Gamer or not, your PC cannot offer you good performance without a good modular power supply . Discover our purchasing and comparison guide to find the best model suited to the configuration of your PC.
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 not to be missed for your gaming computer. This modular power supply from Corsair is the total guarantee of saving energy consumption, reducing noise level, extreme heat and operating costs. We understand once again how keen the CORSAIR brand is to preserve its place among the leading manufacturers of computer equipment.
It is a symbol of excellence with 80 PLUS Gold certification. So, there is no doubt about the effectiveness of its operation! What is especially interesting about CORSAIR RM850x is its “Zero RPM” ventilation technology which reveals the depth of its performance. It boils down to a low and medium load cooling fan that can turn off completely. It is similar to a ventilation curve specially developed to make the fan less noisy for almost silent operation. This means that CORSAIR RM850x has its place among the modular power supply in the CORSAIR RMx line.
For good reason, it promotes very precise control of the voltage to reduce the noise of your gaming PC! The other performance point of Corsair's modular power supply is that it integrates 100% Japanese 105°C capacitors. These are high quality internal components whose use aims for the stability and reliability of the power supply over a long period. And that's not all ! The complete modularity of the cables is also one of the strong points of CORSAIR RM850x.
It facilitates ultra-rapid installation and allows the design of a cleaner and more orderly mechanism. Indeed, with fully modulated cables, you only have to connect the cables necessary for the operation of your configuration. Impossible to miss the compactness of this extraordinary power supply ! In addition, Corsair's modular power supply adapts to any modern PC case.
- Brand: CORSAIR
- Model number: CP-9020180-EU
- White colour
- Bluetooth: No
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 16 x 15 x 8.6 cm
- Weight: 1.7 Kilograms
- Rated continuous output temperature: 50°C
- Type and number of connectors: 8 SATA
2. Aerocool Lux RGB M 550W- Modular RGB Power Supply , 80 Plus
Features and Reviews
Aerocool Lux RGB M 550W is the 2nd choice if you want to buy one of the best modular power supply of 2020. It is a real high-end technological gem in terms of quality and performance! Equipped with an RGB LED Prism, this modular power supply is capable of making your gaming computer run at its best by providing you with a shower of absolutely powerful and spectacular colors.
There are a total of 13 lighting effects that can be controlled using an LED switch attached to the source itself and can be associated with Addressable RGB motherboards. So you have enough to illuminate your case to comfortably enjoy its best features, starting with its multi-colored appearance!
All this is reinforced by a power of 550W under an 80 PLUS Bronze 230 V EU Certificate. This guarantees you an energy efficiency greater than 88%. So, there is no longer any question of disturbing your moment of concentration during your gaming sessions. However, lighting and power are far from being the only advantages that make this modular power supply model one of the preferred allies of gamers. The Aerocool Lux RGB M 550W's optimal performance also comes from its smart half-modular design which provides great ease of cable management.
In addition to the practical management of its cables, its ventilation surface has been increased by 30% than usual. The idea here is to increase the airflow with a 12cm fan equipped with a temperature and speed control system. We are sure that this mmodular power supply from Aerocool is what you need to run your gaming PC to its best potential.
• Brand: AEROCOOL
• Model number: LUXRGB550M
• Color: Black
• Device compatibility: PC
• Type and number of connectors: 4 SATA
• Manufacturer's warranty: 2 years
3. CORSAIR RM650x Power Supply Modular, 650 Watt, 80 PLUS Gold
Features and Reviews
Here is another modular power supply for PC from the CORSAIR brand which literally fulfills its role wonderfully! Like the previous models, this CORSAIR from the RMx series is
Incredibly inaudible thanks to its “Zero RPM” ventilation mode through which the cooling fan can completely stop for ultra-quiet operation. This is an exceptional ventilation curve. Even when CORSAIR RM650x is running at full speed, its fan is surprisingly discreet.
Ample economical in terms of energy consumption as indicated by its 80 PLUS GOLD energy-efficient certification. This modular power supply delivers reliable current power guaranteeing ultra-efficient operation with low thermal voltages. Here, the current is supplied with an efficiency of more than 90% for low energy consumption.
Very suitable and essential for the easy and quick assembly of your PC thanks to its 100% modular cabling and its high power. You will only have to attach the cables you need, which gives you a clean and uncluttered PC case.
Extremely stable and safe for a relatively long time considering its 105°C capacitors.
