Unveiling the Ultimate Powerhouses: Top PSUs for Under $100 in 2023
Discover the ultimate guide to finding the perfect budget-friendly power supply for your needs Unveiling the best PSUs under $100 in 2023, this article provides valuable insights and answers to your burning questions Explore factors to consider, delve into PSU ratings, and gain expert recommendations Don't miss out on this essential resource!
The Power Supply Unit (PSU) is responsible for powering every component in a computer. It transfers power from the wall to the different components based on their individual power requirements. There are many PSUs available on the market, varying in price range and efficiency ratings. Prices can range from affordable to extremely expensive, offering a wide variety of options to choose from. This guide will focus on budget-friendly power supplies priced under $100. The importance of selecting an efficient PSU cannot be overstated, as it not only has the potential to fail but also to damage other components. Therefore, careful consideration is necessary before making a decision.
When considering power supply units (PSUs), the wattage or maximum power it can deliver to components should be evaluated. The wattage requirement increases for more powerful systems.
To assess their efficiency and reliability, power supplies are assigned 80 Plus ratings. This guide will elucidate the six different ratings.
Form Factor: The PSU's form factor varies based on the PC it is intended for. It can be ATX (compatible with all ATX PC cases), TFX (suitable for mini or home-media PCs), SFX (compatible with mini-ITX or even micro-ATX), or SFX-L (ideal for micro-ATX and small form factor builds).
Modularity: The modularity of PSUs depends on the attachment of cables. They can be non-modular, semi-modular, or fully modular.
Best Overall PSU Under $100 $96 at Newegg
Best Corsair PSU Under $100 $80 at Best Buy
Best Fully Modular PSU Under $100 $100 at Newegg
Best Silent PSU Under $100 $100 at Cooler Master
Best SFX PSU Under $100 $81 at Newegg
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Best Smart PSU Under $100 $90 at Newegg
Best Non-modular PSU Under $100 $89 at Walmart
The Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 V2 is the best overall PSU under $100. With an 80 Plus Gold rating, it offers a full-size ATX PSU rated for 850W. This fully modular power supply has 2 EPS connectors to ensure compatibility with all current-gen motherboards. It features a 120mm HDB fan for quiet operation. The Cooler Master MWE GOLD 850 - V2 includes 1 ATX 24-pin connector, 1 EPS 4+4-pin connector, 1 EPS 8-pin connector, 12 SATA connectors, 4 peripheral 4-pin connectors, and 4 PCI-e 6+2-pin connectors. With protection features like OVP, OPP, OTP, SCP, OCP, and UVP, it guarantees the safety of your system. Finally, it offers the highest wattage in this budget range.
80 Plus Gold rating
Cons Semi-fanless operation
Find it at Amazon for $96, Newegg for $96, and Walmart for $96.
Offering excellent value for the price, the Cooler Master MWE GOLD 850 - V2 is a fully modular PSU with a power output of 850W. It boasts an impressive 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating, a feature that is uncommon in the under $100 price range. Cooler Master's aim is to make more affordable options available to consumers, prompted by legislation requiring a minimum level of 80 Plus Gold ratings. The V2 model includes two EPS connectors, ensuring compatibility with all current-gen motherboards and allowing for a maximum operating temperature increase of 5 degrees compared to its predecessor, the V1.
The Cooler Master MWE GOLD 850 - V2 is equipped with a 120mm HDB or hydro dynamic bearing fan that operates at low RPMs, especially when the load is below 50%. It incorporates essential protection measures such as OVP, OPP, OTP, SCP, OCP, and UVP. This full-size ATX PSU is specifically designed with one ATX 24-pin connector, one EPS 4+4-pin connector, one EPS 8-pin connector, 12 SATA connectors, four peripheral 4-pin connectors, and four PCI-e 6+2-pin connectors. With an impressive MTBF of over 100,000 hours, the Cooler Master MWE GOLD 850 - V2 ensures reliability and durability.
Brand CorsairOutput 750WModular Cabling Semi-modular80 Plus Efficiency Rating BronzeProtection Features OTPPros Cybenetics Silver efficiency rating
Cons Lack of safety precautions
Semi-modular
See at Amazon $90 at Newegg $80 at Best Buy $90 at Walmart
The Corsair CX750M is a semi-modular ATX power supply that offers a maximum power output of 750W, making it suitable for most modern systems. As GPUs and CPUs become increasingly power-hungry, there is a growing demand for higher-wattage PSUs, making the 750W capacity of the CX750M a great choice in terms of both performance and value for money. This all-black PSU has an 80 Plus Bronze rating and is designed to have a Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of 100,000 hours, according to Corsair. It supports up to eight SATA connections and up to four PCIe connections.
