Buying Guide
The Best PSUs for a First Build
We weighed five power supplies on rated output and native 12V-2x6 cable count; the darkFlash DG850 has the highest rated output, and the darkFlash DG750 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A first build is easiest with a fully modular 650-850W unit. Every pick fits that and cost $130 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh wattage, native 12V-2x6 cables and warranty as the makers state them; we did not test these power supplies ourselves, and if a maker skips native 12V-2x6 cables, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
darkFlash DG750
A lower price than the SAMA GT650 White and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for darkFlash DG750 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
SAMA GT650 White
An ECO silent mode for low-load quiet.
Best for: Buyers who want ECO silent mode for low-load quiet.
Our take Check price for SAMA GT650 White (opens in a new tab)
Highest Rated Output
darkFlash DG850
The highest rated output here (850W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated output first.
Our take Check price for darkFlash DG850 (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
CORSAIR RM650e (ATX 3.1)
105°C-rated capacitors.
Best for: Buyers who want 105°C-rated capacitors.
Our take Check price for CORSAIR RM650e (ATX 3.1) (opens in a new tab)
Longest Warranty
LIAN LI SP750 V2
The longest warranty here (10 years).
Best for: Buyers who put warranty first.
Our take Check price for LIAN LI SP750 V2 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the SAMA GT650 White and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for darkFlash DG750 (opens in a new tab) |
| An ECO silent mode for low-load quiet. | Buyers who want ECO silent mode for low-load quiet. | Check price for SAMA GT650 White (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest rated output here (850W). | Buyers who put rated output first. | Check price for darkFlash DG850 (opens in a new tab) |
| 105°C-rated capacitors. | Buyers who want 105°C-rated capacitors. | Check price for CORSAIR RM650e (ATX 3.1) (opens in a new tab) |
| The longest warranty here (10 years). | Buyers who put warranty first. | Check price for LIAN LI SP750 V2 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when a shorter 5-year warrant is a problem.
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.
It matches the LIAN LI SP750 V2 on rated output (750W). On warranty it ties with the darkFlash DG850 at 5 years. It also offers 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the SAMA GT650 White was closest. What it gives up: rated output of 750W, behind the darkFlash DG850 (850W); by contrast, the darkFlash DG850 offers 850W.
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
- Rated output of 750W, behind the darkFlash DG850 (850W)
Also Consider2 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 ECO silent mode for low-load quiet.
Skip if
- Its warranty is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
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 CORSAIR RM650e at 650W.
You get a white colour here, which sets it apart from the LIAN LI SP750 V2 and its 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.
On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper darkFlash DG750 and the pricier darkFlash DG850, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its warranty; if that figure matters, the LIAN LI SP750 V2 offers 10 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 darkFlash DG750 at the time of writing
Highest Rated Output3 of 5
darkFlash DG850 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
darkFlash's DG850 fits 850W into a 140mm body, with a native 12V-2x6 cable and fully modular cables.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated output first.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when a shorter 5-year warrant is a problem.
Why we like it
Its warranty is 5 years. It is fully modular with a quiet HDB fan, and it carries a 5-year limited warranty with built-in protections. Its 850W output suits high-end CPU and GPU builds.
Nothing else here matches its 850W rated output; the darkFlash DG750 comes closest at 750W. On warranty it ties with the darkFlash DG750 at 5 years. It also offers multi-protection circuitry.
The darkFlash DG850 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. When we checked, only the SAMA GT650 White and cheaper picks cost less, and the CORSAIR RM650e cost more. Warranty is its weakest area, and the LIAN LI SP750 V2 covers it better at 10 years.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 850W
- 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 850W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A short 140mm body
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- A shorter 5-year warranty
- Warranty trails the LIAN LI SP750 V2 (10 years)
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG750 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
CORSAIR RM650e (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The CORSAIR RM650e stands out for 105°C-rated capacitors, and it adds Modern Standby support for fast wake from sleep.
Best for
- Buyers who want 105°C-rated capacitors.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated output matters most to you; the darkFlash DG850 offers 850W.
Why we like it
It also offers a 650W rated output and offers a 120mm fan. It is Intel ATX 3.1 certified, handles 2x GPU transient spikes, and a 120mm rifle-bearing fan follows a quiet fan curve. On rated output it ties with the SAMA GT650 White at 650W.
The CORSAIR RM650e 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 RM650e, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper darkFlash DG850 and the pricier LIAN LI SP750 V2, at the time of writing. The trade-off is rated output; for more, the darkFlash DG850 offers 850W.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 650W
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: ATX
- Cabling: Fully modular
- Fan: 120mm
- Colour: Black
Pros
- A 650W rating
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
- 105°C-rated capacitors
Cons
- Rated output trails the darkFlash DG850 (850W)
- No published native 12V-2x6 cable count
- No published warranty
Longest Warranty5 of 5
LIAN LI SP750 V2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lian Li's SP750 V2 is an SFX unit with a two-tone 12V-2x6 cable that shows whether the plug is fully seated.
