Power supply (PSU) and 80 PLUS

In short: The power supply converts mains voltage from the socket into the computer’s low DC voltages. 80 PLUS rates its efficiency.

In more detail: A power supply with 80 PLUS Gold achieves at least about 87 to 90 % efficiency under load. The rest is lost as heat. At 500 W load and 90 % efficiency it draws 556 W from the socket.

In Depth

• Power: Not the highest wattage is decisive but enough headroom. A PC with a 350 W peak load is fine with a 550 W supply.
• Efficiency levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium.
• Modular: Cables can be plugged in individually, which makes building easier.
• Protection circuits: overvoltage, overcurrent, short circuit (OVP, OCP, SCP).
• Quality: Cheap power supplies can damage components. Look at tests.
• Standby: Switch the supply off or use a power strip (standby consumption).

See also: Cooling and thermal paste, Kilowatt hour (kWh)