A power supply unit is one of the most critical components of any computer, as it is the only component that allows the computer to function.
Knowing the exact specifications of your power supply can assist you in determining whether or not your system is configured most efficiently for your computer or gaming needs.
However, because of the nature of a power supply, it is challenging to discover a straightforward method of determining its specifications.
What is my PSU?
The most straightforward approach to checking the power supply on your computer is to open the case and look for the model and specs of the power supply printed on the body of the computer or labeled on a sticker attached to the power supply.
You may also have a look at the power supply box that comes with it. Continue reading because we will explain every piece of information necessary to take you through determining what power supply unit you have.
What PSU Do I Need?
The power supply unit (PSU) you purchase must be sufficient for your computer. If you intend to update your PC components, you should consider purchasing a power supply with a larger wattage and higher rated capacity. If you don’t utilize a high-quality power source, your motherboard and other pricey components may suffer harm.
As a result, you will need to carefully pick your power supply unit. If you are dissatisfied with the results of any PSU calculator, you may read our suggested Corsair PSUs review, which will make it much easier for you to pick which PSU to purchase.
How to check what power supply you have on my PC
We understand that many of you are interested in knowing your current power supply model number. We’ve been there before. But don’t be concerned. The amount of power your Cooler master power supply may be determined by following a few simple methods. The following are the measures to take in order to determine what type of power supply unit you have:
Check the PSU Label
Underwriters laboratories on all power supplies require a label indicating the power rating of a power supply. There is usually a label sticker or printed layout with the PSU model number and characteristics when it comes to power supplies.
- To check the written level on your computer’s power supply, you will need to open the casing of your computer and look for it on the PSU.
- To find out what brand and specifications your power source has, you will need to remove the power supply shroud that protects it from being damaged or broken.
- To remove your computer’s power supply, you may need to loosen four or five screws from the machine. Precautions: Before you touch anything on your computer, make sure it is disconnected from the power source and the power supply is turned off.
Now that you’ve taken your power supply unit apart, you may examine its body to see whether it has any markings. It is possible to view the model number, certified ratings, and all other details of your power source in this section. This is the quickest and most accurate method of determining your power supply’s wattage.
Search for PC specs on the manufacturer’s website
Suppose you are using a prebuilt PC from any manufacturer. In that case, you may go to the company’s official website and search for the computer model number that you are currently using to get more information.
The power supply unit (PSU) that was used in your computer may be found on the product page for your computer model. Consider the following product page, which includes all of the specifications, as well as the Power unit that was utilized in that computer:
This procedure saves a significant amount of time and works when determining the wattage of your power source. Furthermore, it is pretty helpful because the power supply on the majority of prebuilt PCs is not labeled.
So, go to Google and type in the model number of your computer, and you will be able to see the watts shown among the first few search results.
Please find out the power supply details on its box
If you have the box containing the pass apply, you may use it to examine the model and specifications of the access apply. One or more of the power supplies are included with an international user’s manual. You may learn more about it and how to set up the power supply on your computer by reading the handbook provided.
Checking the power supply’s box, in our opinion, is the most straightforward method of determining its wattage, model number, and other necessary characteristics. Hopefully, one of the three ways listed above has assisted you in deciding what type of PSU you are using.
In general, figuring out the power supply in the first situation is straightforward, but it is not hard to figure out the power supply model if you have a prebuilt computer. There are a couple of different ways to find out what your PSU is in either case.
Computers with different manufacturer components
There is one technique of inspecting the power supply that is universally applicable in both circumstances: manually open the chassis side panel. If you have a computer that has been assembled, it is relatively simple to determine the power supply capacity; however, there are some power supplies that do not specify their power capacity in large fonts, as we see on a lot of high-quality power supplies these days, making it more difficult to guess how ample the power supply is.
However, the specifications will always be shown on one side of the power supply at the very least, which may or may not be visible to you depending on which way your power supply is positioned.
PSU manufacturers like Cooler Master, Seasonic, Corsair, Thermaltake, Gigabyte, and EVGA, among others, place a large label on their power supply units that lists the voltage, current, and power ratings of the team. If you have a power supply from one of these manufacturers, not only will you be aware of the wattage, but you will also be able to determine how dependable your power supply is.
A computer from a single manufacturer
You may go to the manufacturer’s official website and search for your PC model, which will provide you with information on your power supply specifications. Sometimes you won’t be able to find it out even if you go on the manufacturer’s website since some large companies, like Dell, employ unique power supplies that aren’t specified on their website.
Power supply wattage capacity is the most important item to be aware of when purchasing a power supply. To determine whether or not you can use a specific graphics card, you must first determine how much room you have for future expansion. If you have a prebuilt premium gaming PC, you will most likely be able to find out at the very least the wattage of your power supply on the manufacturer’s website.
For example, the HP Pavilion Gaming TG01-2005in PC described on the official website specifies the wattage of the power supply unit and the power-efficiency rating of the team.
Custom and Standard power supplies
Generally speaking, power supplies may be classified into two categories: custom and standard. Those power supplies specially built by manufacturers to be used in gaming computers, such as those made by Cooler Master, Corsair, EVGA, Antec, and Thermaltake, are referred to as standard power supplies. These power supplies are substantial, and they use high-quality cables with sleeves.
