Introduction
With the exponential rise of powerful and pricey components over the last year, we’ve seen a huge increase in top-end high wattage power supplies. It seems the market has quite literally ‘gone mad with power’ with PSUs over 1000W popping up here and there in order to supplement some of the best graphics cards and CPUs we’ve seen in quite a long time.
But what if you’re not in the market to build an enthusiast level PC? For consumers looking to build something more mid-range or perhaps even budget, the need for a 1000W PSU is quite unlikely. At this level, the vast majority of users are looking at 650W or 750W to power their build, or even lower if you’re restricted by budget.
We’ve covered a number of 750W options in the past, so today we’re going to be delving into the best 650W power supplies to buy. We’ve covered a range of options from budget selections, all the way up to top-end ATX 3.0 designs geared towards the latest generation of graphics cards.
Suggested Article: Best 750W Power Supplies to Buy (Budget, Mid-Range & High-End Options)
Our Recommendations
1. MSI MAG A650BN
👑 The best budget PSU.
Introduction
First off in our roundup is MSI‘s MAG A650BN power supply. This particular unit is one of the best options on the market for those on a much tighter budget. It is a little bit lacking on the features front, so additions like RGB, PCI-E 5.0 support, or even modularity don’t appear on this PSU, but this is ultimately to keep the price down.
There isn’t much to be said on the features front, consumers get access to a rather cheap option sporting an 80+ Bronze efficiency rating, alongside a low-noise fan. This PSU comes with all of the standard protection mechanisms to keep your components safe, and is super simple to install, as you don’t need to worry about choosing cables. We’d recommend this option to consumers looking to get into PC building for the first time, or for those that can’t quite afford the pricier but more feature rich options!
Key Specs
| Key Specs | MSI MAG A650BN |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX 2.0 |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Bronze |
| Modular | No |
| RGB | No |
| Warranty | 5 Years |
Things We Like
Don’t have to choose cables: Most consumers would argue that non-modularity is a bit of a loss. And it is on the cable management front, but if you’re a first-time build that would rather avoid choosing cables, the non modular design means you can plug in all of the cables that you need, and stuff away the ones that you don’t.
Low-noise fan: Picking out a PSU that whirs and buzzes as soon as the load reaches a certain level is frustrating. However, consumers won’t need to worry about this at all, as the A650BN features a 120mm low-noise fan that has specific sleeving and bearings to reduce any annoying extra noise.
Things We Don’t Like
Sports an 80+ Bronze efficiency rating: Although the efficiency of this PSU is better than nothing, if you’re the kind of consumer building a mid-range system with higher power consumption you can be losing a fair bit of power as heat, or noise due to the weaker efficiency.
Doesn’t do much for cable management: To argue the other side of the non-modular design, it really doesn’t aid consumers looking to build a PC with clean cables. You’re effectively forced to cram your cables into the PSU chamber or any channels due to the mess that comes with non-modular designs.
Summary
MSI’s MAG A650BN is the weakest power supply when it comes to features, and even efficiency, but as an oxymoron it has great value for money. If you’re a first-time builder that is just looking to pick up the cheapest option that will ‘do the job’ then the A650BN is a great choice. You may have to upgrade later down the line, but the strong warranty and solid price point makes this an excellent option for an entry level PC!
Features: 3/5
Design: 3.6/5
Performance: 3.7/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Excellent price point.
- Perfect for entry level builds.
- Relatively low noise levels even at higher loads.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer modular cable management.
- 80+ Bronze efficiency is quite weak.
Where to Buy
Buy the MSI MAG A650BN on:
2. EVGA 650BQ Bronze
👑 The cheapest semi-modular PSU.
Introduction
Next up is EVGA‘s 650 BQ which is a power supply that we’ve recommended a number of times in other roundups. Needless to say, the 650 BQ shares a similar story to the aforementioned A650BN from MSI, but this unit offers semi-modular cable support. What this effectively means is, your motherboard (24-pin) and CPU (8-Pin EPS) will built into the power supply, so you won’t be able to take them out of the unit.
