Good 400 watt power supply. Choosing the optimal power supply for your PC. Load distribution for ATX12V standard units

Power up your PC with one of the best power supplies.

We won't go into detail, but let's just say this: when you're building, nothing is more important than the best power source. Without a doubt, it’s tempting to save on a power supply in order to take a closer look at one of them, but trust us, it’s not worth it. Every component of your computer relies on the best power supply, if you go cheap you could end up losing the entire system in the long run.

There's nothing worse than a bad power supply - believe me, it is. What makes the situation worse is the fact that you won't notice problems with the power supply until it's too late. There are undoubtedly some noticeable symptoms, such as when your computer simply shuts down, but the problems can be subtle, such as performance lags. Look, just do yourself a favor and go to the store and buy the best power supply you can afford to ensure the quality of your new build. You don't want your system unit to burn out because you saved some money.

However, everything is not as bad as it may seem, because 2018 offers a wide selection of powerful power supplies. Even if you're on a budget, you can still buy one of the best power supplies to keep your computer running smoothly. And, if you have the money, we've included a couple of surprisingly powerful devices that can generate ridiculous amounts of power, easily surpassing the top gaming PCs. No matter what you need, you can be sure that this ranking will have the best power supplies for your needs - we've tested them personally.

| CORSAIRRM750X

BEST POWER SUPPLY

The best and most versatile power source for your needs.

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Form factor: ATX | Capacity: 750 W | Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Gold | Modularity: Full | Guarantee: 10 years.

• pros: Zero RPM fan mode | Modular cables;
• Minuses: Maximum power 750 W;

The Corsair RM750x is the best power supply for your needs. In addition to a 10-year warranty and 80 Gold Plus efficiency rating, Corsair has a fully modular cable system. This means you only need to connect the necessary cables. Keeping unused cables out of the computer case helps airflow and will also appeal to cable management fans.

| EVGA 500B1

BEST BUDGET PSU

Everything you need to get started.

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Form factor: ATX | Capacity: 500 W | Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Bronze | Modularity: No | Guarantee: 3 years;

• pros: Low price| 6 SATA cables;
• Minuses: Limit 500 W;

Not all power supplies have to be expensive. If you're looking to save money without sacrificing quality, EVGA's next 500W power supply will certainly suit your needs. There are plenty of cables to power your SATA devices, and you'll also need two cables for PCIe. A three-year warranty for less than RUB 3,000 makes the power supply even more attractive, and should be enough for most mid-range gaming systems.

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BE QUIET! STRAIGHT POWER 10

BEST QUIET POWER SUPPLY

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Form factor: ATX | Capacity Calm as the night. Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Gold | Modularity: 400 W – 700 W | Guarantee: Half |

• pros: 5 years;
• Minuses: Quiet power supply with ATX and EPS support;

: A little expensive for its power;

The PSU fans seem to be louder than others and, unlike the case fans, are not as easy to replace. Luckily, the Straight Power 10 Series is quiet. Power settings range from 400 to 700 watts and are SLI and Crossfire certified. They also have a modular design, allowing you to use only the cables you actually need. It's also a low-profile power supply, which further frees up space in your computer tower.|SILVERSTONESFXSERIES

SST-

SX550 BEST COMPACT POWER SUPPLY Good power supply. Ideal for Micro ATX and

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Form factor Mini ITX Capacity PC. Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Gold | Modularity: No | Guarantee: 3 years;

• pros: SFX |
• Minuses: 550 W |

: Compact size | ATX and EPS support; : Limited number of connectors; Power supplies take up a significant portion of the space in any case

| CORSAIRpersonal computer, but the march of time and technology found control even on them, maintaining a reasonable level of power. The Silverstone SX550 is nearly half the size of other power supplies, so you can better manage cables and airflow inside your computer. Not to mention, their small size makes them ideal for Micro ATX and Mini ITX PCs.

