7 Best PSU Under $100 in 2023 (Affordable Power Supplies)

If you are up to building a gaming rig or high-performance PC, you can’t think of anything less than the best. If you are going to make a custom system, you will never neglect anything in terms of the performance and reliability of the system. Although all the components are important for the standing working efficiency of the PC but to give the required power supply to every module, you can’t skip on PSU (Power supply unit).

However, there are a lot of brands that make high-quality PSUs for almost every motherboard, both in terms of power efficiency and affordability. So, you just have to be a little focused on your requirements, and you will have no problems while building your custom PC. After thorough research, we managed to find some affordable and extraordinarily reliable PSUs for you to help choose the best PSU under 100 dollars. So, you don’t need to go anywhere else.

Best PSU Under $100 – Top 7 Picks

Thermaltake Smart is a high-power efficient PSU operated on 430W to 700W, depending on the usage scenario. No matter your requirements, with up to 86% efficiency, you can build any custom gig using any Intel processor with this PSU. It’s a certified PSU from Intel ATX 12 Volt 2.31 and EPS 12V 2.92 standards. This PSU supports 2 PCI E 6plus2pin connectors and Active Power Factor Correction.

No matter your use time duration and purpose, Thermaltake Smart PSU is equipped with top-quality components that are not going to lower their performance at any temperature. You don’t have to worry about capacitor leakage or burning.

In terms of fan noise, it is relatively less noisy, however, it’s not quiet and gives a constant noise that will not bother you. However, you need to maintain its noise, which is simple. You just require an air blower to do it.

If there are any voltage fluctuations in your area or in case of rare voltage problems, industry-grade overpowers, over-voltage, and short circuit protection are built into this PSU to avoid any damage to the system and PSU.

If you are curious about the approximate lifetime of this Power Supply Unit, it has a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 100,000 hours. In simple words, you don’t have to worry for 11 years about this best PSU under 100. It’s not just a claim, it has been approved by CE, CB, TUV, and UL.

This Thermaltake smart PSU gives you cable selection options for appropriate voltages if you think of cable compatibility. In addition to this, the wires can also be easily installed thanks to the multiple connectors.

In the end, in terms of operating temperature, you can use this one between -40 to +55 degrees Celsius. It means you can use this PSU in almost any part of the world. Also, if you talk about humidity, you can use between 10% to 95% humidity, However, humidity can be damaging to other computer systems.

Overall, there are no negative points of this PSU. With a 5-year warranty, 11-year Mean Time Between Failures rating, industry-grade load protection system, and cooling system, you don’t have to look further if you have an Intel processor on your motherboard.

The EVGA 650 N1 is a low-end power supply that comes with low effectiveness, low efficiency, noisy running, and low-end components in its construction, making it so inexpensive.

Despite this, it can still handle the full load at 36 degrees Celsius, proving to be a good transient performance at 12V, while the hold-up time is more than what is outlined in the ATX specs. Since its OCP is not appropriately implemented, you should be aware not to stress its +12V rail as it has average build quality.

There are three models offered in the N1 Series, each with a power output that falls between 550W and 750W. These PSUs do not come with modular cables since they are targeted at the mass audience, and according to EVGA, they can achieve full performance at an outside heat of 25 degrees Celsius.

It is common for high-end PSUs to output continuous full performance to a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius or even higher. However, they use better hardware for this purpose, and the components they use have a much higher cost than those used for the N1 models by EVGA. So, for under 100 dollars, you can’t expect the best performance like a high-end PSU.

It should theoretically be able to work with powerful graphics cards, however, we would strongly not suggest it, as it has only two PCIe connectors paired on one wire, which contains a thin 20 AWG gauge.

You should invest a little more in a powerful power supply if you have spent a considerable investment in a solid GPU. Investing in a power supply with your remaining money after you’ve purchased all the other hardware is not a good idea.

There are no detachable cables, and there are enough connectors, considering that this is a standard power supply. The wire lengths are sufficient, but the gap between peripheral connectors is too short. Further, it’s a disappointment that the PCIe and SATA connectors have a thin gauge of 20AWG since the ATX standard suggests 18AWG at a minimum.