For your peripheral and SATA connectors, you’ve got plenty of free reign when it comes to plugging in cables. If you’ve got a one or two connector GPU, you can plug in two to make cable management much easier, and this goes for any other devices you decide to install. The BQ Bronze also comes with a power on self-tester, which allows consumers to easily diagnose any issues with the power supply by conducting a jumper test. This ensure that the power supply works which is a nice add-on to come included.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | EVGA 650 BQ Bronze |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX 2.0 |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Bronze |
| Modular | Semi-Modular |
| RGB | No |
| Warranty | 5 Years |
Things We Like
Comes with a PSU self-tester: If you run into some issues with booting, or your power supply isn’t working as expected, you can attempt to diagnose the issue with the included self-tester. This jumper attachment connectors to the motherboard power, ensuring that the PSU turns on and hasn’t been fried.
Simpler cable management: Although this isn’t a fully modular unit, the addition of some modularity makes cable management much easier. Consumers can choose their cables for peripherals and other devices allowing you to zip up cables, or place them into various channels exactly how you want to!
Things We Don’t Like
Weaker efficiency rating: The 650 BQ from EVGA offers an 80+ Bronze efficiency rating. Whilst this will help when it comes to heat and noise levels, consumers pushing their PC a little bit harder will see more power lost as noise and heat.
Can be difficult to pick up at times: EVGA is renowned for creating excellent power supplies, and due to this, the demand can be quite high. This means that PSUs such as the 650 BQ Bronze can be particular difficult to pick up at times.
Summary
EVGA’s 650 BQ Bronze is another power supply with a reasonable price point that makes it ideal for consumers on a more restrictive budget. The support for some modularity allows users to install the majority of cables entirely as they choose, making cable management much easier. And the addition of a power on self-tester provides a way for consumers to diagnose their PSU if there are any problems.
Features: 3.5/5
Design: 3.8/5
Performance: 3.9/5
Value for Money: 4.2/5
Pros
- Great price point.
- Comes with a PSU self-tester.
- Simpler cable management.
Cons
- Can’t cable manage the CPU or motherboard connectors.
- Weak efficiency rating.
Where to Buy
Buy the EVGA 650 BQ Bronze on:
3. Thermaltake TOUGHPOWER GF1 650W
👑 The cheapest modular PSU.
Introduction
The TOUGHPOWER GF1 from Thermaltake is the next option in this roundup, with a fully modular configuration allowing consumers to pick and choose all of the cables they need. This is one of the cheapest options on the market if you’re dead set on picking up a modular unit, sitting well below the $100 mark.
The GF1 also sports an 80+ Gold efficiency rating, making it ideal for consumers putting their system under stress, reaching higher loads on average, as this will minimise the amount of power lost as heat or noise. The GF1 has an incredible warranty too, with Thermaltake supporting breakages for up to ten years, which is perfect for those that plan on pushing their system a little bit harder. This PSU is definitely a worthwhile consideration for those wanting a more mid-range option with a few ease of use features.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Thermaltake TOUGHPOWER GF1 650W |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX 2.0 |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Modular | Fully Modular |
| RGB | No |
| Warranty | 10 Years |
Things We Like
Excellent warranty: As a general rule, most power supplies tend to have solid warranty support, but ten years isn’t particular common. Thermaltake have gone the extra mile here by supporting the GF1 for quite a significant length of time covering damage and shorts.
Perfect for cable management perfectionists: For those of you looking to keep all of your cables clean and tidy, the TOUGHPOWER GF1 is perfect. Consumers can easily adjust any cables they need in accordance with their PC build, making cable management simple and super clean!
Things We Don’t Like
Pricey for 650W: As we start to take a look at units with fancier features that are more in demand, the price starts to soar a bit. The GF1 isn’t by any means the most expensive PSU that we’ve seen, but it won’t be ideal for those on a budget.
