Introduction
Finding the right power supply for your PC build can be a difficult task at times. With the rising wattage demands of new components, systems are requiring more juice in order to run at peak performance. This rise in wattage requirements starts to raise a number of questions concerning cost, and power usage. The market is heavily saturated with a myriad of options, and this can further the confusion for those just looking to pick up a good PSU for their build.
In order to alleviate some of the confusion, we’ve put together a number of roundups of the best power supplies to pick up. In today’s article we’ll be covering the best 850W PSUs that you can pick up right now. We’ll also delve into the ‘do’s and dont’s’ of power supplies, alongside advice on how to avoid bad units.
Suggested Article: Best 1000W Power Supplies to Buy (PCIE Gen 5 & ATX 3.0 Options)
Best 850W Power Supplies to Buy
Now for the main section you’ve all been waiting for, here are the best 850W power supplies that you can buy right now. We’ve put together a list that is inclusive of a range of different build styles including those working on a budget, all the way up to the high-end with users sporting a brand new RTX 4000 GPU. Check out the list below to see the range of options:
1. Seasonic B12 BC
👑 The best budget PSU.
Introduction
First off is Seasonic‘s B12 BC 850W PSU. Seasonic has been around for quite some time and is one of the most renowned power supply manufacturers, so much so that they often build designs for other known brands too as an OEM supplier. The B12 BC isn’t particular fancy when it comes to features, or aesthetics, but this PSU is perfect for those looking to build a more powerful PC but are remaining price conscious.
This PSU will be be great for first time-builders as you won’t need to pick out cables due to the non-modular design, and the B12 BC is extremely cheap for 850W. Although you don’t get access to the new PCI-E 5.0 connector, you can still make use of the numerous PCI-E 6+2 pin cables that come integrated with the design. This PSU doesn’t have an insane amount of features on offer, and lacks modularity, something most will want to find, but you can’t really argue with the price for an 850W power supply.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Seasonic B12 BC |
|---|---|
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Bronze |
| Cybenetics Rating | N/A |
| Modularity | Non-Modular |
| ATX Standard | ATX 2.0 |
| Zero Fan Mode | No |
| RGB | No |
Things We Like
Very cheap: The Seasonic B12 BC isn’t the best power supply we’ve ever looked at, but it doesn’t need to be, because it is incredibly cheap. There aren’t any majorly fancy features on this PSU, but for the price I feel most consumers would be happy purchasing this 850W unit.
Renowned manufacturer: Seasonic is one of the few manufacturers that might be unknown to you if you’re new to the PC building space. But in short, Seasonic is a brilliant manufacturer that builds high quality PSUs even at the lower end, so you can breathe knowing your PSU will last.
Things We Didn’t Like
Doesn’t offer much for aesthetic: The Seasonic B12 BC is one of the weaker options when it comes to aesthetic and design. If you plan on showing off your PSU for any reason, the brown and black aesthetic isn’t great in terms of looks.
Low efficiency rating: The higher we go up the wattage scale, the more efficiency consumers will want based on the fact that power draw will be higher. The B12 BC has an 80+ Bronze rating which will help, but we’d much prefer to see 80+ Gold or higher on a unity with a wattage this high.
Summary
The Seasonic B12 BC is a rather simple power supply, sporting an 80+ Bronze efficiency rating, with plenty of protection mechanisms in place. There isn’t much to be said about this PSU other than it is a great means to an end. If you’re looking for a cheap 850W power supply, then the B12 BC is a great bet.
Features: 3.5/5
Design: 3.5/5
Performance: 3.6/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Very cheap.
- Great for those on a budget.
- Built to last.
Cons
- Poor efficiency rating.
- Not modular.
Where to Buy
Buy the Seasonic B12 BC on:
2. EVGA 850 B5
👑 The best budget quiet PSU.
Introduction
The second PSU on our list is another budget pick, but from EVGA. The EVGA 850 B5 is a great PSU that is ideal for users that are starting a build for the first time, or need an upgrade. The fully modular design allows you to pick and choose from your cables at will, giving you the option to cable manage your system appropriately, or jam the cables into the case channels where appropriate.
Although the 850 B5 doesn’t sport an 80+ Gold efficiency, you’re still getting high efficiency levels at lower load levels, and with the built in ECO mode, this ensures your system will remain quiet. The fan will turn off entirely in low to medium loads making this PSU ideal for those that want an efficient but near silent system with minimal whirring or buzzing sounds that come from cheaper designs.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | EVGA 850 B5 |
|---|---|
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Bronze |
| Cybenetics Rating | N/A |
| Modularity | Fully Modular |
| ATX Standard | ATX 2.0 |
| Zero Fan Mode | No |
| RGB | No |
Things We Like
Fully modular: Unlike the aforementioned Seasonic B12, the EVGA 850 B5 has a fully modular design. This can aid consumers during the building process as you can fully choose which cables you want to plug in, avoiding any unnecessary cable management.
