A practical starting point for power supplies (psus)
Typical UK price range: About £70–£350+ depending on wattage, efficiency, form factor and platform qualityIndicative market guide reviewed August 2026. International pricing, tax, availability and subscriptions vary by region.
Do not choose a PSU by wattage or efficiency badge alone. Size it for the whole system with sensible transient headroom, use the correct native GPU cable where possible, and prioritise electrical protections, warranty, connector specification and independent testing.
These are research-led starting points chosen to represent useful budgets and use cases. A product appearing here is not a claim that we have personally tested it; hands-on experience is labelled separately in detailed reviews.
Power Supplies (PSUs) shortlist comparison
Product / service
Our shortlist role
Indicative price
Best for
be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 650W
Best mainstream 650W class
~£90–£120
Efficient mainstream gaming and productivity PCs
be quiet! Straight Power 12 750W
Quiet 750W premium
~£130–£180
Quiet performance builds with moderate-high GPU loads
Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 V3
850W value class
~£100–£150
Mainstream high-performance gaming PCs
be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W
Premium 1000W
~£230–£300
High-end GPUs and quiet premium towers
Corsair SF750 (2024)
Best SFX reference
~£150–£200
Small-form-factor systems needing a proven SFX supply
NZXT C1500 Platinum
Extreme workstation/high-end
~£300–£400
Very high-power enthusiast or workstation-class GPU systems
Best mainstream 650W class
Product image: Back to the Office / Awin product feed · Product photo: Back to the Office via Awin — BP025EU 650W unit
be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 650W
Indicative price: ~£90–£120
Category-supported evidence · sources checked 26 August 2026
A modern modular mainstream PSU for systems whose measured component requirements fit comfortably within a 650W envelope.
Best for: Efficient mainstream gaming and productivity PCs
Potential drawback: 650W is not appropriate for every high-end GPU build
Research assessment
A modern modular mainstream PSU for systems whose measured component requirements fit comfortably within a 650W envelope. Treat the price shown on the category page as an indicative UK range, not a live quote.
Reasons to consider
Efficient mainstream gaming and productivity PCs
A modern modular mainstream PSU for systems whose measured component requirements fit comfortably within a 650W envelope
Limitations and checks
650W is not appropriate for every high-end GPU build
Check exact model, compatibility and current UK availability before buying
Sources and evidence notes (2)
This editorial synthesis does not represent a hands-on test by The Tools and Tech. Source links are references, not affiliate links. Research depth: Official product information plus current independent category context.
Price and availability can change. Check the retailer for the latest information.
Quiet 750W premium
Product image: Back to the Office / Awin product feed · Product photo: Back to the Office via Awin. BN336 Straight Power 12 750W shown; check supplied regional mains lead.
be quiet! Straight Power 12 750W
Indicative price: ~£130–£180
Category-supported evidence · sources checked 26 August 2026
A premium quiet-focused power supply for builders who value acoustics and build quality as well as capacity.
Best for: Quiet performance builds with moderate-high GPU loads
Potential drawback: Costs more than value-focused Gold units
Research assessment
A premium quiet-focused power supply for builders who value acoustics and build quality as well as capacity. Treat the price shown on the category page as an indicative UK range, not a live quote.
Reasons to consider
Quiet performance builds with moderate-high GPU loads
A premium quiet-focused power supply for builders who value acoustics and build quality as well as capacity
Limitations and checks
Costs more than value-focused Gold units
Check exact model, compatibility and current UK availability before buying
Sources and evidence notes (2)
This editorial synthesis does not represent a hands-on test by The Tools and Tech. Source links are references, not affiliate links. Research depth: Official product information plus current independent category context.
Price and availability can change. Check the retailer for the latest information.
850W value class
Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 V3
Editorial illustration — not a product photograph
Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 V3
Indicative price: ~£100–£150
Category-supported evidence · sources checked 26 August 2026
An 850W Gold-class route for systems that need more GPU headroom without immediately moving to 1000W.
Best for: Mainstream high-performance gaming PCs
Potential drawback: Exact revision and connector support should be checked before ordering
Research assessment
An 850W Gold-class route for systems that need more GPU headroom without immediately moving to 1000W. Treat the price shown on the category page as an indicative UK range, not a live quote.
Reasons to consider
Mainstream high-performance gaming PCs
An 850W Gold-class route for systems that need more GPU headroom without immediately moving to 1000W
Limitations and checks
Exact revision and connector support should be checked before ordering
Check exact model, compatibility and current UK availability before buying
Sources and evidence notes (2)
This editorial synthesis does not represent a hands-on test by The Tools and Tech. Source links are references, not affiliate links. Research depth: Official product information plus current independent category context.
Price and availability can change. Check the retailer for the latest information.
Premium 1000W
Product image: Back to the Office / Awin product feed · Product photo: Back to the Office via Awin. BN335 Dark Power 13 1000W shown; check supplied regional mains lead.
be quiet! Dark Power 13 1000W
Indicative price: ~£230–£300
Category-supported evidence · sources checked 26 August 2026
A premium high-capacity PSU for demanding high-end systems where electrical quality and acoustics matter more than lowest price.
