Instructions for choosing to buy a PSU computer source and install it in a PC

Whether this is your first time installing a PC to play games, upgrade it to higher power, or simply replace components, you must pay close attention to the PSU (power supply unit). computer.

PSUs are usually on the bottom of the list because they’re nothing special. But computing power is the lifeblood of any gaming computer. Nvidia, AMD, and Intel all strive to make their components as efficient as possible, but for good gaming CPUs and graphics cards, a powerful PSU is essential for smooth operation.

If there is not enough power for the computer to operate, chances are that you will experience crashes, BSOD (blue screen) and power outages, greatly damaging the expensive hardware in the machine. But don’t worry, follow this guide and you’ll be fine.

1. MUST KNOW HOW MUCH WATT A COMPUTER NEEDED

Each component in a computer will have the amount of power (Watt) they require at the back of their box. But today, most manufacturers have their own power calculator to determine what you’ll need. Buyers can go to the official website if they plan to buy a source of Cooler Master, Asus, Seasonic or EVGA. The article will use the OuterVision calculator, with basic options for newbies as well as more in-depth analysis for tech people.

In the basic tab, OuterVision included the version and manufacturer of key components, RAM, capacity, drives, monitor, and how long you use your computer each day. The expert tab will give you everything you need as it includes clock speed and heatsink as well. It’s better to add some devices even if you don’t use them now, because in the future you may want to upgrade them.

Remember to check the PSU with the calculation tools above before deciding which PSU to buy. If the existing PSU still has enough power, that’s great! You don’t need to do anything more. On the other hand, if the amount of power supplied is not as original, the next step is to pay attention to the evaluation of the efficiency of the PSU.

2. WHAT EFFICIENT DO YOU WANT?

The 80 Plus sticker you see on a PSU is not for show. This sticker means that it will convert power from the outlet to the electricity used by your computer more efficiently. And less wasted electricity means less heat.

These ratings are expanded to include 80 Plus Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titantium, ranked by power efficiency from lowest to best. You won’t see many Platinum or Titanium PSUs, as they are usually high watt PSUs with very expensive prices. We often come across types like Bronze, Silver and Gold more and the article advises against buying lower-rated computer sources.

Although this is not exactly a direct measure to compare, this assessment is to check the quality of the PSU. Sometimes companies will push the price up, but in return their quality is guaranteed, which means you will get better electricity from them.

3. WHAT IS MODULAR POWER SUPPLY?

With standard PSUs, you get power cords built into the power box. The thing is, you rarely use all of them unless your PC has multiple GPUs and lots of other devices. Therefore, the excess wires are sometimes unsightly when building the case.

Modular power supplies are more expensive, but allow you to choose which wires you want to use, making everything in the case look more organized and professional. You can buy additional wires from the manufacturer if you find that you are missing a wire for your video card, for example.

If modular power supply is too expensive, the market still has a mid-range line for you to choose from. Semi-modular PSUs are intermediate between modular and conventional models, with power cords plugged into the PSU while the rest allow you to add as many as you want. Of course they are also cheaper than modular PSUs.

4. FIND THE SUITABLE PSU

The last thing to keep in mind when choosing the right PSU is its size relative to the computer case. Standard ATX PSUs are 100mm wide, but lengths vary. They sometimes won’t fit in cases like Mini ITX or Micro ATX with a width of only 80mm, then you will need a Small Form Factor (SFX) PSU. The market has larger PSUs that sometimes make it difficult even for full tower cases.

5. INSTALL POWER INTO THE CASE

After careful consideration, you’ve now bought yourself the perfect PSU that fits perfectly into your case. Now it’s time to install it in the machine, make sure you have a screwdriver available.

If you’re upgrading or replacing a PSU, you’ll need to first remove the PSU power cords from the motherboard and remove the old PSU screws. You can leave the mainboard and fan in the box to save time. But if you don’t see enough space to move the PSU, remove them as well as other components. That will limit the PSU hitting them to avoid unnecessary damage.

Depending on the type of PSU you have selected, it is better to attach the power cord before installing the PSU, as it can be difficult after attaching. Insert the PSU into the case when everything is ready, then tighten the screws to keep it stable.

As for wire management, it’s best to go to the back of the mainboard. Case designs vary, but they will often have their own method of wire management, allowing you to pull cords through holes in the chassis of the case to attach to the correct device.

Don’t forget to connect the PSU power cords to the CPU, GPU, hard drive and mainboard, as well as other devices. You can refer to the mainboard manual if you don’t know where to connect the power cord, but most motherboards now have a common layout to make it easier to understand. And don’t worry, the computer will not ‘explode’ if the wrong wire is attached.

If installing a PSU is your first time building a PC yourself, you’ll need to know more about how to install a video card, upgrade the CPU, and include optimizations to increase FPS as well.

You can refer to the articles below: