Building a reliable PC doesn’t have to mean overspending on a power supply. Finding a quality unit that delivers stable power, essential protections, and good efficiency for under $100 is entirely possible. The right PSU is the backbone of your system, ensuring all your components run smoothly and last for years.
This roundup cuts through the noise to bring you a selection of the most dependable power supplies in this budget-friendly category. We’ve focused on units from trusted brands that offer a great balance of wattage, certification, and features, whether you’re building a new mid-range gaming rig or upgrading an older system. Your perfect balance of performance and value is right here.
Our Recommended Power Supplies Under $100
- Cooler Master MasterWatt 750 Watt Semi-fanless Modular Power Supply
- Thermaltake Smart Pro RGB 750W 80+ Bronze Fully Modular Power Supply
- Power Supply 650W 80+ Bronze, Non-Modular, GAMEMAX GP-650
- EVGA 600 BR, 80+ Bronze 600W, 3 Year Warranty, Power Supply
- Thermaltake Toughpower GX1 RGB 500W 80 PLUS Gold Power Supply
- EVGA 500 W1, 80+ WHITE 500W Power Supply
- Seasonic S12III 650 SSR-650GB3 650W 80+ Bronze Power Supply
- CORSAIR CX650 80 Plus Bronze Non Modular 650 Watt Power Supply
- Power Supply 650W 80+ Bronze Certified PSU (ARESGAME, AGW650)
- Corsair CX650F RGB 650W 80 Plus Bronze Fully Modular Power Supply
Cooler Master MasterWatt 750 Watt Semi-fanless Modular Power Supply
The Cooler Master MasterWatt 750 offers a compelling feature set for builders seeking a balance of power and quiet operation. Its 80 Plus Bronze certification ensures solid energy efficiency, helping to reduce electricity costs and heat output. The semi-modular design is a significant benefit, allowing you to use only the cables you need, which results in a much cleaner and more organized build with improved airflow.
One of its standout features is the semi-fanless mode. During low to moderate loads (up to 15%), the fan remains completely off, contributing to a silent computing experience for everyday tasks. This makes it an excellent choice for home office builds or gaming systems where noise levels are a priority during less demanding use.
Thermaltake Smart Pro RGB 750W 80+ Bronze Fully Modular Power Supply
For those who want to add a visual flair to their build, the Thermaltake Smart Pro RGB 750W delivers both reliable power and customizable lighting. It is a fully modular unit, giving you complete control over cable management for a pristine system interior. The 80 Plus Bronze certification and compatibility with modern Intel processors ensure it is ready for a wide range of systems.
The integrated 140mm RGB fan is the centerpiece, offering multiple lighting options that can be controlled at your fingertips. This fan also features a Zero RPM mode, which stops the fan entirely during low-load conditions to eliminate noise. The “face up” installation recommendation helps with both heat exhaust and showcasing the LED lighting effect inside your case.
GAMEMAX GP-650 650W 80+ Bronze Power Supply
The GAMEMAX GP-650 is a straightforward and practical power supply that covers the essential needs of a mid-range gaming PC. With its 650-watt output and 80 Plus Bronze certification, it provides enough stable power for a single-GPU system while maintaining good energy efficiency. Its non-modular design means it comes with all cables permanently attached, which is a good fit for builders who plan to use most of the standard connections.
This unit represents a solid value proposition, focusing on core performance without extra frills. It’s a capable foundation for a budget-conscious build where the primary goal is reliable operation for your key components.
EVGA 600 BR 80+ Bronze 600W Power Supply
The EVGA 600 BR lives up to its “Bronze Reliability” name by offering a trusted and widely-used power solution. Its 80 Plus Bronze certification guarantees at least 85% efficiency under typical loads, making it an energy-conscious choice. The 600-watt capacity is well-suited for many modern gaming and productivity systems that don’t require extreme power.