Built-in ECO mode: The ECO mode setting is perfect for users that prefer a quiet system. In the event that your system isn’t under high utilisation, the fan will turn off entirely, reducing any buzzing or whirring sounds.
Things We Don’t Like
Doesn’t offer higher efficiency: Much like the Seasonic B12, the EVGA 850 B5 also sports a rather poor efficiency level which won’t be great for users that plan on pushing their PC to quite high utilisation.
No support for ATX 3.0: With the rise of more powerful graphics cards, we’ve seen plenty of manufacturers support the new ATX 3.0 standard so consumers don’t need to use any pesky adapters, but the 850 B5 unfortunately doesn’t support this.
Summary
EVGA’s 850 B5 is a great power supply for those that prefer to avoid any form of cable management. The modular design allows consumers to pick and choose their cables with ease, making the building process much easier. It is an older model with slightly weaker efficiency, but the price point will be worth a consideration for many consumers.
Features: 3.8/5
Design: 3.5/5
Performance: 3.6/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Reasonable price point.
- Fully modular design.
- Perfect for those avoiding cable management.
Cons
- Weak efficiency.
- Doesn’t support PCI-E 5.0 cables.
Where to Buy
Buy the EVGA 850 B5 on:
3. Corsair RM850
👑 The tried and tested PSU.
Introduction
Corsair‘s RM850 power supply is a product we’ve used in numerous builds before, because it is a reliable and consistent option. The RM850 is ideal for those building a high-end system that need consistent power delivery without any hindrances. This PSU has an 80+ Gold rating which has also been assessed by Cybenetics. Not only are you getting an extremely efficient power supply, but also one that has ultra-low noise levels making it perfect for those that prefer to game in silence without annoying buzzing sounds that come from components.
The compact size of the RM850 makes it both easy to install and provides extra space for cable management and airflow within your chassis. Needless to say the RM850 is a power supply that has served the GeekaWhat team very well and will be great for anyone building a system that needs consistently high wattage for gaming or for overclocking.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Corsair RM850 |
|---|---|
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Cybenetics Rating | Gold Efficiency, A- Noise |
| Modularity | Fully Modular |
| ATX Standard | ATX 2.0 |
| Zero Fan Mode | Yes |
| RGB | No |
Things We Like
Excellent efficiency and noise: Corsair’s RM850 is one of the most efficient power supply models we’ve seen. It is rated as 80+ gold making it ideal for systems with high utilisation. This is backed up by Cybenetics too, which also denotes a solid noise rating.
Has a zero fan mode: For those that prefer a system with minimal noise, the zero fan mode on the Corsair RM850 is an ideal feature for you. This mode turns the fan off at lower utilisation to ensure your system is fully quiet.
Things We Don’t Like
Somewhat pricey: Power supply units that have plenty of features tend to start jumping up in price, and unfortunately, the Corsair RM850 is no exception. This PSU is one of the pricier models we’ve seen, so if you’re on a budget, this might not be a great option.
No support for PCI-E 5.0: Despite the slight increase in price, the Corsair RM850 unfortunately doesn’t support the new ATX 3.0 standard. Consumers will need to content with the RTX 4000 adapters if you plan on picking up a new GPU.
Summary
Corsair‘s RM850 is a solid option for consumers looking for high efficiency alongside minimal cable management. This power supply unit is a pricier model, but the extra features and strong efficiency rating makes the price bump worth it.
Features: 4.1/5
Design: 3.8/5
Performance: 3.8/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Solid efficiency rating.
- Very quiet.
- Minimal cable management required.
Cons
- Somewhat more expensive.
- Doesn’t support ATX 3.0 cables.
Where to Buy
Buy the Corsair RM850 on:
4. MSI MPG A850G PCIE5
👑 The best value PSU.
Introduction
MSI‘s MPG A850G is one of the few power supplies at this wattage that offers compatibility with the new PCIE 5.0 standard. Although we have very few components that actually support this new standard, we’ll slowly see more saturation in the market making an upgrade to a power supply like the A850G more worthwhile. The A850G is fully modular allowing you to pick and choose your cables, whilst also avoiding Nvidia’s latest controversial adapters. The 80+ Gold certification should also keep efficiency high and costs low providing better energy consumption.
