Buying Guide
The Best 80 Plus Gold Power Supplies
Six 80 Plus Gold units from 650W to 1200W with native 12V-2x6 cables, compared on warranty, connectors and price.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
80 Plus Gold is the most common efficiency tier for gaming PCs, and prices have fallen far enough that it rarely makes sense to buy lower. Warranty length and connectors now separate the units.
We compared wattage, efficiency ratings, connectors and warranty from each listing; we did not load-test these units.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best 750W Gold
ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750GA 10-year warranty with Cybenetics Platinum.
Best for: Most gaming PCs.
Check price for ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most 16-Pin Cables
MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 IITwo 12V-2x6 connectors at 1000W.
Best for: High-end GPUs.
Check price for MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 650W Gold
MONTECH Century II 650W650W with a 10-year warranty and Zero Fan mode.
Best for: Mid-range builds.
Check price for MONTECH Century II 650W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 1200W Gold
ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G1200W with a 10-year warranty.
Best for: Flagship builds.
Check price for ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 850W Gold
Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W850W Gold with a Smart Zero Fan mode.
Best for: Mid-to-high-end builds.
Check price for Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Gold
darkFlash DG750A 140mm body with a native 12V-2x6 cable.
Best for: Keeping cost down.
Check price for darkFlash DG750 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best 750W Gold1 of 6
ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G
ASRock's Phantom Gaming PG-750G has a 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor, braided cables and a 10-year warranty.
Best for
- Most gaming PCs.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the darkFlash DG750 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is 150mm deep and rated Cybenetics Platinum. It is fully modular with braided cables and a 90-degree PCIe 5.1 connector that has a temperature sensor. ASRock rates its efficiency 2% above the Gold standard.
The 12V-2x6 cable is dual-color and rated to 105 degrees C, and ASRock lists iCOOL intelligent fan control and 220% total power excursion. It measures 5.91 x 5.91 x 3.39 inches, and ASRock notes it is not compatible with all prebuilt systems. It matches the darkFlash DG750 on rated output (750W).
It matches the MONTECH Century II 650W, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W and the darkFlash DG750 on native 12V-2x6 cable count (1). On warranty it ties with the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, the MONTECH Century II 650W and the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G at 10 years. It was priced above the MONTECH Century II 650W and below the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 750W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Warranty
- 10 years
- Depth
- 150mm
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- Cybenetics rating
- Platinum
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- A 750W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A 10-year warranty
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG750 at the time of writing
Most 16-Pin Cables2 of 6
MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II
MSI's MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II is the only 1000W unit here with two native 12V-2x6 cables, and it adds three PCIe 8-pin connectors.
Best for
- High-end GPUs.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the darkFlash DG750, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
MSI backs it with a 10-year warranty and 105°C capacitors throughout. Its embossed jacket cables bend easily, and eight protections guard the system. MSI lists RTX 50 series support.
Its 1000W rated output ranks second of 6 here, behind the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G (1200W) and ahead of the MONTECH Century II 650W (650W). Nothing else here matches its 2 native 12V-2x6 cable count; the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G comes closest at 1. On warranty it ties with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, the MONTECH Century II 650W and the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G at 10 years.
No depth is rated for the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. When we checked, only the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W and cheaper picks cost less, and the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G cost more.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 1000W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 2
- PCIe 8-pin connectors
- 3
- Warranty
- 10 years
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- 1000W of rated output for high-power cards
- 2 native 12V-2x6 cables
- A 10-year warranty
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG750 at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed depth, look to the darkFlash DG750 instead: it comes in at 140mm, while this one gives no figure.
Best 650W Gold3 of 6
MONTECH Century II 650W
Montech's Century II 650W brings a native 12V-2x6 cable, fully modular cables and a 10-year warranty to a low-cost 80 Plus Gold unit.
Best for
- Mid-range builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated output matters most to you; the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G offers 1200W.
Why we like it
Its 135mm FDB fan has a zero RPM mode, and it uses 100% Japanese capacitors. Its 650W rated output is the lowest in this group; the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G leads at 1200W. It matches the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W and the darkFlash DG750 on native 12V-2x6 cable count (1).
