Buying Guide
The Best PSUs Under $100
From the darkFlash DG850 to the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W: five power supplies ranked on rated output and native 12V-2x6 cable count, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Under $100, reputable PSUs reach 750-850W Gold. Every pick cost $100 or less, ordered by wattage.
Our comparison rests on published figures for wattage, native 12V-2x6 cables and warranty; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out native 12V-2x6 cables, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Highest Rated Output
Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000WThe highest rated output here (1000W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated output first.
Check price for Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
darkFlash DG850The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W the next step up.
Check price for darkFlash DG850 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850WSmart Zero Fan mode.
Best for: Buyers who want Smart Zero Fan mode.
Check price for Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750WFour PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6.
Best for: Buyers who want four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6.
Check price for be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
CORSAIR RM750e (ATX 3.1)105°C-rated capacitors.
Best for: Buyers who want 105°C-rated capacitors.
Check price for CORSAIR RM750e (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest Rated Output1 of 5
Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W
Thermaltake's Toughpower GT 1000W is only 140mm deep, short for its wattage, and ships with a native 12V-2x6 cable and flat modular cables.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated output first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the darkFlash DG850 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Its flat modular cables have colour-matched connectors, and a hydraulic-bearing fan with Smart Zero Fan keeps it quiet. Nothing else here matches its 1000W rated output; the darkFlash DG850 comes closest at 850W. The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W 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 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 and the rest. The maker doesn't give its warranty; if that figure matters, the darkFlash DG850 offers 5 years.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 1000W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Depth
- 140mm
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 120mm
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- 1000W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A short 140mm body
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG850 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 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
- Spending as little as possible, with the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W the next step up.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a shorter 5-year warranty.
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 Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W at 850W. You also get 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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W was the next step up. The main gap: rated output of 850W, behind the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W (1000W). If that matters, the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W offers 1000W.
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
- Rated output of 850W, behind the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W (1000W)
Also Consider3 of 5
Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W
Thermaltake's Toughpower GT 850W is a fully modular ATX 3.1 unit with a native 12V-2x6 cable, a single high-amperage 12V rail and a Smart Zero Fan mode.
Best for
- Buyers who want Smart Zero Fan mode.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: a shorter 5-year warranty.
Why we like it
Smart Zero Fan keeps the fan off at low load, and its low-profile flat black cables are easy to route. It is 80 Plus Gold rated at up to 90% efficiency. On rated output it ties with the darkFlash DG850 at 850W.
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. No depth is rated for the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. Its price falls between the darkFlash DG850 and the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 850W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Warranty
- 5 years
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- A 850W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- A shorter 5-year warranty
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG850 at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed depth should compare it with the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, which comes in at 140mm.
Strong Alternative4 of 5
be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W
be quiet!'s Pure Power 13 M 750W offers four PCIe 8-pin connectors plus a native 12V-2x6, and its fan switches off at low load.
Best for
- Buyers who want four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the darkFlash DG850 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Cybenetics rates it Platinum. Its fan stops completely at low load, and one strong 12V rail handles GPU power spikes. LLC topology gives tight voltage regulation.
It is 80 Plus Gold with up to 94.3% efficiency and an ATX 3.1 design with a native 12V-2x6 connector. All 750W sit on a single 12V rail, which handles short GPU power spikes. It matches the CORSAIR RM750e on rated output (750W).
No depth is rated for the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. It was priced above the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W and below the CORSAIR RM750e at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 750W
- 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
- A 750W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- 4 PCIe 8-pin connectors for older cards
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG850 at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on native 12V-2x6 cable count, where the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W offers 1.
Worth a Look5 of 5
CORSAIR RM750e (ATX 3.1)
The CORSAIR RM750e is built around 105°C-rated capacitors, with Modern Standby support on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 105°C-rated capacitors.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated output matters most to you; the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W offers 1000W.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 750W rated output and offers a 120mm fan. It is Intel ATX 3.1 certified and handles 2x GPU transient spikes, and a 120mm rifle-bearing fan follows a quiet fan curve. Cables are fully modular.