The MPG A850G also has a huge range of protection mechanisms to prevent any harm coming to you as a consumer, and ensuring that your components don’t get fried due to the power supply. Mechanisms such as Over Voltage Protection and Over Power Protection give you peace of mind that your power supply won’t go over its rated consumption even if your PC is boosting!
Key Specs
| Key Specs | MSI MPG A850G PCIE5 |
|---|---|
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Cybenetics Rating | N/A |
| Modularity | Fully Modular |
| ATX Standard | ATX 3.0 |
| Zero Fan Mode | Yes |
| RGB | No |
Things We Like
PCI-E 5.0 Support: Due to the exponential increase in graphics card power requirements, the standard for power supplies has changed quite significantly. MSI‘s A850G supports the new ATX 3.0 standard making it ideal for consumers planning on picking up a new graphics card.
Strong efficiency: MSI’s MPG A850G is another 80+ gold rated PSU ready to handle high utilisation. Consumers planning on putting together a top-end build will definitely want to make use of a PSU like the A850G.
Things We Don’t Like
Quite expensive: Much like the Corsair RM850, higher efficiency and more features does drive a significant premium. This means consumers will have to spend a fair amount to secure this PSU.
No RGB: If you’re the kind of consumer prioritising aesthetic, although this PSU does have a design that blends in well, there isn’t much else on offer here. There unfortunately aren’t any RGB fans or lighting on this PSU.
Summary
MSI‘s MPG A850G is an excellent PSU designed with NVIDIA’s latest graphics cards in mind, supporting the new ATX 3.0 standard. It is a pricier model contrasting to other options we’ve seen, but if you’re picking up a new GPU, you’ll definitely want to consider this PSU option.
Features: 4.1/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Solid efficiency.
- Supports ATX 3.0.
- Ideal for the latest GPUs.
Cons
- Rather expensive.
- Not much on offer in terms of aesthetic.
Where to Buy
Buy the MSI MPG A850G PCIE5 on:
5. ASUS ROG THOR 850 Platinum
👑 The best aesthetic PSU.
Introduction
Taking the top spot again as one of the most expensive PSUs, but one of the best looking is another power supply from ASUS – the ROG THOR 850 Platinum. I’m a big fan of the design of the ‘THOR’ SKUs as they give consumers a huge amount of options when it comes to customisation, due to the RGB lighting which can be configured in AuraSync. Another big benefit of this PSU is of course the OLED screen which is rarity and not seen on many power supplies. Nonetheless, it allows you to monitor your system information such as voltage and wattage in real-time.
The ROG THOR 850 Platinum also has a Cybenetics rating of Platinum and A+ for its noise levels. So not only are you getting exceptional levels of efficiency, saving you some money in the long run with power consumption, but this PSU is also near-silent. These factors all make it ideal for those that want a system that looks incredible, but also with minimal component noise so you can enjoy gaming without distractions!
Key Specs
| Key Specs | ASUS ROG THOR 850 Platinum |
|---|---|
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Cybenetics Rating | Platinum, A+ noise |
| Modularity | Fully Modular |
| ATX Standard | ATX 3.0 |
| Zero Fan Mode | Yes |
| RGB | Yes |
Things We Like
RGB and an LCD screen: The ROG THOR 850 Platinum is definitely one of the fancier power supplies that we’ve seen. This unit comes equipped with RGB lighting and an LCD screen so you can monitor system performance.
Platinum rated efficiency: The ROG THOR 850 goes above and beyond when it comes to efficiency, sporting an 80+ platinum rating, making it perfect for those planning to push their system to the max.
Things We Don’t Like
Super expensive: The biggest downside to picking up this PSU, is that it is not cheap at all. The LCD screen, RGB lighting, and high efficiency rating makes this PSU a very cool, but very expensive choice.
Summary
The ROG THOR 850 Platinum from ASUS is one of the best power supplies that you can buy right now. If you’re looking for a feature rich option, this unit is definitely a great choice, but you can definitely expect to spend a premium to secure it.
Features: 4.5/5
Design: 5/5
Performance: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Awesome RGB lighting.
- LCD screen is useful.
- 80 + platinum efficiency.
Cons
- Very very expensive.
- LCD panel will be useless in certain cases.
Where to Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG THOR 850 Platinum on:
Avoiding Bad Power Supplies
When we start to involve lower wattages units, concerns are raised in terms of longevity and safety measures for power supplies. Any manufacturer can create a power supply, but it takes decades of experience to create consistently strong products that can handle the demand of the ever-increasing power of PC components. For this reason, there are quite a few bad power supplies on the market that we would recommend avoiding.
