Buying Guide
The Best PSUs for Esports PCs
From the darkFlash DG850 to the CORSAIR SF750: 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
An esports PC pairs a mid-range card with a fast CPU, so 650 to 850W is the usual range. Every pick is fully modular with an 80 Plus Gold or Platinum rating, ordered by warranty length.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: wattage, native 12V-2x6 cables and warranty come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing native 12V-2x6 cables is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
MONTECH Century II 650W
A 10-year warranty at a low price.
Best for: Buyers who want 10-year warranty at a low price.
Our take Check price for MONTECH Century II 650W (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G
A 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor.
Best for: Buyers who want 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor.
Our take Check price for ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
darkFlash DG850
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for darkFlash DG850 (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Rosewill VMG 850W
Listed support for large GPU power excursions.
Best for: Buyers who want listed support for large GPU power excursions.
Our take Check price for Rosewill VMG 850W (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
CORSAIR SF750 (2024)
A 92mm PWM fan at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for CORSAIR SF750 (2024) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 10-year warranty at a low price. | Buyers who want 10-year warranty at a low price. | Check price for MONTECH Century II 650W (opens in a new tab) |
| A 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor. | Buyers who want 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor. | Check price for ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for darkFlash DG850 (opens in a new tab) |
| Listed support for large GPU power excursions. | Buyers who want listed support for large GPU power excursions. | Check price for Rosewill VMG 850W (opens in a new tab) |
| A 92mm PWM fan at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for CORSAIR SF750 (2024) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
MONTECH Century II 650W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Montech's Century II 650W brings a native 12V-2x6 cable, fully modular cables and a 10-year warranty to a low-cost 80 Plus Gold unit.
Best for
- Buyers who want 10-year warranty at a low price.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated output matters most to you; the darkFlash DG850 offers 850W.
Why we like it
Its 135mm FDB fan has a zero RPM mode, and it uses 100% Japanese capacitors. Its 650W rated output is the lowest in this group; the darkFlash DG850 leads at 850W. On warranty it ties with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G at 10 years.
The MONTECH Century II 650W 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 650W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. It was priced above the darkFlash DG850 and below the Rosewill VMG 850W at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 650W
- 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 650W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A 10-year warranty
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Rated output trails the darkFlash DG850 (850W)
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG850 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative2 of 5
ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Buyers who want 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the darkFlash DG850 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.
It matches the CORSAIR SF750 on rated output (750W). On warranty it ties with the MONTECH Century II 650W at 10 years. The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G 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. When we checked, only the Rosewill VMG 850W and cheaper picks cost less, and the CORSAIR SF750 cost more.
Key dimensions & 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 darkFlash DG850 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 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
- 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, and it carries a 5-year limited warranty with built-in protections. Its 850W output suits high-end CPU and GPU builds.
On rated output it ties with the Rosewill VMG 850W at 850W. It matches the Rosewill VMG 850W on warranty (5 years). It also comes with 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. It undercut the MONTECH Century II 650W and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: warranty of 5 years, behind the MONTECH Century II 650W (10 years). If that matters, the MONTECH Century II 650W offers 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 of 5 years, behind the MONTECH Century II 650W (10 years)
Worth a Look4 of 5
Rosewill VMG 850W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Rosewill's VMG 850W offers a native 12V-2x6 cable and support for large GPU power spikes, on a fully modular 80 Plus Gold design.
Best for
- Buyers who want listed support for large GPU power excursions.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a shorter 5-year warranty.
Why we like it
Its compact 140mm-deep chassis is 35% smaller than a standard ATX unit, which helps in small cases. Six protections guard against overcurrent, overpower, overtemperature, overvoltage, short circuit and undervoltage. Its steel shell has large vents, and a 120mm FDB fan handles cooling.
It lists ATX 3.0 and 3.1 support, a 12V-2x6 cable and a 120mm FDB fan. On rated output it ties with the darkFlash DG850 at 850W. It matches the darkFlash DG850 on warranty (5 years).
The Rosewill VMG 850W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. No depth is rated for the Rosewill VMG 850W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper MONTECH Century II 650W and the pricier ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, at the time of writing. The trade-off is native 12V-2x6 cable count; for more, the MONTECH Century II 650W offers 1.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 850W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables: 1
- Warranty: 5 years
- 80 Plus rating: Gold
- Form factor: ATX
- Cabling: Fully modular
- Fan: 120mm
- Colour: Black
Pros
- A 850W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- Fully modular cables
- Listed support for large GPU power excursions
Cons
- A shorter 5-year warranty
- Warranty trails the MONTECH Century II 650W (10 years)
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG850 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
CORSAIR SF750 (2024) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Corsair's 2024 SF750 is a fully modular 80 Plus Platinum SFX unit with ATX 3.1 support.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Pass if a published native 12V-2x6 cable count matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It uses a 92mm fluid-dynamic-bearing fan and 105C-rated Japanese capacitors. It matches the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G on rated output (750W). No other pick in this guide offers a platinum 80 plus rating; compare the darkFlash DG850, which has a gold 80 plus rating.
