Best Power Supplies of 2023: The Ultimate Guide

Power is the most important aspect for building a gaming PC. Why? Every computer needs power running through it; that’s why it’s essential to find the best power supply that will meet your needs for optimal performance.

Whether you’re searching for the best power supply for gaming that you won’t have to replace for a long time or you’re just wondering which of the power supplies are sufficient for your PC, this guide will assist you in buying the power supply to make your experience as excellent as possible.

400-600W Power Supplies

Last update on 2023-10-04 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

600-800W Power Supplies

Last update on 2023-09-19 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

800-1000W Power Supplies

Last update on 2023-09-21 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

1000W+ Power Supplies

Last update on 2023-09-17 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon

What is a Power Supply?

A power supply unit, or PSU, is the most important part of a computer when it comes to function and usage. Just as the engine of a car gives the vehicle power, the PSU gives your computer power to run at its best.

If you’re searching for PSU for gaming, you’re going to need even more power than the average PC user. Gaming hardware often has higher specifications and requirements, which is why you want the best power supply that you can afford.

When shopping for the power supply, you’re going to need to look for the highest quality products with the best wattage and efficiency so you can avoid paying extra money for replacement parts in the long run.

What to consider when choosing a Power Supply?

Power Supply Form Factors

Power supply units can come in several shapes and sizes and they can only be put in certain areas or positions in your computer case.

All of the larger components of a computer need to have compatible form factors. The three components of a computer that have form factors include the case, power supply and motherboard.

There are a number of form factors; with ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) being the most common for current power supplies. Current ATX variations include micro-ATX, ATX12V v1.x, ATX12V v2.x.

Micro-ATX

Micro-ATX form factor (SFX power supplies) is only used for smaller PC types such as media center PCs. While getting micro-ATX components is a cost-effective way of building a PC, it is not ideal for a gaming PC as it does not have enough size or power to accommodate the larger components such as modern graphics cards and extra RAM module slots.

ATX, ATX12V and Other Versions

The difference between various versions of ATX form factors are the connectors that attach to the power supply.

Namely, the number of pins that are required to connect the power supply to the motherboard. The number of required pins has grown over time (from 20 to 24 in recent years). The increase in pins is due to the requirement of more power to support higher-powered motherboards, so the latest versions of ATX will be able to accommodate higher performance PCs.

Modular or Not?

Cables play a vital role in connecting the PSU with everything that needs power. There are two types of power supply units when it comes to cabling: Fixed and Modular.

The Benefits of Modular:
A modular PSU means that you only need to use the cables as you see fit based on what cables you need at a given time. While modular PSUs may cost more, there are a lot of advantages to running this setup, such as:

1. The PSU isn’t running to the cables that aren’t plugged in, which is a more efficient use of power.
2. There are fewer cables to play around with in terms of cable management. This would help people that want to show off their PC with a window case and don’t want to deal with more things that can accumulate dust.

The Benefits of Fixed:

A fixed PSU means that all or some of the cables attached are already linked to the power supply and cannot be taken off. Fixed cabling power supplies do have a few benefits, including:

1. All the cables are already there and you cannot lose them in the subsequent time after installing your power supply into your computer.
2. Fixed is generally more cost effective.

Which is Better?

Modular power supplies are generally considered more efficient based on their versatility. With modular, there is a risk of misaligned connections that can cause a slight voltage drop and an increase in the electrical current passing through the wires. However, if you are careful and make sure all the cables are secure, this is unlikely to happen.

Modular may not be needed and will cost more but the advantages of cable management and fewer cables blocking your cooling might outweigh the cost for more hardcore gamers; the choice is yours!

PSU Efficiency Explained

The power efficiency of the power supply is how much power it is pulling from the power source and how well the PSU converts it into direct current (DC).

A very simple equation to work out the efficiency of a power supply is as follows:

Efficiency = DC Power / AC Power

When examining the PSU efficiency specifications on a given PSU model, you will commonly see the term 80 PLUS or 80+.