Hyper compact to integrate all kinds of PC cases.
There is therefore no doubt that this modular power supply for PC from CORSAIR is one of the best on the market today. It brings together all the characteristics necessary to meet the expectations of gamers.
- Brand: CORSAIR
- Model number: CP-9020178-EU
- Black color
- Bluetooth: No
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 15 x 16 x 8.6 cm
- Weight: 1.5 Kilogram
- 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 who loves powerful PCs, with crazy features and exceptional performance? So, BE QUIET – BN212 – Power Zone is the modular PC power supply designed for you!
This powerful car with 850W power supply capacity is the winning formula of the BE QUIET brand. It combines extreme performance, impeccable stability, effective ventilation and an almost rare noise level. It belongs to the range of the best PC power supply certified 80 PLUS Bronze in addition to complying with ATX12V 2.4/EPS12V 2.92 specifications.
This power supply has a 100-240 V AC input voltage and an output voltage +3.3, +5, ±12 V. The latter are associated with a power factor correction (PFC) system to guarantee you true safety during use. BE QUIET – BN212 – Power Zone is also very popular for its light weight of 2.13 kg.
However, its cooling mechanism based on a 135cm fan is one of the parameters that earned it its reputation. Therefore, it is not only easy to transport, but also offers an absolutely better sound level. The other very attractive point of this power supply model for PC is its efficient connectivity device.
The latter includes:
- 1 x ATX output connectors with 24 power supply pins including a detachable 4 pin section
- an 8 pin + 12 V power supply including 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 power supply s 15 pin serial ATA
- 1 4-pin mini- power supply connector
Note that the product is delivered with cable ties meeting ENERGY STAR environmental standards.
The characteristics of BE QUIET – BN212 – Power Zone
- Brand: BE QUIET
- Model number: T380493
- Black color
- 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 Power Supply Modular PC Silent Platinum, 80 Plus certified
Features and Reviews
LC-POWER Power Supply Modular PC Silent Platinum joins the previous products in our selection in terms of sound quality, productivity and security. First, it is designed with quality components based on recent technologies known to increase energy efficiency reaching 92%. This is the case of its 135 cm fans with specifically effective temperature dissipation.
This remains a good option for data operating systems. It ensures reliability, noise reduction and long-term use (100,000 hours on average). Then, LC-POWER Power Supply Modular PC Silent Platinum offers good compatibility with many computer hardware. Indeed, it includes the current ATX V2.4 standard and a single + 12V rail with 100A. This data shows us that it can achieve stable performance even with the most demanding hardware. HAS
Therefore, this PC power supply can work flawlessly in all computer systems, including the most modern ones. In addition, we have found that this power supply is a guarantee of safety with its very active PFC technology for assured and successful correction of power factors. It therefore provides more security to the system via particularly stable current conversion at several levels:
• protection against overvoltage
• overload protection
• protection against short circuits
• undervoltage protection
LC-POWER Power Supply Modular PC Silent Platinum also offers the possibility of taking advantage of free socket technology. This is a modular socket that allows you to progressively manage the modular cable in order to optimize the air flow inside your PC case.
Finally, you can trust the adjustable cooling system of this PC power supply . Even in off mode, its fan can continue to run for an additional minute after stopping. You therefore have the assurance that the system is completely cooled. And in “Zero RPM” mode, the fan rotation stops with reduced or moderate loads for rather quiet operation.
- Brand: LC-POWER
- Power: 1200W
- Compatibility of device or computer hardware: 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 a modular PC power supply suitable for your use?
Today, choosing a PC power supply is often difficult due to the abundance of models put on the market by manufacturers. Do not panic ! Here is a little guide to help you choose a great modular power supply .
Number of rails: monorail or multi-rail
There are manufacturers who offer power supply from a single 12V rail on which a more considerable intensity is centralized. In this case we are talking monorail power power supply . It has the advantage of being simpler to manage and more practical. No need to distribute the load across different rails to prevent overloads. However, this action is necessary in the context of multi-rail power supply . These are not so bad because they offer you big amperages.
