Picking the right power supply for your gaming PC is critical and yet often overlooked. It’s a complex task and one that should not be taken lightly. There’s a lot more to it than just getting the biggest power supply your budget can stretch to. To make sure you get the right one for your system, you’ll need to understand some of the basics and that’s what this article is here to help you with.
The first step is to calculate your power requirements. This can be done in two ways; either measure your total system power draw or use a PSU calculator. The former requires physically measuring each component in the system and noting their power consumption and then adding them together. The latter requires finding a reputable PSU calculator on the internet, entering your component data into it and then having it spit out the required wattage.
Once you’ve determined your total system power consumption, your next step is to research available PSUs. Here you’ll want to look at specifications like wattage, modularity, efficiency rating, connectors, noise levels and sometimes extra features like digital monitoring. Establish a shortlist of products that meet your requirements, with brands like Corsair, EVGA, Coolermaster and SeaSonic being popular.
After that comes the price. It’s important to identify what your budget is and stick to it when selecting the power supply. This is one component where it’s worth shopping around rather than just selecting the lowest price on offer. Good quality PSUs with high wattage outputs can be expensive so you may find it necessary to adjust your shortlist towards budget PSUs with lower wattage ratings.
Finally, there’s the form factor to consider. This determines the size of the PSU and the number of connectors available. Fortunately, most gaming systems will make do with the most common form factor; ATX. If your case is a slimline version you may have to look for a SFX-L PSU.
Installation
When it comes to installing the power supply, it’s important to do it correctly. That means firmly mounting it in the mounting brackets of your case and using the screws supplied with the PSU to fix it in place. Likewise, pay attention to the connectors and make sure the right ones are plugged into the right components.
The power cables need to be connected to a power outlet at the same time to provide the PSU with a connection to the mains. Some PSUs come with cable management tools that can assist in keeping cables from getting tangled or obstructing airflow.
Safety First
As a safety precaution, always check for damages to the power supply before attempting to install it. If it appears to have abnormally bent pins, physical damage or missing parts, you should not install it and should instead return it for a replacement.
Likewise, make sure the power supply is compatible with the voltage of your local electricity grid. This is important because using the wrong voltage could cause damage to the PSU and other components in your PC. This is especially true if you’re building a gaming PC in a country that isn’t your own.
Post-Installation Checking
Once the power supply is all connected up, it’s a good idea to check that it’s running correctly. Preferably, the system should be powered up and the monitoring software, if it has any, should be loaded. This will provide an insight into how much power the system is drawing compared to the PSU’s rated wattage and should give you an indication of how well the PSU is performing.
If the software does not print out any statistics and your system doesn’t experience any instability, the PSU is safe to use; but it’s still advisable to double-check your manual for the list of rated wattage each of the 5Vs and 12Vs can handle.
These are the steps that you should take in order to pick the right power supply for your gaming PC. It’s a complex task and one that should not be taken lightly, but if you take the proper precautions you’ll be able to pick a power supply that’s both reliable and will last you for many years.
Calculating Power Requirements
The most important step in the process is to calculate the power requirements of your system. This can be done in two ways; either measure each component in the system and note its power consumption then add them all together, or alternatively use an online PSU calculator. The latter is the easier option but you must make sure to use a reputable calculator as inaccurate results can lead to misunderstandings.
You must also take into account any peripherals or components that you either already have or plan to add in the future. The best way to calculate future power requirements is to look at each component and check their power ratings, then estimate usage and other factors to get a rough idea of the total system wattage.
Selecting A PSU
After calculating your system’s power requirement, you’ll then need to select a PSU. This involves looking at the specifications such as wattage, modularity, efficiency rating, connectors, noise levels and features that come with the power supply.
After narrowing down the selection to products that meet your requirements, this is when you should consider the price. It’s important not to sacrifice quality for price; however, good quality PSUs with high wattage outputs can be expensive and you may need to adjust your expectations accordingly.
Finally, the form factor is a key consideration. The most common form factor is ATX and most gaming systems will make do with this. If however, your case is slimline, then you’ll need to look for a SFX-L PSU.
Installation Guidelines
Once you’ve decided on a PSU, you’ll then need to install it in the mounting brackets of your case. Make sure to use the screws supplied with the PSU to fix it in place, and that all cabling is properly connected. To ensure safety, always check for damages to the power supply before installing it.
With the power cables connected to a power outlet, you can test the PSU for any possible errors and issues. If your PSU comes with digital monitoring software, it should be loaded in order to get a better insight into how the system is consuming power and if it’s performing as expected.
Safety Precautions
It is worth noting that when installing a PSU, safety should always be your first priority. Checking for damages and compatibility with your local voltage are two essential steps that should not be neglected. Ensure that the rated wattage for each of the 5Vs and 12Vs does not exceed the power rated available.
Likewise, make sure to use the right connection and avoid construction of your own cables as a method of power extension. This can result in reduced quality and you may unknowingly underspecify important cables and connectors, leading to possible damage to components.
Post-Installation Checks
After installation, you should check that the PSU is running correctly. To do so, power up the system and either use the digital monitoring software, if available, or monitor the system manually. If there are any anomalies, replace the PSU with a new one.
For optimal performance, the system should be checked for any errors or issues before and after each major upgrade. This will help to identify if there is any abnormal power draw and if the PSU is sufficient for the system.
In summary, picking the right power supply for a gaming PC requires doing some research and understanding how the system works. Calculating required wattage and researching available PSUs are essential steps in the process. Safety is paramount, so always double check for damages, compatibility with local voltage, and any errors or issues once the PSU has been installed.
