Power supplies are one of the most crucial components of your personal computer (PC). They are tasked with delivering optimal power to your components. Wrong power delivery can easily fry your multi-thousand-dollar PC. Thus, choosing your power supply unit (PSU) is a critical job. In this guide, we will help you choose the best power supplies if you are on a tight budget.
1. EVGA SuperNOVA 650 GA 80+ Gold
At the top of our list is EVGA’s SuperNOVA 650 GA 80+ Gold PSU. You can easily find this power supply for $60 online. The SuperNOVA lineup is known for its use of high-quality capacitors, rectifiers, and superior build quality. The PSU is also very reliable when it comes to power delivery at full load.
The SuperNOVA 650 GA also comes with an attractive spec list. It is based on an OEM design from FSP. The PSU boasts 10 years warranty, 100% Japanese capacitors, 80+ Gold efficiency, a 135mm high-quality industry-grade fan with a double-ball bearing, full DC to DC conversion, and more. The power supply is fully modular too, a feature that will help users in keeping cable clutter under control.
EVGA makes some of the best power supplies money can buy. Thus, the SuperNOVA 650 GA is a no-brainer.
Key Specs
Rail | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | +5Vsb | -12V |
Max Output | 20A | 20A | 54.1A | 3.0A | 0.3A |
120W | 120W | 649.2W | 15W | 3.6W |
Combined +3.3V and +5V output: 120W
+12V output: 649.2W
+5Vsb output: 15W
-12V output: 3.6W
Operating Temperature | 0° to 50°C |
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) | 100,000 hours |
Weight | 2.64 kg/5.82 lbs |
Dimensions | 86mm x 150mm x 150mm (HxWxL) |
Price | $59.99 |
Pros
+ 10 years warranty
+ Quality OEM (FSP)
+ 100% Japanese capacitors
+ 80+ Gold efficiency
+ Support for Eco mode which keeps the PSU quiet under low to medium loads
+ Support for full DC to DC conversion
+ Support for OVP, UVP, OPP, OCP, SCP, OTP
+ fully modular
Cons
– Priced slightly higher as compared to the competition
– No surge protection, inrush current protection, or fan failure protection
– No semi-passive operation
2. Silverstone Essential 650W 80+ Bronze
The Silverstone Essential 650E 80+ Bronze power supply is another solid contender on this list. The name “Silverstone” means quality. Their Essential lineup is at the bottom of the line with just the very necessary features required to manufacture a quality PSU.
Silverstone makes some of the best power supplies in the market, alongside companies like Corsair, Cooler Master, EVGA, Enermax, and more. And, thus, they are priced higher compared to the competition. The ET650B is no exception, coming in at around $80 for the 650W 80+ bronze variant.
Key Specs
Rail | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | +5Vsb | -12V |
Max Output | 20A | 20A | 50A | 3.0A (Peak) | 0.3A |
Combined +3.3V and +5V output: 120W
+12V output: 600W
+5Vsb output: 15W
-12V output: 3.6W
Operating Temperature | 0° to 40°C |
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) | 100,000 hours |
Weight | 1.59 kg/3.51 lbs |
Dimensions | 86mm x 140mm x 150mm (HxWxL) |
Price | $78.99 |
Pros
+ High-quality components used
+ Extremely quiet operation
+ Support for OVP, SCP, OPP, OCP, OTP
+ Compact design
+ Lightweight, making the PSU ideal for home and office use
Cons
– Quite pricey
– 80+ Bronze Certification
– No UVP, surge protection, inrush current protection, or fan failure protection
3. SeaSonic S12III 650W 80+ Bronze
The S12III PSU is based on an OEM design from SeaSonic. The company is known to use extremely high-quality components in its designs. Several industry experts have rated SeaSonic-designed PSUs to be world-class and among the best in the market.
