Buying Guide
The Best Power Supplies Under $75
Five power supplies ranked on rated output and native 12V-2x6 cable count, where the darkFlash DG750 has the highest rated output; the MONTECH BETA 2 550W is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Under $75 a power supply is usually a 450W to 650W unit that powers a mid-range gaming PC. Every unit cost 75 or less when we checked and lists its wattage and form factor.
Rankings weigh wattage, native 12V-2x6 cables and warranty as the makers state them; if a maker skips native 12V-2x6 cables, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
MONTECH BETA 2 550W
Undercutting the LIAN LI RB550 on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the LIAN LI RB550 the next step up.
Our take Check price for MONTECH BETA 2 550W (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
LIAN LI RB550
Integrated cable management rather than modular cables.
Best for: Buyers who want integrated cable management rather than modular cables.
Highest Rated Output
darkFlash DG750
The highest rated output here (750W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated output first.
Our take Check price for darkFlash DG750 (opens in a new tab)
Semi-modular Cabling
Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W
A semi-modular cabling.
Best for: Buyers who want a semi-modular cabling.
Our take Check price for Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
SAMA GT650 White
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an ECO silent mode for low-load quiet.
Best for: Buyers who want an ECO silent mode for low-load quiet and can spend more than the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W costs.
Our take Check price for SAMA GT650 White (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the LIAN LI RB550 on price when we checked. | Spending as little as possible, with the LIAN LI RB550 the next step up. | Check price for MONTECH BETA 2 550W (opens in a new tab) |
| Integrated cable management rather than modular cables. | Buyers who want integrated cable management rather than modular cables. | Check price for LIAN LI RB550 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest rated output here (750W). | Buyers who put rated output first. | Check price for darkFlash DG750 (opens in a new tab) |
| A semi-modular cabling. | Buyers who want a semi-modular cabling. | Check price for Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an ECO silent mode for low-load quiet. | Buyers who want an ECO silent mode for low-load quiet and can spend more than the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W costs. | Check price for SAMA GT650 White (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
MONTECH BETA 2 550W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the MONTECH BETA 2 550W brings to the table is fixed, non-modular cables that keep the cost down.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the LIAN LI RB550 the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: only 80 Plus Bronze efficiency.
Why we like it
It also offers a 550W rated output. It supports 200% system peaks and 300% GPU power excursions under ATX 3.1, and DC-to-DC topology gives tight voltage regulation. Like the LIAN LI RB550 and Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W, it has a bronze 80 plus rating, while the darkFlash DG750 uses a gold 80 plus rating.
Non-modular cabling is unique to it among these picks, while the darkFlash DG750 uses fully modular cabling. The MONTECH BETA 2 550W 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 MONTECH BETA 2 550W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the LIAN LI RB550 was closest. If you want a confirmed native 12V-2x6 cable count, look to the darkFlash DG750 instead: it offers 1, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 550W
- 80 Plus rating: Bronze
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: ATX
- Cabling: Non-modular
- Colour: Black
Pros
- A 550W rating
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fixed, non-modular cables that keep the cost down
- Non-modular cabling, the only one here
Cons
- Only 80 Plus Bronze efficiency
- Fixed, non-modular cables
- No published warranty
Also Consider2 of 5
LIAN LI RB550 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the LIAN LI RB550 brings to the table is integrated cable management rather than modular cables, plus a 135mm fan for low-noise cooling.
Best for
- Buyers who want integrated cable management rather than modular cables.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a shorter 5-year warranty.
Why we like it
It also offers a 550W rated output and offers a 5 years warranty. Built-in routing channels and Velcro straps on the housing tidy spare cable length, and active PFC keeps delivery stable. It is 80 Plus Bronze.
A 135mm hydraulic-bearing fan keeps it quiet. On rated output it ties with the MONTECH BETA 2 550W at 550W. It shares a bronze 80 plus rating with the MONTECH BETA 2 550W and Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W; the darkFlash DG750 goes with a gold 80 plus rating.