This is a mark from a company that certifies all power supply units on how efficient they are. They do not give the certification to any power supplies that do not achieve at least 80% efficiency, hence 80 PLUS.

There are 6 levels of 80 PLUS efficiency. They are all based off how far above 80% efficiency that they can operate at 10%, 20%, 50% and 100% of their maximum wattage.

1. Base Level: Between 80% and 82%.
2. Bronze: Between 83% and 85%.
3. Silver: Between 85% and 88%.
4. Gold: Between 88% and 92%.
5. Platinum: Between 92% and 94%.
6. Titanium: The highest 80 PLUS rating; any power supply that operates at 95% or above efficiency.

Losing PSU Efficiency

There are two main factors that come into play when considering lost efficiency. The first and most obvious effect you may feel, physically, is heat. Because the power supply is drawing more power than it needs, it is producing an excess amount of heat (on a hot summer’s day, this can be very noticeable). You want your computer to run as cool as possible to help prolong its lifespan. For this reason, a higher efficiency rating is the better option when shopping for the best PSU.

The second factor (which may not be very important or noticeable initially) is cost. Specifically, the extra money you are spending on your electricity bill. If you your PC is on most of the time, then a lower efficiency PSU might be quite bad for your wallet.

If you are shopping for the best gaming power supply, then you will need to look for at least an 80 PLUS Gold. Many of the higher wattage power supplies already have this, although some cheaper options don’t. For hardcore PC gamers, it’s likely not worth having an efficiency under Gold.

How much power do you really need?

You might be thinking that you’d love to get the highest wattage and efficiency rating that you possibly can. While this comes with the benefit of higher power and performance, you may be spending more money than what you really need.

If you buy the best of the best, then it will likely stay quiet and not produce as much heat as a power supply with a lower wattage. The risk of buying a cheap, low-quality power supply is that the fan might be spinning louder, working harder and producing more heat. This, in turn, might shorten the life of your PSU. On the other hand, you may be able to spend less money on a PSU that still does its job for what you need.

There are many power supply calculators on the web, such as Outer Vision. This can help you determine the wattage needed for your gaming PC.

If you are planning to overclock your CPU and/or RAM or make upgrades in the future, you’ll want to get a higher wattage than what is recommended. However, if you have no plans to do this, then perhaps getting something much closer to what the calculator says is more acceptable (and cheaper).

If you want to truly futureproof your computer, it’s advised that you purchase a power supply unit that is at least 10% wattage over what the recommendation is. For gamers who require the highest performing PSUs, nothing below 600W is a good idea given the power needed for the high-end components.

The Best 400-600W Power Supplies

EVGA Supernova 550 GM

An Affordable SFX PSU Made for Big Deeds

For everyone looking for class and performance in one, there is no better choice than the EVGA Supernova 550 GM PSU. This fully modular 550W power supply comes with an 80 PLUS Gold certification and durable 92mm double ball bearing fans that maybe make a bit more noise than the fluid dynamic-bearings, but surely cope with the increased heat much better, which can prove to be very important, especially in such a cramped space as the SFX cases.

Other good aspects of the EVGA Supernova 550 GM are its 7-years warranty and the use of Japanese capacitors that, alongside the multiple protections included such as the OVP, UVP, OCP, OPP, and SCP, make this piece of hardware a long-lasting PSU solution for any SFX enthusiast.

When talking about the downsides, they are summed up in a high price and the existence of just a single EPS connector that prevents this PSU from being used with the high-end motherboards. Other than that, this PSU is just perfect.

Pros:

• 7-year warranty
• 80 PLUS Gold certification
• ATX adapter

Cons:

• Not compatible with the high-end motherboards
• A bit noisier fans
• Expensive

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Corsair RM550x

A PSU for Silence Lovers

There are not that many “middle class” PSUs that offer great performance, silent work, a great 10-year warranty and the full modularity at the same time, such as CORSAIR RM550x do. This PSU will deliver quality work for the long run and, which is even better, all that for a reasonable amount of money.