Best for
- Buyers who put warranty first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the darkFlash DG750 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It has a 10-year warranty. A 92mm FDB fan keeps it quiet, and its upgraded 3A standby rail helps USB devices while the PC sleeps. Lian Li backs it with 10-year hardware protection.
It matches the darkFlash DG750 on rated output (750W). Its 10 years warranty is the longest here; the darkFlash DG750 comes next at 5 years. The LIAN LI SP750 V2 comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter.
No depth is rated for the LIAN LI SP750 V2, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. At our last price check it topped the group, with the CORSAIR RM650e the nearest cheaper option. Native 12V-2x6 cable count is its weakest area, and the darkFlash DG750 covers it better at 1.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 750W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables: 1
- Warranty: 10 years
- 80 Plus rating: Gold
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: SFX
- Cabling: Fully modular
- Fan: 92mm
- 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
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five power supplies on rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count, warranty and depth from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the darkFlash DG750 to the LIAN LI SP750 V2, state rated output, ATX version and form factor and share ATX 3.1 ATX version and Fully modular cabling.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The CORSAIR RM650e gives no native 12V-2x6 cable count; the SAMA GT650 White and the CORSAIR RM650e give no warranty.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the darkFlash DG750 ($50 to $100) to the LIAN LI SP750 V2 ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a PSUs for a First Build
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated output you need
Here rated output runs from 650W on the CORSAIR RM650e to 850W on the darkFlash DG850. The darkFlash DG750 comes second for less money.
Warranty
Here warranty runs from 5 years on the darkFlash DG850 to 10 years on the LIAN LI SP750 V2. The LIAN LI SP750 V2 is the pick for warranty. No figure for the SAMA GT650 White and the CORSAIR RM650e.
Setup checks
The darkFlash DG750 comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. The CORSAIR RM650e has no stated native 12V-2x6 cable; confirm the cable kit before pairing it with a 16-pin card.
Extras that separate them
The darkFlash DG850: multi-protection circuitry. The CORSAIR RM650e: Modern Standby support for fast wake from sleep. The LIAN LI SP750 V2: a 92mm FDB fan.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the darkFlash DG750, the SAMA GT650 White and the darkFlash DG850; $100 to $150 buys the CORSAIR RM650e and the LIAN LI SP750 V2 at our last check.
Use the warranty as a quality signal
Long warranties of seven to twelve years show how long a maker expects a unit to last. A power supply often moves from one build to the next, so the warranty matters.
How to Choose a PSUs for a First Build
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | darkFlash DG750 | A lower price than the SAMA GT650 White and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want ECO silent mode for low-load quiet | SAMA GT650 White | An ECO silent mode for low-load quiet |
| Buyers who put rated output first | darkFlash DG850 | The highest rated output here (850W) |
| Buyers who want 105°C-rated capacitors | CORSAIR RM650e | 105°C-rated capacitors |
| Buyers who put warranty first | LIAN LI SP750 V2 | The longest warranty here (10 years) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The darkFlash DG850 leads on rated output at 850W, ahead of the darkFlash DG750 at 750W. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Power supplie | Wattage | Native 12V-2x6 cables | Warranty | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| darkFlash DG750 | 750W | 1 | 5 years | 140mm |
| SAMA GT650 White | 650W | 1 | Not listed | Not listed |
| darkFlash DG850 | 850W | 1 | 5 years | 140mm |
| CORSAIR RM650e | 650W | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| LIAN LI SP750 V2 | 750W | 1 | 10 years | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The darkFlash DG750 was the lowest-priced pick and the LIAN LI SP750 V2 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Power supplies |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | darkFlash DG750, SAMA GT650 White, darkFlash DG850 |
| About $100 to $150 | CORSAIR RM650e, LIAN LI SP750 V2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest rated output: the darkFlash DG850 or the darkFlash DG750?
The darkFlash DG850 leads at 850W, with the darkFlash DG750 at 750W. The CORSAIR RM650e is at the other end of this group with 650W.
Is the LIAN LI SP750 V2 ahead of the darkFlash DG750 on warranty?
The LIAN LI SP750 V2 leads at 10 years, with the darkFlash DG750 at 5 years. The SAMA GT650 White and the CORSAIR RM650e don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What does the LIAN LI SP750 V2 add over the darkFlash DG750?
On paper it adds warranty (10 years against 5 years). The darkFlash DG750 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the LIAN LI SP750 V2 our Longest Warranty pick?
It earns the label for the longest warranty here (10 years). It suits anyone who put warranty first.
Do the darkFlash DG750 and the SAMA GT650 White differ on colour?
The darkFlash DG750, the darkFlash DG850, the CORSAIR RM650e and the LIAN LI SP750 V2 use black; the SAMA GT650 White uses white.
Will the darkFlash DG750 work with my setup?
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. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the darkFlash DG750, chosen for a lower price than the SAMA GT650 White and the rest when we checked. Look at the SAMA GT650 White for an ECO silent mode for low-load quiet, the darkFlash DG850 for the highest rated output here (850W) and the CORSAIR RM650e for 105°C-rated capacitors if those matter more to you.
Plug the PSU fan-down over a filtered intake.