How to select power supply for PC? PCs are extremely demanding and can run on an assortment of power supplies. A power supply is the part of a computer that converts electricity from the wall outlet into a form that is usable by the components. A modern PC uses not only standard voltages, but also many different voltages for components like graphics cards, hard drives, CPUs, etc. It is important to understand what these components require and how to select them for maximum performance. In this blog, we also have an article about practical power supply home office host enclosure that you might want to read about it.

A power supply unit converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer. Modern personal computers universally use switched-mode power supplies.

Wikipedia.org

What is power supply

Power supply is a device that provides electricity to the system. PC requires an adapter, which converts the power supplied by the mains into electrical current required by the PC. The adapter also protects against voltage spikes, surges and other electrical disturbances that may damage or corrupt the data on your hard drive. A standard adapter has two connectors — one for AC mains and another for computer power . It is not mandatory to use power adapters for all devices, but they are generally recommended for laptops, desktop computers, tablets, smartphones, game controllers and even some small electronic toys.

A power supply is the hardware component that provides electricity to power computers and other devices.”

Vangie Beal, author from webopedia.com

How To Select Power Supply For Pc

The Vitality Of Wattage

If there is one guiding principle to follow when selecting the correct power supply, it is to ensure that the PSU fulfills the wattage needs of your graphics card, CPU, and other components.

To simplify, each component in a computer needs a certain quantity of electricity from the power source in order to operate properly. If a computer is underpowered, it may not function properly or may even fail to start at all.

The GPU and CPU are often the most power-hungry components, and as such will be the two primary considerations to consider when selecting the proper power supply.

Fortunately, when it comes to graphics cards and CPUs, manufacturers usually offer a reasonable estimate of the component’s thermal design power (TDP) or maximum power consumption.

While the CPU and GPU will use the most of the power, other components will consume some as well.

Introducing the 80PLUS Rating System

In an era of approaching climate calamity and growing energy bills, you may save money by spending a little more for a more efficient power source than a cheaper competition. This is exactly how the 80PLUS certification system assesses PSUs.

Though certification is optional, it demonstrates how well a power supply transfers electricity from a conventional wall socket to the lower voltage needed by internal components. In essence, it boils down to how much energy is squandered during conversion, which is measured by the amount of heat produced by the PSU.

The certification is only available for power supply units that waste less than 20% of their energy, thus the name 80PLUS certification. The majority of power supply units are marked with a rating based on a sliding scale of well-known precious metals.

The categorization system begins with 80PLUS and progresses through bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and titanium. Gold, in general, is the optimum compromise for residential users. Platinum and titanium components are often reserved for PCs that are always under demand, such as servers and workstations.

Recognize Rails

If you’ve been looking for a power supply, you’ve almost certainly come across the term ‘+12V rails’ or anything similar on the spec sheet of a power supply. Apart from having an obtuse name, this characteristic regulates the number of rails that provide electricity to various components in a computer.

A rail is a printed circuit board route that the device uses to get electricity. A single-rail power supply has – you guessed it – one rail. Power is distributed across numerous tracks in multi-rail systems. Both configurations have their advantages.

Single-rail power supply units provide the whole output of the unit through a single rail to all connected components, ensuring that each component receives sufficient power to operate correctly.

This does, however, put the hardware at danger in the case of a power surge or a malfunction, since a PC may quickly get irreparably damaged under such circumstances.

A multi-rail device, on the other hand, can withstand power surges due to the built-in overcurrent and short current protection systems in each rail. On the other hand, multi-rail systems prevent an equitable distribution of power over each rail. Rather than that, each rail is designated a maximum capacity and is not permitted to exceed this wattage limit.

The feature is not problematic in and of itself as long as power-hungry components such as the GPU are supplied from an appropriate rail. Manufacturers are great at noting the power distribution between the rails on the PSU enclosure or in user manuals.

Connectors with Pins

When select power supply for PC, you’ll want to verify that it has all essential connections. Generally, power supply units come with one of three connections.

The first is a 6-pin cable (75W), the second is an 8-pin cable (150W), and the third is a 6+2-pin cable (150W), which can be linked to either a six- or an eight-pin input through two extra detachable pins.

Typically, graphics cards need a mix of six and eight-pin connectors, or perhaps one of each. This changes according on the power consumption of the GPU and the cooler.

Following that, we must evaluate the connections required by the motherboard to power the CPU and other components. Typically, motherboards contain one of four connection types: 24-pin, 20-pin, 8-pin, or 4-pin.

As with graphics cards, it’s essential to ensure that the power supply has the appropriate connection. The majority of current motherboards, particularly those designed for gaming, use 20 or 24-pin connections.

Modularity

Modularity is becoming an increasingly prominent feature of PSUs, where connection cables may be connected and withdrawn from the unit’s rear depending on the power needs of the PC’s components.

The primary benefit of a modular power supply is that it makes it very simple to reduce cable clutter, since unused wires take up no space within the chassis. This simplifies cable management and may also result in more airflow, which results in improved cooling.

Additionally, the inside of the case will appear nicer. While modular power supplies are somewhat more costly than non-modular power supplies, we believe they are a worthy investment.

Roselyne T.

I’m Roselyn T., a self-proclaimed tech geek on a mission to unravel the wonders of the digital realm. As a dedicated reviewer of computers and laptops, I share my insights and expertise on the latest tech trends and innovations on my blog, workrift.com. With a passion for demystifying the tech landscape, I not only offer in-depth reviews but also provide practical tips to navigate the ever-evolving world of technology. I’m also an author of the book “AP Computer Science A Premium, 2024: 6 Practice Tests + Comprehensive Review + Online Practice (Barron’s AP)” which is sold on Amazon. Join me as we explore the exciting intersection of form and function in the realm of gadgets and gear.