Power sources: Buy certified or not?

Apr 22, 2022 · 7 min read

Power supplies are a fundamental part of any computer.

A computer is made up of many components, when you decide to renew your computer, one of the most overrated things are the power sources. This is responsible for supplying the electrical fluid to your computer.

However, despite this important function, people do not usually pay too much attention to buying one of these. This is due to several reasons, for example, a fountain can last you for many years, but also, many people do not know how to choose a suitable one.

It's quite usual for people to buy a power supply of as many watts as possible and that's it. However, there are more things you should pay attention to, for example, whether the source is certified or not.

We are going to talk a little more about this and we will tell you what are those things that you must take into account in order to buy one properly.

What is a power source?

The power supply provides the energy for your computer to function properly.

A power supply or power supply is a component that is responsible for supplying a computer with electricity. This works like a transformer, since it is responsible for receiving the alternating current (AC) and converts it into direct current (DC).

In turn, this is responsible for lowering the voltage from 120 volts to 12.5 volts, which is what a computer requires. Additionally, it is responsible for maintaining the voltage in the appropriate ranges to prevent any component of the computer from being damaged by an overload.

In this sense, we have that the power sources fulfill a vital function for the proper functioning of any computer. That is why choosing the right one for your computer is something extremely vital that you must take into consideration.

What should you take into account when buying a power source?

If you are going to change your power supply, either because it has been damaged or because you have bought a new computer and the one you had is not enough, then we will tell you what are those things that you must take into account when making the purchase.

With this little buying guide you will be able to learn how to choose a perfect power supply.

1. The available budget

You must take into account how much money you are willing to spend.

The budget you have is a vital part of the whole process of buying a good power supply. You must determine how much money you are willing to invest for the purchase and, from there, you will be able to start looking.

Fortunately, power supplies aren't too expensive, so you won't have to spend too much money. For less than 200 dollars you can have an excellent power supply that will last you for a long time.

So, determine your budget before you start, this will also help you spend as little money as possible.

2. The consumption of your computer

You must know what the consumption of your computer is to choose a suitable source.

Each of the components of your computer has a consumption, you can find this on the label, the box or on the manufacturer's website. This will help you determine what the total consumption is, which will help you to know the type of power supply you need.

You must add up all the consumption of each component to know the total consumption of your computer. Once you have it calculated, you will be able to start looking for a power source that suits your needs.

3. The amount of wiring you need

The amount of cables that a power supply has is very important.

The cheapest power supplies on the market are generally somewhat limited in this regard. That is, they usually have few cables, which for a gaming computer, for example, may be insufficient. In this case, you must know exactly how many cables and what type you need.

Today there are modular sources, these allow you to add or remove cables depending on your needs. This is a great advantage, but they also have a disadvantage and that is that they tend to be more expensive.

If you have a gaming PC, you should ideally choose a source from a good brand, as they have more connectors. And if you have enough budget, you can choose a modular fountain, which is the best option today.

4. The power of the source

The power of the power supply is vital for the choice.

You already have the consumption of your computer and the number of cables you need, now you can start choosing a good source. These come in different potencies and you should choose a suitable one.

For example, let's say your computer's total power consumption is around 600W. Many people will think that a 650W power supply will suffice, but this is a serious mistake.

Power supplies do not guarantee 100% of the power they indicate. This is because a large part of the power is lost. The percentage you are going to get will depend mainly on the quality of the source.

If the source is generic, you will need to calculate that it will give you at least 60% of the power. That is, for a consumption of 600 W you should choose a source of about 1,000 W.

In the event that the source is certified, you will be able to have a little more slack, since these guarantee at least 80% of the power. So, following the same example, with a source of about 800 W it will be enough.

5. Certification

The certification guarantees you that it is a quality power source.

Power supplies are classified into four categories, the standard, bronze, silver and gold classification. This classification is related to its energy efficiency and, of course, to the guarantee they offer.

If you have a bronze+ certification or higher, you will be able to enjoy up to 80% of the power indicated on the label. However, certified sources are more expensive than standard sources.

6. Brand and quality

The brand of the power source is also extremely important.

The brand of the source is something very important, especially since it is closely linked with quality. It is always advisable to buy a quality font if your budget allows it.

These are made of high quality materials, which makes them last much longer. In addition, these tend to generate a lower amount of noise compared to cheaper sources.

One of the best brands that makes power supplies is Cooler Master, although it is not the only one. Choosing a quality source means it's also more reliable, so that's something to keep in mind.

Is a certified or a generic one better?

Certified sources are usually better than generic sources.

This is a question that many people ask and which is a very important part of choosing a font. We already know that the main difference between one and the other is the guarantee they have in relation to the final power they deliver.

In addition, certified power supplies have a higher quality than standard ones. So, logically, these are better and should be your main option, especially if you are building a gaming computer.

This is not to say that standard fonts are bad, they can last you several years without major problems. However, you have to choose them wisely so that you can have enough power to move your computer smoothly.