Introduction
Efficiency rating is one of the main considerations that you should use to validate your choice of power supply. As a general rule of thumb, the stronger the efficiency rating, the more desirable a power supply is. But this begs the question, if you’ve settled on a particular efficiency rating – how do you determine which power supply is the best option? In this roundup, we’ll be taking a look at the best 80 Plus Platinum power supplies, alleviating the frustration that comes with choosing a particular unit for your PC build.
We’ve gathered up a range of awesome 80 Plus Platinum options that cater to a mass of varying use-cases and budgets. Whether you’re an enthusiast that needs an insane amount of watts for your build, or you’re looking for a more affordable option, we’ve got you covered. We’ll be doing a deep dive on each 80 Plus Platinum unit, covering their features, design aspects, and modularity.
The Best 80 Plus Platinum Power Supply: Cooler Master XG850 Plus Platinum
📸 View the XG850 Plus Platinum gallery.
In our testing experience, we’ve concluded that the best 80 Plus Platinum power supply is Cooler Master’s XG850 Plus. The XG850 Plus stands out above the other options that we’ve tested, due to its excellent warranty, digital configuration capability, and low noise levels. The XG850 is one of the most feature-rich power supplies that we’ve ever had in the office, and is a definitively worthwhile pickup for those looking to secure a top-tier 80 Plus Platinum option.
Features: 4.8/5
Performance: 4.7/5
Value for Money: 4.8/5
Our Verdict: 4.8/5
Skip to the full testing, gallery and where to buy the XG850 Plus Platinum. ⬇️
Suggested Article: Best CPUs to Buy for 1080p Gaming
The Best 80 Plus Platinum Power Supplies
1. be quiet! Straight Power 11 750W
Best 750W
be quiet’s Straight Power 11 is a power supply that we’ve recommended in a number of different buyers guides due to its reliability and solid performance. This 750W unit prioritises noise levels and ease of use. The Straight Power 11 is equipped with one of be quiet’s renowned Silent Wings 3, optimised for airflow, while minimising the amount of noise produced under load.
This 750W power supply is also fully modular, so picking and choosing cables is extremely simple. Modular power supplies ease the building process, and will reduce the amount of cable clutter within your case, which can further help with airflow too.
It is also worth noting that the Straight Power 11 does come with a five-year warranty, which is slightly lower than some of the other units within this roundup.
Pros
- Excellent efficiency
- Designed for silence
- Solid cable options
Cons
- Not ATX 3.0
- Expensive
2. ASUS ROG THOR 850W Platinum
Best Design
The ROG THOR Platinum from ASUS is one of the best looking power supplies on the market. This particular power supply is not only one of the best looking PSUs, but it is also one of the quietest too.
According to Cybenetics, the ROG THOR has a noise rating of A+ reporting an average noise output of 15.58dB(A) at 115V, which is extremely quiet.
Taking a look at the design, the ROG THOR sports an OLED power display, offering real-time power information, so you can see how much juice your system is using at any given moment.
Next to the display users will find some RGB lighting, which can be customised using ASUS AuraSync. This also allows you to match up any RGB effects with other ASUS components or peripherals. Admittedly, we do feel that the ROG THOR is one of the pricier units that we’ve taken a look at, especially when you consider that this is just an 850W power supply.
Pros
- RGB lighting
- LCD screen is useful
- Low noise levels
Cons
- Very expensive
- Not ATX 3.0
3. Cooler Master XG850 Plus Platinum
Best Overall
We’ve selected the XG850 Plus Platinum from Cooler Master as the best overall 80 Plus Platinum rated unit. The reason why the XG850 stood out to us as the strongest choice, comes down to the excellent set of features, and digital control system.
The XG850 sports a digital side panel which can monitor real-time performance data, providing you with fan speed information, temperature, power load, and customised RGB lighting. The most impressive feature of the XG850 is the fact that it can be controlled digitally.
There are a multitude of modern power supplies that have little to no configuration options, other than being able to adjust the fan curve. So the fact that the XG850 provides a mass of customisation through a digital platform is excellent, especially if you like to tinker and optimise power incursions. It is worth briefly mentioning that the XG850 is also fully modular, and uses the ATX 3.0 standard (which is ideal for RTX 4000 users).
Pros
- Competitively priced
- Is ATX 3.0
- Informative LCD display
Cons
- Expensive
- MasterPlus+ software isn't great
4. MSI MEG Ai1300P PCIE5
Best for Enthusiasts
MSI’s MEG Ai1300p PCIE5 is one of the strongest enthusiast-level power supplies that we’ve ever had in the office. There are few power supplies on the market that offer such a high wattage, whilst also maintaining a solid set of features and efficiency rating. This is why the Ai1300P stood out to us as such a great unit to pick up.
The Ai1300P offers a ridiculous amount of power connectors to choose from, providing users with a myriad of space for expansion and peripherals. This unit also utilises the ATX 3.0 power standard, so those of you that have an RTX 4000 graphics card only have to plug in one cable.
The Ai1300P also provides users with software control and real-time monitoring using the G.I. port near the power connectors. This will provide you with a range of power stats such as output wattages and temperatures, along with fan information too.
Pros
- Can easily support most gaming PCs.
- Very efficient design.
- PCI-E 5.0 ready.
Cons
- Very expensive PSU.
- Overkill for most PC builds.
How We Tested the Best 80 Plus Platinum Power Supplies
To determine which 80 plus platinum rated power supply is the best option on the market, all of the units that we’ve looked at have gone through the wringer in a series of tests and analysis to ensure they offer consumers a solid value-proposition. We also take into account a plethora of considerations when analysing power supplies. These are:
- Features
- Noise Levels
- Modularity
- Efficiency Rating
- Value for Money
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need An ATX 3.0 Unit?
While ATX 3.0 supported power supplies will be useful for those with an RTX 4000 graphics cards, or those that plan on upgrading in the near future. ATX 3.0 isn’t necessary for all PC builds.
Is a Stronger Efficiency Rating Necessary for Higher Wattage Power Supplies?
Yes, those with high wattage units are likely to have more power lost as heat or noise with an inefficient PSU. For example a 20% efficiency loss at 850W is 170W.
Do I Need a Fully Modular Power Supply?
While picking up a fully modular power supply will help with cable management, you’ll often find that semi-modular, or even non-modular units will be perfectly suitable for your build and are generally cheaper.