The CORSAIR SF750 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 SF750, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. Only the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published native 12V-2x6 cable count figure, whereas the MONTECH Century II 650W offers 1.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 750W
- 80 Plus rating: Platinum
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: SFX
- Cabling: Fully modular
- Fan: 92mm
- Colour: Black
Pros
- A 750W rating
- 80 Plus Platinum efficiency
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- No published native 12V-2x6 cable count
- No published warranty
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG850 at the time of writing
How We Chose
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 depth as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the MONTECH Century II 650W to the CORSAIR SF750, state rated output, 80 Plus rating and form factor and share Fully modular cabling and Black colour.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The CORSAIR SF750 gives no native 12V-2x6 cable count; the CORSAIR SF750 gives no warranty.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the darkFlash DG850 ($50 to $100) to the CORSAIR SF750 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a PSUs for Esports PCs
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 MONTECH Century II 650W to 850W on the darkFlash DG850. The darkFlash DG850 is the pick for rated output.
Warranty across these picks
Here warranty runs from 5 years on the Rosewill VMG 850W to 10 years on the MONTECH Century II 650W. Start with the MONTECH Century II 650W if warranty decides it. No figure for the CORSAIR SF750.
Depth
Here depth runs from 150mm on the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G to 140mm on the darkFlash DG850. The darkFlash DG850 is the pick for depth. No figure for the MONTECH Century II 650W, the Rosewill VMG 850W and the CORSAIR SF750.
Fit and compatibility
The MONTECH Century II 650W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. The CORSAIR SF750 has no stated native 12V-2x6 cable; confirm the cable kit before pairing it with a 16-pin card.
Features beyond the spec table
The darkFlash DG850: multi-protection circuitry. The Rosewill VMG 850W: a compact build Rosewill markets for smaller cases. The CORSAIR SF750: 105°C-rated Japanese capacitors.
How to Choose a PSUs for Esports PCs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 10-year warranty at a low price | MONTECH Century II 650W | A 10-year warranty at a low price |
| Buyers who want 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor | ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G | A 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor |
| Spending as little as possible | darkFlash DG850 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want listed support for large GPU power excursions | Rosewill VMG 850W | Listed support for large GPU power excursions |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | CORSAIR SF750 | A 92mm PWM fan 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 Rosewill VMG 850W at 850W. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Power supplie | Wattage | Native 12V-2x6 cables | Warranty | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MONTECH Century II 650W | 650W | 1 | 10 years | Not listed |
| ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G | 750W | 1 | 10 years | 150mm |
| darkFlash DG850 | 850W | 1 | 5 years | 140mm |
| Rosewill VMG 850W | 850W | 1 | 5 years | Not listed |
| CORSAIR SF750 | 750W | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The darkFlash DG850 was the lowest-priced pick and the CORSAIR SF750 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Power supplies |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | darkFlash DG850, MONTECH Century II 650W, Rosewill VMG 850W, ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G |
| About $150 to $250 | CORSAIR SF750 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G compare with the darkFlash DG850 on depth?
The darkFlash DG850 comes out best at 140mm, with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G at 150mm. The MONTECH Century II 650W, the Rosewill VMG 850W and the CORSAIR SF750 don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Is the CORSAIR SF750 worth paying more than the darkFlash DG850?
On the figures both makers state, it adds little. It does not win everywhere: the darkFlash DG850 still leads on rated output (850W). The darkFlash DG850 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if a feature outside the spec sheet matters to you.
What makes the darkFlash DG850 the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits spending as little as possible.
Do the MONTECH Century II 650W and the CORSAIR SF750 differ on 80 Plus rating?
The MONTECH Century II 650W, the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, the darkFlash DG850 and the Rosewill VMG 850W use Gold; the CORSAIR SF750 uses platinum.
What should I check before buying the Rosewill VMG 850W?
The Rosewill VMG 850W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. No depth is rated for the Rosewill VMG 850W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5.
Beyond the specs, what sets the MONTECH Century II 650W and the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G apart?
The MONTECH Century II 650W: a 10-year warranty at a low price. The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G: a 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor. The darkFlash DG850: 850W in a 140mm body.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MONTECH Century II 650W, chosen for a 10-year warranty at a low price. Look at the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G for a 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor, the darkFlash DG850 for the lowest price of the group at our last check and the Rosewill VMG 850W for listed support for large GPU power excursions if those matter more to you.
Use the separate PCIe cables supplied for the GPU instead of one daisy-chained lead.