Top 10 cheap power supply for small pcs

It can be difficult finding the best PSU under $100: a good power supply unit can be a worthwhile investment, but with a host of choices on the market it can be hard to know what speaks to quality. A cheap power supply does not necessarily mean poor quality, however, so we’ve compiled some top picks for budget PSUs under $100. If you are after the best cheap power supply that can still provide reliable wattage, we’ve got you covered!

Whether you’ve burned your budget on a top-of-the range GPU or are trying to do a whole PC build at the lowest cost, these are the best value PSU choices for you. Alongside prioritizing affordability, we’ve looked at a range of wattages in this buyer’s guide – so regardless of your power supply demands you will find the right PSU under $100 for you!

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  Best PSU Under $100:

  Thermaltake Toughpower GF202

  Best 650W PSU Under $100:

  EVGA SuperNOVA G5 650W03

  Best 850W PSU Under $100:

  Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 850W 80+ Gold

  Best PSU Under $100: Thermaltake Toughpower GF2

  Thermaltake Toughpower GF2

  Pros

  • Powerful and reliable support at 750W
  • Variety of compatibility options
  • Flexible semi-modular design

  Cons

  • Heavier than average

  With superior internal quality at a high-value price, the Thermaltake Toughpower GF2 is a stellar budget PSU for low-cost, high-performance PC builds. With 750W of power supply, this modular PSU is a great value option that sits comfortably within the middle bracket of wattages. Internally, the Toughpower models all have surprisingly high-quality components for a PSU of this price, and you have a few different models to choose from: if you value efficiency, choose one of the 80+ Gold-rated models. With variety, versatility and quality all packaged into a compact design, the Thermaltake Toughpower is our top pick for the best budget power supply!

  Best 650W PSU Under $100: EVGA SuperNOVA G5 650W

  EVGA SuperNOVA G5 650W

  Pros

  • High-quality budget PSU
  • Efficient and smooth-running

  For a simple 650W PSU that gives barebones budget PCs some power headroom, the EVGA SuperNOVA G5 is a great choice. With 80+ Gold certification and a fully modular design, this budget PSU is ideal for low-to-mid-range PC builds with limited scope. Though 650W doesn’t leave much headroom for future upgrades, the G5 is an effective model for those needing the bare minimum in cost and power supply. For quiet running on a budget, the SuperNOVA G5 is the best 650W PSU under $100!

  Best 850W PSU Under $100: Thermaltake Toughpower GF1

  Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 850W 80+ Gold

  Pros

  • Ideal wattage
  • Quiet-running
  • Highly efficient

  Cons

  • Priced closer to $100

  For an 850W PSU that sits around the $100 mark, the Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 is a sterling option! This affordable and fully-modular PSU is 80+ Gold-rated, meaning that it is hyper-efficient when drawing on power. Though the price of this model tends to vary – generally these days it sits just north of the $100 mark – it is possible to pick up this budget PSU at a cheaper price. It is worth the slight extra expense: ultra-quiet and energy-efficient, the GF1 is perfect for those needing a cheap PSU with some extra wattage.

  Best Beginner PSU Under $100: Cooler Master MWE 750

  Cooler Master MWE 750 Gold

  Pros

  • Efficient PSU
  • Fully modular

  Cons

  • Loud noise from coils at maxmimum performance

  Sitting squarely in the middle of the budget PSU wattage sphere, the Cooler Master MWE 750 matches our number one choice, but comes with a few great features that new and journeyman PC builders will appreciate from a budget power supply. Alongside a 750W wattage, the fully-modular design makes for easy installation and cable management. Though it is a little noisier than average, especially when performing computationally demanding tasks, this is a great PSU under $100 for those building their first PC!

  Best Value PSU – Should You Get a Budget PSU?

  When deciding on your first PC build, it can be difficult to know what brands to rely on, especially when looking for the best budget power supply or graphics card. Our picks for the best PSU under $100 will all serve you well, but a long-term investment in a PSU can be a better choice. We highly recommend getting slightly above the wattage you need – for example, the next tier above an 850W PSU is a 1000W PSU – which will give you extra headroom should you ever consider an upgrade. Similarly, the best value PSU options come with great warranties, so you’ll be able to trust that your power supply lasts. With just a small increase in budget, your choices for PSUs expand exponentially – check out our list of the best Corsair PSUs: they are long-lasting, affordable and guarantee quality.

  FAQs

  Is it okay to run a PSU at 100% capacity?

  No: Whilst it is possible to run your PSU at maximum capacity, it can cause long-term issues and possibly even damage your PC. We recommend using a PSU with a slightly higher-capacity wattage in order to minimize risk.

  How often should I replace my PSU?

  If a PSU is well looked-after, it can last for several years without needing replacing. You should replace your PSU if new PC components increase the power supply requirements. An easy way to future-proof your PC is to invest in a high-wattage PSU from the outset.

  How do I find out what PSU I need?

  PC components tend to have a recommended wattage, either in the product specifications or on the manufacturer’s website: these tend to list the overall minimum PSU that you need to utilize the particular part. Alternatively, you can use a PSU calculator to determine your overall power supply requirements.

  In Summary

  That concludes our buyer’s guide on the best budget PSU choices on the market! If you are looking for a budget power supply under $100, any of these options will serve you well!

  Looking to plan your PC build with a specific graphics card in mind? We have a host of guides on the best PSU-GPU pairings – check out this one on the best PSU for RTX 3070 PCs!

  Is it OK to buy cheap PSU?

  A cheap power supply may not provide stable power to your computer components, which can lead to system instability, crashes, and potentially even damage to your hardware. It's important to invest in a reliable power supply from a reputable manufacturer to ensure the longevity and stability of your computer.

  What power supply is best for a PC?

  Corsair CX550F RGB. Best Mid-Level RGB PSU: Up to 550 Watts. ... .

  Corsair RM550x. Best PSU: Up to 550 Watts. ... .

  XPG Core Reactor 650W. Best PSU: Up to 650 Watts. ... .

  Cooler Master V750 Gold V2. Best PSU: Up to 750 Watts. ... .

  EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G7. Best PSU: Up to 850 Watts. ... .

  MSI MEG Ai1000P PCIe 5. ... .

  Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1350W. ... .

  Corsair AX1600i..

  How much does a good PC power supply cost?

  Best PC Power Supplies: Holiday 2023.

  Is A 500 watt power supply enough?

  While the 450 W should be sufficient, I would not recommend using this PSU given its budget nature. A quality 500 W unit from a reputable maker should be enough to power OP's rig without risking instability.