AX1500

I

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Form factor THE MOST POWERFUL POWER SUPPLY OF 2018 Capacity Monster in the field of power. Efficiency Rating:EPS | Modularity: Full | Guarantee: 1500 W |

• pros: 80 Plus Titanium |
• Minuses: 10 years;

This is an absolute monster even among the best PC power supplies in 2017. This is a power source for a serious machine that involves several video cards and cooling systems and, perhaps, a small village on the border of Siberia. The power supply has the highest possible power rating with an 80 Plus Titanium rating in a fully modular design, so all you have to do is add the cables needed for your build. If you have the money for such a powerful machine, this is the best power supply for you.

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THERMALTAKE SMART RGB 700W

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BEST PSU WITH RGB LIGHTING

Form factor: ATX | Capacity Bright lights - high voltage. Efficiency Rating: 700 W | Modularity: No | Guarantee: Half |

• pros: 80 Plus |
• Minuses: Beautiful RGB lighting | Inexpensive;

: Not modular;

If you're trying to build a PC worthy of bragging rights, you can't do better than the Thermaltake Smart RGB 700W power supply. Not only does it offer beautiful, customizable RGB lighting, but it also has a robust 80 Plus efficiency certification and enough power to power the best gaming PCs. Of course, it is not modular, but with a price tag of around 6,000 rubles, we did not expect something like this.

Take a look while you're here.

We continue the series of updated materials summarizing the results of testing power supplies using the mass method. Let me remind you that the first results (with the same division into power groups) were summed up about a year ago. Since then, the list of tested devices has expanded significantly, and the market situation itself has changed noticeably.

All this affects the results of selecting the best blocks. Using the example of already published materials on solutions with a power of 500-550 W and 600-650 W, it can be noted that the “champions” have changed in most price groups.

Nine units are classified as "750 W". Moreover, several of them are certified according to the 80 Plus Gold standard. These are Chieftec GDP-750C, Deepcool DQ750, Fractal Design Edison M 750W, OCZ ZS750W, Seasonic X-750, Thermaltake EVO-750AH3CCG and Zalman ZM750-EBT. Another unit - Seasonic Platinum-760 - belongs to the class of expensive flagships; it has a slightly higher power (by 10 W) and is certified according to the 80 Plus Platinum standard.

Thirteen units are classified as "850 W". And here, in addition to expensive “golden” models, more affordable middle-class devices are widely represented. These are Antec HCG-850M, Chieftec APS-850CB, Chieftec BPS-850C2, Cougar CMX 850 and InWin IP-P850BK3-3, certified to the 80 Plus Bronze standard. The “silver” XFX Pro850W XXX Edition can be included in the same category.

However, there is also plenty of “gold” in this group: Chieftec GPM-850C, Corsair CS850M, Corsair RM850i ​​and Seasonic X-850 are certified to the 80 Plus Gold standard. It also has its own flagships - FSP AURUM PT-850FM and Seasonic Platinum-860 (80 Plus Platinum).

We continue the series of updated materials summarizing the results of testing power supplies using the mass method. Let me remind you that the first results (with the same division into power groups) were summed up about a year ago. Since then, the list of tested devices has expanded significantly, and the market situation itself has changed noticeably.

So, newcomers belong to different power and price groups. Before moving on to the selection, according to tradition, I will remind readers of its general scheme.

1. At the first stage (large section “Preliminary selection”), the main task is to eliminate the most “weak” (non-competitive) devices. The following will be subsequently excluded from the general list:

• Models that do not meet the real power requirements of our methodology;
• Models that do not provide the proper (defined by the ATX standard) quality of voltage stabilization;
• Models that do not meet noise requirements (really noisy units, not well suited for everyday use).

It should be noted that in the material presented below there are a lot of references to our methodology for mass testing of power supplies. We strongly recommend that you read it before reading. So, all formalities have been completed, let's proceed to the selection.

List of models

In front of you full list tested models in alphabetical order. In all cases, links to detailed reviews are provided.

The total number of participants was increased from twenty-six to forty-eight.