The SeaSonic-made PSU is non-modular. It packs an 80+ bronze efficiency rating, which is coupled with a 5-year warranty. The PSU also packs a 120mm sleeve bearing fan regulation by SeaSonic’s fan control tech to keep noise output at minimal loads under control. The PSU is priced at around $69, which is good value for a high-quality product.
Key Specs
Rail | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | +5Vsb | -12V |
Max Output | 20A | 20A | 54A | 2.5A (Peak) | 0.3A |
Combined +3.3V and +5V output: 120W
+12V output: 648W
+5Vsb output: 12.5W
-12V output: 3.6W
Operating Temperature | 0° to 40°C |
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) | 100,000 hours |
Weight | 1.59 kg/3.51 lbs |
Dimensions | 86mm x 140mm x 150mm (HxWxL) |
Price | $69.99 |
Pros
+ High-quality SeaSonic OEM
+ Extremely quiet operation
+ Support for OVP, SCP, OPP, OCP
+ Compact design
Cons
– Pricier than the competition
– 80+ Bronze Certification
– No OTP, UVP, surge protection, inrush current protection, or fan failure protection
4. Thermaltake Toughpower GX1 RGB 600W 80+ Gold
The Thermaltake Toughpower GX1 RGB 600W 80+ Gold power supply is hard to miss on this list. This is one of the few PSUs to come with RGB. It has an RGB fan that can give extra characteristics to your build. However, to fully showcase this extra aesthetic feature, users will have to vertically mount their PSUs, a feature available with Thermaltake’s Core series of cases.
The Thermaltake Toughpower GX1 PSU comes with an 80+ Gold efficiency. The 120mm hydraulic bearing fan packs 10 RGB LEDs. It also comes with a dedicated RGB lighting button. This button can be used to set the desired color for the LEDs on the fan. The fan also comes with RPM control.
Thermaltake has used high-quality components for their GX1 RGB PSU. The main capacitor is Japanese with a tolerance of up to 105°C. The PSU has been optimized for noiseless operation. However, it is not modular.
Key Specs
Rail | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | +5Vsb | -12V |
Max Output | 20A | 17A | 49A | 2.5A | 0.5A |
Combined +3.3V and +5V output: 100W
+12V output: 588W
+5Vsb output: 12.5W
-12V output: 6W
Operating Temperature | 5° to 40°C |
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) | 100,000 hours |
Dimensions | 86mm x 140mm x 150mm (HxWxL) |
Price | $74.99 |
Pros
+ High-quality components used
+ RGB fan
+ Support for OVP, SCP, OPP
+ 80+ Gold Certification
+ Compact design
Cons
– Pricey
– No OCP, OTP, UVP, surge protection, inrush current protection or fan failure protection
5. Enermax Cyberbron 600W 80+ Bronze
Coming in at just $50, the Enermax Cyberbton 600W 80+ Bronze certified PSU is one of the budget offerings on this list. Enermax has cut several boundaries to achieve the price tag. This includes an 80+ bronze certification, no surge protection, OCP, or OTP, and the use of flat black cables. However, as Enermax still opts for high-quality Japanese electrolytic capacitors, a 120mm fan with RPM control. The 600W variant in the Cyberbron lineup is covered with a limited 3 years warranty.
The Cyberbron lineup is the lowest-end series from Enermax. This series mostly focuses on entry-level hardware for budget PC users.
Key Specs
Rail | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | +5Vsb | -12V |
Max Output | 19A | 17A | 46A | 2.5A | 0.3A |
Combined +3.3V and +5V output: 110W
+12V output: 552W
+5Vsb output: 12.5W
-12V output: 3.6W
Operating Temperature | 0° to 40°C |
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) | 100,000 hours |
Dimensions | 86mm x 140mm x 150mm (HxWxL) |
Price | $49.99 |
Pros
+ High-quality components used
+ Support for OVP, UVP, SCP, OPP
+ Compact design
+ Affordable price
Cons
– 80+ Gold Certification
– No OCP, OTP, surge protection, inrush current protection or fan failure protection