (SFF) PC cases, while the EPS form factor is used in server and high-end desktop PCs.
It's important to make sure that the power supply you choose is compatible with the form factor of your PC case. If the power supply is too large, it may not fit in your case. On the other hand, if the power supply is too small, it may not have the necessary connectors or cables for your PC's components.
Modular vs. non-modular power supplies
Modular power supplies and non-modular power supplies are two types of power supplies that differ in the way that their cables are connected.
Modular power supplies have detachable cables that can be connected to the power supply as needed. This allows you to only use the cables that you need, which can help with cable management and airflow in your PC case. Modular power supplies often come with a variety of different connectors for devices such as the motherboard, hard drives, and graphics cards.
The main advantage of modular power supplies is that they offer better cable management and can help improve airflow in your PC case. This can make your PC run cooler and potentially extend the life of your components. Modular power supplies are also easier to install and can make it easier to upgrade or replace components in the future.
The main disadvantage of modular power supplies is that they tend to be more expensive than non-modular power supplies. They also have slightly lower efficiency ratings because the detachable cables can introduce some additional resistance.
Non-modular power supplies, on the other hand, have fixed cables that cannot be removed. This means that you have to use all of the cables that are included with the power supply, even if you don't need them all. Non-modular power supplies can be more difficult to install and can result in cluttered and poorly-managed cables inside your PC case.
The main advantage of non-modular power supplies is that they are generally cheaper than modular power supplies. They are also slightly more efficient because they don't have the additional resistance introduced by detachable cables.
In general, modular power supplies offer better cable management and ease of installation, while non-modular power supplies are cheaper and slightly more efficient. The best choice for you will depend on your budget, the size and layout of your PC case, and your preference for ease of installation and cable management.
Connectors
Power supplies come with a variety of connectors that are used to power different devices inside a PC. The most common connectors are:
- ATX main power connector: This is the main power connector for the motherboard. It consists of a 20-pin or 24-pin connector that supplies power to the motherboard, processor, and other components.
ATX 12V power connector: This is a 4-pin or 8-pin connector that supplies power to the processor. It is separate from the ATX main power connector to provide more stable and reliable power to the processor.
PCI-Express power connectors: These are 6-pin or 8-pin connectors that supply power to graphics cards. They are required for graphics cards that require more power than can be supplied through the motherboard.
SATA power connectors: These are used to power hard drives and solid-state drives. They are smaller than other power connectors and have a distinctive L-shaped design.
Molex connectors: These are used to power older devices such as CD/DVD drives and case fans. They are larger and less common than SATA power connectors.
It's important to choose a power supply that has the right connectors for your PC's components. If you don't have the right connectors, you won't be able to power your devices. Some power supplies come with adapters that allow you to use different connectors, but these can introduce additional resistance and lower efficiency.
Safety Certifications
Power supply safety certifications ensure that power supplies meet certain safety standards and are suitable for use in a PC. It's important to choose a power supply that has been certified by a reputable organization to ensure that it is safe to use.
Some of the most common safety certifications for power supplies include:
UL: UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is a global safety consulting and certification company. Power supplies that are UL-certified have undergone testing to ensure that they meet safety standards and are suitable for use in a PC.
CSA: CSA (Canadian Standards Association) is a Canadian safety certification organization. Power supplies that are CSA-certified have undergone testing to ensure that they meet Canadian safety standards.
TUV: TUV (Technical Inspection Association) is a German safety certification organization. Power supplies that are TUV-certified have undergone testing to ensure that they meet German safety standards.
CE: CE (Conformité Européene) is a safety certification mark that indicates that a product meets the safety, health, and environmental protection requirements of the European Union.
In addition to these certifications, it's also a good idea to choose a power supply from a reputable brand. Reputable brands are more likely to produce high-quality and reliable power supplies that are less likely to fail or cause problems.
Brand reputation
Brand reputation is an important factor to consider when choosing a power supply for your PC. Reputable brands are more likely to produce high-quality and reliable power supplies that are less likely to fail or cause problems.
Some of the most reputable brands for power supplies include:
EVGA: EVGA is a well-known brand that is popular among PC enthusiasts. They offer a wide range of power supplies in various wattages and efficiency ratings.
Seasonic: Seasonic is a Taiwanese company that is known for producing high-quality and reliable power supplies. They offer a wide range of power supplies in various wattages and efficiency ratings.
Corsair: Corsair is a well-known brand that offers a wide range of power supplies in various wattages and efficiency ratings. They are known for producing high-quality and reliable power supplies that are popular among PC enthusiasts.
Thermaltake: Thermaltake is a Taiwanese company that offers a wide range of power supplies in various wattages and efficiency ratings. They are known for producing high-quality and reliable power supplies that are popular among PC enthusiasts.
Antec: Antec is a well-known brand that offers a wide range of power supplies in various wattages and efficiency ratings. They are known for producing high-quality and reliable power supplies that are popular among PC enthusiasts.
In addition to these brands, there are many other reputable brands that offer high-quality power supplies. It's a good idea to research and compare different brands to find the best power supply for your needs.
Price and Warranty
There are many factors that can affect the price of a power supply, including the brand, the quality of the components used, the efficiency rating, and the power output. Some power supplies are designed for budget-conscious users and may not have as many features or as high of a build quality as more expensive units. These budget power supplies may cost less than $50.
Mid-range power supplies, which are generally more reliable and efficient, can cost between $50 and $100. High-end power supplies, which are designed for demanding systems and may have features such as fully modular cables, high efficiency ratings, and quiet operation, can cost upwards of $100 or even $200 or more.
The warranty for a power supply can also vary. Some power supplies come with a one-year warranty, while others offer longer warranties of up to three years or even five years. It's important to read the product specifications carefully to understand the warranty terms and conditions for a particular power supply. Some manufacturers may also offer extended warranties for an additional fee.