The best way to avoid poor power supply units, is stick to brands that you know. Manufacturers like Corsair, Silverstone, Seasonic, Thermaltake, Cooler Master, MSI, and ASUS have been creating power supplies for some time, and, in that time, consistently pulled in good reviews. You can also see real life examples of their warranties in action, and how they support customers as time progresses.
Another solid way to avoid poor power supplies is safety features. Although there are quite a few safety features that aren’t mandatory by law, having protections in place like IEC Discharge, Over-Current Protection, Over Power Protection, and more, protect a PSU.
You also want to look for the 80+ Certification on a power supply. This certification, validated by an external testing company, looks to provide reassurances around the efficiency of a power supply, and supports manufacturers claims. We would only ever recommend units sporting this 80+ certification. There are various levels, from 80+ White, through to Bronze, Silver, Gold, Titanium and Platinum. (The higher the certification, the better the efficiency)
PCI-E 5.0 Power Connectors
Another area to look is the inclusion of the new PCI-E Generation 5 power connector. Utilised on modern RTX 4000 series graphics cards, this helps to streamline power delivery into a small form factor. But is this new connector widely available on lower wattage, sub 1000W power supplies?
In short, yes. But so far, the options are pretty limited. Over time, this will inevitably improve, as refreshed units catch up to the latest PCI-E 5.0 standards.
Why You Can Trust Us
Before jumping into our recommendations, we wanted to first talk about our decision making process. At GeekaWhat we have a team of dedicated hardware enthusiasts that spend a number of hours with all of the products that come into our offices, ensuring they are tested in a plethora of different scenarios to ensure they perform as expected. For those interesting in learning more about the GeekaWhat team, check the About Us section on our website, where you can also find more information about our editorial promise too.
How We Picked the Best 850W Power Supplies
At GeekaWhat HQ we test a myriad of power supplies on a regular basis for a number of reasons. Whether it’s placing them into a PC build loaded up with the best components money can buy, putting them into a benchmarking system to play all of the latest games, or just inspecting them for an in-depth review or buyers guide, we always ensure we can get a concrete understanding of the products that we get our hands on.
After we’ve reached our final verdict we then release this information into the wild west of the Internet, either through a YouTube video, review, or buyers guide, like the one you’re reading right now. When we break down our thoughts about a particular product, we always try to provide a general overview of what the product has and doesn’t have, along with the benefits and disadvantages that a consumer may gain through picking this product for their build.
For power supplies in particular, we tend to look at wattage, efficiency, modularity, design, noise, safety mechanisms and any other main design features. From this we then provide an overview of how the features can impact the experience of PC builders.
For a more in-depth look at our evaluation methods and procedures, take a look at the various reviews we’ve provided in the table below:
| Brand | Review Link |
|---|---|
| Corsair | Corsair CX750F RGB Review – RGB, Modularity & Design |
| MSI | MSI MPG A1000G PSU Review – Do You Really Need 1000W?! |
| Thermaltake | Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1350W Gold Review |
Conclusion
Best Overall 850W PSU: MSI MPG A850G PCIE5
MSI‘s MPG A850G PCIE5 is one of the best power supplies that you can buy right now. It is expensive contrasting to other options we’ve seen, but it is one of the best models when it comes to efficiency, features, and support. With an 80+ gold efficiency rating, a zero-fan mode, and support for the latest generation of graphics cards, this PSU is definitely worth picking up if you’re planning on building a modern PC anytime soon!
Read our review of a similar 1000W version of this PSU, or buy the MSI MPG A850G PCIE5 on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a 850W PSU for my gaming PC?
Ultimately it depends on the kind of components you’re purchasing. If you plan on picking up any of NVIDIA’s or AMD’s latest GPUs it is quite likely you’ll need 850W just to make sure you’re covered. We always try to recommend picking up a unit that has 100W above what your minimum recommend wattage is.
What Does 80+ Efficiency Mean?
An 80+ certification denotes the power draw and efficiency of a power supply. There are multiple different ratings, but essentially the lowest is White or Bronze, and the highest is Titanium. The efficiency becomes better at different loads the higher the rating is.
Do I Need an ATX 3.0 PSU?
The only consumers that need to pick up an ATX 3.0 power supply, are those that plan on building a PC with NVIDIA’s latest GPUs. You don’t need to pick up a PSU with this new standard, but it is highly recommended to avoid any frustrating adapaters.
Does My PSU Need to Be Efficient?
If you plan on maxing out the utilisation for all of your components, then yes your power supply will likely need to be an 80+ gold rated unit or higher. For those that plan on just gaming, and not drawing too much power, efficiency doesn’t matter as much.