Its fully modular cabling keeps a build tidy. On rated output it ties with the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W at 750W. The CORSAIR RM750e 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, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. Its price falls between the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W and the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 750W
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 120mm
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- A 750W rating
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
- 105°C-rated capacitors
Cons
- Rated output trails the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W (1000W)
- No published native 12V-2x6 cable count
- Costs more than the darkFlash DG850 at the time of writing
The catch
If rated output is your priority, the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W (1000W) is the stronger choice.
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.
- What we compared
- We lined up five power supplies on rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count, warranty and depth from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and native 12V-2x6 cable count and warranty are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W to the CORSAIR RM750e, state rated output, ATX version and form factor and share ATX 3.1 ATX version and Black colour.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The CORSAIR RM750e gives no native 12V-2x6 cable count; the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W and the CORSAIR RM750e give no warranty.
- Price range
- From the darkFlash DG850 to the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a PSUs Under $100
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated output you need
Here rated output runs from 750W on the CORSAIR RM750e to 1000W on the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, a 33% spread. For less, the darkFlash DG850 is the runner-up at 850W.
Fit and compatibility
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. The CORSAIR RM750e has no stated native 12V-2x6 cable; confirm the cable kit before pairing it with a 16-pin card.
A 24-pin ATX connector seen from the pin side Features beyond the spec table
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W: a single high-amperage 12V rail. The be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W: a fan that switches off completely at low load. The CORSAIR RM750e: Modern Standby support.
Where your budget lands
Price does little to separate these 5: the darkFlash DG850 through the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W all landed in the $50 to $100 tier, which leaves rated output to decide it.
An 8-pin power connector held up to the camera Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who put rated output first: the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W. Spending as little as possible, with the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W the next step up: the darkFlash DG850.
How to Choose a PSUs Under $100
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated output first | Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W | The highest rated output here (1000W) |
| Spending as little as possible, with the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W the next step up | darkFlash DG850 | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want Smart Zero Fan mode | Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W | Smart Zero Fan mode |
| Buyers who want four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6 | be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W | Four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6 |
| Buyers who want 105°C-rated capacitors | CORSAIR RM750e | 105°C-rated capacitors |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W leads on rated output at 1000W, ahead of the darkFlash DG850 at 850W. "Not listed" marks native 12V-2x6 cable count where the CORSAIR RM750e leaves the figure out.
| Power supplie | Wattage | Native 12V-2x6 cables | Warranty | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W | 1000W | 1 | Not listed | 140mm |
| darkFlash DG850 | 850W | 1 | 5 years | 140mm |
| Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W | 850W | 1 | 5 years | Not listed |
| be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W | 750W | 1 | Not listed | Not listed |
| CORSAIR RM750e | 750W | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest rated output: the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W or the darkFlash DG850?
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W tops rated output at 1000W; the darkFlash DG850 follows at 850W, 18% apart. The spread runs down to the CORSAIR RM750e at 750W.
Is the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W worth paying more than the darkFlash DG850?
On paper it adds rated output (1000W against 850W). Both sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, so the gains in rated output cost little extra by tier.
What makes the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W the Highest Rated Output?
It earns the label for the highest rated output here (1000W). The darkFlash DG850 is next on rated output at 850W, so this pick's 1000W is 18% further out. It makes sense for anyone who puts rated output first.
Which of these power supplies have fan stop?
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W and the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W have it. The makers of the darkFlash DG850 and the CORSAIR RM750e don't state fan stop, so 3 of 5 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W?
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. No depth is rated for the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. In this guide it ranks third of 5, and third of 5 on rated output (850W).
Beyond the specs, what sets the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W and the darkFlash DG850 apart?
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W: a 140mm length, short for a 1000W unit. The darkFlash DG850: 850W in a 140mm body. The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W: Smart Zero Fan mode.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, chosen for the highest rated output here (1000W). Look at the darkFlash DG850 for the lowest price of the group at our last check, the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 850W for Smart Zero Fan mode and the be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 750W for four PCIe 6+2 connectors plus a native 12V-2x6 if those matter more to you.
Avoid unknown brands; a PSU failure can take parts with it.
Related Guides
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- Related guideThe Best SFX Power Supplies for Small Form Factor PCs
- Lower budgetThe Best Power Supplies Under $80
- Higher budgetThe Best Power Supplies Under $120
- ExplainerHow to choose a power supply for a PC build
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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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