PSU Tier List 2023: Which one is right for your build?

by Shumail Ali
PSU Tier List 2023: Which one is right for your build? Image Name

When building a computer, the power supply unit is one of the essential parts to consider (PSU). It gives power to everything else in the system, so choosing a high-quality unit to meet your power needs and keep your system running well is essential. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to make the right choice. Several organizations have created PSU Tier List to help users make informed decisions when selecting a power supply. These lists rank power supplies based on their quality, efficiency, and reliability, allowing users to create a more informed decision when selecting a power supply.

One way to make choosing a power supply for a PC easier is to know what the different PSUs offer. Our PSU tier system groups by how well they work, their features, and how much they cost, so it’s important to know what you want before you buy.

To save time and stay safe from all issues caused by power supplies, you should get PSU from a high-end Tier A list. But a Tier B, mid-range PSU is an excellent choice if you want a high-quality PSU but don’t want to spend as much. The perfect combination of CPU and GPU is also mandatory with the right PSU. To help you with your decision, we have built a bottleneck calculator. Now that you’ve chosen the right CPU and GPU, you can use the SSD Tier List to select the right SSD for your build.

Test TechWafer PSU Calculator

We’re looking for Feedback on your very own TechWafer PSU Calculator. Its initial release (two updates released based on users opinion). Do share your experience by visiting the page.

Best Power Supplies

If you want to keep it short and don’t have time to spend on a massive PSU catalog, get one of the following Power Supplies for your build from different PSU tiers. These are hand-picked and the best in their respective tiers.

TW Recommendation from Tier A:

TW Recommendation from Tier B:

Now moving on to complete Tiers of PSUs, Let’s first look at the A Tier List – the most expensive but reliable. These are the best because they have the best performance and features. This tier has switchable multi-rail/single-rail, multi-rail, and single-rail PSUs. Tier A brands include Be Quiet!, Cooler Master, Corsair, and many others.

Tier A ATX 3.0 compatible

A high-end PSU is designed to offer maximum efficiency, stability, and reliability for demanding system configurations. This PSU typically features more advanced technologies than mid-range or budget PSUs. Key benefits are higher-quality capacitors, higher wattage outputs, better heat dissipation technology, more robust voltage regulation circuits and protection mechanisms against electrical surges or spikes.

Now that we understand the benefits of using a Tier A high-end power supply let’s talk about ATX 3.0 compatibility. ATX 3.0, released in 2021 now lays out newer requirements that PSUs must incorporate for better hardware compatibility and efficiency.

The new ATX 3.0 spec mandates that PSUs will need to comply with stricter guidelines such as introducing recent improvements in voltage regulation technology like LLC (Lc Inductor) resonant topology. Another improvement under ATX 3.0 is better synchronisation between PSUs and Hardware during shut down.

Brand Model
ASUS ROG Loki Platinum [SFX-L]
be quiet! Dark Power 13 
Corsair RMe 1000W– RMx SHIFT
FSP Hydro Ti Pro
NZXT C Gold 1200W
Montech Titan Gold
MSI MEG Ai-P
Silverstone HELA-R [HA-R] 1200W
Super Flower Leadex VII Gold
Thermaltake Toughpower : GF3 <=1200W & 1350W / SFX 1000W [SFX-L]

Tier A – High-end (multi/single-rail switchable)

PSU Tier List 2023: Which one is right for your build?TIER-A-PSU

Switchable multi/single-rail PSUs let you use more than one 12V rail or just one. If you want more control over how power flows through your system, this feature can help. On the other hand, multi-rail PSUs have more than one 12V rail, which protects against overloading. Single-rail power supplies only have one 12V rail, which makes them more efficient and easier to work with.

If you want the best and are willing to spend a little more, you should get a PSU from Tier A List; these are high-end power supplies. These units have the best performance and quality parts, perfect for high-end gaming systems and workstations.

Brand Model
Be Quiet! Dark Power 12 [non-Pro] – Dark Power Pro 11 / Pro 12
Cooler Master V Platinum 2019 [MPZ] [11]
Corsair AX1600i [9] – HX Platinum – RMi – HXi 2022

Tier A – High-end (multi-rail)

Brand Model
Antec High Current Pro [HCP] Platinum [11][13]
Be Quiet! Straight Power 11 [13] Gold / Platinum – Pure Power 11 FM[13]
Bitfenix Formula Gold [13] – Whisper M [13]

Tier A – High-end (single-rail)

