PSU power supplyWattage Calculator
Based on your CPU, GPU and peripheral equipment, we can accurately estimate the power consumption of the entire machine and recommend the most appropriate power supply wattage. Built-in popular hardware database supports Intel Core Ultra, AMD Ryzen 9000 and NVIDIA RTX 50 series.
CPU processor
GPU graphics card
Memory and storage devices
~5W each
~5W each
~10W each
Cooling and RGB
~3W each
safety margin
Safety margin ensures that the power supply does not operate at full capacity, extending service life and reducing noise. It is generally recommended to leave a 30% margin.
Power calculation results
-- W
--
--
--
--
Please click "Calculate power supply wattage" for suggestions.
Power consumption distribution map
Please do calculations first
PSU recommendations for common uses
| Usage scenarios | Recommended wattage | Recommended level | Suitable for configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word processing/Internet access | 450W~550W | Bronze | Internal graphics/entry graphics card |
| mainstream games | 650W~750W | Gold | RTX 4070 / RX 7800 XT |
| Game live/editing | 750W~850W | Gold | RTX 4080 / Ryzen 9 |
| AI Workstation/Deep Learning | 1000W~1200W | Platinum | RTX 5090 multi-card |
| NAS/server | 550W~650W | Gold | Multiple hard drives + ECC |
💡 Golden Rules for Choosing a PSU
① Total power consumption × 1.3 (safety margin) = Recommended PSU wattage
② 80 PLUS Gold is the sweet spot for value for money
③ RTX 40/50 series recommended to purchase ATX 3.1 native support
④ Modular power supply makes the whole line easier and provides better heat dissipation
Power supply knowledge encyclopedia
Learn more about the technical specifications and purchasing points of PSU power supplies
What is a PSU power supply?
PSU (Power Supply Unit, power supply unit) is the heart of the computer and is responsible for converting alternating current (AC) into stable direct current (DC) required by the various components of the computer. The quality and wattage of the power supply directly affect the stability, lifespan and safety of the entire computer.
A good power supply has multiple protection mechanisms: overvoltage protection (OVP), overcurrent protection (OCP), short circuit protection (SCP), overpower protection (OPP) and overtemperature protection (OTP). It can immediately cut off the output when an abnormality occurs to protect expensive hardware equipment.
How to choose a power supply?
When selecting a power supply, you should evaluate the following four aspects:
- Wattage: After calculating the full load power consumption of all equipment, reserve a 20%~30% safety margin. Insufficient wattage can cause system instability, reboots, and even hardware damage.
- 80 PLUS certified: Represents the conversion efficiency of the power supply under different loads. Gold and above are the mainstream choices. The higher the efficiency, the more energy-saving and cooler it will be.
- degree of modularity: Fully Modular allows free plugging and unplugging of wires, making the whole line simpler and better in heat dissipation; semi-modular is the second best; non-modular has fixed wires and is suitable for budget installations.
- Brand and warranty: It is recommended to choose a reputable brand (such as Seasonic, Corsair, EVGA, be quiet!, FSP, etc.) and pay attention to the warranty period (usually 5~12 years).
80 PLUS Level Difference: Gold, Platinum Is it worth it?
80 PLUS certification means that the power supply has a conversion efficiency of more than 80% at 20%, 50% and 100% load. The higher the level, the less power is wasted and the heat is lower:
- Standard: 80% efficiency - entry-level model, suitable for document machines
- Bronze: 82~85% efficiency - cost-effective entry-level choice
- Gold: 87~90% efficiency — Market mainstream sweet spot, taking into account both price and efficiency
- Platinum: 89~92% efficiency - high-end installation, more energy-saving for long-term operation
- Titanium: 90~94% efficiency - flagship level, 24/7 non-stop first choice
Is it worth it? For ordinary users, Gold is the option with the highest CP value. The price difference between platinum and titanium is large, and it is suitable for users who pursue ultimate efficiency and operate at full load for a long time (such as mining and AI computing).
What is ATX 3.1? Why is it important?
ATX 3.1 is the latest power supply standard developed by Intel and is designed for modern high-power graphics cards. It introduces two key changes:
- 12V-2x6 connector: Replacing the old version 12VHPWR, the terminal contact design has been improved to reduce the risk of overheating and meltdown. Provides up to 600W of power capability from a single connector.
- Dynamic load specifications: Must be able to withstand up to 200% of instantaneous peak power consumption (such as the instantaneous current spike of RTX 4090/5090) to ensure that the system does not trigger a protection restart due to instantaneous high load.