On warranty it ties with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II and the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G at 10 years. The MONTECH Century II 650W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. No depth is rated for the MONTECH Century II 650W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 650W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Warranty
- 10 years
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 135mm
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- A 650W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A 10-year warranty
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Rated output trails the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G (1200W)
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG750 at the time of writing
The catch
Rated output is its weakest area, and the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G covers it better at 1200W.
Best 1200W Gold4 of 6
ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G
ASRock's SL-1200G pairs 80 Plus Gold with a Cybenetics Platinum rating and a LAMBDA A noise certification.
Best for
- Flagship builds.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the darkFlash DG750, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is fully modular, ATX 3.1 and covered for 10 years. It uses 100% Japanese capacitors for longevity and stable output. Check your case and component specifications before buying.
Nothing else here matches its 1200W rated output; the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II comes closest at 1000W. On native 12V-2x6 cable count it ties with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, the MONTECH Century II 650W, the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W and the darkFlash DG750 at 1. It matches the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II and the MONTECH Century II 650W on warranty (10 years).
You also get a 5V boost function for stable standby voltage. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II and the rest.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 1200W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Warranty
- 10 years
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- Cybenetics rating
- Platinum
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 135mm
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- 1200W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A 10-year warranty
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG750 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its depth; if that figure matters, the darkFlash DG750 comes in at 140mm.
Best 850W Gold5 of 6
Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W
Thermaltake's Toughpower GT 850W is a fully modular ATX 3.1 unit with a native 12V-2x6 cable, a single high-amperage 12V rail and a Smart Zero Fan mode.
Best for
- Mid-to-high-end builds.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: a shorter 5-year warranty.
Why we like it
Smart Zero Fan keeps the fan off at low load, and its low-profile flat black cables are easy to route. It is 80 Plus Gold rated at up to 90% efficiency. On rated output it sits mid-pack at 850W: the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G offers 1200W, and the MONTECH Century II 650W comes in at 650W.
On native 12V-2x6 cable count it ties with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, the MONTECH Century II 650W, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G and the darkFlash DG750 at 1. It matches the darkFlash DG750 on warranty (5 years). The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter.
No depth is rated for the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. Its price falls between the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 850W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Warranty
- 5 years
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- A 850W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- A shorter 5-year warranty
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG750 at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed depth should compare it with the darkFlash DG750, which comes in at 140mm.
Best Budget Gold6 of 6
darkFlash DG750
darkFlash's DG750 is a 140mm-deep 80 Plus Gold unit with a native 12V-2x6 cable and a hydraulic-bearing fan.
Best for
- Keeping cost down.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: a shorter 5-year warranty.
Why we like it
Its warranty is 5 years. It is fully modular with a quiet HDB fan, 80 Plus Gold rated, and backed by a 5-year limited warranty. Its fully modular cables reduce clutter for first-time builders.
On rated output it ties with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G at 750W. On native 12V-2x6 cable count it ties with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, the MONTECH Century II 650W, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G and the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W at 1. It matches the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W on warranty (5 years).
It also comes with a 140mm body that leaves room for cables. The darkFlash DG750 comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. At 140mm deep, compare it with your case's PSU clearance before buying. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the MONTECH Century II 650W was the next step up.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 750W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Warranty
- 5 years
- Depth
- 140mm
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- A 750W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A short 140mm body
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- A shorter 5-year warranty
- Native 12V-2x6 cable count trails the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II (2)
- Warranty trails the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G (10 years)
The catch
If native 12V-2x6 cable count is your priority, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II (2) is the stronger choice.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared six power supplies on rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count, warranty and depth, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 4 of 6 picks leave out depth.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G to the darkFlash DG750, state rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count and warranty and share Gold 80 Plus rating and ATX 3.1 ATX version.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, the MONTECH Century II 650W, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G and the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W give no depth; the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, the MONTECH Century II 650W, the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W and the darkFlash DG750 give no cybenetics rating.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the darkFlash DG750 ($50 to $100) to the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in an 80 Plus Gold PSUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated output
Here rated output runs from 650W on the MONTECH Century II 650W to 1200W on the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, an 85% spread. For less, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II is the runner-up at 1000W.