Brand Model
ADATA / XPG Core Reactor – Cybercore [11]
Antec Earthwatts [EA] Gold Pro [7y warranty] [4][7] / Gold Pro White – High Current Gamer [HCG] Gold [7] / Extreme [7]
ASUS ROG Strix [11] – Thor 850W [7][11]
Chieftec / Chieftronic Powerplay Gold [11] / Platinum
Cooler Master V Gold V2 – V SFX Gold – XG Platinum – XG Plus Platinum – M2000
Corsair RMx 2015 – RMx 2018 – RMx 2021 – RM 2019 – RM 2021 – SF Gold / Platinum [2] – RMe – TXm Gold 2017 [circular grille] / 2021 [triangular grille]
Cougar GX-F (Aurum) – Polar
Deepcool PQ-M [7]
EVGA Supernova G7 / G2(L) [11] / G6 (<=750W/=>850W) / P2 [11] / P6 (<=750W/=>850W) / T2 [11]
Fractal Design ION Gold / SFX Gold – ION+ Platinum / ION+ 2 Platinum
FSP / Fortron / Quanhan Hydro G Pro / PT / PTM / PTM Pro =>850W
Kolink / Casecom Continuum C-PL 1500w [v1, C-PL]
MSI MEG AI-P – MPG A1000G / A-GF [11]
NZXT / Enjie C Gold 2020 [V1, 120mm fan]
Phanteks AMP – Revolt Pro [7]
Riotoro Enigma G2 [7]
Seasonic / Haiyun Focus [7] GM [Gold semi-mod.] / GX [Gold fully-mod.] / PX [Platinum] / SGX 2019 [SFX-L] – Prime [8] GX [Gold] <=750W / PX [Platinum] <=750W – Prime Snow Silent (Gold [550W] / Platinum [650W]) – Connect – Prime TX1600
Silverstone Decathlon Gold DA-G 1650W – Nightjar SXL – Hela 850R – Hela 2050w
Super Flower / Zhenhua Leadex Gold (SE) [3][11] / Platinum (SE) [11] <=1600W / Titanium [11]
Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 – GF1 Snow – GF1 ARGB – PF1 ARGB / TF1 – Toughpower Grand RGB Platinum – Toughpower iRGB Plus Platinum – Toughpower DPS G RGB Titanium <=1250W

Tier A – High-end (low priority units)

Brand Model
Aerocool Project 7 / P7 [1]
Asus Thor 1200W [1][8][11]
Antec Signature Platinum [1][8]/ Titanium [1][8]
Cooler Master V Gold 2018 [MPY-AFAAGV] =>750W
Corsair AXi <=1500W [10] / HXi 201310] / AX Titanium [1][8][10]
Enermax MaxTytan [12] – Platimax [non-D.F] [10] (1200/1350W)
EVGA Supernova G3 [3]
NZXT / Enjie E-series [10]
Phanteks Revolt X [1][8]
Seasonic / Haiyun Prime [1][8] GX [Gold] =>850W / PX [Platinum] =>850W / <=1300w TX [Titanium] / Fanless (PX/TX) / Snow Silent Titanium [750W] / Airtouch
Silverstone SX1000 [5] – SX750 [5] – Nightjar ATX

Tier-B – Mid-range

PSU Tier List 2023: Which one is right for your build?TIER-B-PSU

The Tier B List of PSUs is the one in the middle. Even though these units are still suitable, they don’t perform as well or have as many features as Tier A. Tier B brands include 1st Player, Abkoncore, Cooler Master, Corsair, Cougar, and many other reputable ones.

If you want a good PSU but don’t want to spend as much as you would on a Tier A unit, a mid-range PSU is a good choice. They are also great for systems that don’t need as much power.