There are thirteen 700-watt devices and eighteen 750-watt devices on the list. In the previous review material, these groups were considered as the main ones. This time we will be able to make a detailed comparison of the 850-watt models - their number has been increased from two to fifteen, so that they now form their own category with a sufficient number of participants.

But the less popular “800 W” group is still represented by only two units – Fractal Design Newton R3 800W and HIPER K800. For convenience of presentation, they have been added to the list of 750-watt devices (the differences in cost and power characteristics are not so significant; this point will be additionally taken into account when summing up).

Preliminary selection

First stage: power characteristics

Let me remind you that according to the mandatory requirements of our methodology, all units must cope with a real load of 100 W less than the declared “nominal”. This is not a very strict selection condition: any BP with sufficient load capacity 12V channel passes this test with ease, and high-quality, high-end devices often exceed the mandatory requirements by 50-100 W.

Failure can befall only the “weakest” participants, who do not closely correspond to the declared power category (sometimes other factors intervene - for example, premature operation of the “overload” protection or a very large voltage drop). It is precisely the elimination of such devices that is the task of this stage.

Let's turn to the table, which provides data on the power of the 12 V channel declared by the manufacturer (power supplies are sorted precisely by this parameter) and the maximum load mode during testing. The right column indicates the block’s compliance with the mandatory requirements of the methodology.

Many users, in pursuit of high performance of their personal computer, forget about the main element system unit, which is responsible for high-quality and timely provision of power to all components inside the case. We are talking about a power supply that buyers do not pay attention to at all. But in vain! After all, all elements in a computer have certain power requirements, failure to comply with which will lead to component failure.

From this article, the reader will learn how to choose a power supply for a computer, and at the same time get acquainted with products from well-known brands that are recognized by all test laboratories in the world. Tips for ordinary users and beginners, provided by experts in the field of IT technologies, will help all potential customers make their choice in the store.

Definition of need

Before starting to search for a decent power supply, all users need to decide on the power consumption. That is, first the buyer must select the elements of the system unit ( motherboard, processor, video card, memory, hard disks and other controllers). Each system component in its specification has power requirements (voltage and current, in rare cases - power consumption). Naturally, the buyer will have to find these parameters, add them up and save the result, which will be useful in the future.

It doesn’t matter what actions are carried out by the user: replacing the computer’s power supply or purchasing an element with a new PC - calculations must be carried out in any case. Some elements, such as the processor and video card, have two power requirements: active voltage and peak load. You need to focus your calculations on the maximum parameter.

Finger to the sky

There is a strong opinion that for a resource-intensive system you need to choose the most powerful power supply that is on the storefront. This decision has logic, but it does not fit with rationality and economy. Money, because the higher the power of the device, the more expensive it costs. You can buy a price that exceeds the cost of all elements of the system (30,000 rubles and more), but such a solution will be very expensive for the consumer in the future.

For some reason, many users forget about the monthly payment, which is necessary for the operation of a personal computer. Naturally, the more powerful the power supply, the more electricity it consumes. Thrifty buyers cannot do without calculations.

Standards and power losses

The bigger, the better

Many experts, in their advice on how to choose a power supply for a computer, recommend that all beginners pay attention to the number of connectors and cables - the more there are in the device, the more efficient and more reliable system power supply There is logic in this, because manufacturing plants carry out testing before releasing products to the market. If the power of the unit is low, then there is no point in providing it with a large number of cables, because they will still be unused.

True, recently many careless manufacturers have resorted to a trick and provided the buyer with a large wire clamp in a low-quality device. Here you need to focus on other indicators of battery efficiency (weight, wall thickness, cooling system, presence of buttons, quality of connectors). By the way, before connecting the power supply to the computer, it is recommended to visually inspect all the contacts coming from the head unit and make sure that they do not intersect anywhere (we are talking about cheap representatives of the market).

Top seller

Seasonic, a company specializing in the production of batteries, is known throughout the world. This is one of the few brands on the market that sells its own products under its logo. For comparison: the well-known manufacturer of computer elements - the company Corsair - does not have its own factories for the production of power supplies and acquires finished products from Seasonic, equipping it with its own logos. Therefore, before choosing a power supply for a computer, the user will have to become more familiar with the brands.