Overall, it’s an average-quality PSU that can work well in 30 degrees or less. However, if you are looking for a low-end PC build, you should go for it.

EVGA 110-BQ-0600-K1 600 BQ is another power-efficient power supply operated on 650 Watt, which is more than the initial power consumption of Thermaltake, but in the prolonged run, it will consume more than the expected 650W. So, it’s relatively more power-efficient than a Thermal Smart PSU.

Under typical loads, it can give about 85% efficiency, but in the long run, you may face some heating issues, and that is why a BQ unit in the business environment is not very exceptional in terms of quality. However, it’s acceptable for decent performance because it is certified 80 plus bronze PSU.

In terms of noise, you can’t say it’s not noisy, it is loud, but not during normal tasks. However, all the brands claim to be less noisy or quiet but keep in mind that no technology can control a fan from making noise during heavy tasks like gaming or editing. On the other hand, if a PSU is equipped without a fan cooling system, there will be absolutely no noise.

In case of voltage or current fluctuations, EVGA 110-BQ-0600-K1 600 BQ is equipped with heavy-duty protection like over-voltage power protection, under-voltage protection, overcurrent protection, over-power protection, and most important short circuit protection. However, in the case of a short circuit, almost every PSU can be partially damaged or burned.

Using a modular design allows for removing some of the cables from the power supply to facilitate the installation and removal of the wires. By eliminating unnecessary cables, it is possible to reduce case clutter and maximize airflow within the case. As you know, in the case of Thermaltake Smart, there are a lot of extra cables that you may never use.

In the box other than the power supply, ATX Cable, EPS Cable, PCI-E Cable, SATA Cable, Four-Pin Peripheral Cable, Floppy Adapter, AC Power, and Installation Guide. So, you use a cable according to your needs. For example, if you don’t need a Floppy adapter, skip this.

EVGA BQ can be performed between 0 to 40 degrees in terms of operating temperatures. So, you will need a cool and warm room accordingly if the outer temperature of your area is not near the operating temperatures.

Overall, except for the operating temperature restrictions, this particular power supply unit is the best PSU under 100 in terms of modular design, 3-year warranty, power efficiency, many cables included, and heavy-duty protection.

As the name suggests, ASUS TUF is a gaming-oriented PSU that operates on 650W. As you know, 650W is not less, so you have options to go for even 450W, and if you want a more powerful PSU, ASUS has even a 1200W option for you. It is also suggested to buy a 750W+ PSU for gaming purposes. However, with an increase in wattage, the price will increase.

This PSU comes with an 80 Plus bronze rating in terms of efficiency. However, if you buy the 80 Plus Gold one, you will get more efficiency, but it’s a bit expensive, more than $100. Also, 80 Plus Gold will take 750W.

Because TUF Gaming’s power supplies are manufactured with high-quality components, they provide optimal reliability and long-term performance. Furthermore, the efficiency of the PSU results in lower internal temperatures.

The Axial-tech fan design, particularly developed for high-end ROG graphics cards, uses a slim fan housing that accommodates extended wings and a barrier ring that enhances downward air pressure. In the TUF Gaming series, ASUS has reduced that size to a 135mm case size, which helps ensure that things stay cool at low RPMs while making fewer noises.

An encapsulating conformal coating protects the printed circuit board and guards it against short circuits brought on by humidity, dirt, and debris. So, you will not face any problems because of short circuits, etc.

Moreover, in terms of operating temperature, unlike other gaming power supply units, TUF Gaming PSUs are manufactured to meet military-grade standards for capacitors and chokes, which ensures a consistent level of performance through all temperature variations.

Overall, with 6-year of exceptional warranty, exceptional design, less fan noise due to low fan RPM, and no worries of short circuit damages with military-grade standards for capacitors and chokes, you are not going to leave this one under $100.

ARESGAME is the cheapest PSU on this list, so obviously, you can’t expect more than basic performance and efficiency. However, in terms of protection, it has almost everything that makes it the best PSU under 100.