Doesn’t support the ATX 3.0 standard: For the consumers looking to pick up the latest NVIDIA graphics cards, picking up a PSU that supports the new ATX 3.0 standard can make building much simpler. This allows you to manage cables, whilst also avoiding the rather ugly and pesky adapters that you get with RTX 4000 cards.
Summary
Thermaltake’s TOUGHPOWER GF1 is an awesome mid-range power supply with a great set of features such as an 80+ Gold efficiency rating, a fully modular design, a mass of protection mechanisms, and a setting for a zero-fan mode, reducing noise levels under low load. It is a pricier option, but definitely worth the money if you’re kitting our a mid-range system.
Features: 4/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 4.1/5
Pros
- Zero-fan mode ideal for quiet systems.
- Fully-modular design aids cable management.
- Solid efficiency rating.
Cons
- Somewhat pricey.
- Doesn’t support ATX 3.0.
Where to Buy
Buy the Thermaltake TOUGHPOWER GF1 650W on:
4. NZXT C650 Gold
👑 The best mid-range PSU.
Introduction
Next up is NZXT‘s C650 Gold which is a PSU SKU that we’ve featured before in a number of builds and YouTube content on the GeekaWhat channel. NZXT‘s Gold PSUs are perfect for consumers looking to pick up a mid-range PSU that comes in at a solid price point. This unit does have some relatively strong features such as modular cable management, and a solid efficiency rating.
The Gold NZXT PSUs also have a very low voltage ripple design. Ensuring that power stays consistent with minimal fluctuations, this will allow consumers to delve into some overclocking. The included Zero-RPM fan mode also allows consumers to enjoy low noise levels when system load reaches a low point. Definitely worth a consideration if you’re looking to spend a little bit more, to secure a better set of features.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | NZXT C650 Gold |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX 2.0 |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Modular | Fully Modular |
| RGB | No |
| Warranty | 10 Years |
Things We Like
Minimal voltage fluctuations: Although we don’t imagine most consumers will be delving into overclocking at the mid-range. Users building an enthusiast level system will want to pick up this PSU to avoid any voltage fluctuations, whilst maintaining consistent levels of power.
Quiet operation: If you’re the kind of user that prefers silence from your system when gaming, this PSU will be perfect. Combined with the low-fan mode, the overall design of this unit allows consumers to enjoy silence even when pushing your PC with more intense applications.
Things We Don’t Like
Only has one EPS connector: The biggest downside of this PSU is that it only features one EPS connector for your CPU. If you’ve picked up a motherboard with two EPS connections, you’ll be limited when it comes to power draw, especially if you’re overclocking.
Quite expensive: NZXT products to tend to come with a big of a premium, and the C650 Gold is no exception. Although the performance is solid, and there are some great features, the price is difficult to justify contrasting to some other options on the market.
Summary
NZXT’s C650 Gold offers very solid performance overall, whilst providing features that are in high demand for a mid-range system. It is somewhat pricier contrasting to other options with similar features, but the low noise levels, great efficiency, and general operation, makes it a brilliant unit for those building a system undergoing more intense loads.
Features: 4/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Good efficiency rating.
- Near-silent operation.
- Minimal voltage fluctuations.
Cons
- Quite pricey.
- Only offers one CPU EPS connector.
Where to Buy
Buy the NZXT C650 Gold on:
5. be quiet! Pure Power 12M 650W
👑 The best ATX 3.0 PSU.
Introduction
For our fifth and final recommendation we’ve picked out be quiet’s Pure Power 12M unit. We wanted to pick out a 650W option that supports the new power standard for GPUs, and unfortunately there are few manufacturers that actually support it at a wattage this low. be quiet! is one of the brands that actually offers this as an option, which is why it is featuring in this particular roundup.