How much native 12V-2x6 cable count you need
The MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II tops native 12V-2x6 cable count at 2 and the darkFlash DG750 sits lowest at 1. If native 12V-2x6 cable count is your first filter, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II sets the ceiling at 2.
Modular cable sockets on the back of a power supply How much warranty you need
Across these 6 picks warranty spans 5 years (the darkFlash DG750) to 10 years (the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G). If warranty is your first filter, the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G sets the ceiling at 10 years.
Setup checks
The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter.
Power cables routed to a graphics card inside a PC Features beyond the spec table
The ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G: a 5V boost function for stable standby voltage. The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W: a single high-amperage 12V rail. The darkFlash DG750: a hydraulic-bearing fan.
How to Choose an 80 Plus Gold PSUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most gaming PCs | ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G | A 10-year warranty with Cybenetics Platinum |
| High-end GPUs | MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II | Two 12V-2x6 connectors at 1000W |
| Mid-range builds | MONTECH Century II 650W | 650W with a 10-year warranty and Zero Fan mode |
| Flagship builds | ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G | 1200W with a 10-year warranty |
| Mid-to-high-end builds | Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W | 850W Gold with a Smart Zero Fan mode |
| Keeping cost down | darkFlash DG750 | A 140mm body with a native 12V-2x6 cable |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G leads on rated output at 1200W, ahead of the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II at 1000W. "Not listed" marks depth where the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, the MONTECH Century II 650W, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G and the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W leave the figure out.
| Power supplie | Wattage | Native 12V-2x6 cables | Warranty | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G | 750W | 1 | 10 years | 150mm |
| MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II | 1000W | 2 | 10 years | Not listed |
| MONTECH Century II 650W | 650W | 1 | 10 years | Not listed |
| ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G | 1200W | 1 | 10 years | Not listed |
| Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W | 850W | 1 | 5 years | Not listed |
| darkFlash DG750 | 750W | 1 | 5 years | 140mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the darkFlash DG750, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G at $100 to $150; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Power supplies |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | darkFlash DG750, MONTECH Century II 650W, ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W |
| About $100 to $150 | MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II compare with the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G on rated output?
Between the top two, it is 1200W on the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G against 1000W on the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, a 20% difference. The MONTECH Century II 650W is at the other end of this group with 650W.
Is the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II ahead of the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G on native 12V-2x6 cable count?
The MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II leads at 2, with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G at 1.
Which has the shallowest depth: the darkFlash DG750 or the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G?
The darkFlash DG750 is lowest on depth at 140mm; the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G follows at 150mm, 7% apart. The MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, the MONTECH Century II 650W, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G and the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W don't state a depth figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 6 picks are ranked.
Is the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G worth paying more than the darkFlash DG750?
On paper it adds rated output (1200W against 750W) and warranty (10 years against 5 years). The darkFlash DG750 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G in the $100 to $150 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated output and warranty decide your purchase.
What makes the MONTECH Century II 650W the Best 650W Gold?
The label rests on 650W with a 10-year warranty and Zero Fan mode. It gives up rated output (650W against 750W) to the darkFlash DG750, the cheapest pick. It suits mid-range builds.
Which of these power supplies have fan stop?
The MONTECH Century II 650W and the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W have it. The makers of the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G and the darkFlash DG750 don't state fan stop, so 2 of 6 picks are covered here.
Bottom Line
ASRock's PG-750G is the best Gold unit for most builds, and MSI's A1000GS PCIE5 II suits cards that need two 16-pin cables. Montech's Century II 650W suits mid-range builds, and darkFlash's DG750 keeps costs down.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 80 Plus Platinum Power Supplies
- Related guideThe Best 750W Power Supplies for Upper Mid-Range Gaming PCs
- Related guideThe Best Power Supplies for Gaming PCs
- Lower budgetThe Best Power Supplies Under $80
- Similar guideThe Best PC Power Supplies
- ExplainerHow to choose a power supply for a PC build
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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