A short intro to the Best Power Supply Unit For PC Gaming
You may have the best graphics card, the best processor, the most powerful motherboard, and a near-unfathomable amount of RAM. All of those things are obviously important. However, if you aren’t willing to invest in making sure you have the best PSU (power supply unit), none of those PC gaming essentials are going to take you very far. The PSU is often taken for granted. The truth of the matter is that it is the foundation of any worthwhile PC gaming unit. Manufacturers understand this implicitly. To that end, there are a number of different power supply units you can research in greater detail.
We can also help. If you’re new to this subject, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. That is why we have assembled this list of the 3 best power supply unit for PC gaming options currently available to you. If you don’t know where to start, these 3 options can give you some inspiration.
1. Corsair RM850x
Efficiency is the name of the game, when it comes to finding your ideal power supply unit. To that end, the Corsair RM850x is widely considered to be one of the top PSUs in PC gaming. The RM series from Corsair has been a fan favorite for a long time. This is one of the top manufacturers. Any list that doesn’t have at least one entry from Corsair is quite frankly not worth your time.
Features, reliability, and even the terms of the warrant you will receive with purchase. All of these things point to a product that is well worth considering. The more you learn about the RM850x, the easier it will be to appreciate that:
Features
Packing 850 watts of power, this 80+ Gold Certified PSU is one of the most popular currently available. You can also purchase versions in 550 watts, 650 watts, 750 watts, and 1000 watts. The 80+ Gold Certified rating means a few things. It points to a product with very low power consumption. It also means less noise from the device, which is combined nicely with cooler overall temperatures. The RM850x features one of the best ratings in the world. There is a zero-RPM fan mode that produces an almost-completely-silent experience.
Pros: The price is definitely an element to this product that appeals to us. At the same time, we also really love how easy it is to hook up this PSU and get going. This industrial-grade PSU includes modular cables, which means you only have to use what you absolutely need. You will also appreciate the warranty attached to this product. You can trust that you are going to be protected on every possible front. You can count on that warranty to last for a full ten years.
Cons
There aren’t any. The price can strike you as a little high when compared to other options, but this is a very worthwhile investment for those who are serious about the best PSUs for PC gaming.
Pricing: This stunning example of the best power supply unit for PC gaming products retails for $129.98.
Reviews have been very positive for this latest Corsair PSU:
“I’ve had this PSU for a little while now. I really can’t imagine gaming without it.”
“At the end of the day, I’m glad I spent a little extra for this AMAZING unit.”
“Easy to set up, easy to use.”
2. FSP Dagger 500W
If you have a mini-ITX build, this might just be your best bet for a PSU. This is a compact power supply, so it may not be ideal for the more elaborate PC gaming setups. If your own setup matches up to what we are talking about, this is going to be one of the top PSUs to keep in mind. It has an efficiency rating of 80+ Gold, which means you can rely on peak performance across the board.
The important thing to remember is to make sure your PSU matches up to your build. For a mini-ITX sort of thing, a standard PSU can prove to be extremely frustrating for a number of reasons. In the first place, standard units can prove to be too unwieldy/cumbersome.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at everything the FSP Dagger 500W has to offer.
Features: Beyond the 80+ Gold Certification, this Japanese-made PSU offers full modularity. The capacitors are of the best possible quality, as well. The 80mm dual ball-bearing fan works wonders at keeping everything nice and cool. If your system is under a fifty percent load, you shouldn’t hear any noise from this PSU whatsoever. For those looking for a power system that’s VR-ready, the Dagger will accommodate you. Available in 300, 400, 450, 500, and 600-watt variations.
Pros
The economy of this PSU is perhaps the most compelling element to its appeal. Not only is this unit a powerhouse for smaller builds, but it is also one of the most affordable options you are likely to come across. This unit is also one of the best we’ve ever seen at keeping particularly high temperatures from becoming problematic. Setting everything up with the Dagger is a snap, and it has some of the best reviews of any PSU.
Cons
As long as you don’t try to use this PSU for a larger build, you really shouldn’t have any issues. When used correctly, this is one of the best power supply unit for PC gaming options available.
Pricing: The unit currently retails for $89.99
On the review side of things, as we mentioned before, the raves are almost universal:
“I’ve been using this PSU for a little while now, and I couldn’t be happier with it.”
“An incredible performer that BARELY makes even a sound!”
“With this PSU, I’ve been able to provide my build with incredible performance.”
3. NZXT E850 – 850-Watt ATX Gaming Power Supply
Wanting to utilize a digital power supply certainly makes sense in this day and age. To that end, we cannot recommend this product from NZXT highly enough. While digital monitoring power supply options have been around for a little while at this point, they have really started to come into their own during the last couple of years. They now stand as a viable alternative to the more traditional possibilities that are currently available to you.
Whether you are a hardcore gamer, a building enthusiast, or even both of these things, you are going to want to check out this 850-watt powerhouse in greater detail. Also, if 850 watts strikes you as way more than you need, keep in mind there are both 650 and 500-watt units available.
Features
This 80+ Gold Certified PSU comes with software that can installed and utilized with ease. Once the cam software has been installed, you will be able to monitor and track everything related to your performance. If you want to have a clear idea of what your unit is doing for your build at any given moment, this is going to be the product for you. The on-board DSP is also exceptional. If you are powering any loads under 100 watts, you won’t hear a single peep from this unit. The full-modular design is certainly well done, and the unit is protected by a very strong 10-year warranty.
Pros
In terms of both durability and efficiency, it doesn’t get much better than this PSU. While the real-time tracking and monitoring features are not for everyone, those looking for such things will find the E850 to be fantastic. Setting everything up, including running the software, couldn’t be more straightforward. We like the ease-of-us and reliability of this product, as well. You can learn more about temperatures, power, voltage, and even the speed of the fan. There are also a number of options for those who want a specific number of watts.
Cons
There really aren’t any.
Pricing: The unit currently retails for $164.99.
The reviews for this product have been uniformly positive:
“I really like being able to keep track of my power consumption. This PSU is also really powerful and efficient.”
“The software was really easy to use!”
“This was my first PSU. I’m really glad I found such an excellent performer the first time around. I’ve really come to rely on its tracking.”
Conclusion
The best power supply unit for PC gaming is ultimately in the eye of the beholder. Having said that, we really don’t think you can go wrong with the options mentioned above. If you are concerned about the Dagger being enough to handle your build, don’t be afraid to ask an expert. You will also want to make sure you follow all instructions related to the PSU you have ultimately chosen.
There are quite a few power supply units for PC gamers out there. Try to focus your search on something that has been built with PC gamers in mind. There are a number of power supply units which are not, and this can sometimes create problems.
Still, if you need to start somewhere in your search, the three above are perfect.