Looking at the unit itself, this model sports an 80+ Gold efficiency, minimising power lost as heat or noise. The dual independent 12V rails will also aid with more complex and intense workloads as each rail can handle excursions up to double the rated power. As you can expect, this power supply also runs incredibly quiet, featuring one of be quiet’s! 120mm fans.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | be quiet! Pure Power 12M 650W |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX 3.0 |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Modular | Fully Modular |
| RGB | No |
| Warranty | 10 Years |
Things We Like
Perfect for a modern system: The Pure Power 12M is built to handle intense workloads along with the latest generation of graphics cards from NVIDIA. If you’re looking to build a PC with the latest mid-range parts, you can breathe easy knowing that the Pure Power 12M can handle massive transient loads!
Modern cables: This power supply is designed to aid consumers when it comes to cable management by sporting a fully modular layout. Users can pick and choose their cables, whilst avoiding poor airflow that comes with cluttered power connectors.
Things We Don’t Like
Rather expensive: The inclusion of a plethora of modern features significantly drives up the price of this unit. Although the Pure Power 12M isn’t the most expensive power supply that we’ve seen, this unit won’t be ideal for those on a tighter budget.
Summary
be quiet’s Pure Power 12M is one of the best PSUs on the market built to handle the power of modern components, with some potential overclocking in mind too. The modular design allows consumers to pick cables easily, de-cluttering your PSU chamber, providing better airflow and noise levels. It is a more expensive unit, but for the price you get access to a power supply that can easily handle the demand of modern PC parts.
Features: 4.5/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 4.5/5
Pros
- Has cable management at the forefront oft he design.
- Ideal for modern systems with the latest GPUs and CPUs.
- Near-silent even under intense workloads.
Cons
- One of the more expensive options.
Where to Buy
Buy the be quiet! Pure Power 12M 650W on:
How Do You Choose the Right Wattage?
As we’ve alluded to in the introduction, the increase in powerful graphics cards has caused a subsequent rise in the number of high wattage power supplies. Without knowing where to look, and what PSUs to pick out, a first-time builder might assume that 850W or 1000W is the modern standard required for a build today, but this simply isn’t the case.
The best way to get a rough idea of how many watts you’ll need, a good general guide, is to use your graphics card. AMD and NVIDIA will recommend a minimum power supply requirement in accordance with the total graphics card power, which gives you a rough estimate for power consumption. Your graphics card is normally the most power hungry component of the bunch, so this can act as a generalised guide on how many watts you’ll want to aim for.
Another solid way to figure out your wattage requirements is by using an online configurator. If you’re shopping for parts, you might have heard of PCPartPicker which is a website that we use all the time when fitting out builds to put together. Not only does PCPartPicker solve compatibility issues and show you prices, but it will also tell you what power supply to use too. For example, if you’ve picked out an RTX 4090, but you’ve opted for a 500W PSU, PartPicker will tell you instantly to pick a higher wattage option. There are other online configurators too, such as Cooler Master’s power supply calculator, which offers a similar experience, but just for PSUs.
There are a couple of factors to consider which might change your wattage requirements too. Upgradeability is the biggest one. If you plan on picking out some more powerful parts in the relatively near future, picking out a PSU with 100-200W more than your minimum is good practice, this just gives you plenty of space for higher-end components. Overclocking is another consideration too. If you plan on pushing your CPU past its rated clock speed, this means it will naturally consume more power, which could go above your total PSU wattage if you’re not careful. These factors are definitely worth considering before picking out your PSU.
Is 650W Enough for Modern Components?
As we start to look at lower wattage options there are more restrictions imposed when it comes to component options. Although many of the new components that we’ve seen in the past year or so are relatively power efficient, there is a line that needs to be drawn. Luckily 650W PSUs aren’t entirely at the budget end of the spectrum, but you might need to increase your wattage if you’re looking to build something at the top of the mid-range bracket, or perhaps a more enthusiast PC.
In terms of modern components there are a plethora of options available for consumers looking to build a mid-range or budget system. NVIDIA’s recently released RTX 4070 has a 650W minimum requirement, which is a solid graphics card for the price point, and perfect for a mid-range build. You’ll need to be careful about which CPU you pair up with this graphics card, as you don’t want to go above the rated wattage. On your CPU front Intel’s 13th-Gen range, such as the Core i5 or Core i7 options will also be perfect when paired up with a 650W PSU.
