Buying Guide
The Best Gaming PC PSUs
Five ATX 3.1 power supplies from 550W to 1000W, so you can size the unit to your graphics card.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A gaming PC's power supply should match the graphics card maker's recommended wattage, with a native 12V-2x6 cable for recent NVIDIA cards. All five here are ATX 3.1 units with that cable.
We compared wattage, efficiency and warranty from each listing and Cybenetics data where listed; we did not test these units.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Gaming PC PSU
ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G750W with a ten-year warranty and Cybenetics Platinum.
Best for: Most mid-range gaming PCs.
Check price for ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 1000W Value
NZXT C1000 Gold Core (ATX 3.1)1000W with a seven-year warranty.
Best for: High-end graphics cards.
Check price for NZXT C1000 Gold Core (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget 750W
SAMA GT750750W with a zero-RPM fan mode.
Best for: Budget mid-range builds.
Check price for SAMA GT750 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Entry-Level PSU
MONTECH Century II 550W550W Gold with a ten-year warranty.
Best for: Entry-level graphics cards.
Check price for MONTECH Century II 550W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Efficient
FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W80 Plus Titanium at 1000W.
Best for: Premium high-end builds.
Check price for FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 750W with a ten-year warranty and Cybenetics Platinum. | Most mid-range gaming PCs. | Check price for ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 1000W with a seven-year warranty. | High-end graphics cards. | Check price for NZXT C1000 Gold Core (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 750W with a zero-RPM fan mode. | Budget mid-range builds. | Check price for SAMA GT750 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 550W Gold with a ten-year warranty. | Entry-level graphics cards. | Check price for MONTECH Century II 550W on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 80 Plus Titanium at 1000W. | Premium high-end builds. | Check price for FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Gaming PC PSU1 of 5
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 mid-range gaming PCs.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the SAMA GT750 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 SAMA GT750 on rated output (750W).
On warranty it ties with the MONTECH Century II 550W and the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W at 10 years. Like the NZXT C1000 Gold Core and MONTECH Century II 550W, it has a gold 80 plus rating, while the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W uses a titanium 80 plus rating. It was priced above the MONTECH Century II 550W and below the NZXT C1000 Gold Core 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 SAMA GT750 at the time of writing
Best 1000W Value2 of 5
NZXT C1000 Gold Core (ATX 3.1)
NZXT's C1000 Gold Core is a fully modular ATX 3.1 unit with a native 12V-2x6 cable, a 7-year warranty and a 135mm fan with a zero-RPM mode.
Best for
- High-end graphics cards.
Skip if
- Skip it if warranty matters most to you; the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G offers 10 years.
Why we like it
It uses 105°C-rated capacitors, embossed modular cables and a dual-colour 12V-2x6 connector. It matches the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W on rated output (1000W). On warranty it trails the group at 7 years, while the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G offers 10 years.
Like the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and MONTECH Century II 550W, it has a gold 80 plus rating, while the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W uses a titanium 80 plus rating. It also offers Cybenetics noise certification listed by NZXT. No depth is rated for the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 1000W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Warranty
- 7 years
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- Cybenetics rating
- Platinum
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 135mm
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- 1000W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- Warranty trails the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G (10 years)
- Costs more than the SAMA GT750 at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on warranty, where the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G offers 10 years.
Best Budget 750W3 of 5
SAMA GT750
SAMA's GT750 uses Japanese capacitors with an LLC and DC-DC design, a native 12V-2x6 cable and an ECO silent mode for low loads.
Best for
- Budget mid-range builds.
Skip if
- The maker gives no warranty, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
Its ECO silent mode keeps the 120mm FDB fan quiet at low load, and Japanese capacitors with LLC and DC-DC topology support long-term stability. Embossed modular cables are easier to route. Its embossed modular cables improve airflow and make routing simpler.
On rated output it ties with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G at 750W. It is the only pick here with a gold cybenetics rating; the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W has a titanium cybenetics rating instead. The SAMA GT750 comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter.
No depth is rated for the SAMA GT750, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the MONTECH Century II 550W was the next step up.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 750W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Cybenetics rating
- Gold
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 120mm
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- A 750W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- No published warranty
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed warranty should compare it with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, which offers 10 years.
Best Entry-Level PSU4 of 5
MONTECH Century II 550W
Montech's Century II 550W is a fully modular 80 Plus Gold unit with a native 12V-2x6 cable and a 10-year warranty, unusual at this wattage.
Best for
- Entry-level graphics cards.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated output matters most to you; the NZXT C1000 Gold Core offers 1000W.
Why we like it
Its 135mm FDB fan has a zero RPM mode, and it uses 100% Japanese capacitors. The silver metallic finish is MONTECH's signature look. It is ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 ready with a 12V-2x6 cable.
Its 550W rated output is the lowest in this group; the NZXT C1000 Gold Core leads at 1000W. On warranty it ties with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W at 10 years. Like the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and NZXT C1000 Gold Core, it has a gold 80 plus rating, while the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W uses a titanium 80 plus rating.
It also offers a 135mm fan that can stop at low load. The MONTECH Century II 550W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. When we checked, only the SAMA GT750 cost less, and the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G cost more.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 550W
- 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 550W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A 10-year warranty
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Rated output trails the NZXT C1000 Gold Core (1000W)
- Costs more than the SAMA GT750 at the time of writing
The catch
Rated output is its weakest area, and the NZXT C1000 Gold Core covers it better at 1000W.