The majority of these power supply units have a black-painted exterior and include a variety of connectors, including PCI-E wires, which are needed for graphics card installation. On the other hand, Custom power supplies are smaller and lighter, and their bodies are often constructed of glossy aluminum, similar to what you would find in prebuilt PCs from Dell or HP.
In contrast to branded power supplies, their fans are located on the backside rather than the top or bottom, as is customary. They are made of lower-cost materials and do not require as much cooling as branded power supplies do.
These sorts of power supplies are also available from manufacturers such as Zebronics and Intex, and they cost between $5 and $10. These power supplies feature fewer cables and, in many cases, do not have any covers at all. Power cords for graphics cards (PCI-E) are challenging to come by. To determine whether or not you can update your PC, you may look for specific characteristics in your power supply, which will inform you of the fundamentals of the situation.
As previously said, regrettably, there is no other way to determine what type of power supply you have without opening the case, but knowing what they look like can surely assist you in making critical decisions regarding your computer’s configuration.
How to check PSU wattage on a PC
You have learned how to determine what type of power supply unit you have up to this point. The simplest method of determining the wattage of a power supply unit is to examine the PSU box that was included with the PSU when it was purchased from the retailer. Examine the specs section of the power supply unit. You will observe that the power supply has reached its maximum capacity. Don’t be concerned if the package is misplaced for whatever reason.
We have contingency measures in place for you. If you have a prebuilt PC, go to the official manufacturer’s website and look for the power supply used in your computer on the product page for your PC model.
Additionally, by opening the side panel of the computer case, you may examine the receipt for the purchased power supply or the label on the power supply. If you are a computer gamer, you must understand the model of the power unit. You may require a new power supply with a high-efficiency rating in addition to a new power supply.
What Size Power Supply Do you Need?
Knowing the power supply’s wattage and their certifications will not fix your difficulties on their own. It would be great if you also considered the size of your power supply since your PSU may not fit correctly within your computer’s housing. Personal computers can be powered by one of three different power supply sizes.
They are as follows:
- ATX and ATX12v power supplies are available.
- Power supply for the SFX-L
- Power supply for SFX
The Fully Modular ATX power supply is the most efficient power supply size. This is the power supply size that is utilized in the majority of hardcore gaming PCs.
The ATX power supply is typically 150mm x 86mm x 140mm in size, which is large enough to allow them to cool down fast.
The ATX12V power supply is approximately the same size as the ATX power supply.
The SFX12V or SFX-L power supply units are most commonly seen in prebuilt computers. Power supplies such as SFX and EPS12V power supplies are most commonly seen in tiny form factor PCs, such as mini ITX PC setups.
How big of a power supply do you need?
It would be beneficial to obtain a power supply unit that is large enough to fit within the chassis of your computer. If you’re utilizing a mid- or full-tower PC chassis, an ATX power supply should be sufficient for your needs.
Why know about your power supply?
There are various reasons to be familiar with the model and characteristics of your power supply unit. The most important reason to be aware of your power source is as follows:
- We are adding new components such as a graphics card, RAM, and fans to the system.
- Overclocking your PC is a bad idea.
- Upgrading your entire system without having to change your power source is possible.
- The wattage and ratings of a power supply unit are the most significant characteristics to consider.
However, these are insufficient. Furthermore, you must understand what tier your power source belongs to because different power sources with the same wattage and rating work in various ways.
Which Is The Best Power Supply Calculator
On the internet, you may find a plethora of PSU calculators. However, most power supply calculators are poor when it comes to recommending the correct wattage and certifications. The following are the most accurate PC wattage calculators:
- Calculator for Cooler Master’s power supply
- Wattage Calculator for the Seasons
- Calculator for the Asus PC power supply
However, we recommend that you review the most recent PSU tier list and choose a power supply that is appropriate for the demands of your computer. PC power calculators are online tools that determine the amount of electricity your computer will take to function correctly.
However, these programs are primarily intended to sell your specific items and display large amounts of watts to support marketing rules. As a result, purchasing a power supply based on a PSU tier list is more efficient than using a wattage calculator to determine the appropriate power supply.
A power supply unit (PSU) is one of the most critical components of your computer. Most computer hardware issues are caused by a malfunctioning power supply or a power source that does not produce enough power output. Hopefully, you have learned how to determine what type of power supply you have and its wattage and other data from this article.
Immediately replace your present power supply if it is insufficient for your computer’s requirements.
FAQ
How can I tell if my power supply is on its last legs?
You may tell if your power supply is failing when your computer does not switch on after you have disconnected and reconnected your hard drive and RAM to different sockets several times. It is possible that your computer may not switch on at all or that it will lose power while operating.
What is the best way to test a PC power supply?
Before you can test a power supply, you must first delete all of the overclocking data from the system by cleaning the bios memory. Remove the BIOS battery and place it somewhere safe for around 10 minutes before reinstalling it. After that, you may switch on the computer to see if everything works as it should or not.
What is the best way to know whether your power supply is failing?
If your power supply is constantly shutting down your computer while it is functioning, you may be almost sure it is faulty. You may test the performance of your PC’s PSU using a second power supply to determine whether or not your current PSU is defective. The majority of non-branded power supplies are insufficient, and they have the potential to damage your PC components.
What is the best way to solve power supply overheating?
When a power supply is coated with dust or when the fan becomes old, it overheats. To resolve the overheating concerns, you can clean your power supply unit and replace its fan.