Although is guidance is a bit vague, and entirely depends on the components that you’ve picked out, I feel the vast majority of consumers have a plethora of component options if you’ve picked up a 650W PSU. You are primarily limited to the mid-range bracket, but this means you can build a 1440p or 4K capable gaming system, potentially with some legs in productivity applications. Just be aware that there are limitations in terms of component options, and going above your rated wattage can be dangerous and even damage your build.
Why You Can Trust Us
Before delving into the recommendations we wanted to clear up why you can trust our thoughts and the components that we pick out. Our team of PC hardware and gaming enthusiasts work hard to ensure all of the latest products we can our hands on are tested thoroughly and go through a full evaluation to see if the product is worth picking up at its given price point. Every component is examined fully and put through its paces in a number of different benchmarks giving us a well-rounded idea of performance. If you’d like to know more about the GeekaWhat team, check out the About Us section where you can also find more detail about our editorial promise.
How We Picked the Best 650W Power Supplies
Power supplies are one of the many components that we get to test on a regular basis by putting them through the wringer in a variety of builds and benchmarks. As soon as we get a PSU through our doors we evaluate the unit’s specs, box contents, cable options, and design to get a well-rounded idea of what’s on offer. Then the PSU gets put into a PC build with similarly matched components to see how it performs. This gives us plenty of insight into installation, size, versatility, and just general usage, which allows us to ascertain pros and cons.
Once we’ve gathered enough information about the component, we then put together our verdict on the overall quality and value. All of our findings are then relayed to our audience through YouTube videos and written content in the form of buyers guides, or reviews. In this content, we attempt to provide a generalised overview of a product, and focus on how it might impact your gaming setup. For a more detailed look at our testing methods and analysis, check out some of the reviews we’ve written of some power supplies below:
| PSU | Review Link |
|---|---|
| Corsair CX750F RGB | Corsair CX750F RGB Review |
| Corsair CX650F | Corsair CX650F Review – Cables, Efficiency & Design |
| MSI MPG A1000G | MSI MPG A1000G PSU Review |
| Corsair RM1200x SHIFT | Corsair RM1200x SHIFT Power Supply Review |
Conclusion
Best 650W Power Supply Overall: Thermaltake TOUGHPOWER GF1 650W
Our best recommended power supply overall is Thermaltake‘s GF1 650W unit. This PSU offers a nice balance between design, and ease of use features. Consumers can pick their cables as they choose due to the modular design. The 80+ Gold efficiency rating will minimise power lost as heat or noise, which can also save some money over prolonged usage. Although it doesn’t support modern graphics cards, I feel the solid price point and great set of features makes this unit a solid option for those building a modern mid-range system.
Check out our full in-depth review on another Thermaltake power supply, or buy the Thermaltake TOUGHPOWER GF1 on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need ATX 3.0 for My New GPU?
In short, none of the new GPUs on the market need ATX 3.0. All new NVIDIA GPUs come with an 8-Pin adapter which means you can still use your old power supply. However, for cable management perfectionists, picking up an ATX 3.0 PSU is worth considering.
What Kind of Components Can I Pair with a 650W PSU?
650W is more than enough for a modern mid-range system. Consumers will be able to pick up components such as Intel’s Core i5 13600K or Core i7 13700K. Graphics card wise, consumers will be able to pick up an RTX 4070 at the maximum, or an RX 6750 XT on the AMD side.
Is 80+ Efficiency Important?
Yes and no. It is important in the sense that your power supply should not be outputting an excess of heat and extra noise. But the 80+ rating, should not be your biggest deciding factor in picking up a PSU. We would recommend leaning more towards protection mechanisms and desirable features.
What is the Best Way to Determine How Many Watts I Need?
As a general rule, we tend to recommend PCPartPicker, or Cooler Master’s PSU calculator. These will give you recommendations of how many watts you need based on the components that you’ve picked out.