With 80 PLUS Gold certification, excellent voltage stability and plenty of features for enhancing silent work such as Zero RPM fan mode (almost no sound performance during low and medium loads), 135mm ML fan especially tuned for low noise work during heavy loads, etc., RM550x is a dream come true for any gamer or PC enthusiast looking for a noise-free (or the closest possible to that) power supply experience.

All in all, this PSU with its 550W is an excellent option offering a great, almost dead silent performance, with just a few minor flaws such as the lack of a few more SATA connectors, but for a “middle class” PSU, this is more than great.

Pros:

• Silent
• Highly efficient
• 10-year warranty

Cons:

• Lack of few more connectors
• 1xEPS connector

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Corsair CX550F RGB

A Very Good Mainstream PSU

If you have a limited budget, yet you want to have a decent performing PSU that delivers enough power, protection, and attractiveness all in one, Corsair CX550F RGB is the device for you.

To be exact, this is a fully modular power supply, with a 120 mm Rifle Bearing Fan (NR120L) equipped with RGB LEDs, and excellent 80 PLUS Bronze certification that brings some 88% of operational efficiency. This device comes with a five-year warranty and offers every sort of protection, including OVP, UVP, OPP, OCP, OTP, and many other protective features that should keep your valuable equipment safe and sound.

On top of that, Corsair CX550F RGB also features numerous connectivity options and comes with one ESP and two PCIe connectors, as well as seven SATA connectors. RGB lighting can be controlled over the motherboard’s built-in ARGB control, the button located on its back, as well as iCUE software; however, the last one requires an additional purchase of the CORSAIR iCUE RGB Lighting Controller.

In short, Corsair CX550F RGB delivers more than enough for the price and ultimately presents an excellent choice if you appreciate both performance and great looks in one.

Pros:

• 10-year warranty
• Good performance
• Great build quality

Cons:

• Not great cable capacitors
• 1xEPS connector

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The Best 600-800W Power Supplies

CORSAIR RM750x

One of the Best PSUs

Corsair RMX Series RM750x is a fully modular PSU that brings an impressive performance, great protection features, and equally importantly, excellent connectivity.

There is the 80 PLUS Gold certification that guarantees 87% to 89% efficiency, as well as a 140mm Magnetic Levitation Fan (NR140ML) that supports Zero RPM fan mode. More importantly, this PSU delivers low noise levels, and on top of that, it has very nit 10-year warranty.

Corsair RMX Series RM750x features a dual EPS12V connector, it has ten SATA connectors and comes with four PCIe connectors. Moreover, it is fitted with a single 12V rail and offers a highly stable voltage, as should be the case with one of the best PSUs available.

This PSU has an excellent build quality and is fitted with 105°C rated Japanese capacitors, while the wide variety of protection functions such as OVP, UVP, OPP, OCP, OTP, and many others, makes this power supply exceptionally durable and a great long-running option.

For that reason, if you are looking for an efficient and reliable PSU that brings exactly what high-end gaming needs, Corsair RMX Series RM750x is more than a good choice and a terrific option for most users.

Pros:

• Zero RPM fan mode
• Ten-year warranty
• Magnetic Levitation fan
• Fully modular
• Great efficiency

Cons:

• Not the best positioning of the connectors

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EVGA Super Nova 750 Ga

Quiet, Reliable and Efficient

EVGA Super Nova 750 Ga is a fully modular, high-quality power supply that will perfectly fit into any mainstream gaming rig or professional workstation. It is 80 plus Gold certified and provides plenty of safety features such as OVP (Over Voltage Protection), OPP (Over Power Protection), OCP (Over Current Protection), SCP (Short Circuit Protection), and many others.

With this compact-sized 150mm PSU, you will get great connectivity (nine SATA connectors, six PCIe connectors, four four-pin connectors, etc.), as well as an excellent build quality that includes premium components such as Japanese capacitors and LLC resonant dc-dc converters, which are one of the key reasons for this PSU’s great stability.

EVGA Super Nova 750 Ga is fitted with a 135mm Double Ball Bearing fan, it offers a 10-year warranty and altogether delivers everything you would expect from the best PSU.

