Whether you're a gamer or not, your PC can't perform well without a good modular power supply . Check out our buying guide and comparison to find the best model suited to your PC's configuration.
Let's start by discovering the best modular PC power supply of 2020!
1. Corsair RM850x Power Supply Modular, 850 Watt, 80 PLUS Gold
Features and Reviews
This is the modular PC power supply you absolutely can't miss for your gaming computer. This modular power supply from Corsair guarantees complete energy savings, reduced noise levels, less heat, and lower operating costs. It's clear once again how committed Corsair is to maintaining its position among the leading manufacturers of computer hardware.
It's a symbol of excellence with its 80 PLUS Gold certification. So, there's no doubt about its operational efficiency! What's particularly interesting about the CORSAIR RM850x is its "Zero RPM" fan technology, which reveals the depth of its performance. It essentially consists of a cooling fan that can switch off completely at low and medium loads. This is similar to a specially designed airflow curve that makes the fan quieter for near-silent operation. This means the CORSAIR RM850x has earned its place among the modular power supply in the CORSAIR RMx line.
This is because it allows for very precise voltage control to reduce noise in your gaming PC! Another performance advantage of Corsair's modular power supply is its use of 100% Japanese 105°C capacitors. These are high-quality internal components designed to ensure the power supply 's stability and reliability over the long term. And that's not all! The complete modularity of the cables is also one of the strengths of the CORSAIR RM850x.
It facilitates ultra-fast installation and allows for a cleaner, more organized setup. With fully modular cables, you only need to connect the cables required for your system. The compact design of this extraordinary power supply is undeniable! Furthermore, Corsair's modular power supply fits any modern PC case.
- Brand: CORSAIR
- Model number: CP-9020180-EU
- Color: White
- Bluetooth: No
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 16 x 15 x 8.6 cm
- Weight: 1.7 Kilograms
- Nominal continuous output temperature: 50°C
- Connector type and number: 8 SATA
2. Aerocool Lux RGB M 550W- Modular RGB Power Supply , 80 Plus
Features and Reviews
The Aerocool Lux RGB M 550W is the second choice if you're looking for one of the best modular power supply of 2020. It's a true high-end technological gem in terms of quality and performance! Equipped with an RGB LED prism, this modular power supply is capable of running your gaming PC at its best, providing a dazzling display of absolutely powerful and spectacular colors.
In total, there are 13 controllable lighting effects, controlled via an LED switch on the light source itself, and compatible with addressable RGB motherboards. This gives you everything you need to illuminate your case and comfortably enjoy its best features, starting with its vibrant, multi-colored appearance!
All of this is enhanced by a 550W power output with an 80 PLUS Bronze 230V EU certification. This guarantees an energy efficiency of over 88%, so you won't have to worry about disrupting your concentration during your gaming sessions. However, lighting and power are far from the only advantages that make this modular power supply a favorite among gamers. The optimal performance of the Aerocool Lux RGB M 550W also stems from its intelligent, semi-modular design, which offers excellent cable management.
In addition to convenient cable management, its ventilation area has been increased by 30% compared to standard models. The idea here is to boost airflow with a 12cm fan equipped with a temperature and speed control system. We're confident that this modular power supply from Aerocool is exactly what you need to run your gaming PC at its best.
• Brand: AEROCOOL
• Model Number: LUXRGB550M
• Color: Black
• Device Compatibility: PC
• Connector Type and Number: 4 SATA
• Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 years
3. CORSAIR RM650x Power Supply Modular, 650 Watt, 80 PLUS Gold
Features and Reviews
Here's another modular PC power supply from CORSAIR that truly fulfills its purpose perfectly! Like previous models, this CORSAIR RMx series is
Incredibly quiet thanks to its "Zero RPM" ventilation mode, in which the cooling fan can stop completely for ultra-silent operation. This is an exceptional fan curve. Even when the CORSAIR RM650x is running at full speed, its fan is surprisingly quiet.
Extremely energy-efficient, as indicated by its 80 PLUS GOLD energy efficiency certification, this modular power supply delivers reliable current, ensuring ultra-efficient operation with low thermal voltages. Here, the current is supplied with an efficiency of over 90% for low energy consumption.
Ideal and essential for quick and easy PC assembly thanks to its 100% modular cabling and high power. You'll only need to connect the cables you actually need, resulting in a clean and uncluttered PC case.
Extremely stable and safe for a relatively long time considering its 105°C capacitors.
Extremely compact to fit into all kinds of PC cases.
There is no doubt that this modular PC power supply from CORSAIR is one of the best on the market today. It has all the features needed to meet the expectations of gamers.