Seasonic, Chieftec, Thermaltake and Zalman have their own factories for the production of batteries. Products under famous brand FSP is assembled from spare parts produced at the Fractal Design plant (by the way, they have also recently appeared on the market).

Who should you give preference to?

Gold-plated computer power supply connectors are good, but is there any point in overpaying for such functionality, since it is known for certain from the laws of physics that current is better transmitted between homogeneous metals? But it is Thermaltake that offers users such a solution. As for the rest of the products of the famous American brand, they are impeccable. There is not a single serious negative response from users about this manufacturer in the media.

The trusted products on the shelf include the brands Corsair, Aercool, FSP, Zalman, Seasonic, Be quiet, Chieftec (Gold series) and Fractal Design. By the way, in test laboratories, professionals and enthusiasts check the power and overclock the system with the power supplies listed above.

Finally

As practice shows, choosing a decent power supply for a personal computer is not easy. The fact is that many manufacturers use all sorts of tricks to attract buyers: they reduce the cost of production, decorate the device to the detriment of efficiency, and present a description that does not correspond to reality. There are many mechanisms of deception, it is impossible to list them all. Therefore, before choosing a power supply for a computer, the user must study the market, familiarize himself with all the characteristics of the device and be sure to find positive reviews about the product from real owners.

For proper operation of everything computer system You need to pay attention to the power source. Which power supply should I choose for my computer so that it fully meets the requirements? Many people believe that the original block that is included in the kit is the best option. There is a small amount of truth in these words, but everything is not so simple. Most people do not understand the full significance of BP, which is why unpleasant situations occur.

What is the power supply responsible for in a computer?

To choose a power supply, you need to understand why it is needed. A power supply is a secondary system for supplying electrical energy to all components of a personal computer. It acts as a system that allows all components of the machine to function and has protection barriers that allow the component parts of the system unit to operate without interruptions or breakdowns. It concentrates the protection of the entire electrical core of the computer. The unit stabilizes and adapts constant electrical energy to each element of the system. This prevents the PC from failing quickly. The presence of a cooling system allows you to regulate the temperature of PC components.

To choose a high-quality energy source for your computer, you need to study the important key characteristics that you pay attention to first. In addition to the usual power supplies for a computer, there are also laboratory blocks nutrition - which one to choose? The latter are practically no different from conventional ones, but have additional protection against electrical surges: adjustable output voltage, ripple smoothing, etc. Therefore, the choice depends on the purpose of the PC.

Power

This is a characteristic that shows the possible number of connected devices. If a person does not plan to buy a large PC for gaming, then there is no need to choose a powerful unit. Average, work station requires about 300-400 W for moderate operation without braking using its full potential. This is enough to do work in text editors or watch videos.

For gaming computer the amount of energy consumed increases significantly. For comfortable operation at maximum PC modes, you need from 500 to 700 W. If it contains a latest video card, then you should choose a power supply that can handle loads up to 1 kW. Power can be calculated alone in special applications. It always needs to be calculated with a small margin. This will keep you safe common system computer and will slightly prevent unwanted situations.

For calculation you can use online service Cooler Master Power Supply Calculator. Specify all PC parameters and click the “Calculate” button. You will see not only the recommended power, but also a list of models from which you can choose the right one.

Cooling

It should be understood that the power supply not only calculates the required energy between all elements of the computer, but is also responsible for cooling. You can choose one of two types of cooling systems – radiator and fan. You don't need to think that the video card is doing this. Initially, it was the energy source that was responsible for the safe operation of the PC without heating. It was later that video cards with coolers began to be produced.
The fans are designed for one machine only. The radiator cooling system is a whole circuit that operates on the basis of capacitors that are not susceptible to high temperatures. They can work for months without collecting dust. For mining, it is better to choose this solution.