Brand Model
1st Player Steampunk Gold [SP]
Abkoncore CR Platinum – Tenergy Gold X50W
Andyson PX – TX
Antec Neo Eco Gold [non-modular, yellow-label] [1]
ASUS TUF Bronze
Be Quiet! Pure Power 11 (CM) =>400W [1] – SFX-L Power
Chieftec Polaris – Powerup GPX-FC <=650W [5] – SFX-GD-C – Compact CSN-C
Cooler Master MWE (Reactor) Gold non-modular [v1, MPY-ACAAG] / FM [v1, MPY-AFAAG] – MWE V2 Gold non-modular [MPE-ACAAG] / MWE V2 Gold FM [MPE-AFAAG] – MWE V2 Bronze [MPE] Full-range Input – MWE V2 White [MPE] Full-range Input – V Gold 2018 [v1.5, MPY-AFAAGV] <=650W
Corsair CX 2016 [gray label] – CX-F RGB – Vengeance Silver
Cougar GEX
Deepcool DQ-M-V2L <=650W [5]
Enermax Platimax DF <=600W
EVGA Supernova B3 post 2019 y. / G+ / G5 / GD 2017 / GM / GT <=1000W / =>GQ 850W / GA [1]
FSP / Fortron / Quanhan Aurum PT / Pro – Hydro G / X
Gamdias Cyclops X1
Gigabyte Aorus AP-GM – UD-GM
Great Wall / Hunters Gaming GX – E Gold (Frozen) – High Performance Plus [HP PLUS] / EVO – Overclocking DG [OCDG] / EVO [OCPT] – UK Plus
High Power Astro GD-F V2 HPM – Performance GD [HP1-J-GD-F12S] – Super GD+
InWin P – Premium Basic / PB
Kolink / Casecom Continuum C-PL 850W [v1, C-PL] – Enclave G-FM
LC Power GP4 V2.4 – LC Platinum 1200
Lian Li PE SFX-L – SP 750
Micronics Astro GD
Montech Century ATX <=650W [5] / Century Mini
Raidmax Monster RX-AT
Rosewill Photon (<=750W,1350W)
Seasonic Focus SGX 2021 [SFX]
Segotep / Colorful GP-P <=700w – GP-T <=700w – ZP500P-SG
Sharkoon Silentstorm Cool Zero / SFX Gold
Silverstone Decathlon Gold [DA-G] 550/650W [5] – Strider Gold S (V1/V2) / Titanium <=800W / Platinum PTS / Plus F-PS – SX-G 500/650/700W – SX-PT 700W – Essential Gold ET-G / ET-HG – SX-LG – SX-LTI – VIVA Gold
Thermaltake Toughpower GF2 / GF [no numbers] [5] <=650W / PF1 <=850W [non-ARGB] – Toughpower Grand RGB Gold (Sync edition)
Xigmatek Hera Gold – XFP
Zalman Acrux Platinum

Tier B – Mid-range (low priority units)

Brand Model
Enermax Platimax [non-D.F] [4] (<=1000W/=>1500W)
Thermaltake Toughpower GF Plus
Cougar Auric – CES
Deepcool PM-D – DQ-M-V3L
EVGA Supernova P3 / P5 / PQ / GD R3 / GT 1300W
FSP / Fortron / Quanhan Cannon – Dagger Pro – Hydro S / GSM Pro / PTM Pro <=750W
Great Wall / Hunters G-series Gold – Titan TF Bronze
Green High Performance Plus [HP PLUS] / EVO – Overclocking DG [OCDG] / EVO [OCPT] – UK Plus
High Power Astro GD-F v2 [HPJ] =>1000W
InWin P – Premium Basic / PB
Kolink / Casecom Continuum C-PL 850W [v1, C-PL] – Enclave G-FM
LC Power GP4 V2.4 – LC Platinum 1200
Lian Li PE SFX-L – SP 750
Micronics Astro GD
Montech Century ATX <=650W [5] / Century Mini
Raidmax Monster RX-AT
Rosewill Photon (<=750W,1350W)
Seasonic Focus SGX 2021 [SFX]
Segotep / Colorful GP-P <=700w – GP-T <=700w – ZP500P-SG
Sharkoon Silentstorm Cool Zero / SFX Gold
Silverstone Decathlon Gold [DA-G] 550/650W [5] – Strider Gold S (V1/V2) / Titanium <=800W / Platinum PTS / Plus F-PS – SX-G 500/650/700W – SX-PT 700W – Essential Gold ET-G / ET-HG – SX-LG – SX-LTI – VIVA Gold
Thermaltake Toughpower GF2 / GF [no numbers] [5] <=650W / PF1 <=850W [non-ARGB] – Toughpower Grand RGB Gold (Sync edition)
Xigmatek Hera Gold – XFP
Zalman Acrux Platinum

Tier C – Low-end

PSU Tier List 2023: Which one is right for your build?TIER-C-PSU

There is also a Tier C among PSU Tier List for power supply units and Tier A and Tier B. (PSUs). These units are considered entry-level or budget options and usually have lower performance and fewer features than those in the higher tiers.

The quality of the parts used is the main difference between Tier C PSUs and those in higher tiers. Tier C units often use cheaper parts that may not last as long or work as well as those in higher-tier units. This could cause the PSU to work less well and last less long.