Most Efficient5 of 5
FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W
FSP's Hydro Ti Pro carries an 80 Plus Titanium rating, five PCIe 8-pin connectors plus a 12V-2x6 cable, and a 10-year warranty.
Best for
- Premium high-end builds.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the SAMA GT750 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is 150mm deep and holds a Cybenetics LAMBDA A++ noise rating. On rated output it ties with the NZXT C1000 Gold Core at 1000W. It matches the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and the MONTECH Century II 550W on warranty (10 years).
You get a titanium 80 plus rating here, which sets it apart from the MONTECH Century II 550W and its a gold 80 plus rating. No other pick in this guide offers a titanium cybenetics rating; compare the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, which has a platinum cybenetics rating. The FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter.
At 150mm deep, compare it with your case's PSU clearance before buying. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the NZXT C1000 Gold Core and the rest.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 1000W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- PCIe 8-pin connectors
- 5
- Warranty
- 10 years
- Depth
- 150mm
- 80 Plus rating
- Titanium
- Cybenetics rating
- Titanium
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 135mm
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- 1000W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- 5 PCIe 8-pin connectors for older cards
- A 10-year warranty
Cons
- Costs more than the SAMA GT750 at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is native 12V-2x6 cable count; for more, the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G offers 1.
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.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five power supplies on rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count, warranty and depth as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 6 of the 12 fields compared are stated for every pick, while warranty and depth have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G to the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W, state rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count and ATX version and share ATX 3.1 ATX version and Fully modular cabling.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SAMA GT750 gives no warranty; the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, the SAMA GT750 and the MONTECH Century II 550W give no depth.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the SAMA GT750 ($50 to $100) to the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Gaming PC PSUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated output across these picks
The NZXT C1000 Gold Core tops rated output at 1000W and the MONTECH Century II 550W sits lowest at 550W; 2 picks share the top figure. The NZXT C1000 Gold Core is the pick for rated output.
Warranty
Across these 4 picks warranty spans 7 years (the NZXT C1000 Gold Core) to 10 years (the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G). The MONTECH Century II 550W comes second at 10 years, in the same price tier as the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G. The SAMA GT750 gives no warranty figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Modular cable sockets on the back of a power supply Cybenetics rating
The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and the NZXT C1000 Gold Core list platinum; the SAMA GT750 lists Gold; the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W lists titanium.
What to check at home
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 SAMA GT750: an ECO silent mode for low load. The MONTECH Century II 550W: a 135mm fan that can stop at low load. The FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W: a Cybenetics LAMBDA A++ noise certification.
How to Choose a Gaming PC PSUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most mid-range gaming PCs | ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G | 750W with a ten-year warranty and Cybenetics Platinum |
| High-end graphics cards | NZXT C1000 Gold Core | 1000W with a seven-year warranty |
| Budget mid-range builds | SAMA GT750 | 750W with a zero-RPM fan mode |
| Entry-level graphics cards | MONTECH Century II 550W | 550W Gold with a ten-year warranty |
| Premium high-end builds | FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W | 80 Plus Titanium at 1000W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The NZXT C1000 Gold Core leads on rated output at 1000W, ahead of the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W at 1000W. "Not listed" marks warranty where the SAMA GT750 leaves the figure out.
| Power supplie | Wattage | Native 12V-2x6 cables | Warranty | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G | 750W | 1 | 10 years | 150mm |
| NZXT C1000 Gold Core | 1000W | 1 | 7 years | Not listed |
| SAMA GT750 | 750W | 1 | Not listed | Not listed |
| MONTECH Century II 550W | 550W | 1 | 10 years | Not listed |
| FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W | 1000W | 1 | 10 years | 150mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the SAMA GT750, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Power supplies |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | SAMA GT750, MONTECH Century II 550W, ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G |
| About $100 to $150 | NZXT C1000 Gold Core |
| About $250 to $500 | FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W worth paying more than the SAMA GT750?
On paper it adds rated output (1000W against 750W). The SAMA GT750 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated output decides your purchase.
What makes the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G the Best Gaming PC PSU?
It earns the label for 750W with a ten-year warranty and Cybenetics Platinum. It makes sense for most mid-range gaming PCs.
Do the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W differ on 80 Plus rating?
The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core and the MONTECH Century II 550W use Gold; the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W uses titanium. The maker of the SAMA GT750 doesn't state 80 Plus rating, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the MONTECH Century II 550W?
The MONTECH Century II 550W 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 550W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Best Entry-Level PSU pick, and fifth of 5 on rated output (550W).
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and the NZXT C1000 Gold Core apart?
The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G: a 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor. The NZXT C1000 Gold Core: Cybenetics noise certification listed by NZXT. The SAMA GT750: Japanese capacitors with an LLC and DC-DC design.
Bottom Line
The ASRock PG-750G suits most mid-range gaming PCs, and the NZXT C1000 Gold Core covers high-end cards. The SAMA GT750 is the budget 750W unit, the MONTECH Century II 550W suits entry-level builds, and the FSP Hydro Ti Pro is the Titanium pick.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Power Supplies for Gaming PCs
- Related guideThe Best 750W Power Supplies for Upper Mid-Range Gaming PCs
- Related guideThe Best Power Supply for Your Gaming PC
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget Modular PSUs
- Similar guideThe Best Fully Modular 650W PSUs
- ExplainerHow to choose a power supply for a PC build
- Explainer80 Plus Ratings Explained
- Check compatibility: graphics cardsHow Much VRAM Do You Need?
- Similar guideThe Best 750W Gold-or-Better PSUs
- Topic hubAll power supplies guides
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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