To ensure the internal components of the PSU stay cool, the CX750M features a 140mm fan. However, it is important to note that this fan does not have a zero RPM mode, meaning it will not turn off when not required. Corsair does claim that the fan operates at a low noise level, which is a positive feature. It is worth considering the fan's placement at the top of the unit, as some cases may have ventilation at the bottom. In such cases, the PSU will need to be flipped to allow airflow to the fan, particularly if the PSU has its own enclosed compartment. Additionally, Corsair offers a generous five-year warranty for the CX750M model.
Brand XPGOutput 750WModular Cabling Fully modular80 Plus Efficiency Rating GoldProtection Features OCP, OVP, UVP, OPP, SCP, OTP, NLO, SIPPros Rugged design
Tuned for low noise operation
80 Plus Gold rating
Fully modular design
Cons No zero RPM fan mode
See at Amazon $100 at Newegg
XPG, the gaming sub-brand of Adata, is renowned for its wide range of PC hardware products. Among them, the Core Reactor series stands out with its rugged industrial design and availability in 650W, 750W, and 850W power supply units (PSUs). Notably, the 750W variant boasts an impressive 80 Plus Gold rating and an ATX form factor, making it ideal for high-end builds. One unique feature of the XPG Core Reactor 750W is its full modularity, which is not commonly found at this price point. Additionally, the PSU includes a generous selection of cables that can accommodate most builds.
Featuring an all-black exterior, this PSU is equipped with a 120mm fan utilizing a Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) design. With a maximum speed of 2400 RPM, the fan operates with minimal noise. The fan curve has been carefully calibrated to start at 660 RPM with a 10% load, maintaining this speed until reaching a 50% load. To ensure efficiency and minimal noise, the XPG Core Reactor 750W has been certified by Cybenetics. Furthermore, it incorporates various protective mechanisms such as Over Current Protection (OCP), Over Voltage Protection (OVP), Under Voltage Protection (UVP), Short Circuit Protection (SCP), and Over Temperature Protection (OTP), among others.
In regard to connectivity, the Cooler Master MasterWatt 750 features one 24-pin connection, two ATX 12V 4+4 pin connections, six PCIe connections, 12 SATA connections, and four Molex connections.
The Cooler Master MasterWatt 750 is a highly recommended silent PSU option under $100. With its 80 Plus Bronze efficiency rating, it offers excellent power delivery while maintaining a quiet operation. The semi-fanless mode ensures that the fan remains idle until the load reaches 15%, minimizing noise output. Additionally, it features a gradual fan curve that provides effective cooling without disturbing noise levels. The semi-modular design allows for easy cable management, as the main power cables are directly connected to the circuit board. Cooler Master guarantees a high MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) of over 100,000 hours. In terms of connectivity, it includes 1 motherboard 24-pin connector, 1 CPU 12V 4+4-pin connector, 4 PCI-e 6+2-pin connectors, 9 SATA connectors, 3 Molex 4-pin connectors, and 1 4-pin floppy connector. Overall, the Cooler Master MasterWatt 750 PSU not only delivers reliable performance and efficiency but also prioritizes a silent operation.
16 AWG power cables
Cons Semi-modular design
The Cooler Master MasterWatt 750 is a sleek, compact ATX power supply that boasts an impressive 80 Plus Bronze rating. With the ability to provide up to 750W of power, this power supply is perfect for a wide range of setups. What sets the MasterWatt 750 apart is its semi-modular design, making cable management a breeze. Additionally, this power supply is equipped with essential protections like Over Power Protection (OPP), Over Current Protection (OCP), Over Voltage Protection (OVP), and Over Temperature Protection (OTP), ensuring the safety and longevity of your system.
The Cooler Master MasterWatt 750 comes equipped with a 120mm Silencio FP fan that utilizes LDB bearings. Cooler Master has designed it with a semi-fanless curve, allowing the fan to remain idle up to 15% load. As the load increases, the fan speed slowly ramps up without generating any noise. The fan is effectively sealed at ingress points such as the bearing groove and bobbin.