Brand Model
Abkoncore Tenergy Bronze
ADATA XPG Pylon
Andyson H6 / GX – BX
Antec Earthwatts [EA] Gold EVO
Be Quiet! System Power U9 =>400W / B9 =>400W
Bitfenix Formula Bronze
Chieftec Core BBS – PowerUp GPX-FC =>750W [2] – Proton BDF-S / BDF-C
Cooler Master MWE V1 Bronze [MPX] =>600W – Masterwatt (TUF)
Corsair CX-M 2017 [gray label] / 2022 – CV 650/750W
Cougar CMD – CMX v3 – GX v3 – GX-S – LX
Deepcool DQ-ST – PK-D
Enermax Revobron
EVGA Supernova B2 – B5 – GD 2019 – V* – GQ <=750W – BQ – B 700W
FSP / Fortron / Quanhan Hydro GE / Pro
Gamdias Astrape P1 – Kratos P1 [non-A]
Gigabyte G750H – P650B
G.Skill MB-G [2]
InWin A1 Plus – Classic C
Kolink / Casecom Continuum 1050/1200W [v1, C-PL] – Classic KL-v2
Montech Gamma (II) – Alpha (X)
MSI MAG A-BN
Mistel Vision MX Gold / Platinum
NZXT C-series Bronze
PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III =>750W / Platinum 1050/1200W [FPS-A5M00]
PC Cooler GI-P
Powerspec PS-GSM / PS-GFM – PSX-GFM
Rosewill Capstone
Sharkoon WPM Gold Zero – Silentstorm Icewind
SilentiumPC Vero L3 / M3
Silverstone SFX-L SX-LPT 1000 – Strider Bronze ST-SF / Gold ST-SF-G
Thermaltake Smart BM2 / DPS G Gold X50W / G / Gold X00W / Pro RGB / M =>750W / SP-P 750W – Toughpower DPS G RGB Gold / GX1 (RGB) / SFX [non-‘TT Premium Edition’]
Vinga VPS Gold / Platinum
Xigmatek Cerberus (III) S =>550W – Centauro
Zalman GigaMax [GVII] – LX 700W – TX

What are the main differences between Tier A, B, and C PSUs?

The main differences between PSU Tier List A, Tier List B, and Tier List C – PSU are the quality of the parts used, the level of protection and safety features, and the level of features and performance.

Tier A PSUs are the best because they have the best performance and features. They are the top of the line. These units have high-quality parts that last longer and work better than those in lower-tier units. They also have the best protection and safety features to keep your system and its parts safe.

Tier B units are still very good but don’t perform as well or have as many features as Tier A. They are great for systems that don’t need as much power.

Tier C units are considered entry-level or budget options. They usually have lower performance and fewer features than those in the higher tiers. Tier C PSUs often use cheaper parts that might not last as long or work as well as those in higher-tier units. They might not have the same level of safety and protection, either.

Should I choose a multi/single-rail switchable, multi-rail, or single-rail PSU?

A switchable multi/single-rail PSU lets you choose between using more than one 12V rail or just one. If you want more control over how power flows through your system, this feature can help. Comparatively, multi-rail PSUs have more than one 12V rail; as a result, it protects against overloading. Single-rail power supplies only have one 12V rail, which makes them more efficient and easier to work with.

You should always choose a switchable multi/single-rail PSU because it allows you to choose between multiple and single rails, depending on your needs. That’s why It also gives you more protection against overloading. But it’s important to note that single-rail PSUs are also a good choice for distributing power in a simple and easy way—ultimately, choosing which of these options will depend on your needs and preferences.

How do I know if a PSU fits my system’s power requirements correctly?

The first step in determining which PSU is best for your system is determining how much power it needs. You can do this by using a power supply calculator online or by adding up how much power each part of your system needs. Once you have a rough idea of how much power your system needs, you can compare that to how much power the PSU you are considering putting out.

Another important thing to think about is the PSU’s efficiency rating. The PSU is better at turning AC power into DC power if it has a higher efficiency rating. This can help you save money on energy costs and keep your system running cooler.

You should think about how many connectors and cables the PSU has. Ensure the PSU has enough connectors to support all the parts in your system and that the cables are the right length.

What’s a good rating for a PSU?

Most mid-range to high-range systems today will be rocking an 80 Plus Gold-rated power supply, as they are incredibly reliable and relatively low cost. These PSUs might even be more popular than Bronze-rated ones! So, consider going for a Gold-rated PSU to keep your system running smoothly.

Is there such a thing as a truly rated PSU?

Well, that’s a tricky one. While certifications like 80 Plus attest to a PSU meeting certain requirements, there’s no absolute proof that a PSU is accurately rated. So, in short, the answer is no.

I think it’s always best to go for a bit more expensive and high-end PSUs (if you have the budget) because they work better and have more features. They also last longer, which saves you money in the long run. Also, they have better safety features, which are very important to protect your other expensive parts.

Edit 31/03/2023: The source was missing from the information on the PSU Tier List; most of the information in the article is based on research of Cultists Network.

Update 27/06/2023: We’ve modified and updated the tiers according to latest PSU releases.

Source: Cultists Network

We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase through links on our site.

You may also like

Leave a Comment