Buying Guide
The Best Power Supplies Under $250
From the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W to the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold: five power supplies ranked on rated output and native 12V-2x6 cable count, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Between $120 and $250 you reach 850W to 1600W units for high-end graphics cards. Every unit cost 120 to 250 when we checked and lists its wattage and form factor.
Our comparison rests on published figures for wattage, native 12V-2x6 cables and warranty; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out native 12V-2x6 cables, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold
Military-grade capacitors and chokes at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W costs less.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W
A frameless Silent Wings fan behind a full-mesh front.
Best for: Buyers who want frameless Silent Wings fan behind a full-mesh front.
Our take Check price for be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W
Listed voltage regulation within ±0.5% on the main rails.
Best for: Buyers who want listed voltage regulation within ±0.5% on the main rails.
Our take Check price for Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W (opens in a new tab)
Highest Rated Output
ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G
The highest rated output here (1600W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated output first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
CORSAIR SF850 (2024)
A 92mm PWM fan.
Best for: Buyers who want 92mm PWM fan.
Our take Check price for CORSAIR SF850 (2024) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military-grade capacitors and chokes at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W costs less. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold (opens in a new tab) |
| A frameless Silent Wings fan behind a full-mesh front. | Buyers who want frameless Silent Wings fan behind a full-mesh front. | Check price for be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W (opens in a new tab) |
| Listed voltage regulation within ±0.5% on the main rails. | Buyers who want listed voltage regulation within ±0.5% on the main rails. | Check price for Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest rated output here (1600W). | Buyers who put rated output first. | Check price for ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G (opens in a new tab) |
| A 92mm PWM fan. | Buyers who want 92mm PWM fan. | Check price for CORSAIR SF850 (2024) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold brings to the table is military-grade capacitors and chokes, plus a protective PCB coating against moisture and dust.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W costs less.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 1200W rated output and offers a 10 years warranty. Japanese capacitors and dual ball-bearing fans are rated to last twice as long as sleeve bearings, and a 16-pin cable delivers up to 600W to PCIe 5.0 graphics cards. Its capacitors and chokes pass military-grade certification tests.
On rated output it ties with the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W at 1200W. It shares a gold 80 plus rating with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G; the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W goes with a platinum 80 plus rating. 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 be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W and the rest. The maker doesn't give its native 12V-2x6 cable count; if that figure matters, the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G offers 2.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 1200W
- Warranty: 10 years
- 80 Plus rating: Gold
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: ATX
- Cabling: Fully modular
- Colour: Black
Pros
- 1200W of rated output for high-power cards
- A 10-year warranty
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- Costs more than the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The be quiet!
Best for
- Buyers who want frameless Silent Wings fan behind a full-mesh front.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Dark Power 13 1000W stands out for a frameless Silent Wings fan behind a full-mesh front, and it adds a switch between four 12V rails and one single rail. It also offers a 1000W rated output. A funnel-shaped mesh front feeds the frameless Silent Wings fan, which is near silent, and it supports PCIe 5.0 GPUs.
Its 1000W rated output ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G (1600W) and ahead of the CORSAIR SF850 (850W). It is the only pick here with a titanium 80 plus rating; the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold has a gold 80 plus rating instead. When we checked, only the CORSAIR SF850 and cheaper picks cost less, and the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold cost more. If you want a confirmed native 12V-2x6 cable count, look to the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G instead: it offers 2, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 1000W
- 80 Plus rating: Titanium
- Form factor: ATX
- Colour: Black
Pros
- 1000W of rated output for high-power cards
- 80 Plus Titanium efficiency
- Frameless Silent Wings fan behind a full-mesh front
- Switch between four 12V rails and one single rail
Cons
- Costs more than the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Super Flower's Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W carries Platinum ratings from both 80 Plus and Cybenetics.
Best for
- Buyers who want listed voltage regulation within ±0.5% on the main rails.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: rated output of 1200W, behind the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G (1600W).
Why we like it
The maker specifies voltage regulation within 0.5% on the main rails and flexible ribbon cables. It is Cybenetics Platinum and 80 Plus Platinum, and all cables are ribbon-style for flexibility. On rated output it ties with the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold at 1200W.
It shares a platinum 80 plus rating with the CORSAIR SF850; the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G goes with a gold 80 plus rating. The Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. No depth is rated for the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. Buyers who need a confirmed warranty should compare it with the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold, which offers 10 years.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 1200W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables: 1
- 80 Plus rating: Platinum
- Cybenetics rating: Platinum
- Form factor: ATX
- Cabling: Fully modular
- Colour: Black
Pros
- 1200W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- 80 Plus Platinum efficiency
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- Rated output of 1200W, behind the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G (1600W)
Highest Rated Output4 of 5
ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's Phantom Gaming PG-1600G has 1600W, two 12V-2x6 cables with temperature monitoring and eight PCIe 8-pin connectors.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated output first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a 180mm depth needs a roomy PSU bay.
Why we like it
At 180mm deep it needs a large case. Its 1600W rated output is the highest here; the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold comes next at 1200W. It shares a gold 80 plus rating with the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold; the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W goes with a platinum 80 plus rating.
