Buying Guide
The Best PSUs for Photo Editing
We weighed five power supplies on rated output and native 12V-2x6 cable count; the ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White has the highest rated output, and the MONTECH Century II 650W costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Photo editing PCs rarely draw much power, so reliability and warranty matter more than wattage. Every pick is 650W to 850W, ordered by warranty length.
We ranked these power supplies on wattage, native 12V-2x6 cables and warranty using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these power supplies ourselves, and where a maker leaves out native 12V-2x6 cables, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
MONTECH Century II 650W
The lowest price among these power supplies at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for MONTECH Century II 650W (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
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)
Highest Rated Output
ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White
The highest rated output here (850W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated output first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
LIAN LI SP750 V2
A two-tone 12V-2x6 cable that shows whether it is seated.
Best for: Buyers who want two-tone 12V-2x6 cable that shows whether it is seated.
Our take Check price for LIAN LI SP750 V2 (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 750W Platinum
The top of this price range, adding a 120mm fan, larger than standard SFX.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 750W Platinum (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these power supplies at the time of writing. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | 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 highest rated output here (850W). | Buyers who put rated output first. | Check price for ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White (opens in a new tab) |
| A two-tone 12V-2x6 cable that shows whether it is seated. | Buyers who want two-tone 12V-2x6 cable that shows whether it is seated. | Check price for LIAN LI SP750 V2 (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a 120mm fan, larger than standard SFX. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 750W Platinum (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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 would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated output matters most to you; the ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White offers 850W.
Why we like it
Its 135mm FDB fan has a zero RPM mode, and it uses 100% Japanese capacitors. On rated output it trails the group at 650W, while the ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White offers 850W. 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. Another plus is ATX 3.1 compliance. It makes the most sense for buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build, since it offers the lowest price among these power supplies at the time of writing. It undercut the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and every other pick on price 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 ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White (850W)
Also Consider2 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 MONTECH Century II 650W 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.
On rated output it ties with the LIAN LI SP750 V2 and the ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 750W Platinum at 750W. 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. Its price falls between the MONTECH Century II 650W and the ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White, based on our last check.
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 MONTECH Century II 650W at the time of writing
Highest Rated Output3 of 5
ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's Steel Legend SL-850GW is a white 850W unit, 150mm deep, with a dual-color 12V-2x6 cable and a 10-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated output first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the MONTECH Century II 650W, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its compact 150mm-deep body helps in smaller cases, and iCOOL fan control adjusts speed to load. The white finish suits light builds. Nothing else here matches its 850W rated output; the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G comes closest at 750W.
No other pick in this guide offers a white colour; compare the LIAN LI SP750 V2, which has a black colour. The ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White 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. It was priced above the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and below the LIAN LI SP750 V2 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 850W
- 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
- Fan: 135mm
- Colour: White
Pros
- A 850W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A 10-year warranty
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Costs more than the MONTECH Century II 650W at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 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 want two-tone 12V-2x6 cable that shows whether it is seated.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the MONTECH Century II 650W, which 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 ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and the ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 750W Platinum on rated output (750W). 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.
It was priced above the ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White and below the ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 750W Platinum at the time of writing. It gives ground on native 12V-2x6 cable count, where the MONTECH Century II 650W offers 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 MONTECH Century II 650W at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 750W Platinum on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ROG Loki is an SFX-L unit, so it uses a 120mm fan instead of the 92mm fan common in SFX.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its native 12V-2x6 cable count before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It carries 80 Plus Platinum, a LAMBDA A noise rating and a 10-year warranty. It is Lambda A certified at under 25dB, and a 16-pin cable delivers up to 600W to PCIe 5.0 cards. ROG heatsinks cool key parts.
It matches the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G and the LIAN LI SP750 V2 on rated output (750W). It is the only pick here with a platinum 80 plus rating; the MONTECH Century II 650W has a gold 80 plus rating instead. It also offers a 120mm fan, larger than standard SFX and ROG heatsinks over key components.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the LIAN LI SP750 V2 the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed native 12V-2x6 cable count, look to the MONTECH Century II 650W instead: it offers 1, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wattage: 750W
- Warranty: 10 years
- 80 Plus rating: Platinum
- Form factor: SFX-L
- Cabling: Fully modular
- Fan: 120mm
- Colour: Black
Pros
- A 750W rating
- A 10-year warranty
- 80 Plus Platinum efficiency
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- No published native 12V-2x6 cable count
- Costs more than the MONTECH Century II 650W at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Wattage
- We compared rated output with NVIDIA's or AMD's recommended system power for the card.
- Price
- We grouped picks by price at the time of writing.
- Standards
- We noted ATX version, 80 Plus and Cybenetics ratings.
- Build and warranty
- We checked depth, modular cabling, fan-stop modes and warranty length.
What to Look for in a PSUs for Photo Editing
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match the power connector
Most RTX 40 and RTX 50 cards use a single 16-pin 12V-2x6 (12VHPWR) plug, while many Radeon cards use two or three 8-pin plugs. A native cable avoids bulky adapters.
Push the 16-pin plug fully home and avoid a sharp bend right at the connector.
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.
Check depth and cabling
Deeper units can clash with drive cages or front radiators. Fully modular cables make routing easier in tight cases.
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.
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.
How to Choose a PSUs for Photo Editing
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | MONTECH Century II 650W | The lowest price among these power supplies at the time of writing |
| 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 |
| Buyers who put rated output first | ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White | The highest rated output here (850W) |
| Buyers who want two-tone 12V-2x6 cable that shows whether it is seated | LIAN LI SP750 V2 | A two-tone 12V-2x6 cable that shows whether it is seated |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 750W Platinum | The top of this price range, adding a 120mm fan, larger than standard SFX |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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 |
| ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White | 850W | 1 | 10 years | 150mm |
| LIAN LI SP750 V2 | 750W | 1 | 10 years | Not listed |
| ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 750W Platinum | 750W | Not listed | 10 years | 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 $50 to $100 | MONTECH Century II 650W, ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G, ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White |
| About $100 to $150 | LIAN LI SP750 V2, ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 750W Platinum |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these power supplies compare on rated output?
The ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White, at 850W. The ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G follows at 750W, while the MONTECH Century II 650W has 650W.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
At our last price check the MONTECH Century II 650W was the cheapest pick and the ASUS ROG Loki SFX-L 750W Platinum the most expensive; the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G was the next step up from the MONTECH Century II 650W.
Can I reuse the power supply from my old PC?
Only if it meets the card's wattage and connector needs and is still under warranty or in good health. Very old units lack modern connectors.
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.
Can I use an SFX power supply?
Yes, if the case supports SFX and the unit meets the wattage and connector needs of your card. SFX units cost more per watt.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MONTECH Century II 650W, chosen for the lowest price among these power supplies at the time of writing. Look at the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG-750G for a 90-degree 12V-2x6 cable with a temperature sensor, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-850GW White for the highest rated output here (850W) and the LIAN LI SP750 V2 for a two-tone 12V-2x6 cable that shows whether it is seated if those matter more to you.
A longer warranty usually signals better components.