This power supply is built with a strong emphasis on system safety. It includes heavy-duty protections such as Over Voltage Protection (OVP), Under Voltage Protection (UVP), and Short Circuit Protection (SCP). This comprehensive suite of safety features helps safeguard your valuable PC components from potential electrical issues.
Thermaltake Toughpower GX1 RGB 500W 80 PLUS Gold Power Supply
The Thermaltake Toughpower GX1 RGB stands out with its higher 80 Plus Gold efficiency, which can lead to lower energy consumption and reduced heat generation compared to Bronze units. The 500-watt output is ideal for budget to mid-range builds that prioritize component quality and visual appeal. The integrated 120mm fan features 10 RGB LEDs that display a spectrum of seven colors.
A dedicated button on the unit allows you to cycle through 16 different lighting modes, including pulse, full-lighted, and a color cycle, without needing software. This gives you direct control over the aesthetic of your build, making it a fun and efficient choice for a showpiece system.
EVGA 500 W1 80+ WHITE 500W Power Supply
The EVGA 500 W1 is a cornerstone of budget PC building, known for delivering fundamental reliability at an accessible price point. Its 80 Plus White certification ensures a basic level of efficiency for its category. The 500-watt capacity is sufficient for entry-level systems and office PCs that do not have high power demands.
Despite its budget orientation, EVGA has included important safety measures like Over Power Protection (OPP) and Short Circuit Protection (SCP). This makes the 500 W1 a dependable and safe choice for first-time builders or for use in secondary computers where cost is a primary factor.
Seasonic S12III 650W 80+ Bronze Power Supply
Coming from Seasonic, a brand renowned for its power supply manufacturing, the S12III 650W brings that heritage of quality to a budget-friendly market. It uses a fixed cable design that provides all the necessary connections for a standard PC build. The 80 Plus Bronze rating ensures good efficiency across a range of loads.
A key feature is its smart and silent fan control. The 120mm sleeve bearing fan is regulated by Seasonic’s S2FC controller, which adjusts the fan speed based on the system’s thermal demands. This results in quieter operation during low-intensity tasks, only spinning faster when necessary under heavy stress.
CORSAIR CX650 80 Plus Bronze 650 Watt Power Supply
The CORSAIR CX650 is a popular choice in its category, known for delivering consistent performance. It is 80 PLUS Bronze certified, achieving up to 88% operational efficiency, which helps lower energy costs and reduces heat. Corsair guarantees that this unit delivers its full 650 watts of continuous power, providing a stable foundation for your components.
Noise control is a focus of this model. It uses a 120mm thermally controlled cooling fan that remains at low speeds during lighter loads for quieter operation. The fan will only spin faster when the power supply is under heavy stress, effectively balancing cooling performance with acoustic comfort.
ARESGAME AGW650 650W 80+ Bronze Certified PSU
The ARESGAME AGW650 is another strong contender in the value segment, providing 650 watts of power with 80 Plus Bronze efficiency. This non-modular power supply is built to handle the needs of a typical gaming PC, offering stable power delivery for your core system components. The certification ensures at least 85% efficiency under typical loads.
It includes a 120mm ultra-quiet fan designed to provide excellent cooling performance while keeping noise levels low. This combination of sufficient power, proven efficiency, and quiet cooling makes it a practical and reliable option for builders on a budget.
Corsair CX650F RGB 650W 80 Plus Bronze Fully Modular Power Supply
For builders who refuse to compromise on aesthetics or cable management, the Corsair CX650F RGB is an excellent option. It is a fully modular power supply, allowing for a clean and minimalistic build by connecting only the cables you need. The 80 Plus Bronze certification ensures efficient power usage for your system.