Efficiency

It is known that a high-quality power supply must operate with a high efficiency. In 2007, energy sources began to be certified, and all devices with an efficiency lower than 50% were completely removed from the market. The BP must spend a minimum of resources and provide maximum results. It is better to choose a power supply with an efficiency of at least 90%. Not only will this save you a lot of money on utilities, but it will also significantly increase the lifespan of your PC.

Which brand of power supply should I choose for my computer?

There are not many companies in the world that are willing to directly guarantee the operation of their product. Because of this, many people, when choosing components, do not pay attention to the manufacturer of the control sources. When choosing, you should purchase power supplies from world leaders in production, which have proven their excellent performance for many years. Among the best manufacturers Zalman and Chieftec should be highlighted. It is recommended to avoid strange companies that even the seller does not know about. In most cases, such equipment will not last long, and accordingly, the entire PC will break down.

Which power supply to choose for a gaming computer?

For users who use a PC for games or complex calculations, the selection criteria are slightly different. Everything is connected with the fact that for the full functioning of a PC, which could easily cope with complex operations (games, graphic editors, a high resolution online videos and so on), more energy is needed. Therefore, a power supply for such a computer must be selected with characteristics higher than for the average workhorse for surfing the Internet.

First of all, you should choose a power supply with a power that is two or even three times higher than usual. It is generally accepted that a 700 W power supply is enough for modern games, but one should remember the progress that is now taking place by leaps and bounds.

This will ensure normal operation without incidents or breakdowns for several years to come.

For such a PC, it is better to choose a radiator unit, but if there are not enough funds, then it is recommended to take a power supply based on the operation of a large rota valve (up to 120 mm), or several smaller ones. It will cope with cooling all components of a personal computer.
Most of the world's leading power supply manufacturers produce a wide range of products for different types computers, so among the companies mentioned above you can easily choose models that match the characteristics.
The cost of a power supply for a gaming computer is on average 50-60% higher than for a regular machine.

Which power supply to choose for mining?

A mining system, or mining farm, is a powerful personal computer that runs on several video cards. For her, choosing a power supply will be a little more difficult. We already know that the video card consumes the most energy in a PC, so as their number increases, the need arises to increase all parameters of the power supply.

There are people who believe that for a mining farm with 6 video cards that consume 100 W each, it is enough to choose a power supply with 600 W Power. This is a big misconception that can lead to breakdown of the entire system. Mining accelerates the performance of video cards to high values, so the power supply must be chosen with a reserve. For example, for a farm with six video cards, a power supply with a power of 1 kW or more is perfect. Do not forget that the efficiency value should be around 90% or higher.

A fan-based farm cooling system is unlikely to last long. For such a system, it is better to choose a radiator cooling system in the power supply. Fans will simply drive hot air through the system and not cool it in any way. This will lead to a decrease in the service life of not only video cards, but also the entire computer.

A contradiction arises: why are simple and weak power sources created? Focusing on the main tasks of the consumer, we can say that there is not always a need for a powerful power supply. That is, a PC purchased for watching movies will feel quite comfortable with a simple 400 W power supply and one fan for cooling. This means that the list of popular power supplies for average, gaming and mining computers will be different.

How to choose the right power supply

1. Decide on the main tasks that the computer will perform.
2. Select by characteristics. Under no circumstances should you pay attention to the price. Most often, the price is based on the brand rather than on the performance and functionality of the power source.
3. Know the internal structure of the personal computer for which the power supply is selected.
4. The cooling system must be suitable for the tasks performed on the PC.

Options for popular power supplies according to PC type

Average PC

power: 400-700 W

Cooling: Fans

price: 1300-1800 rubles

models: Aerocool VX-400 and Vinga VPS-400APFC

Gaming PC

power: 500-1000 W

Cooling: Fans or radiator system

price: 2500-5000 rubles

models: Vinga VPS-600P and GameMax GM-600G

Mining system

power: from 800 W and above

Cooling: Radiator system

price: From 7000 rubles and above

models: GameMax GM-1050 and Vinga VPS-1350 Mining edition

Have a great day!