The LIAN LI RB550 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 LIAN LI RB550, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. Its price falls between the MONTECH BETA 2 550W and the darkFlash DG750, based on our last check. If rated output is your priority, the darkFlash DG750 (750W) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 550W
- Warranty: 5 years
- 80 Plus rating: Bronze
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: ATX
- Fan: 135mm
- Colour: Black
Pros
- A 550W rating
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Integrated cable management rather than modular cables
- 135mm fan for low-noise cooling
Cons
- A shorter 5-year warranty
- Only 80 Plus Bronze efficiency
- Rated output trails the darkFlash DG750 (750W)
Highest Rated Output3 of 5
darkFlash DG750 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
darkFlash's DG750 is a 140mm-deep 80 Plus Gold unit with a native 12V-2x6 cable and a hydraulic-bearing fan.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated output first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers 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.
Its 750W rated output is the highest here; the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W comes next at 650W. No other pick in this guide offers a gold 80 plus rating; compare the LIAN LI RB550, which has a bronze 80 plus rating. It shares fully modular cabling with the SAMA GT650 White; the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W goes with semi-modular cabling.
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 priced above the LIAN LI RB550 and below the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the MONTECH BETA 2 550W at the time of writing
Semi-modular Cabling4 of 5
Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W stands out for Japanese 105°C main capacitor, and it adds semi-modular cables: fixed main cables, detachable extras.
Best for
- Buyers who want a semi-modular cabling.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: a shorter 5-year warranty.
Why we like it
It also offers a 650W rated output and offers a 5 years warranty. It is 80 Plus Bronze and ATX 3.1 compliant for PCIe Gen 5 cards, with industrial-grade protections built in. It matches the SAMA GT650 White on rated output (650W).
Like the MONTECH BETA 2 550W and LIAN LI RB550, it has a bronze 80 plus rating, while the darkFlash DG750 uses a gold 80 plus rating. You get semi-modular cabling here, which sets it apart from the SAMA GT650 White and its fully modular cabling. The Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W has no stated native 12V-2x6 cable; confirm the cable kit before pairing it with a 16-pin card.
It was priced above the darkFlash DG750 and below the SAMA GT650 White at the time of writing. There is no published native 12V-2x6 cable count figure, whereas the darkFlash DG750 offers 1.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 650W
- Warranty: 5 years
- 80 Plus rating: Bronze
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: ATX
- Cabling: Semi-modular
- Fan: 120mm
- Fan stop: Yes
- Colour: Black
Pros
- A 650W rating
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- A fan that stops at low load
- Japanese 105°C main capacitor
Cons
- A shorter 5-year warranty
- Only 80 Plus Bronze efficiency
- Costs more than the MONTECH BETA 2 550W at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
SAMA GT650 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SAMA's GT650 White is a fully modular white unit with embossed white cables, a native 12V-2x6 cable and an ECO silent mode.
Best for
- Buyers who want an ECO silent mode for low-load quiet and can spend more than the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W costs.
Skip if
- The maker gives no warranty, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
Japanese capacitors support long-term durability, and a native 12V-2x6 connector feeds current graphics cards. It is 80 Plus Gold rated. On rated output it ties with the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W at 650W.
Like the darkFlash DG750, it has fully modular cabling, while the MONTECH BETA 2 550W uses non-modular cabling. A white colour is unique to it among these picks, while the LIAN LI RB550 uses a black colour. The SAMA GT650 White comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter.
No depth is rated for the SAMA GT650 White, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W. Buyers who need a confirmed warranty should compare it with the LIAN LI RB550, which offers 5 years.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 650W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables: 1
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: ATX
- Cabling: Fully modular
- Fan: 120mm
- Fan stop: Yes
- Colour: White
Pros
- A 650W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- No published warranty
- Costs more than the MONTECH BETA 2 550W at the time of writing
How We Chose These Power Supplies Under $75
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five power supplies on rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count, warranty and 80 Plus rating, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and native 12V-2x6 cable count and warranty are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the MONTECH BETA 2 550W to the SAMA GT650 White, state rated output, ATX version and form factor and share ATX 3.1 ATX version.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MONTECH BETA 2 550W, the LIAN LI RB550 and the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W give no native 12V-2x6 cable count; the MONTECH BETA 2 550W and the SAMA GT650 White give no warranty.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the MONTECH BETA 2 550W (under $50) to the SAMA GT650 White ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in Power Supplies Under $75
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated output across these picks
Here rated output runs from 550W on the LIAN LI RB550 to 750W on the darkFlash DG750, a 36% spread. If rated output is your first filter, the darkFlash DG750 sets the ceiling at 750W.
