Whether you’re building a gaming PC for the first time, upgrading it, or replacing parts, at some point you’ll need to know how to install a power supply unit (PSU). However, don’t be fooled by the wiring, as it can be a painless process. All you need is a screwdriver, easy access to your PC case, and maybe a little patience managing your cables.
Power supplies are often an afterthought or low on the wish list due to their inconspicuous nature, but they are the backbone of any gaming PC. Nvidia, AMD, and Intel are all trying to make their components as efficient as possible, but the best graphics card and gaming processor still need a healthy power supply to function properly.
If you don’t provide enough juice to keep your PC running, you’ll experience horrible crashes, BSODs, and shorts that put your expensive parts at risk, or worse. But do not worry. Simply follow our PSU installation guide and you’ll be up and running in no time.
Choosing the right power supply for your system is half the battle, and it’s a lot easier than you think.
1. Discover the power you need
Each of your components will come with a power requirement on the back of the box. But these days, most manufacturers offer their own power calculators to help you determine how much power you’ll need, which means you can go straight to the source if you’re considering a Cooler Master, shut up, Asus, Seasonic, or EVGA. power supply. . However, OuterVision Calculator shines above the rest, offering a basic option for beginners and a more comprehensive breakdown for experts.
Make sure the power supply you choose has the wattage you need to power all the components in your PC.
Even on a basic tab, OuterVision takes into account the make and model of your major components, as well as your RAM, storage, optical drives, monitors, and how much time your computer is used during the day. However, the Expert tab gives you finer control over things considering clock speeds and cooling solutions. It’s best to add a few extra devices, even if you’re not using them, as this will give you more room for future updates.
Be sure to check your current power supply with one of these tools before making another big purchase. You might find that the power supply you have is up to the task after all. If so, then fantastic! You do not have anything to do. But otherwise, the next thing to consider is the device’s efficiency rating.
2. How effective do you want to be?
The stickers you see on power supplies claiming to be 80 Plus aren’t just for show. This means it more efficiently converts power from the wall outlet into power for your PC. Less energy wasted means less heat generated.
| power load | twenty% | fifty% | 100% |
| 80 plus | 70% | 70% | 70% |
| 80 plus bronze | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| 80 plus money | 82% | 85% | 82% |
| 80 plus gold | 85% | 88% | 85% |
| 80 plus platinum | 90% | 92% | 89% |
| titanium 80 plus | 90% | 92% | 94% |
More recently, these categories have been expanded to include 80 Plus Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium ratings, from least efficient to most efficient. You won’t see platinum or titanium power supplies too often, as these are generally higher wattage power supplies that command a premium price. However, bronze, silver, and gold are ten cents a dozen, so it’s hard to recommend anything below.
But not straight measurements, these ratings are also a testament to the reliability of the power supply. Companies sometimes justify the price increase with an additional guarantee of quality, which means you can probably get more out of a higher-end model.
3. What is a modular power supply?
Standard power supplies come with all cables pre-wired into the device. The problem is that you are rarely kissing all of them, sometimes you have combined your system with additional GPUs and complementary modules, condamnant de nombreux fils à pendre comme une horreur ou à vivre une vie derrière votre mother card.
Modular power supplies help you manage cables.
Modular power supplies are more expensive, but they allow you to choose which cables to use and leave your system wiring looking like it belongs in the shop. You can even buy more cables from the manufacturer if, for example, you don’t have enough cables for a power-hungry graphics card. If it’s too expensive, you’re in luck, because there is a happy middle ground.
The semi-modular power supplies shown above bridge the gap between modular and standard designs, with the main cables hardwired and others optional. They tend to be a bit more gentle with your bank account.
4. Find the perfect fit
The last thing to consider when choosing the right power supply is its size in relation to your case. Standard ATX power supplies are 100mm wide, but they all vary in length. They are not necessarily suitable for a Mini ITX or Micro ATX build that requires a width of 80mm, also known as a Small Form Factor (SFX) PSU.
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At the other end of the scale, there are larger power supplies that can create problems even on some full towers.
5. Installation of the power supply in the case.
After all these considerations, you should have a power supply that perfectly suits your needs and can easily fit into your chassis.
If you are trying to upgrade or replace the power supply, you will first need to disconnect all the power supply cables from the motherboard and unscrew the old casing from the case. You can leave the motherboard connected to the case and fans to save time, but if you don’t have enough room to move around, you can disconnect them and any other intrusive components to avoid unnecessary damage.
Depending on the type of power supply you choose, it is recommended that you connect the necessary cables before installing the power supply, as it may be difficult to access later. Insert the power supply into the box once everything is ready, securing it with screws.
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When it comes to cable management, it’s best to run the cables through the back of the case, behind the motherboard. Chassis designs vary, but often come with their own cable management solutions, allowing each to be routed to the appropriate outlet through the nearest hole.
Don’t forget to plug in the CPU, GPU, storage, and motherboard, as well as any other add-ons you might have. You can always refer to your motherboard manual if you don’t know what goes where, but most motherboards now have a standard layout if that document is long lost. And don’t worry, your computer won’t blow up with a little wiring mistake, so don’t hold back.
If installing a power supply was just the first step in building your PC, you’ll also need to know how to install a graphics card, upgrade your CPU, install an SSD, and maybe even optimize your system to give it an FPS boost. Don’t worry, we will assist you on all fronts.
Source : PC Gamesn
