Buying Guide
The Best PSUs for Machine Learning
From the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G to the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W: four power supplies ranked on rated output and native 12V-2x6 cable count, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Machine learning rigs run the GPU at full power for hours, sometimes with two cards. Every pick is rated for 1200W or more, ordered by wattage.
Our comparison rests on published figures for wattage, native 12V-2x6 cables and PCIe 8-pin connectors; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out PCIe 8-pin connectors, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Most Native 12V-2x6 Cables
ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G
The most native 12V-2x6 cable count here (2).
Best for: Buyers who put native 12V-2x6 cable count first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W
Monitoring and control through be quiet!'s IO Center software at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G
The cheapest way into this group, below the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W
Four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6.
Best for: Buyers who want four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6.
Our take Check price for be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The most native 12V-2x6 cable count here (2). | Buyers who put native 12V-2x6 cable count first. | Check price for ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G (opens in a new tab) |
| Monitoring and control through be quiet!'s IO Center software at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G (opens in a new tab) |
| Four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6. | Buyers who want four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6. | Check price for be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Most Native 12V-2x6 Cables1 of 4
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 native 12V-2x6 cable count 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. On rated output it ties with the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W at 1600W. Its 2 native 12V-2x6 cable count is the most here; the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W comes next at 1.
It shares a gold 80 plus rating with the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G and be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W; the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W goes with a titanium 80 plus rating. At 180mm deep, compare it with your case's PSU clearance before buying. Worth noting too: 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
- Costs more than the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 4
be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The be quiet!
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its 8-pin PCIe connector count before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W is built around monitoring and control through be quiet!'s IO Center software, with a switchable active or semi-passive fan mode on top. On the spec sheet, it offers a 1600W rated output and offers a 1 native 12V-2x6 cable count. It switches between multi-rail and single-rail modes, and it is Titanium rated at up to 94.9% efficiency.
A vibration-free Silent Wings fan keeps it quiet. It matches the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G on rated output (1600W). It matches the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G and the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W on native 12V-2x6 cable count (1).
At our last price check it topped the group, with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed 8-pin PCIe connector count, look to the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G instead: it offers 8, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 1600W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables: 1
- 80 Plus rating: Titanium
- Cybenetics rating: Titanium
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: ATX
- Fan stop: Yes
- Colour: Black
Pros
- 1600W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- 80 Plus Titanium efficiency
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- No published 8-pin PCIe connector count
- No published warranty
- Costs more than the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 4
ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's Steel Legend SL-1200G is a 1200W ATX 3.1 unit with a native 12V-2x6 cable, a 10-year warranty and a Cybenetics LAMBDA A noise rating.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Its 8-pin PCIe connector count is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It uses 100% Japanese capacitors for longevity and stable output. Check your case and component specifications before buying. On rated output it ties with the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W at 1200W.
On native 12V-2x6 cable count it ties with the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W and the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W at 1. It shares a gold 80 plus rating with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G and be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W; the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W goes with a titanium 80 plus rating. You also get a 5V boost function for stable standby voltage.
It undercut the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its 8-pin PCIe connector count; if that figure matters, the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G offers 8.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 1200W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables: 1
- Warranty: 10 years
- 80 Plus rating: Gold
- Cybenetics rating: Platinum
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: ATX
- Cabling: Fully modular
- Fan: 135mm
- Colour: Black
Pros
- 1200W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A 10-year warranty
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- No published 8-pin PCIe connector count
Also Consider4 of 4
be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The be quiet!
Best for
- Buyers who want four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated output matters most to you; the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G offers 1600W.
Why we like it
Pure Power 13 M 1200W is built around four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6, with semi-passive cooling at low load on top. On the spec sheet, it offers a 1200W rated output and offers a 1 native 12V-2x6 cable count. On rated output it ties with the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G at 1200W.
On native 12V-2x6 cable count it ties with the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W and the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G at 1. It shares a gold 80 plus rating with the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G and ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G; the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W goes with a titanium 80 plus rating. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G and the pricier ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 1200W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables: 1
- PCIe 8-pin connectors: 4
- 80 Plus rating: Gold
- Cybenetics rating: Platinum
- ATX version: ATX 3.1
- Form factor: ATX
- Fan stop: Yes
- Colour: Black
Pros
- 1200W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- 4 PCIe 8-pin connectors for older cards
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Rated output trails the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G (1600W)
- Native 12V-2x6 cable count trails the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G (2)
- No published warranty
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Connectors
- We recorded native 12V-2x6 cables and PCIe 8-pin connectors where the listing states them.
- Build and warranty
- We checked depth, modular cabling, fan-stop modes and warranty length.
- Wattage
- We compared rated output with NVIDIA's or AMD's recommended system power for the card.
- Standards
- We noted ATX version, 80 Plus and Cybenetics ratings.
What to Look for in a PSUs for Machine Learning
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Decide on native 12V-2x6 cable count first
Among these picks, native 12V-2x6 cable count runs from 1 on the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W to 2 on the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G. Pick the lowest figure that covers your use; the extra usually costs more than it returns.
Start from the card maker's PSU figure
NVIDIA and AMD publish a recommended total system power for each card, and partner cards often state their own. Treat that figure as the floor, then add headroom for a high-power CPU.
More wattage than you need does not harm anything; it mostly costs money.
Prefer ATX 3.1
ATX 3.1 units are designed for the brief power spikes modern graphics cards produce and ship with the revised 12V-2x6 connector. Older units can still work, but check the maker's guidance for your card.
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.
Compare efficiency ratings
80 Plus and Cybenetics ratings describe how much power turns into heat. Gold is the usual target for a gaming PC; Platinum and Titanium run cooler and cost more.
How to Choose a PSUs for Machine Learning
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put native 12V-2x6 cable count first | ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G | The most native 12V-2x6 cable count here (2) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W | Monitoring and control through be quiet!'s IO Center software at the highest price in the group |
| Keeping the budget tight | ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G | The cheapest way into this group, below the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W |
| Buyers who want four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6 | be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W | Four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Power supplie | Wattage | Native 12V-2x6 cables | PCIe 8-pin connectors | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G | 1600W | 2 | 8 | 10 years |
| be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W | 1600W | 1 | Not listed | Not listed |
| ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G | 1200W | 1 | Not listed | 10 years |
| be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W | 1200W | 1 | 4 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Power supplies |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G |
| About $150 to $250 | be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W, ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G |
| About $250 to $500 | be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these power supplies has the highest rated output?
The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G leads at 1600W, ahead of the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W at 1600W; the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W sits at the other end with 1200W.
What is the least I can spend on one of these power supplies?
That was the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G at our last check; if you can stretch, the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W is the next step up and the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W the priciest.
How much headroom should I leave above the recommended wattage?
The card maker's figure already covers a typical system. Add 100 to 150W if you run a high-power CPU or plan a bigger card later.
Does a Platinum unit save much on electricity?
Only a little for most gaming PCs. The main gains are less heat and often a quieter fan.
Can I use the 16-pin adapter that came with my graphics card?
Yes, if it is the maker's own adapter and every 8-pin plug on it is connected. A native 12V-2x6 cable is tidier and has fewer joins.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-1600G, chosen for the most native 12V-2x6 cable count here (2). Look at the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 14 IO 1600W for monitoring and control through be quiet!'s IO Center software at the highest price in the group, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G for the cheapest way into this group, below the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W and the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 1200W for four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6 if those matter more to you.
Check the 12V-2x6 cable count against every GPU you plan to install.