In terms of connectivity, the Cooler Master MasterWatt 750 offers a range of options: a motherboard 24-pin connector, a CPU 12V 4+4-pin connector, four PCI-e 6+2-pin connectors, nine SATA connectors, three Molex 4-pin connectors, and a 4-pin floppy connector. With an MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) surpassing 100,000 hours, this power supply is built for long-lasting reliability.
Brand SilverStoneOutput 450WModular Cabling Semi-modular80 Plus Efficiency Rating Bronze+12V Rails Single +12V rail with 36APros Compact design with ATX compatibility
Ample connectivity options
Quiet operation
Cons Semi-modular design
450W may be low for a lot of modern day builds
See at Amazon $81 at Newegg
For those looking to build a compact form factor, an ideal choice for a power supply would be either an SFX or SFX-L model. Among the affordable options available, the SilverStone ST45SF stands out, offering a continuous power output of 450W. With its 80 Plus Bronze rating, it provides good efficiency at this price range. Measuring a mere 125x63.5x100 mm, this SFX PSU is compact but can also be used in an ATX case with the included bracket.
Equipped with standard protective features and boasting an MTBF of 100,000 hours, this power supply is reliable. While it lacks an idle mode, it includes a single 92mm fan. Despite its small size, the SilverStone ST45SF offers ample connectivity options such as a 24/20-pin motherboard connector, one ATX 12V connector, one 8/6-pin PCIe connector, one 6-pin PCIe connector, three SATA connectors, two 4-pin peripheral connectors, and a 4-pin floppy connector.
The SilverStone ST45SF 450W SFX PSU has a semi-modular design with the main power cables attached to the board.
The Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W power supply is a top choice for a smart PSU under $100. Priced at $90, it offers a $10 saving. This fully modular power supply is part of the popular Toughpower series and is rated 80 Plus Gold, ensuring high efficiency. It provides a peak power of 750W, making it suitable for even high-end PCs. The inclusion of a PCIe Gen 5.0 connector allows for powering new GPUs with the 12VHPWR cable. It also adheres to the ATX 3.0 standard, ensuring improved power excursion and low load efficiency. Additionally, it features a 120mm fan with a Smart Zero Fan mode for silent operation.
Brand: Thermaltake
Output: 750W
Modular Cabling: Fully modular
80 Plus Efficiency Rating: Gold
Protection Features: OCP (Over Current Protection), OVP (Over Voltage Protection), UVP (Under Voltage Protection), OPP (Over Power Protection), SCP (Short Circuit Protection), OTP (Over Temperature Protection)
Pros: Fully modular design
80 Plus Gold Rating
Native PCIe Gen 5.0 Connector
Thermaltake, with over 15 years of experience in manufacturing power supplies, has established the Toughpower series as one of its enduring product lines. The 750W Toughpower GF A3 PSU, boasting an impressive 80 Plus Gold rating, offers exceptional reliability and efficiency. Designed as an ATX power supply, it features a fully modular design for effortless cable management and the option to use custom cables.
The Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W PSU stands out for its full compatibility with Intel ATX 3.0 specifications, allowing it to support the PCIe Gen 5.0 12VHPWR 16-pin connector. This connector is essential for powering high-performance graphics cards like the RTX 4090, delivering up to 300W of power. The PSU incorporates standard protections such as OCP, OVP, OPP, and SCP.
Adding to its uniqueness, the Toughpower GF A3 750W features a 120mm fluid bearing fan that utilizes Smart Zero Fan technology. This technology ensures that the fan remains idle until the load reaches 30%, minimizing noise. With an MTBF of over 100,000 hours, this PSU is highly reliable. It includes various connectors, such as one 24-pin connector, four PCI-E 6+2-pin connectors, one PCI-E 12+4-pin (12VHPWR), two ATX 12V 4+4-pin connectors, eight SATA connectors, and an FDD adapter.
Brand FSPOutput 450WModular Cabling Non-modular80 Plus Efficiency Rating BronzeProtection Features OVP, OCP, SCP, OPPPros Small form factor
Compatibility with ATX form factor
1W standby mode
Cons Completely non-modular
450W may be low for most modern PC builds
See at Amazon $89 at Walmart $90 at Newegg
This compact power supply has an 80 Plus Bronze rating, which is an improvement over the standard rating. The FSP SFX 450W, as its name suggests, can provide 450W of power to PC components while maintaining a quiet operation due to its 80mm sleeve-bearing fan equipped with a thermal sensor. Although its fan noise is listed at under 21dB, it is not the quietest PSU available. Notably, this FSP product is even more compact than the SilverStone SFX PSU, measuring at 100x100x63.5 mm, allowing for easy installation in tight builds.
