Exploring The 7 Best Budget PSUs in 2024

Power up your PC dreams without breaking the bank! In 2024, the world of budget power supply units (PSUs) will offer an array of options that strike the perfect balance between performance, affordability, and reliability. Whether you’re building a gaming rig, a creative workstation, or a home office setup, we’ve scoured the market to bring you the top contenders. These budget-friendly PSUs pack a punch, ensuring your system runs smoothly, efficiently, and safely. Join us as we explore the best budget PSUs that won’t drain your wallet but will power your computing aspirations to new heights.

Why a Good PSU Matters?

The power supply unit is the heart of your computer, responsible for delivering a consistent and clean supply of electricity to all your components. A high-quality PSU is essential for several reasons:

1. Stability and Reliability: A good PSU ensures that your PC gets a stable and reliable power source, reducing the risk of crashes, freezes, or data corruption.
2. Component Protection: It safeguards your expensive components from power surges or fluctuations, helping to extend the lifespan of your hardware.
3. Energy Efficiency: An efficient PSU can save you money on your electricity bill and produce less heat, contributing to a quieter and cooler system.
4. Compatibility: It’s important to ensure your PSU can provide enough power and connectors for your components, especially if you have a gaming PC or a workstation with demanding hardware.

Top 7 Best Budget PSUs

Now that you understand what to look for in a budget PSU, here are some recommendations for the best options available in 2024:

1. Corsair CX550

• Wattage: 550W
• Efficiency: 80 PLUS Bronze
• Modularity: Non-modular
• Price Range: $63

The Corsair CX550 is an affordable yet reliable best budget PSUs for budget gaming PCs and workstations. It has 550W of power output, enough to power mid-range gaming builds with a single graphics card. It uses a single +12V rail design for stable power delivery and includes all necessary connectors like 24-pin ATX, 8-pin EPS, and 6+2 pin PCIe to power today’s mainstream components.

Though meant for value builds, it doesn’t skimp on protection. It has overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent, and short-circuit protection to safeguard your system. The 80 Plus Bronze efficiency rating means it will convert most of the input power to output with minimal energy wastage as heat. It has a compact ATX form factor and includes all mounting screws and power cables needed for easy installation into standard desktop cases. Overall, the Corsair CX550 offers enough power and necessary safety features for budget-friendly systems at an affordable price point.

2. EVGA 600 W1

• Wattage: 600W
• Efficiency: 80 PLUS White
• Modularity: Non-modular
• Price Range: $60

The EVGA 600 W1 is one of the best budget PSUs options available. It provides 600 watts of continuous power which is sufficient for most gaming systems including ones with mid-range graphics cards. Despite the affordable price, it features an 80 Plus certification ensuring at least 80% efficiency to reduce power costs. Along with the expected 24-pin ATX and 8-pin CPU connectors, it includes all required PCIe connectors for today’s GPUs.

Protection features like OVP, UVP, OCP, and SCP keep systems safe from power surges or spikes. Its compact ATX form factor fits neatly in most cases. Although not modular, the fixed cables are well-managed to not clutter the interior. Backed by a 5-year warranty, it offers peace of mind for reliability. Overall the EVGA 600 W1 strikes the perfect balance of value, performance, and protection for budget builds without compromising on quality or reliability.

3. Seasonic S12III Best Budget PSUs

• Wattage: 500W
• Efficiency: 80 PLUS Bronze
• Modularity: Non-modular
• Price Range: $59

The Seasonic S12III is consistently rated as one of the best-quality budget PSUs on the market. It is built by Seasonic, a top-tier manufacturer known for reliability. Its continuous power output of 350W or 500W depending on the model, is enough to power basic office or gaming PCs. It has high 80 Plus Bronze efficiency to minimize power wastage.

Some key features include full protection from overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent, and short circuits. All necessary ATX connectors are provided out of the box for easy installation. Along with compact dimensions, its non-modular cables are well-managed to prevent blocking airflow or making installation difficult. Despite the affordable price, Seasonic does not compromise on using high-quality internal components and strict quality control tests. The Seasonic S12III comes with a long 3-year warranty, providing peace of mind for value seekers. It offers great value as a simple but reliable PSU that can power budget builds for many years to come.

4. Thermaltake Smart 700W PSUs

• Wattage: 700W
• Efficiency: 80 PLUS White
• Modularity: Non-modular
• Price Range: $54

The Thermaltake Smart 700W is an affordable fully modular PSU that belies its budget price tag. With 700W of continuous power output and 80 Plus certification, it can easily handle gaming and workstation builds including ones with powerful multi-GPU configurations. Its fully modular design means only the necessary cables are bundled, keeping the internals neat. Replacing or upgrading components is also simplified thanks to the detachable cables. Protections like OVP, OPP, SCP, and OCP safeguard both the PSU and system components.

Thermaltake uses a single +12V rail design and Japanese capacitors for stable power delivery. The compact ATX form factor fits neatly in most cases. At this wattage, it can reliably power mainstream to high-end systems for years. A long 5-year warranty assures peace of mind to the value-conscious user. Overall, it strikes a great balance between affordability, features, and quality.

5. Best Budget EVGA 650 B5 PSUs

• Wattage: 650W
• Efficiency: 80 PLUS Bronze
• Modularity: Semi-modular
• Price Range: $94

The EVGA 650 B5 is a popular mid-range fully modular PSU for mid to high-end gaming builds. With 650W of continuous power output sourced from a single +12V rail and 80 Plus Bronze efficiency, it can reliably power modern multi-GPU and overclocked systems.