There are heavy-duty protections such as overvoltage protection, under-voltage protection, over current protection, over power protection, and short circuit protection. However, it can be slightly harmed or even burned if it experiences a short circuit.

This PSU comes with 80 Plus certification and approximately 85% efficiency in home office work tasks. It’s not recommended to use this one for gaming and other heavy work like photo or video editing professionally.

The best thing is its warranty. Even with such a low price, you will get an exceptional 5-year warranty.

It’s a non-modular PSU, so all the cables are present; you just need to verify the connectors you need.

Overall, if you are building a home PC for simple tasks, you would definitely like this one with 85% efficiency, low wattage, and a cheap price.

NZXT’s C750 PSU carries an 80 Plus Gold rating and has ETA-A and LAMBDA-S recognitions for efficiency and noise by Cybernetics. While it may not be the quietest 750W power supply out there a load up to 450W will not bother someone sensitive to noise.

NZXT’s C750 is one of the middle-of-the-road options in its C series. It is evident from the number of people using the 750W category of power supplies that it can power gaming rigs that are fitted with 8-core Intel or 12-core AMD processors and graphics cards such as Nvidia RTX2070/2080 or AMD 5700XT. However, if you plan to use more than one graphics card simultaneously, ensure you find a power supply with at least a 1000W capacity to avoid any issues.

The C750 runs on the same platform as the Seasonic Focus Plus Gold, so you can be confident that you are getting good performance, reliability, and high energy efficiency. However, this platform has no modifications to allow for it to be better than 70% efficient at light loads. It does not support an alternative sleep mode, which would enable the system to be awoken immediately upon waking.

The latter feature isn’t so remarkable either, seeing as there are currently no motherboards on the market supporting this feature. In our opinion, it is still beneficial to think long-term when purchasing a new power supply since it is a component you can use for a wide variety of different builds.

Aside from the fully modular cable design, all models in the C series have a compact size thanks to the 150 mm depth. Additionally, the cooling fans are powered not only by fluid dynamic bearings but also by a semi-passive mode that automatically switches off the fan when it does not need to operate due to low loads.

In addition, the user has the option to disable this feature at any time, and the fan will function efficiently across a wide array of load conditions.

Overall, you will never regret this one for your custom build in terms of efficiency. However, the most satisfactory thing is its fluid dynamic bearings system for cooling, making this PSU the best PSU under 100.

Aresgame AGS850 is a Full modular PSU at a reasonable price. According to the Cybernetics scale, it is rated as Bronze due to its relatively low efficiency, even though it boasts an 80+ Gold rating.

Even though it uses a sleeve-bearing fan, this PSU has an exceptionally long warranty period. An important part of a power supply is the fan because if the fan fails, the internal temperature will skyrocket.

Also check Amazon Confirmed Fit to find the correct part for building your PC.

Without over-temperature protection on the power supply, you will likely experience fireworks. Fans with sleeve bearings can last up to 30k hours at 25 Celsius, but that’s far too low a temperature for a ten-year warranty since 25 Celsius is very low for computer components.

The platform is similar to previous generations, with the major difference being that minor rails are now generated with DC-DC converters rather than mag-amps as in prior versions. Also, there are long heatsinks but with small fins, and there is lots of room on the PCB for the air to circulate easily.

In case of voltage or current fluctuations, there are several heavy-duty protections provided in the ARESGAME 850W, such as power over-voltage and under-voltage protection, over-current and over-power protection as well as the most important one, short circuit protection. However, it is important to note that almost every PSU can be partially damaged or destroyed in case of a short circuit.

However, it should be noted that the only native cables for the motherboard are those that carry the ATX and EPS connectors. There is a requirement for dedicated cables to be used with EPS connectors since those connectors can deliver an incredible amount of power. Nevertheless, the quantity of connectors is enough, and the 150 mm distance between peripheral connectors is excellent.

Overall, with the 10-year warranty, you will be more than satisfied. However, you should know that this PSU comes with a Sleeve bearing fan that should be used under 25 degrees Celsius, and its lifetime is far less than ten years. So, it is obvious that by mentioning a ten-year warranty, the company is playing with minds, and it’s a marketing strategy. Ten years is very far, and obviously, you will not use a system for 10-years.