However, have in mind that this device works properly only with its original cables and that in case you use a different type, you may fry your entire hardware. In other words, this is a great-quality product that just demands a bit of caution.

Pros:

• 10-year warranty
• Reliable
• Quiet
• Feature-rich

Cons:

• It requires that you use the cables that are provided with it

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Seasonic Prime 600 Titanium

A PSU Built for Fans of Silence

If you need a high-quality PSU, but you are irritated with their noisy fan sound, Seasonic Prime 600 Titanium power supply might be the right thing for you.

This is a pretty compact power supply, with a fanless design that allows it to be dead silent. Yes that means that you need a good airflow of your case, but that is something you would have anyways, especially if you are into gaming; therefore, it can’t be taken as a serious drawback.

On the other hand, Seasonic Prime 600 Titanium comes with 80 plus Titanium certification, 12 years warranty, and more importantly, very efficient performance that places it neck and neck with the competition.

This PSU is fully modular, it offers good connectivity and is built out of the finest components that, among others, include 105c Japanese capacitors.

In other words, this is a power supply that provides everything you need: the efficiency of the best PSUs, dead silent operations, and of course, excellent reliability, or in short, one hell of a device.

Pros:

• 12-year warranty
• Compact
• Silent
• Efficient
• Excellent build quality
• Good connectivity

Cons:

• Pricey
• Not the best distance between the connectors
• It demands a case with good airflow

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be quiet! Dark Power 12 750W

A Power Supply that Offers Everything You Need

be quiet! Dark Power 12 750W is a very good, highly reliable PSU, with a ten-year warranty. More importantly, this PSU has excellent efficiency that is rated at up to 95.9%, and is the key reason for this power supply’s 80 PLUS Titanium certification.

Moreover, it features an active PFC, it is fitted with Japanese 105° Capacitors, and offers a great level of protection that includes OVP, UVP, OPP, OTP, OCP, SCP, and many other protective functions. Also, there is very good connectivity that includes two ESP connectors, twelve SATA connectors, six PCIe connectors, and five four-pin Molex connectors that present a pretty good deal.

be quiet! Dark Power 12 750W also features a 135mm frameless Silent Wings fan, with fluid dynamic bearing and low noise performance that doesn’t go above the 20dBA. More importantly, it features multiple 12V rails that can be used as a single, massive 12V rail in the case of OC, offering great flexibility to the user.

All in all, if you are after a rock-solid PSU that brings everything that premium gaming might need, be quiet! Dark Power 12 750W is an exceptional choice and one of the best PSUs you can find for your money.

Pros:

• 10-year warranty
• Great protective features
• Very good performance
• Low-noise performance
• Good connectivity
• Nice distance between the connectors
• Fully modular
• Multiple 12V rails
• Sleek-looking

Cons:

• Pricey
• High OCP triggering points

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The Best 800-1000W Power Supplies

NZXT C850

Great Efficiency in a Nice-Looking Package

NZXT C850 is a well-built, efficient, fully modular PSU that has everything a die-hard gamer might need. There are all sorts of protection features, great connectivity, and equally importantly, a fairly convincing 10-year warranty.

NZXT C850 is PLUS Gold-certified and has an efficiency of up to 90%. It is fitted with Japanese 105° Capacitors and has one massive 12V rail that brings stable voltage, even when under heavy load.

This PSU offers great connectivity and comes with six four-pin Molex connectors, eight SATA connectors, as well as six PCIe, and two EPS connectors. When talking about protective features, there are OVP, UVP, OPP, OCP, OTP, SCP and many others. Moreover, the 120mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan (HA1225H12F-Z) is responsible for cooling, with a maximum speed of 2200 rpm, and a Zero RPM mode, resulting in almost no sound performance.

In other words, if you are after the best PSU available, NZXT C850 should definitely be among your top picks.