Its fully modular design allows for easy cable management and replacement of components without issue. Protections like OVP, OPP, OTP, OCP and SCP safeguard the PSU and systems components from power surges or overload conditions.

Industrial grade Japanese capacitors alongside a 120mm fan ensure cool and efficient operation even under extended high loads. The compact size fits neatly in most desktop cases. Backed by EVGA’s renowned customer service and a 10-year warranty, this PSU offers outstanding value and quality for the money. It strikes the perfect balance of features and performance for mid-range gaming systems.

6. Corsair RM650 PSUs

• Wattage: 650W
• Efficiency: 80 PLUS Gold
• Modularity: Fully modular
• Price Range: $225

The Corsair RM650 is a fully modular power supply known for its reliability, performance and quiet operation. It delivers 650W of continuous power via a single +12V rail which is more than enough for high-end gaming systems. 80 Plus Gold efficiency helps reduce power costs and minimizes heat output. As a fully modular PSU, only the required cables need to be attached for superb cable management. Japanese capacitors and a fluid dynamic bearing fan allow for silent operation even under heavy loads. Protections like over/under voltage, over/current, and short circuits ensure robust safety.

Corsair’s build quality and stringent testing standards are renowned. The compact size fits most desktop cases. Backed by a generous 7-year warranty, the RM650 offers exceptional value given its performance and longevity. It provides a smooth, stable power delivery for both gaming and work. An excellent choice for high-performance rigs.

7. Cooler Master MWE Bronze 500W

• Wattage: 500W
• Efficiency: 80 PLUS Gold
• Modularity: Non-modular
• Price Range: $85

The Cooler Master MWE Bronze 500W is an affordable and fully modular PSU that punches above its weight class. Its 80 Plus Bronze efficiency helps cut power costs while the 500W capacity is enough to run mid-range gaming systems comfortably. Cooler Master employs a single +12V rail design for stable power delivery even under load. Fully modular cabling permits neat cable runs and hassle-free upgrades down the line. Protections like over/under voltage, overcurrent, and short circuits help safeguard components from power issues.

Despite the conservative price tag, Cooler Master uses quality capacitors and an embedded control chip for reliability. The compact size fits neatly in most cases. At 3 years, the warranty coverage assures users of the MWE Bronze 500W’s dependability. Featuring hallmarks of pricier units on a budget, it offers an excellent value proposition for mainstream gaming PC builds.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Budget PSUs

1. Wattage and Power Requirements

Determining the appropriate wattage for your PSU is crucial. You should calculate the power requirements of your components and choose a PSU that provides a bit of headroom. Several online PSU calculators can help you estimate your power needs based on your CPU, GPU, storage devices, and other components.

2. Efficiency Rating

Efficiency ratings are indicated by the 80 PLUS certification. The higher the certification level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium), the more efficient the PSU is. A more efficient PSU generates less heat and consumes less power, which is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

3. Modular vs. Non-Modular

PSUs come in three types: non-modular, semi-modular, and fully modular. Non-modular PSUs have all cables permanently attached, semi-modular PSUs have some detachable cables, and fully modular PSUs allow you to connect only the cables you need. Fully modular PSUs are often favoured for cleaner cable management, but they tend to be more expensive.

4. Brand and Reliability

Stick with reputable PSU manufacturers such as Corsair, EVGA, Seasonic, and Thermaltake. These companies have a long history of producing high-quality PSUs and offer good warranties and customer support. Choosing a well-known brand can give you peace of mind that your PSU will be reliable.

5. Overcurrent Protection and Safety

A good PSU should have overcurrent, overvoltage, and short-circuit protection to safeguard your components and prevent electrical hazards. Check for these safety features in the PSU you choose.

6. Warranty

The length of the warranty provided by the manufacturer is a good indicator of the quality of the PSU. Many reputable brands offer 5-10-year warranties on their products, demonstrating their confidence in their reliability.

Conclusion

Choosing the best budget PSUs for your PC is a critical decision that can impact your system’s stability, reliability, and longevity. By considering factors such as wattage, efficiency, modularity, brand reputation, safety features, and warranty, you can make an informed choice that suits your needs and budget. The options listed above represent some of the best budget PSUs available in 2024. Whether you’re building a basic office PC or a gaming rig, there’s a PSU on this list to meet your requirements. Keep in mind that prices and availability may vary, so it’s essential to check the latest reviews and compare prices before making your final decision.

FAQs

a: What is the significance of 80 PLUS certification for power supplies?

Ans: The 80 PLUS certification indicates the PSU’s energy efficiency. Higher certification levels mean better efficiency, reducing power consumption and heat generation.

b: How do I calculate the wattage required for my PSU?

Ans: Use online PSU calculators or sum up the power requirements of your components, adding some extra for safety and future upgrades.

c: Are modular PSUs worth the extra cost?

Ans: Semi or fully modular PSUs simplify cable management, making them worth it for neater builds. But non-modular options are more budget-friendly.

d: Which PSU brands are known for reliability?

Ans: Reputable brands like Corsair, EVGA, Seasonic, and Thermaltake have established a track record for producing reliable PSUs.

e: Can a higher-wattage PSU improve my PC’s performance?

Ans: A higher-wattage PSU won’t boost performance directly. It ensures ample power for components and potentially offers better efficiency and longevity.

Last Updated on 7 May 2024 by Ansa Imran