Buying Guide for the Best PSU under 100 Dollars

Power supplies are one of the least exciting components of a computer but are one of the most important ones. A PC runs on electricity, and electricity is not directly supplied to all of its components inside its case. Electrical current is converted from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) and then supplied to PC hardware as per needed voltage.

If you’re thinking of purchasing a power supply for your PC, you shouldn’t just pick the first one that you see. In many situations, if the power supply does not provide clean, reliable, and consistent power, plenty of problems can occur. There is the possibility of an unstable power supply, which can cause many problems. It is also possible that a failing power supply is also responsible for other issues, such as random system restarts and freezes that are otherwise hard to pinpoint.

If you are looking for the best power supply, you should take the same consideration you give to your CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage choices. By investing in the right power supply for your computer, you will be assured that your computer will perform at its best.

Following are some factors you should look at in a power supply unit.

Power requirements of the system

Considering that not all PCs are designed the same way, each requires a different amount of power to function correctly. A high-end gaming computer, for example, will require substantially more power than a PC used for simple office work.

When you buy a power supply that is not powerful enough, you will lose power during intensive processes, as powerful processors and graphics cards require more power than standard ones. The question that arises is, how do you calculate how much power you need? There are a lot of resources online that you can use to determine the power requirements of your computer.

Efficiency

The power rating of a power supply is merely one metric used to evaluate its performance, and it is not the only one. It is very crucial to understand its efficiency rating. This will allow you to see how much DC power it offers the PC and how much is wasted because of heat. The efficiency of the PSU will determine the power you will need to keep your PC running.

Let’s take an example of a computer that uses 300 watts of power. Your PC will need 353 watts of input power if you use a power supply estimated to be 85% efficient. By contrast, a power supply that is only 70% efficient consumes 428 watts.

So, a power supply with a higher rating can not only give you a higher efficiency rating, but it will also make your PC run cooler as well.

Connectors

The power supplies inside your PC are worthless if they do not provide power to all of the hardware inside your computer. In other words, the power supply needs to be able to accommodate all of the connector types needed.

First, you should look at the main connector that supplies current to the motherboard. There are two types of connectors: the 20-pin connector and the 24-pin connector. It is becoming increasingly common for power supplies to offer both types, and it is likely that yours will as well.

Next, you’ll be required to look for the processor power cable. This is available in a 4-pin or an 8-pin version, so be careful with it. Like the main power connector, most motherboards have moved to a bigger size.

Two types of power connectors are typically installed: a 4-pin Molex connector and an 8-pin Molex connector. It can be used for hardware, such as legacy hard drives, optical drives, fans, and other devices. However, SATA components have their power connector, so you have to buy a Molex to SATA converter if you run out of SATA power connectors. Alternatively, splitter cables can also be used to extend the number of peripherals that can be connected simultaneously. But remember that your power supply’s upper limit must be respected.

Connection system

There are connection types for the PSU:

Hard-wired: Every connector is directly connected to the power supply, which means they will always be connected regardless of whether they are needed or not. (Best for newbies)

Modular: As opposed to conventional cabling, modular cabling allows for the addition of each connector as required. (Best for Pros)

Hybrid System: Some cables in a hybrid system are wired-connected, such as the main power connector, while others are optional. (Best for convenience)

Conclusions

There is no doubt all the PSUs on this list are the best PSU under 100 in terms of efficiency, reliability, protection, power consumption, design, and build quality according to the price tag, but you should look at your system requirements. You can’t invest in a PSU that cannot deliver the expected voltages constantly for the long run.

No buying guide can fully help you if you don’t have enough knowledge about the system, its components, and the expected voltage they are required. However, on this list, ARESGAME 850W Fully Modular 80Plus Gold Certified PSU is best for heavy tasks, ARESGAME 500W 80 Plus Bronze Certified PSU Power Supply can easily handle normal processing and ASUS TUF GAMING 650W Bronze PSU can be used for gaming.

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