In addition, they offer an additional level of protection than monorail power supply which leave enough room for overclocking potential. So, it all depends on your needs in terms of ranges and your budget. All in all, it is important to check whether your power supply guarantees the different types of protection:
- against overvoltage and undervoltage
- against short circuits and overcurrents
This is essential for electrical safety both for you and for your components which risk burning in the absence of protective devices. We must clarify that it is the greater intensity of the rails which determines the concrete power of the power supply . Therefore, do not always trust manufacturers whose marketing arguments supported by figures are contrary to the practical capabilities of the products. As a general rule, multiplying the rail voltage by its amperage (P = U x I) should obtain the maximum power of a rail. We can therefore check the power of a 750W CORSAIR model when we know the intensity of its 12V rail which is equivalent to 62.5 A.
The power of power supply
If you are a seasoned gamer, it is in your interest to choose the power according to the type of use you want to make of your PC. Because this and the quantity of energy consumed by the chosen components go hand in hand. That is to say, you must calculate the power upstream of the quantity of energy to define the choice of your power supply . One thing is very obvious: the power of a PC power supply must match the needs of your device. A PC power supply that is too powerful is neither good nor an undervalued power supply which could be a source of instability.
Despite all of the above, if the calculation indicates that your computer can support 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 performance of the power supply is different when the “ power supply ” runs at 30, 50 or 80% of its load. However, generally, it is perfect between 50 and 75% load and drops when the load drops below 20%. As a result, your power supply consumes more energy than it provides. It is therefore necessary to find an alternative so that your PC does not require power supply during intensive tasks.
- the second reason questions the scalable potential of your computer. This involves predicting whether, in the near or distant future, you will need to replace the processor or graphics card. This often happens with models that offer a higher level of performance requiring more energy such as high-end GPUs.
Ultimately, you have the following options:
- for ordinary use (simple multimedia and internet), a power supply of 350 watts is more than sufficient
- for games or photo and graphics editing, it is better to opt for a power of at least 550 watts. Gaming PCs are equipped with numerous graphics cards and a high-performance processor
- Higher range graphics cards (Nvidia) are energy hungry and require greater power ranging from 620 to 650 Watts
- for a 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 level of energy consumption of the components
Generally, the energy consumption of the components is less considerable although this does not prevent it from being evaluated. On the one hand, certain configurations display the bare minimum. But on the other hand, others are very integral and the increase in components can weigh in the final result in terms of energy consumption of your device. While a hard drive consumes on average between 10 and 40W (3W less than SSDs), the motherboard requires approximately between 20 and 50W. As for the RAM sticks, they require around 10W.
Choose according to the type of configuration
This is one of the criteria of major importance that must be considered before any purchase of a power supply model for PC. To do this, simply check if the configuration of your PC is among the following:
- office and multimedia configurations
- PC gaming setup
- muscular configuration…
Efficiency and certification for energy savings
Some machines only deliver 60% of the productivity provided by the PC power supply . This results in considerable energy loss. This results in thermal diffusion inside the case, resulting in overheating of the power supply and a reduction in its performance.
It is then necessary to favor 80 PLUS certification models which undoubtedly guarantee energy savings. It is a certification issued to PC power supply whose efficiency exceeds 80% and comprising 5 levels depending on their efficiency: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium.
The format type
When it comes to choosing the format of the power supply , many options are possible and you should choose them according to the size of your computer. It must be said that an ATX case remains the most popular format because it fits any type of smaller computer. It delivers power ranging from 350 to 1000W. However, the SFX format is gradually becoming established given the popularity of mini-PCs and other HTPC systems.
Noise pollution
Noise never feels good when performing certain tasks that require more concentration. To have a quiet PC case , it is therefore important to pay attention to the quality and size of the fans, but also to the ventilation systems which facilitate good air circulation. The quality of the fans is synonymous with a pleasant noise level.
Stay attentive to modularity and connectivity
Although it is essential to review the connectivity, it is not necessary for modularity to take pride of place in the process of purchasing a PC power supply . This means that it is necessary to check the number of connectors which must be at least two in a PC power supply :
- 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 is essential, particularly for high-end PC power supply models which provide great power. This is why, between the modular PC power supply and the non-modular one, you must opt for the first. It ensures better air circulation in the case to prevent overheating and facilitates system assembly. In fact, it is only the necessary cables that you are required to connect.
How much should you budget to buy a better PC power supply ?
The prices of power supply PC models vary widely on the market. You will need to budget between €25 and €300 depending on the quality and power you need for your type of use.
What is the role of a PC power supply ?
Without it the machine will not start. It converts the electrical current from suppliers which is often 230V before distributing it to all of your device's circuits. Indeed, such energy intensity represents a danger for electronic equipment even if this is not the case for lighting and other objects.
