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 Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
darkFlash DG750A lower price than the SAMA GT650 White and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the SAMA GT650 White the next step up.
Check price for darkFlash DG750 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
SAMA GT650 WhiteAn ECO silent mode for low-load quiet.
Best for: Buyers who want ECO silent mode for low-load quiet.
Check price for SAMA GT650 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Rated Output
darkFlash DG850The highest rated output here (850W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated output first.
Check price for darkFlash DG850 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
CORSAIR RM750e White (ATX 3.1)White housing with matching white cables.
Best for: Buyers who want white housing with matching white cables.
Check price for CORSAIR RM750e White (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
CORSAIR RM650e (ATX 3.1)105°C-rated capacitors at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the darkFlash DG750 costs less.
Check price for CORSAIR RM650e (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the SAMA GT650 White and the rest when we checked. | Spending as little as possible, with the SAMA GT650 White the next step up. | Check price for darkFlash DG750 on Amazon (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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest rated output here (850W). | Buyers who put rated output first. | Check price for darkFlash DG850 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| White housing with matching white cables. | Buyers who want white housing with matching white cables. | Check price for CORSAIR RM750e White (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 105°C-rated capacitors at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the darkFlash DG750 costs less. | Check price for CORSAIR RM650e (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
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
- Spending as little as possible, with the SAMA GT650 White the next step up.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when a shorter 5-year warranty 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 CORSAIR RM750e White on rated output (750W). Like the darkFlash DG850 and CORSAIR RM650e, it has a black colour, while the SAMA GT650 White uses a white colour. 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.
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
- Rated output of 750W, behind the darkFlash DG850 (850W)
The catch
What it gives up: rated output of 750W, behind the darkFlash DG850 (850W); by contrast, the darkFlash DG850 offers 850W.
Also Consider2 of 5
SAMA GT650 White
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
- Price-first buyers should look at the darkFlash DG750, which cost less when we checked.
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.
It shares a white colour with the CORSAIR RM750e White; the darkFlash DG850 goes with 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 darkFlash DG750 offers 5 years.
Key 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
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG750 at the time of writing
Highest Rated Output3 of 5
darkFlash DG850
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 warranty 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. Like the darkFlash DG750 and CORSAIR RM650e, it has a black colour, while the SAMA GT650 White uses a white colour. 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 RM750e White cost more.
Key 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
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG750 at the time of writing
The catch
Native 12V-2x6 cable count is its weakest area, and the darkFlash DG750 covers it better at 1.
Strong Alternative4 of 5
CORSAIR RM750e White (ATX 3.1)
What the CORSAIR RM750e White brings to the table is white housing with matching white cables, plus 105°C-rated capacitors.
Best for
- Buyers who want white housing with matching white cables.
Skip if
- The maker gives no native 12V-2x6 cable count, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It also offers a 750W rated output and offers a 120mm fan. It is Intel ATX 3.1 certified, handles 2x GPU transient spikes, and supports Modern Standby for fast wake times. The fully modular cables keep builds tidy.
It uses 105°C-rated capacitors for steady power. It shares a white colour with the SAMA GT650 White; the darkFlash DG750 goes with a black colour. The CORSAIR RM750e White 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 RM750e White, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. Its price falls between the darkFlash DG850 and the CORSAIR RM650e, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 750W
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 120mm
- Colour
- White
Pros
- A 750W rating
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
- White housing with matching white cables
Cons
- No published native 12V-2x6 cable count
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG750 at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed native 12V-2x6 cable count should compare it with the darkFlash DG750, which offers 1.
Premium Pick5 of 5
CORSAIR RM650e (ATX 3.1)
The CORSAIR RM650e stands out for 105°C-rated capacitors, and it adds Modern Standby support for fast wake from sleep.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the darkFlash DG750 costs less.
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.
It shares a black colour with the darkFlash DG750 and darkFlash DG850; the CORSAIR RM750e White goes with a white colour. 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. 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 CORSAIR RM750e White and the rest.
Key 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
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG750 at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is rated output; for more, the darkFlash DG850 offers 850W.
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.
- 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. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 10 fields compared are stated for every pick, while native 12V-2x6 cable count and warranty have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the darkFlash DG750 to the CORSAIR RM650e, 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 RM750e White and the CORSAIR RM650e give no native 12V-2x6 cable count; the SAMA GT650 White, the CORSAIR RM750e 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 CORSAIR RM650e ($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
The darkFlash DG850 tops rated output at 850W and the CORSAIR RM650e sits lowest at 650W. The darkFlash DG750 comes second at 750W, in the same price tier as the darkFlash DG850.
Setup checks
The darkFlash DG750 comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. The CORSAIR RM750e White has no stated native 12V-2x6 cable; confirm the cable kit before pairing it with a 16-pin card.
Power cables routed to a graphics card inside a PC Extras that separate them
The darkFlash DG850: multi-protection circuitry. The CORSAIR RM750e White: 105°C-rated capacitors. The CORSAIR RM650e: Modern Standby support for fast wake from sleep.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the darkFlash DG750, the SAMA GT650 White, the darkFlash DG850 and the CORSAIR RM750e White; $100 to $150 buys the CORSAIR RM650e at our last check.
A PSU-side 8-pin cable connector held between two fingers Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible, with the SAMA GT650 White the next step up: the darkFlash DG750. Buyers who put rated output first: the darkFlash DG850. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the darkFlash DG750 costs less: the CORSAIR RM650e.
How to Choose a PSUs for a First Build
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the SAMA GT650 White the next step up | 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 white housing with matching white cables | CORSAIR RM750e White | White housing with matching white cables |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the darkFlash DG750 costs less | CORSAIR RM650e | 105°C-rated capacitors at the highest price in the group |
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" marks native 12V-2x6 cable count where the CORSAIR RM750e White and the CORSAIR RM650e leave the 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 RM750e White | 750W | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| CORSAIR RM650e | 650W | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The darkFlash DG750 was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the CORSAIR RM650e the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Power supplies |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | darkFlash DG750, SAMA GT650 White, darkFlash DG850, CORSAIR RM750e White |
| About $100 to $150 | CORSAIR RM650e |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest rated output: the darkFlash DG850 or the darkFlash DG750?
The darkFlash DG850 tops rated output at 850W; the darkFlash DG750 follows at 750W, 13% apart. The CORSAIR RM650e closes the ranking at 650W.
What does the CORSAIR RM650e add over the darkFlash DG750?
The CORSAIR RM650e matches or trails the darkFlash DG750 on rated output, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The darkFlash DG750 leads on rated output (750W). On our last price check the darkFlash DG750 was in the $50 to $100 tier and the CORSAIR RM650e in the $100 to $150 tier, with 3 other picks between them.
Why is the darkFlash DG850 our Highest Rated Output pick?
It earns the label for the highest rated output here (850W). On rated output it leads the darkFlash DG750, 850W against 750W, a 13% margin. It suits anyone who puts rated output first.
Do the darkFlash DG750 and the SAMA GT650 White differ on colour?
The darkFlash DG750, the darkFlash DG850 and the CORSAIR RM650e use black; the SAMA GT650 White and the CORSAIR RM750e White use 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. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick, and second of 5 on rated output (750W).
What extras do the darkFlash DG750 and the SAMA GT650 White include?
The darkFlash DG750: a 140mm body that leaves room for cables. The SAMA GT650 White: an ECO silent mode for low-load quiet. The darkFlash DG850: 850W in a 140mm body.
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 RM750e White for white housing with matching white cables if those matter more to you.
Plug the PSU fan-down over a filtered intake.
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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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