- Brand: CORSAIR
- Model number: CP-9020178-EU
- Color: Black
- Bluetooth: No
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 15 x 16 x 8.6 cm
- Weight: 1.5 Kilograms
- Connector type: SATA
- Manufacturer's warranty: 10 years
4. BE QUIET – BN212 – Power Zone, 850 W
Features and Reviews
Are you a true gamer and a geek at heart, in love with powerful PCs, boasting incredible features and exceptional performance? Then BE QUIET – BN212 – Power Zone is the modular PC power supply designed for you!
This powerful 850W power supply is BE QUIET's winning formula. It combines extreme performance, impeccable stability, efficient ventilation, and an exceptionally low noise level. It belongs to the range of top-of-the-line PC power supply , certified 80 PLUS Bronze, and complies with ATX12V 2.4/EPS12V 2.92 specifications.
This power supply features an AC input voltage of 100-240V and an output voltage of +3.3V, +5V, and ±12V. These are combined with a power factor correction (PFC) system to ensure safe operation. The BE QUIET – BN212 – Power Zone is also highly regarded for its lightweight design, weighing only 2.13 kg.
However, its cooling mechanism, based on a 135mm fan, is one of the features that has earned it its reputation. Consequently, it is not only easy to transport but also offers significantly improved noise levels. Another highly attractive aspect of this PC power supply is its high-performance connectivity.
The latter includes:
- 1 x ATX output connector with 24 power supply ties, including a detachable 4-pin section
- an 8-pin +12V power supply with a detachable 4-pin section
- 4 x 8-pin PCI Express power supply connectors, including a 2-pin movable section
- 6 internal power supply of 4 pins
- 9 15-pin serial ATA power supply
- 1 x 4-pin mini- power supply connector
Note that the product is supplied with cable ties that meet ENERGY STAR environmental standards.
Features of BE QUIET – BN212 – Power Zone
- Brand: BE QUIET
- Model number: T380493
- Color: Black
- Bluetooth: No
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 17.5 x 15 x 8.6 cm
- Weight: 2.13 kg
- Connector type: AC
- power supply capacity: 850 Watts
- Manufacturer's warranty: 5 years
5. LC-POWER Modular PC Power Supply Silent Platinum, 80 Plus certified
Features and Reviews
The LC-POWER Modular PC Silent Platinum Power Supply joins the previous products in our selection in terms of noise level, productivity, and safety. First, it is designed with high-quality components based on recent technologies known to increase energy efficiency, reaching up to 92%. This is the case with its 135 cm fans, which provide particularly effective heat dissipation.
This remains a good option for data-driven operating systems. It ensures reliability, reduced noise, and a long lifespan (100,000 hours on average). Furthermore, the LC-POWER Modular PC Silent Platinum Power Supply offers good compatibility with a wide range of computer hardware. In fact, it includes the current ATX V2.4 standard and a single +12V rail with 100A. This demonstrates that it can achieve stable performance even with the most demanding hardware
Thus, this PC power supply can operate flawlessly in all computer systems, including the most modern ones. Furthermore, we have found that this power supply ensures safety with its highly active PFC technology for reliable and successful power factor correction. It therefore provides greater system security through particularly stable current conversion at multiple levels:
• surge protection
• Overload protection
• Short-circuit protection
• protection against undervoltages
The LC-POWER Modular PC Silent Platinum Power Supply also offers the advantage of flexible connector technology. This modular connector allows for gradual cable management to optimize airflow inside your PC case.
Finally, you can rely on this PC power supply 's adjustable cooling system. Even when shut down, its fan can continue to run for an additional minute after powering off. This ensures that the system is fully cooled. And in "Zero RPM" mode, the fan stops spinning under light or moderate loads for virtually silent operation.
- Brand: LC-POWER
- Power: 1200W
- Computer hardware or peripheral compatibility: PC
- Processor type and brand: A Series A9, Transmeta
- Processor speed: 2.4 GHz
- RAM capacity: 32 GB
- Interface: DMA
- power supply capacity: 1200 Watts
How to choose the right modular PC power supply for your needs?
Choosing a PC power supply today can often be a real headache due to the abundance of models released by manufacturers. Don't panic! Here's a short guide to help you choose your modular power supply like a pro.
Number of rails: monorail or multi-rail
Some manufacturers offer single-rail 12V power supply monorail power power supply . They have the advantage of being simpler to manage and more practical. There's no need to distribute the load across different rails to prevent overloads. However, this is necessary with multi-rail power supply . These multi-rail power supplies aren't necessarily bad, as they offer high amperage options.
Furthermore, they offer an additional level of protection compared to monorail power supply , which leave enough headroom for potential overclocking. So, it all depends on your needs in terms of range and budget. All things considered, it's important to check if your power supply guarantees the different types of protection:
- against overvoltages and undervoltages
- against short circuits and overcurrents
This is essential for electrical safety, both for you and for your components, which could burn out without protective devices. It's important to note that the maximum current rating of the rails determines the actual power output of the power supply . Therefore, don't always rely on manufacturers whose marketing claims, supported by figures, contradict the product's real-world capabilities. Generally, multiplying the rail voltage by its amperage (P = U x I) should give you the maximum power output of a rail. For example, you can verify the power output of a 750W CORSAIR model by knowing the current rating of its 12V rail, which is equivalent to 62.5 A.