Its defining feature is the vibrant RGB lighting on the 120mm fan, which adds a dynamic visual element to your build. Coupled with Corsair’s reputation for quality and the flexibility of full modularity, this power supply is for those who want their system’s interior to look as good as it performs.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best PSU Under $100
When I’m building or upgrading a PC on a budget, the power supply unit (PSU) is one component I never cheap out on. A bad PSU can, at best, be inefficient and loud, and at worst, it can take out your expensive graphics card and motherboard. Finding one of the 10 best PSUs under $100 in 2025 means balancing cost with reliability and performance. Here’s what I always look for.
First and foremost, I check the 80 Plus rating. This isn’t just about energy efficiency; it’s a decent indicator of overall build quality. An 80 Plus Bronze unit is the absolute minimum I’d consider for a budget gaming rig. If I can find an 80 Plus Gold PSU for under $100, that’s a fantastic deal, as it will run cooler, quieter, and save me money on my electricity bill over time. The efficiency translates directly into less wasted energy as heat.
Next, I pay close attention to the warranty. A PSU is a long-term investment. If a manufacturer only offers a 3-year warranty, it tells me they aren’t very confident in their product. I aim for units with at least a 5-year warranty, and many excellent models in this price range now offer 7 to 10 years of coverage. This is a huge sign of reliability and gives me peace of mind for years of upgrades.
Wattage is another key factor. For a modern mid-range system with something like an RTX 4060 or RX 7600, a 650W PSU is the sweet spot. It provides plenty of headroom for the GPU’s power spikes and leaves room for future upgrades. For more basic builds or systems with lower-powered cards, a quality 550W unit is perfectly adequate and often leaves more budget for other components. I always use a PSU calculator to double-check my needs.
Finally, I look at the brand and, more importantly, the internal platform. Brands like Corsair, Seasonic, and be quiet! have great reputations for a reason. However, I always read professional reviews to see who actually manufactured the unit and how it performs in rigorous tests. A fully modular design is a nice luxury at this price, but a semi-modular one is more common and still greatly helps with cable management. The goal is clean power and a clean build without breaking the bank.
FAQ
Is a 650W PSU enough for a gaming PC in 2025?
Absolutely. For the vast majority of mid-range gaming PCs, a 650W power supply is perfectly sufficient. It can comfortably handle a current-generation CPU like a Ryzen 5 or Core i5 paired with a GPU like an RTX 4060 or RX 7700 XT. The key is to choose a high-quality 650W unit from the list of 10 best PSUs under $100 in 2025, as it will provide stable power even during transient loads.
What’s the difference between modular and non-modular PSUs?
A non-modular PSU has all its cables permanently attached. A semi-modular one has the essential cables (like the 24-pin motherboard power) fixed, but the peripheral cables (like SATA and PCIe) are detachable. A fully modular PSU lets you detach every single cable. For a budget under $100, I usually recommend semi-modular. It gives you the best of both worlds: a lower price and much easier cable management compared to a non-modular unit.
Why is the 80 Plus rating so important?
The 80 Plus rating (Bronze, Silver, Gold, etc.) certifies the power supply’s efficiency. A Bronze-rated PSU is 82% efficient at a typical load, meaning 18% of the power is lost as heat. A Gold-rated unit is 87% efficient, so it wastes less energy, runs cooler, and can save you money on your electric bill. In this price range, Bronze is common, but Gold is a great find that indicates higher-quality components.
Can a bad PSU damage my other computer parts?
Yes, this is the biggest risk of buying a low-quality, no-name power supply. A poorly built PSU can deliver unstable voltage or suffer from a catastrophic failure, sending a power surge through your motherboard, CPU, and graphics card. This is why I always insist on a PSU from a reputable brand with proper safety certifications, even when I’m on a tight budget. It’s the heart of your system, and you don’t want it to fail.
How long should a good power supply last?
A high-quality power supply should easily last 7 to 10 years. Many manufacturers back this up with warranties of the same length. The internal components, like the Japanese capacitors often found in better units, are rated for long-term durability. This makes a PSU a component you can carry over to your next build, which justifies spending a little more for a reliable model.