If you use an RTX 40 series (especially 4070 Ti or above) or RTX 50 series graphics card,It is strongly recommended to purchase an ATX 3.1 certified power supply, for optimal compatibility and security.
12V-2x6 connector introduction
12V-2x6 (also known as 12+4 pin) is a new generation graphics card power supply interface jointly developed by NVIDIA and Intel, replacing the old 6+2 pin PCIe connector. It integrates 12 power lines and 4 signal lines into a small connector, providing up to 600W power supply capability.
Compared with the old version of 12VHPWR, 12V-2x6 has improved the contact spring design inside the terminal, which increases the reliability of insertion depth detection and greatly reduces the risk of overheating caused by poor contact. Currently, RTX 4070 Ti and above models have fully adopted this connector.
How much margin does the power supply need to leave?
It is generally recommended to reserve a safety margin of 20%~30% for the following reasons:
- Conversion efficiency optimization: The power supply has the highest conversion efficiency at 50%~80% load. If used at full load, efficiency will decrease and heat will increase.
- Instantaneous peak power consumption: The CPU and GPU may generate power consumption spikes that are 1.5~2 times higher than TDP during instantaneous acceleration or startup. There is enough margin to avoid triggering OPP protection.
- Room for future upgrades: Reserve margin so you don’t need to replace the power supply when upgrading the graphics card or adding a hard drive in the future.
- Fan noise control: The fan speed is lower at low load and even supports smart stop (0 RPM Mode) for quieter operation.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about purchasing and using power supplies
Does the larger the wattage of the power supply, the more power it consumes?
No. The wattage of the power supply is the "maximum power supply capacity", not the "fixed power consumption". The actual power consumption of the computer is determined by each component, and the PSU only provides the required power. Using a larger wattage PSU may result in better conversion efficiency due to lower load factor. Just like driving a large truck to carry small packages, the car will not consume more fuel.
Can 750W push RTX 5090?
Not recommended. The TDP of the RTX 5090 is as high as 575W. With high-end CPUs such as Ryzen 9 (approximately 170W) and other peripherals, the power consumption of the entire machine easily exceeds 800W. It is recommended to use at least a 1000W or above ATX 3.1 certified power supply, and make sure it has a 12V-2x6 native connector to ensure safety.
Is the Gold Power Supply worth the extra money?
Worth it. Gold (80 PLUS Gold) is the current market sweet spot, with approximately 5% higher conversion efficiency than Bronze. Based on a 700W medium-performance computer used for 8 hours a day, the Gold Medal power supply can save about 100~200 yuan in electricity bills every year, and it generates less heat and has a quieter fan. If you have enough budget, it is wise to choose the gold medal directly.
Are modular power supplies really good?
Subject to demand. The fully modular power supply allows free plugging and unplugging of cables, and unused cables can be removed to make the interior of the case cleaner and the airflow smoother. But the price is higher and the connector has a limited plugging and unplugging life. For average users, semi-modularization (the motherboard cable is fixed and others are pluggable) is a good compromise.
Does the power supply have a lifespan? How soon should it be replaced?
The life of the power supply mainly depends on the quality of the internal capacitors and the usage environment. Generally speaking:
- Entry-level power supply: about 3~5 years
- Mid-to-high-end power supply (Japanese capacitor): about 7~10 years
- Flagship power supply: up to 10~12 years or more (depending on the warranty period)
If you find that the computer restarts frequently, the power supply fan makes abnormal noise, or smells burning, you should check it immediately and consider replacing it.
What is the difference between dual vs single +12V?
Single-channel +12V collects all +12V current on one track, which can supply all the power to the GPU and CPU, suitable for high-end graphics cards. Dual +12V divides the current into two or more tracks, each with independent overcurrent protection, which is safer but may trigger protection due to uneven distribution. Generally speaking,Single-channel design is more suitable for high-power game consoles, while the two-way design provides better protection in entry-to-mid-range configurations.
Does the higher the wattage of the PSU, the faster the computer?
Absolutely not. This is one of the most common myths in the computer DIY world! The wattage of the power supply only represents the "maximum power supply capacity" and does not affect the computing speed of the CPU or GPU. If your computer is currently running stably with a 650W power supply, switching to a 1200W power supply will not see any improvement in boot speed or game frame rate. As long as the power supply has sufficient wattage and stable quality, there will be no performance gain from replacing a higher-wattage PSU.