Cabling
The MONTECH BETA 2 550W lists Non-modular; the darkFlash DG750 and the SAMA GT650 White list Fully modular; the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W lists Semi-modular.
Setup checks
The MONTECH BETA 2 550W has no stated native 12V-2x6 cable; confirm the cable kit before pairing it with a 16-pin card. The darkFlash DG750 comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter.
Extras that separate them
The darkFlash DG750: a hydraulic-bearing fan. The Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W: semi-modular cables: fixed main cables, detachable extras. The SAMA GT650 White: embossed white cables.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the MONTECH BETA 2 550W; $50 to $100 buys the LIAN LI RB550, the darkFlash DG750, the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W and the SAMA GT650 White at our last check.
How to Choose Power Supplies Under $75
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the LIAN LI RB550 the next step up | MONTECH BETA 2 550W | Undercutting the LIAN LI RB550 on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want integrated cable management rather than modular cables | LIAN LI RB550 | Integrated cable management rather than modular cables |
| Buyers who put rated output first | darkFlash DG750 | The highest rated output here (750W) |
| Buyers who want a semi-modular cabling | Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W | A semi-modular cabling |
| Buyers who want an ECO silent mode for low-load quiet and can spend more than the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W costs | SAMA GT650 White | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an ECO silent mode for low-load quiet |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The darkFlash DG750 leads on rated output at 750W, ahead of the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W at 650W. "Not listed" marks native 12V-2x6 cable count where the MONTECH BETA 2 550W, the LIAN LI RB550 and the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W leave the figure out.
| Power supplie | Wattage | Native 12V-2x6 cables | Warranty | 80 Plus rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MONTECH BETA 2 550W | 550W | Not listed | Not listed | Bronze |
| LIAN LI RB550 | 550W | Not listed | 5 years | Bronze |
| darkFlash DG750 | 750W | 1 | 5 years | Gold |
| Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W | 650W | Not listed | 5 years | Bronze |
| SAMA GT650 White | 650W | 1 | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The MONTECH BETA 2 550W was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the SAMA GT650 White the highest ($50 to $100) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Power supplies |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | MONTECH BETA 2 550W |
| About $50 to $100 | LIAN LI RB550, darkFlash DG750, Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W, SAMA GT650 White |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest rated output: the darkFlash DG750 or the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W?
Between the top two, it is 750W on the darkFlash DG750 against 650W on the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W, a 15% difference. The spread runs down to the LIAN LI RB550 at 550W.
What does the SAMA GT650 White add over the MONTECH BETA 2 550W?
On paper it adds rated output (650W against 550W). On our last price check the MONTECH BETA 2 550W was in the under $50 tier and the SAMA GT650 White in the $50 to $100 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated output decides your purchase.
Why is the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W our Semi-modular Cabling pick?
It earns the label for a semi-modular cabling. The MONTECH BETA 2 550W, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $50 to $100 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who wants a semi-modular cabling.
Do the MONTECH BETA 2 550W and the darkFlash DG750 differ on 80 Plus rating?
The MONTECH BETA 2 550W, the LIAN LI RB550 and the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W use bronze; the darkFlash DG750 uses Gold. The SAMA GT650 White has no 80 Plus rating listed, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.
Will the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W work with my setup?
The Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W 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 Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Semi-modular Cabling pick, and second of 5 on rated output (650W).
What extras do the MONTECH BETA 2 550W and the LIAN LI RB550 include?
The MONTECH BETA 2 550W: fixed, non-modular cables that keep the cost down. The LIAN LI RB550: integrated cable management rather than modular cables. The darkFlash DG750: a 140mm body that leaves room for cables.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MONTECH BETA 2 550W, chosen for undercutting the LIAN LI RB550 on price when we checked. Look at the LIAN LI RB550 for integrated cable management rather than modular cables, the darkFlash DG750 for the highest rated output here (750W) and the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W for a semi-modular cabling if those matter more to you.
Add up the graphics card and CPU power ratings, then leave headroom, before picking a wattage.