When people build or upgrade their PC, they often get excited about flashy graphics cards, ultra-fast SSDs, or sleek cases with RGB lighting. But here’s the truth we often share with customers here in Onoway: your Power Supply Unit (PSU) is one of the most important—and overlooked—parts of your entire system.
It’s the heart of your computer. And if the heart isn’t strong, the rest of the system can’t perform properly.
Whether you’re planning a new build or trying to fix an unstable system, here’s everything you need to know to choose the right power supply—and avoid common mistakes we see all the time.
✅ Step 1: Figure Out How Much Power You Actually Need
This is where it all starts—and it’s more than just picking a random wattage number off the shelf.
🔌 List Your Components
Grab a pen (or open a tab) and jot down the big power users in your PC:
- CPU (the processor)
- GPU (your graphics card—this one’s usually the biggest draw!)
- Motherboard
- RAM
- Storage (SSDs, HDDs)
- Case fans, RGB lighting, external devices, etc.
📊 Use a PSU Calculator (Seriously!)
Instead of guessing, we recommend plugging your parts into a reputable online PSU calculator—like the ones from Cooler Master, Corsair, or Seasonic. These tools help estimate your system’s total wattage requirements.
🔁 Add Some Headroom
Once you have your total, add about 20–30% extra wattage. Why?
- Your system might spike under heavy load.
- PSUs run most efficiently when they’re not maxed out.
- It gives you room to upgrade later without needing a new PSU.
💡 Example: If your setup needs 500W, aim for a 650W or 750W unit.
⚠️ What Happens If You Underpower Your System?
Trust us, we’ve seen this one play out a lot. A weak or overloaded PSU can cause:
- Random shutdowns or system crashes
- Failure to boot
- Poor performance under load
- Long-term damage to your components
A good PSU isn’t just about powering your PC—it’s about protecting your investment.
🔋 Step 2: Understand Efficiency Ratings (What’s 80 PLUS?)
All PSUs waste a little energy as heat. The 80 PLUS certification tells you how efficient a PSU is at converting wall power into usable PC power.
🥇 What the Ratings Mean:
- 80 PLUS White: Bare minimum (meh)
- Bronze / Silver / Gold: The sweet spot for most users
- Platinum / Titanium: Top-tier for high-end or energy-conscious builds
🌟 Our go-to pick?80 PLUS Gold — It balances cost, efficiency, and performance really well for most home and business setups.
🚀 Why Efficiency Matters:
- Lower power bills
- Less heat = quieter and cooler PC
- Longer lifespan for your components
📏 Step 3: Make Sure It Physically Fits!
Not all power supplies are the same size, so don’t skip this step.
- ATX: Standard size, fits most mid- and full-tower cases.
- SFX / SFX-L: Compact models for small form factor or mini-ITX builds.
🧠 Tip: Double-check your case specs before ordering!
🧩 Step 4: Modular vs. Non-Modular Cabling
Cables might not sound exciting, but they do affect airflow and cable clutter.
- Non-Modular: Cheapest, but all cables are attached—whether you need them or not.
- Semi-Modular: Core cables are fixed, extras can be added as needed.
- Fully Modular: All cables are detachable. Cleanest build and easiest cable management.
🧰 We usually recommend semi- or fully modular PSUs for most people—it just makes everything neater and easier to work with.
🔌 Step 5: Check for the Right Connectors
Make sure your PSU includes enough (and the right types of) plugs for your gear:
- 24-pin for the motherboard
- 8-pin EPS for the CPU
- 6/8-pin PCIe for your graphics card
- SATA for SSDs and hard drives
- Molex for older gear or certain fan controllers
- 12VHPWR for the latest high-end GPUs (if you’ve got one, make sure the PSU supports ATX 3.0 or 3.1)
❗ Buying a beefy new graphics card? Check the fine print—some need multiple PCIe connectors or a special 12VHPWR plug.
🏷️ Step 6: Stick to Trusted Brands
This is not the place to save $20 by buying a no-name model. A cheap PSU can fry your whole system.
✅ Brands We Trust:
- Corsair
- Seasonic
- EVGA
- be quiet!
- Cooler Master
- Fractal Design
- Super Flower
- NZXT (select models)
- ASUS / Gigabyte (stick with the well-reviewed units)
Look for 5–10 year warranties—a long warranty is a good sign the manufacturer believes in their product.
🧠 Final Thoughts from AS Computer Solutions
The PSU may not be glamorous, but it’s the foundation of everything else in your system. Choose a good one, and it’ll run quietly in the background for years. Choose a bad one, and it could become the weakest link in your build.
Need help figuring out what wattage or features you need? Not sure if your old PSU can handle your new graphics card?
👋 Give us a shout at A.S. Computer Solutions in Onoway. We’ll help you pick the right power supply for your needs—and make sure your system gets the stable, reliable power it deserves.
📞 Call or visit us today:
📍 Onoway, Alberta
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