It shares an ATX 3.1 atx version with the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold; the CORSAIR SF850 goes with an ATX 3.0 atx version. At 180mm deep, compare it with your case's PSU clearance before buying. You also get this: A 10-year warranty.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 1600W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables: 2
- PCIe 8-pin connectors: 8
- Warranty: 10 years
- Depth: 180mm
- 80 Plus rating: Gold
- Cybenetics rating: Platinum
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: ATX
- Cabling: Fully modular
- Fan: 135mm
- Colour: Black
Pros
- 1600W of rated output for high-power cards
- 2 native 12V-2x6 cables
- 8 PCIe 8-pin connectors for older cards
- A 10-year warranty
Cons
- A 180mm depth needs a roomy PSU bay
Worth a Look5 of 5
CORSAIR SF850 (2024) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the CORSAIR SF850 brings to the table is a 92mm PWM fan, plus 105°C-rated Japanese capacitors.
Best for
- Buyers who want 92mm PWM fan.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated output matters most to you; the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G offers 1600W.
Why we like it
Its 850W rated output is the lowest in this group; the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G leads at 1600W. Like the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W, it has a platinum 80 plus rating, while the be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W uses a titanium 80 plus rating. No other pick in this guide offers an ATX 3.0 atx version; compare the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold, which has an ATX 3.1 atx version.
The CORSAIR SF850 has no stated native 12V-2x6 cable; confirm the cable kit before pairing it with a 16-pin card. No depth is rated for the CORSAIR SF850, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 850W
- 80 Plus rating: Platinum
- ATX version: ATX 3.0
- Form factor: SFX
- Cabling: Fully modular
- Fan: 92mm
- Colour: Black
Pros
- A 850W rating
- 80 Plus Platinum efficiency
- Fully modular cables
- 92mm PWM fan
Cons
- Rated output trails the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G (1600W)
How We Chose These Power Supplies Under $250
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five power supplies on rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count, warranty and 80 Plus rating as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 10 fields compared are stated for every pick, while native 12V-2x6 cable count and warranty have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold to the CORSAIR SF850, state rated output, 80 Plus rating and form factor and share Black colour.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold, the be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W and the CORSAIR SF850 give no native 12V-2x6 cable count; the be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W, the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W and the CORSAIR SF850 give no warranty.
- Price range
- From the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W to the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in Power Supplies Under $250
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated output you need
Across these 5 picks rated output spans 850W (the CORSAIR SF850) to 1600W (the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G). If rated output is your first filter, the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G sets the ceiling at 1600W.
Native 12V-2x6 cable count across these picks
Here native 12V-2x6 cable count runs from 1 on the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W to 2 on the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G, a 100% spread. The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G is the pick for native 12V-2x6 cable count. The ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold, the be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W and the CORSAIR SF850 give no native 12V-2x6 cable count figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
ATX version
The ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold and the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G list ATX 3.1; the CORSAIR SF850 lists ATX 3.0. Sort out ATX version before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 2 and 1.
Fit and compatibility
The ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold has no stated native 12V-2x6 cable; confirm the cable kit before pairing it with a 16-pin card. The Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter.
Features beyond the spec table
The Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W: flexible ribbon cables. The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G: a 180mm length that needs a large case. The CORSAIR SF850: 105°C-rated Japanese capacitors.
How to Choose Power Supplies Under $250
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W costs less | ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold | Military-grade capacitors and chokes at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who want frameless Silent Wings fan behind a full-mesh front | be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W | A frameless Silent Wings fan behind a full-mesh front |
| Buyers who want listed voltage regulation within ±0.5% on the main rails | Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W | Listed voltage regulation within ±0.5% on the main rails |
| Buyers who put rated output first | ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G | The highest rated output here (1600W) |
| Buyers who want 92mm PWM fan | CORSAIR SF850 | A 92mm PWM fan |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G leads on rated output at 1600W, ahead of the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold at 1200W. "Not listed" marks native 12V-2x6 cable count where the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold, the be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W and the CORSAIR SF850 leave the figure out.
| Power supplie | Wattage | Native 12V-2x6 cables | Warranty | 80 Plus rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold | 1200W | Not listed | 10 years | Gold |
| be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W | 1000W | Not listed | Not listed | Titanium |
| Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W | 1200W | 1 | Not listed | Platinum |
| ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G | 1600W | 2 | 10 years | Gold |
| CORSAIR SF850 | 850W | Not listed | Not listed | Platinum |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold compare with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G on rated output?
Between the top two, it is 1600W on the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G against 1200W on the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold, a 33% difference. The CORSAIR SF850 is at the other end of this group with 850W.
Is the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G ahead of the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W on native 12V-2x6 cable count?
The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G leads at 2, with the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W at 1. The ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold, the be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W and the CORSAIR SF850 are left out of this ranking because their native 12V-2x6 cable count isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What makes the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G the Highest Rated Output?
It earns the label for the highest rated output here (1600W). The ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold is next on rated output at 1200W, so this pick's 1600W is 33% further out. It suits anyone who puts rated output first.
Do the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold and the be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W differ on 80 Plus rating?
The ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold and the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G use Gold; the be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W uses titanium; the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W and the CORSAIR SF850 use platinum.
What should I check before buying the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W?
The Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. No depth is rated for the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. In this guide it ranks third of 5, and third of 5 on rated output (1200W).
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold and the be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W apart?
The ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold: military-grade capacitors and chokes. The be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W: a frameless Silent Wings fan behind a full-mesh front. The Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W: listed voltage regulation within ±0.5% on the main rails.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASUS TUF Gaming 1200W Gold, chosen for military-grade capacitors and chokes at the highest price in the group. Look at the be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W for a frameless Silent Wings fan behind a full-mesh front, the Super Flower Leadex VII XP PRO 1200W for listed voltage regulation within ±0.5% on the main rails and the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G for the highest rated output here (1600W) if those matter more to you.
Check for the 12V-2x6 connector if your card uses it, and for a long warranty.