Buying Guide
The Best PSUs Under $150
Five power supplies ranked on rated output and native 12V-2x6 cable count, where the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G has the highest rated output; the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Between $100 and $150, PSUs add higher wattage, better fans and longer warranties. Every pick sits in that range, ordered by wattage.
Rankings weigh wattage, native 12V-2x6 cables and warranty as the makers state them; if a maker skips warranty, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Highest Rated Output
ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200GThe highest rated output here (1200W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated output first.
Check price for ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Native 12V-2x6 Cables
MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 IIThe most native 12V-2x6 cable count here (2).
Best for: Buyers who put native 12V-2x6 cable count first.
Check price for MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
NZXT C1000 Gold Core (ATX 3.1)Cybenetics noise certification listed by NZXT.
Best for: Buyers who want Cybenetics noise certification listed by NZXT.
Check price for NZXT C1000 Gold Core (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 WhiteWhite housing and cables.
Best for: Buyers who want white housing and cables.
Check price for MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
CORSAIR RM750x (ATX 3.1)Embossed cables with low-profile combs.
Best for: Buyers who want embossed cables with low-profile combs.
Check price for CORSAIR RM750x (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest Rated Output1 of 5
ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G
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
- Buyers who put rated output first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It uses 100% Japanese capacitors for longevity and stable output. Check your case and component specifications before buying. Its 1200W rated output is the highest here; the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II comes next at 1000W.
It matches the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, the MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White and the CORSAIR RM750x on native 12V-2x6 cable count (1). On warranty it ties with the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II at 10 years. It shares a platinum cybenetics rating with the NZXT C1000 Gold Core; the CORSAIR RM750x goes with a gold cybenetics rating.
You also get a 5V boost function for stable standby voltage. No depth is rated for the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. Only the MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key 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
- Costs more than the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II at the time of writing
Most Native 12V-2x6 Cables2 of 5
MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II
MSI's MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II is the only 1000W unit here with two native 12V-2x6 cables, and it adds three 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: rated output of 1000W, behind the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G (1200W).
Why we like it
MSI backs it with a 10-year warranty and 105°C capacitors throughout. Its embossed jacket cables bend easily, and eight protections guard the system. MSI lists RTX 50 series support.
On rated output it ties with the NZXT C1000 Gold Core at 1000W. Nothing else here matches its 2 native 12V-2x6 cable count; the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G comes closest at 1. No depth is rated for the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay.
It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the NZXT C1000 Gold Core was the next step up. The main gap: rated output of 1000W, behind the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G (1200W). If that matters, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G offers 1200W.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 1000W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 2
- PCIe 8-pin connectors
- 3
- Warranty
- 10 years
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- 1000W of rated output for high-power cards
- 2 native 12V-2x6 cables
- A 10-year warranty
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Rated output of 1000W, behind the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G (1200W)
Also Consider3 of 5
NZXT C1000 Gold Core (ATX 3.1)
NZXT's C1000 Gold Core is a fully modular ATX 3.1 unit with a native 12V-2x6 cable, a 7-year warranty and a 135mm fan with a zero-RPM mode.
Best for
- Buyers who want Cybenetics noise certification listed by NZXT.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It uses 105°C-rated capacitors, embossed modular cables and a dual-colour 12V-2x6 connector. On rated output it ties with the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II at 1000W. On native 12V-2x6 cable count it ties with the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, the MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White and the CORSAIR RM750x at 1.
Its 7 years warranty ranks third of 4 here, behind the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G (10 years) and ahead of the MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White (5 years). Like the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, it has a platinum cybenetics rating, while the CORSAIR RM750x uses a gold cybenetics rating. It also comes with Cybenetics noise certification listed by NZXT.
No depth is rated for the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II and the pricier CORSAIR RM750x, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 1000W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Warranty
- 7 years
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- Cybenetics rating
- Platinum
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 135mm
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- 1000W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- Costs more than the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White
The MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White stands out for white housing and cables, and it adds a 5-year limited warranty on the white version.
Best for
- Buyers who want white housing and cables.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: a shorter 5-year warranty.
Why we like it
It also offers an 850W rated output and offers a 1 native 12V-2x6 cable count. It is 80 Plus Gold with a 5-year limited warranty, and the white finish suits light builds. The compact body helps in smaller cases.
Its fully modular design keeps cables to what you need. Its 850W rated output ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G (1200W) and ahead of the CORSAIR RM750x (750W). It matches the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core and the CORSAIR RM750x on native 12V-2x6 cable count (1).
On warranty it trails the group at 5 years, while the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G offers 10 years. No other pick in this guide offers a white colour; compare the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, which has a black colour. It was priced above the CORSAIR RM750x and below the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G at the time of writing.
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
- Colour
- White
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
- Warranty trails the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G (10 years)
- Costs more than the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on warranty, where the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G offers 10 years.
Worth a Look5 of 5
CORSAIR RM750x (ATX 3.1)
Corsair's RM750x is a fully modular ATX 3.1 unit with a native 12V-2x6 cable and a Cybenetics Gold rating.
