PSU is a power supply unit responsible for converting mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power, allowing all the components inside a computer to work correctly. In modern PCs, a switched-mode power supply is typically installed. Sometimes they have a manual switch allowing you to change the input voltage, but in most cases, it is automatically adjusted to the mains voltage. In order to operate the processor and peripheral devices, the power supply of a desktop computer needs to modify the alternating current from a wall socket of mains electricity to low-voltage direct current. There must be a few direct-current voltages, and they need to be accurately coordinated in order to allow the PC to operate reliably. A single voltage brought by a power supply unit is a voltage rail (or a power supply rail).
Therefore, the PSU is very significant for your computer to work appropriately, and it should be of high quality. However, you do not need to worry that it will be too expensive if you know where to buy it. For example, on this site, you can purchase a decent power supply unit at a reasonable price: https://bestbudget.com/electronics/computers/power-supply/.
However, you may wonder how this element can influence your computer’s productivity in the first place. We have the answer for you!
The Power Supply Unit and the Computer’s Performance
You should bear in mind that the only task of a power supply unit is to allow the PC to operate. Therefore, getting a bigger PSU will not result in your computer running faster or improving the sound or graphics. Also, it will not enhance your processor or raise the amount of your RAM, or provide you with more storage space. Nevertheless, without a working power supply unit, you are unable to use your computers at all, so we can say it affects its productivity. Just take into consideration if you purchase a larger PSU (with increased output, in other words), any of the performance variables of your computer will not be changed.
Therefore, the only situation when you really need to buy a larger power supply unit is when you bought a component that requires more power than is currently available. For example, when you get a new video card that must operate on a 450 PSU and the one you already have is not enough, you will improve your computer productivity by installing a new one. However, it will not be the power supply unit that increases the performance itself, but the video card that works thanks to it. The more robust power supply will enable its functioning, and in this way, it will indirectly enhance the computer’s productivity.
The Essential Concerns with the PSU
The most significant concern with the PSU is to provide enough power to make all the elements inside a computer work properly. Typically, when you purchase a new PC, it has a built-in power supply unit powerful enough for all the included components to operate. However, when after some time you want to upgrade your computer, and you install some new elements, the power supply may not be sufficient. Most commonly, it is the case with the hard drive or the graphic card. A great strategy of buying a PSU would be not only adapting it your current needs but trying to predict how much more power you will need in the future. In this way, you will avoid buying a new one when you enhance your computer with new components.
The issues that are likely to occur when your power supply unit is not enough are:
- The computer shuts down without any reason
- Black screen appears, and the PC is rebooting
- Locking up
- Beeping, then providing a blue screen and rebooting
The PSU’s Efficiency Rating
While choosing a PSU, you should check its efficiency rating. This value is the power outputted to the components of your computer divided by the wattage taken from the wall socket. For example, if a power supply unit is only 50% efficient, it means that half of the wattage it gets is wasted as the heat in the conversion process. What is more, this value is also dependant on the percentage of the rated load that is outputted.
It is strongly recommended to purchase a PSU that has an 80 Plus logo on it because it means it has a certification confirming that this unit’s effectiveness reaches 80% or even more. The good news is that it becomes more and more of a standard, and nowadays, most of the power supplies you find on the market are at least 80 Plus rated.