For safe and reliable operation, this PSU includes OVP, OCP, SCP, and OPP. As for connectivity, the SFX 450W features a non-modular design with all cables soldered to the board. It includes one 24-pin connector, one 4+4-pin connector, one PCIe 6+2-pin connector, one PCIe 6-pin connector, three SATA ports, three Molex ports, and one floppy connector.
The FSP SFX 450W also comes with an Energy Saver mode that drops the power to 1W on standby.
Things To Consider When Purchasing A PSU
Wattage: Every PC component, whether it is for gaming or productivity, requires a specific level of power to operate. Some have low power requirements, while others consume a significant amount. The power supply unit (PSU) must be capable of supplying enough power to all components at maximum load. For instance, if a system needs 350W-400W for all its components, it is advisable to have a 400W PSU or even higher for some extra headroom. It is recommended for those looking to purchase a PSU to calculate the maximum power their system can draw, which can be done conveniently with various online tools.
Rating: Power supplies have ‘80 Plus’ ratings to help understand how efficient and reliable they are.
Understanding PSU Ratings
The efficiency and reliability of a PSU can be determined by its 80 Plus rating system. This rating ensures that PSUs with the 80 Plus label will deliver a minimum of 80% power efficiency, or even more, at 20, 50, and 100 percent load. For instance, if a PSU draws 400W from the wall and supplies 320W to the PC, it has an efficiency rating of 80%. Another factor to consider is how much power is returned to the PSU itself compared to the power being supplied to the PC. The 80 Plus Standard or 80 Plus White rating is one of the six ratings used to assess PSUs based on these principles.
80 Plus Bronze
80 Plus Silver
80 Plus Gold
80 Plus Platinum
The 80 Plus Titanium rating is the highest level of efficiency for power supply units (PSUs). It signifies that a PSU can deliver 94% efficiency at 20% load, 96% at 50% load, and 94% at 100% load. Additionally, it achieves an impressive 90% efficiency even at 10% load, a capability that sets it apart from other PSU options. In contrast, lower rated options such as 80 Plus Standard or 80 Plus White, 80 Plus Bronze, 80 Plus Silver, 80 Plus Gold, and 80 Plus Platinum have lower efficiency levels.
Power Supply Size: The size of the power supply is an important factor to consider. PSUs are available in four main sizes: ATX, TFX, SFX, or SFX-L. Those who are using standard-sized ATX PC cases can choose from most PSU sizes, while those with small form factor PCs can only use SFX or SFX-L PSUs.
Modularity: A non-modular PSU has all cables soldered to the board. While these may be suitable for basic PCs without windows, managing all the cables can be difficult. There is no way to remove unused cables. A semi-modular PSU, as the name suggests, has the main cables (such as the 24-pin, 8-pin, and PCIe cables) connected to the board, while the user has the flexibility to connect the SATA cables and extra PCIe cables as needed. On the other hand, modular PSUs have none of the cables connected to the board, making cable management and customization much easier.
Conclusion
When faced with a wide array of options, it can be perplexing to select the right PSU. This guide highlights the most popular choices in the ATX and SFX form factors. SFX power supplies typically come at a higher cost, making it challenging to find anything better than a Bronze rating. On the other hand, ATX power supplies are more commonly used and hence more cost-effective. For a price point of $100, gamers can acquire a 750W PSU, which is suitable for most PC builds. However, it may not suffice if there is a power-hungry component like an RTX 4090, for which a minimum PSU rating of 850W is recommended. It is technically feasible to run an RTX 4080 on a 750W PSU, but it would be cutting it too close to the power limit. Therefore, it is crucial to make the PSU purchase decision based on the components being used, the size of the build, and of course, the available budget.
FAQ
Q: What PSU should I get for RTX 4090?
Nvidia recommends a minimum 850W PSU for its powerful RTX 4090 graphics card.
Q: It is okay to buy a cheap PSU?
“Cheap” is a subjective measure and can encompass various budget options for individuals. This guide highlights numerous excellent PSUs that are budget-friendly. Before making a purchase, it is essential to verify the specifications such as capacity, 80 Plus rating, form factor, and modularity of the PSU.
Q: What is the best PSU under $100?
As per the specifications and price point, the Cooler Master MWE GOLD 850 - V2 is the best overall PSU under $100.