Best for
- Buyers who want embossed cables with low-profile combs.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated output matters most to you; the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G offers 1200W.
Why we like it
It is Cybenetics Gold rated at up to 91% efficiency, and its embossed cables with low-profile combs are easy to route. On rated output it trails the group at 750W, while the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G offers 1200W. On native 12V-2x6 cable count it ties with the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core and the MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White at 1.
No other pick in this guide offers a gold cybenetics rating; compare the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, which has a platinum cybenetics rating. The CORSAIR RM750x comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. No depth is rated for the CORSAIR RM750x, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 750W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Cybenetics 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
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- Rated output trails the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G (1200W)
- Native 12V-2x6 cable count trails the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II (2)
- No published warranty
The catch
The trade-off is rated output; for more, the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G offers 1200W.
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 compared five power supplies on rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count, warranty and 80 Plus rating as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out warranty.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G to the CORSAIR RM750x, state rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count and ATX version and share ATX 3.1 ATX version and Fully modular cabling.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The CORSAIR RM750x gives no warranty; the CORSAIR RM750x gives no 80 Plus rating.
- Price range
- From the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II to the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, all sat in the $100 to $150 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a PSUs Under $150
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 RM750x to 1200W on the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, a 60% spread. The MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II comes second at 1000W, in the same price tier as the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G.
Native 12V-2x6 cable count
Across these 5 picks native 12V-2x6 cable count spans 1 (the CORSAIR RM750x) to 2 (the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II). If native 12V-2x6 cable count is your first filter, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II sets the ceiling at 2.
A 24-pin ATX power cable held in a hand Warranty across these picks
Across these 4 picks warranty spans 5 years (the MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White) to 10 years (the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G). The MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II comes second at 10 years, in the same price tier as the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G. The CORSAIR RM750x gives no warranty figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Setup checks
The ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter.
A 24-pin ATX connector seen from the pin side Extras that separate them
The NZXT C1000 Gold Core: a 135mm FDB fan with zero-RPM mode. The MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White: a 5-year limited warranty on the white version. The CORSAIR RM750x: a native 12V-2x6 cable with no adapter needed.
How to Choose a PSUs Under $150
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated output first | ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G | The highest rated output here (1200W) |
| Buyers who put native 12V-2x6 cable count first | MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II | The most native 12V-2x6 cable count here (2) |
| Buyers who want Cybenetics noise certification listed by NZXT | NZXT C1000 Gold Core | Cybenetics noise certification listed by NZXT |
| Buyers who want white housing and cables | MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White | White housing and cables |
| Buyers who want embossed cables with low-profile combs | CORSAIR RM750x | Embossed cables with low-profile combs |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G leads on rated output at 1200W, ahead of the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II at 1000W. "Not listed" marks warranty where the CORSAIR RM750x leaves the figure out.
| Power supplie | Wattage | Native 12V-2x6 cables | Warranty | 80 Plus rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G | 1200W | 1 | 10 years | Gold |
| MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II | 1000W | 2 | 10 years | Gold |
| NZXT C1000 Gold Core | 1000W | 1 | 7 years | Gold |
| MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White | 850W | 1 | 5 years | Gold |
| CORSAIR RM750x | 750W | 1 | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G ahead of the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II on rated output?
The ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G tops rated output at 1200W; the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II follows at 1000W, 20% apart. The CORSAIR RM750x is at the other end of this group with 750W.
How does the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G compare with the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II on native 12V-2x6 cable count?
The MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II leads at 2, with the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G at 1.
What does the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G add over the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II?
The spec sheets show rated output (1200W against 1000W) in its favour. It does not win everywhere: the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II still leads on native 12V-2x6 cable count (2). Both sat in the $100 to $150 tier when we checked, so the gains in rated output cost little extra by tier.
Why is the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II our Most Native 12V-2x6 Cables pick?
It carries the badge for the most native 12V-2x6 cable count here (2). On native 12V-2x6 cable count it leads the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, 2 against 1, a 100% margin. It makes sense for anyone who puts native 12V-2x6 cable count first.
Do the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G and the CORSAIR RM750x differ on cybenetics rating?
The ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G and the NZXT C1000 Gold Core use platinum; the CORSAIR RM750x uses Gold. The MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II and the MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White have no cybenetics rating listed, so 3 of 5 picks are covered here.
Will the CORSAIR RM750x work with my setup?
The CORSAIR RM750x comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. No depth is rated for the CORSAIR RM750x, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, and fifth of 5 on rated output (750W).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock Steel Legend SL-1200G, chosen for the highest rated output here (1200W). Look at the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II for the most native 12V-2x6 cable count here (2), the NZXT C1000 Gold Core for Cybenetics noise certification listed by NZXT and the MSI MAG A850GL PCIE5 White for white housing and cables if those matter more to you.
Check the 12V-2x6 cable for current GPUs.
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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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