The power of the power supply
If you're a seasoned gamer, it's in your best interest to choose the power supply based on how you intend to use your PC. Power and the energy consumption of your chosen components are directly related. In other words, you need to calculate the power requirements before determining the energy consumption to choose the right power supply . One thing is very clear: the power of a PC power supply must match the needs of your system. An overpowered PC power supply power supply is just as bad as an underpowered one, which could lead to instability.
Despite all of the above, if the calculation indicates that your computer can handle 490W, even a 500W power supply will be insufficient. It is advisable to maintain a certain margin beyond the objective maximum power of your components for two main reasons:
- The efficiency of a power supply power supply varies depending on whether it's operating at 30%, 50%, or 80% of its load. Generally, it performs optimally between 50% and 75% load and drops significantly when the load falls below 20%. Consequently, your power supply is consuming more energy than it's delivering. Therefore, it's advisable to find an alternative solution to prevent your PC from drawing power supply during intensive tasks.
- The second reason concerns the upgrade potential of your computer. It involves anticipating whether, in the near or distant future, you will need to replace the processor or graphics card. This often happens with models that offer higher performance levels and require more power, such as high-end GPUs.
Ultimately, you have the following options:
- For ordinary use (simple multimedia and internet), a 350-watt power supply is more than sufficient
- For gaming or photo and graphics editing, it's best to opt for a power supply with at least 550 watts of power. Gaming PCs are equipped with multiple graphics cards and a high-performance processor
- Higher-end graphics cards (Nvidia) are energy-intensive and require more power, ranging from 620 to 650 Watts
- For an ultra-powerful graphics card, choose a power supply of 750 to 850 Watts
- For a machine equipped with at least 4 high-end graphics cards, with an i7/Phenom II x 6 processor and overclocking, a power of 1000 watts would be ideal.
The energy consumption level of the components
Generally, the energy consumption of individual components is less significant, although it's still important to assess it. Some configurations use the bare minimum. Others are very comprehensive, and the increased number of components can significantly impact the final energy consumption of your device. While a hard drive typically consumes between 10 and 40W (3W less than SSDs), the motherboard draws approximately 20 to 50W. RAM modules require around 10W.
Choose according to the type of configuration
This is one of the most important criteria to consider before buying a PC power supply . To determine this, simply check if your PC configuration is among the following:
- office and multimedia configurations
- PC gaming setup
- powerful configuration…
Efficiency and certification for energy savings
Some machines only deliver 60% of the productivity provided by the PC power supply . This results in a considerable energy loss. This, in turn, leads to heat dissipation within the chassis, causing the power supply to overheat and its performance to decrease.
It is therefore advisable to choose models with 80 PLUS certification, which undoubtedly guarantees energy savings. This certification is awarded to PC power supply with an efficiency exceeding 80% and comprises 5 levels based on their efficiency: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium.
The type of format
power supply form factor , many options are available, and the choice should be based on the size of your computer. ATX cases remain the most popular format because they accommodate virtually any larger computer. They deliver power ranging from 350 to 1000W. However, SFX form factors are gradually becoming more prevalent due to the growing popularity of mini-PCs and other HTPC systems.
Noise pollution
Noise is never beneficial when performing tasks that require concentration. To have a quiet PC case , it's therefore important to pay attention to the quality and size of the fans, as well as the ventilation systems that facilitate good airflow. High-quality fans are synonymous with a pleasant noise level.
Pay close attention to modularity and connectivity
While it's essential to review the connectivity options, modularity doesn't necessarily have to be the primary consideration when buying a PC power supply . This simply means checking the number of connectors; a PC power supply should have at least two
- the ATX 20 cable with 4 pins for the motherboard and
- the ATX P4 cable for the device's processor
However, modern processors sometimes require up to 8 pins. As for modularity, it's crucial, especially for high-end PC power supply that deliver significant power. Therefore, between a modular and a non-modular PC power supply , the former is preferable. It ensures better airflow within the case to prevent overheating and simplifies system assembly. In fact, you only need to connect the necessary cables.
What budget should I plan for to buy a better PC power supply ?
The prices of PC power supply vary considerably on the market. Expect to pay between €25 and €300 depending on the quality and power you need for your specific use.
What is the role of a PC power supply ?
Without it, the machine won't start. It converts the electrical current from the power supply, which is often 230V, before distributing it to all the circuits in your appliance. Indeed, such a high voltage poses a danger to electronic equipment, even if this isn't the case for lights and other devices.