Best for: High-end GPUs and quiet premium towers
Potential drawback: Overkill for mainstream builds
Research assessment
A premium high-capacity PSU for demanding high-end systems where electrical quality and acoustics matter more than lowest price. Treat the price shown on the category page as an indicative UK range, not a live quote.
Reasons to consider
High-end GPUs and quiet premium towers
A premium high-capacity PSU for demanding high-end systems where electrical quality and acoustics matter more than lowest price
Limitations and checks
Overkill for mainstream builds
Check exact model, compatibility and current UK availability before buying
Sources and evidence notes (2)
This editorial synthesis does not represent a hands-on test by The Tools and Tech. Source links are references, not affiliate links. Research depth: Official product information plus current independent category context.
Price and availability can change. Check the retailer for the latest information.
Best SFX reference
Product image: CORSAIR Newsroom
Corsair SF750 (2024)
Indicative price: ~£150–£200
Category-supported evidence · sources checked 26 August 2026
A compact SFX reference for high-quality small builds where space and cable management are critical.
Best for: Small-form-factor systems needing a proven SFX supply
Potential drawback: 750W may limit the most extreme GPUs and SFX carries a price premium
Research assessment
A compact SFX reference for high-quality small builds where space and cable management are critical. Treat the price shown on the category page as an indicative UK range, not a live quote.
Reasons to consider
Small-form-factor systems needing a proven SFX supply
A compact SFX reference for high-quality small builds where space and cable management are critical
Limitations and checks
750W may limit the most extreme GPUs and SFX carries a price premium
Check exact model, compatibility and current UK availability before buying
Sources and evidence notes (2)
This editorial synthesis does not represent a hands-on test by The Tools and Tech. Source links are references, not affiliate links. Research depth: Official product information plus current independent category context.
Price and availability can change. Check the retailer for the latest information.
Extreme workstation/high-end
Product image: NZXT official C-Series ATX 3.1 launch press release · Image: NZXT / official press release
NZXT C1500 Platinum
Indicative price: ~£300–£400
Category-supported evidence · sources checked 26 August 2026
A 1500W-class option for genuinely extreme systems that require the capacity rather than buying wattage for bragging rights.
Best for: Very high-power enthusiast or workstation-class GPU systems
Potential drawback: Huge capacity is unnecessary and less efficient economically for ordinary PCs
Research assessment
A 1500W-class option for genuinely extreme systems that require the capacity rather than buying wattage for bragging rights. Treat the price shown on the category page as an indicative UK range, not a live quote.
Reasons to consider
Very high-power enthusiast or workstation-class GPU systems
A 1500W-class option for genuinely extreme systems that require the capacity rather than buying wattage for bragging rights
Limitations and checks
Huge capacity is unnecessary and less efficient economically for ordinary PCs
Check exact model, compatibility and current UK availability before buying
Sources and evidence notes (2)
This editorial synthesis does not represent a hands-on test by The Tools and Tech. Source links are references, not affiliate links. Research depth: Official product information plus current independent category context.
Price and availability can change. Check the retailer for the latest information.
Use the retailer or official-site button to check the latest price, availability and specifications before buying. Where we later obtain approved affiliate relationships, qualifying links may earn a commission at no extra cost to the reader.
Buying advice
What matters when choosing power supplies (psus)
✓Whole-system power requirement
✓ATX/PCIe connector standards
✓Independent electrical/protection testing
✓Warranty, form factor and cable fit
Our guides focus on the factors that affect real-world fit and value, not simply the longest specification list.
Common questions
Power Supplies (PSUs) FAQ
How much should I spend on power supplies (psus)?
A useful UK market guide is About £70–£350+ depending on wattage, efficiency, form factor and platform quality. The right spend depends on the features you will genuinely use, so compare the middle of the range before paying for premium extras.
What should I look for when buying power supplies (psus)?
Prioritise Whole-system power requirement, ATX/PCIe connector standards, Independent electrical/protection testing. Check compatibility and return/warranty terms before buying, particularly when a product is part of a wider hardware ecosystem.
Are the products on this page hands-on tested?
Not necessarily. This category page is a research-led shortlist. Detailed guides clearly label any hands-on testing and distinguish it from manufacturer specifications, independent evidence and market research.
What is a good power supplies (psus) option to start comparing?
be quiet! Pure Power 13 M 650W is one of the current research starting points on this page. Compare it with the alternatives above for budget, compatibility, features and drawbacks before deciding.
These optional accessories are selected for relevance, not presented as tested products. Match the exact model, connector and manufacturer guidance. Amazon links are marketplace searches and retailer links are shop entry points, not individual offers or confirmed commission-tracked affiliate links.
For safety-critical or model-specific replacements, use the original manufacturer or an authorised UK supplier. Check live stock, warranty and pricing before purchase.
Trust & transparency
Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