Pros:

• Excellent build quality
• Zero RPM mode
• Good efficiency
• Fully modular
• Good-looking

Cons:

• Not the best position of its connectors
• It can get loud under a heavy load

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Seasonic FOCUS Plus 850 Platinum

A Fantastic PSU for the Price

Seasonic FOCUS Plus 850 Platinum is an affordable, fully modular 850W power supply that works perfectly in every surrounding, including the high-end multi-GPU configurations, thanks to its excellent 12V rail (70 Amps).

This is a compact-sized (140mm) power supply, with hybrid silent fan control that may work in Silent, Fanless, or Cooling mode, depending on your preferences. More importantly, Seasonic FOCUS Plus 850 Platinum provides great efficiency and is fitted with numerous protection features such as OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP, etc.

With this power supply, you are also getting good connectivity (10x SATA connectors, 6x PCIe connectors, 5x four-pin connectors, etc.), a fairly convincing 10-year warranty, and very quiet operations, which may be a decisive factor for many users.

Seasonic FOCUS Plus 850 Platinum is fitted with a 120mm ball-bearing fan; it offers great build quality and overall delivers excellent value for the money, as it should be expected from one the best PSUs available on the market.

Pros:

• Compact size
• 10-year warranty
• Good price
• Great efficiency
• Quiet

Cons:

• Not the best distance between the connectors
• Inline capacitors are located in the cables

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Corsair RM850x

Absolute PSU Perfection

If you are seeking a reliable, well-performing power supply, with a ton of features and great protective capabilities, the Corsair RMX Series RM850x is the device for you. Yes, there are PSUs with better efficiency, yet its 80 PLUS Gold certification, and more importantly, its 87% to 91% efficiency, gives just enough for the majority of gaming enthusiasts, without going too deep into their pocket.

Simply, this PSU offers what the majority of users might need, such as a long list of protective features that includes OVP, UVP, OPP, OCP, OTP, and SCP protection. In addition, there is also a ton of connectivity options that include three EPS and four PCIe connectors, as well as the staggering fourteen SATA connectors.

Also, Corsair RMX Series RM850x comes with a very attractive ten-year warranty, 105°C rated Japanese capacitors, and it features full modularity, which is ultimately a pretty good package.

On top of that, it is fitted with a 135mm ML fan that offers a Zero RPM fan mode, and delivers good noise levels that are moving between 30dBA and 35dBA, which isn’t impressive; however, it is acceptable.

Therefore, if you are after a well-balanced PSU that has good efficiency, reliable performance, and a ton of protective features, Corsair RMX Series RM850x is the power supply to look for.

Pros:

• Zero RPM fan mode
• Ten-year warranty
• Magnetic Levitation fan
• Very good build quality
• Fully modular
• Great efficiency

Cons:

• Not the best positioning of the connectors

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Fractal Design Ion+ Platinum 860W

An Affordable, yet Highly Capable Mid-Range Power Supply

Fractal Design Ion+ Platinum 860W is a fair-priced, sleek-looking PSU that comes with a great list of features, as well as very respectable performance that makes it suitable for both mid-range and high-end workstations and gaming machines.

It is fully modular, it comes with 80 plus Platinum certification, and is fitted with Japanese capacitors that, along with its fairly good build quality and a very persuasive 10-year warranty, make this PSU a very good and reliable option.

Fractal Design Ion+ Platinum 860W provides good connectivity (10x SATA connectors, six PCIe connectors, four peripheral connectors, etc.) and comes equipped with numerous protection functions, such as OVP, UVP, OPP, SCP, and many other that are just another reason for its great reliability and uncompromising value.

When talking about other important characteristics of this PSU, you have to know that it is fitted with Dynamic Series 140 mm FDB bearing fan and that it provides multiple working modes, such as Silent, Low load, and Additional cooling mode. In other words, it comes fitted with everything that one of the best PSUs has to have, and much more.

Pros:

• 10-year warranty
• Very quiet
• Good connectivity
• Flexible cables
• Solid performance
• Stable
• Good-looking
• Fairly priced

Cons:

• Not the best distance between the connectors
• OCP protection is set a bit too high on all rails

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The Best 1000W+ Power Supplies

EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 P2 80+ PLATINUM

A “Beast” Among the PSUs

Unless you are into mining or want/have the gaming rig with multiple high-end graphics cards, there is no chance you will ever need such a PSU “beast” as EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 P2 80+ PLATINUM is. In every other situation other than the two previously mentioned, purchasing this PSU is a huge overkill.

