Computer power supply units (PSUs) are often overlooked when choosing components for building a new PC or upgrading an existing system. But a low-quality PSU is just as likely to cause your PC to crash or behave erratically as buggy drivers or faulty hardware.
Starting with a high-quality PSU helps guarantee a stable and reliable PC, improves energy efficiency, and reduces noise. You should only consider PSUs that satisfy four key criteria: |
1. The PSU must be able to supply its rated wattage consistently and continuously.
Be careful — lower-quality PSUs state a maximum rated power level, but do not guarantee that they will supply that power level continuously. As your computer works harder, it requires more power. And if your power supply doesn’t provide full rated power 100% of the time, your PC’s components may not get what they need.
2. The PSU must offer 80% or greater energy efficiency.
PSUs convert the AC from your wall outlets to the DC power that your computer uses. Energy efficiency refers to how well it converts AC to DC. 80Plus-certified PSUs are guaranteed to perform this conversion with at least 80% energy efficiency. A highly efficient power supply uses less electricity and wastes less energy. This, in turn, generates less heat and requires less cooling, which means that a high-efficiency power supply generates less noise. Which leads to the next important factor in making your decision:
3. The PSU must be quiet.
You want to use your PC to hear music and games, not the hum of a heavy-duty fan. High-quality PSUs use large-diameter fans which can spin at lower RPMs. High-quality PSUs also intelligently control fan speed based on temperature, so they never make more noise than they need to. |
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4. The PSU must support today’s PC components.
If you’re considering a high-performance graphics card with its own power connector, or if you’re adding multiple storage devices, you need to insure that your PSU will be compatible. Make sure the PSU you choose supports the ATX12V standard. This standard sets electrical specifications to ensure compatibility between motherboards, graphics accelerators, and other components.
5. Modular, or non-Modular?
Power supplies can be divided into two groups: modular, and non-modular. This refers to how the power cables are connected to the PSU. Non-modular PSUs have all the power cables hard wired to the PSU. Modular power supplies are packaged with a set of peripheral power cables that are used as needed.
You’ll want a modular power supply if you’re concerned about cable clutter, either for improving airflow or simply because you like the neat, clean look of a system without any extra cabling. The modular cables included with Corsair’s HX series are flat, giving you more flexibility in tucking cables out of sight.
Use our PSU Finder to find the right Corsair power supply for your needs. |