When talking about the specifications, EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 P2 80+ PLATINUM has a 140mm Double Ball Bearing, offers full modularity, has the amazing 1600W in size, but lacks protection features, even the over-temperature protection which should be part of every PSU today.

Other than that, this power supply offers great performance, quiet work thanks to ECO mode, has excellent ripple suppression and comes with a fairly decent 10-year warranty. What isn’t good about it, are its huge dimensions and 5VSB rail efficiency that just should be better.

Nevertheless, EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 P2 80+ PLATINUM has one of the best performances of all the PSUs on the market and is worth any cent of its high price.

Pros:

• Silent
• 10-year warranty
• Good voltage stability
• Nice ripple suppression

Cons:

• 5VSB rail isn’t that efficient
• Too few protection features
• Size

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CORSAIR AX1600i

The Best of the Best is in Front of You

If your rig demands for a ton of power and you are looking for the best there is, get ready to be introduced to its “highness” CORSAIR AX1600i. This PSU is just something amazing, mostly because it is using a PFC circuit and is entirely digitally based. This combination results in its class-leading position and the highest possible efficiency that even surpasses its 80+ Titanium certification.

Silent performance is another field in which this PSU shines. Thanks to its 140mm fluid dynamic bearing, Zero RPM function and full compatibility with the Corsair’s Link software that allows for this PSU’s fine-tuning, CORSAIR AX1600i has earned a LAMBDA-A badge as a proof of its silent performance.

With noise and performance that have no real match, monstrous capacity of 12V rail, various protection features, excellent ripple suppression and exceptional load regulation and on top of that, a massive 10-year warranty, all that can be said about this PSU is that it is a masterpiece.

Pros:

• Link software functionality
• Plenty of features
• Amazing power efficiency
• Superb voltage stability
• Silent

Cons:

• The distance between peripheral connectors

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Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 1200W

A PSU with an Attitude

Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 1200W PSU comes as a great option for everyone looking for something different. Thanks to its 140mm hydraulic dynamic bearing fans with RGB lighting that supports five different color modes (RGB, white, red, blue and green), but also can be switched off, this power supply will perfectly fit into any build where users are looking for both unique looks and a great performance.

Fully modular, with 80 PLUS Platinum certification, selectable semi-passive mode, great rails (+12V can deliver PSU’s full power and minor rails up to 130W), great ripple suppression and quiet performance during light and medium loads, Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB has everything that the high-end users might need. When you also add its 10-year warranty, two EPS connectors and very affordable price into the calculation, you realize how this PSU is actually a great deal.

Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 1200W delivers a near-the-top performance in most categories, giving a great value for the money for a large base of users.

Pros:

• Silent
• Fan with RGB lighting
• 2xESP connectors

Cons:

• Inaccurate power signal

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How to Find the Best Power Supply for Gaming: Features to Look For

For those looking to build a gaming PC, there are a number of categories to think about before you rush out and buy the best looking or best-performing power supply on the market. Some of the most important features to look for are:

• Wattage. To find out an estimate of how much wattage is required for your gaming PC, head over to Outer Vision. Keep in mind that a higher wattage can be more costly, but it may also help with heat and noise levels.
• Optimal Form Factors. If you want a higher powered computer, you’re going to need the most current form factors, such as ATX 12V v2.4.
• Modular. While modular or fixed is a matter of opinion, choosing modular can mean less clutter in your computer and improved air flow.
• Efficiency. For all your gaming needs, a Gold rating or more is highly recommended.

No matter what type of gamer you are, you’re always going to need an SSD, enough RAM, good gaming motherboard and the reliable power supply if you want to have the ultimate gaming experience without shortening the life of your computer. Consider your needs both now and in the future, so you can make the best possible choice for long-term gaming enjoyment.