Power supplies

The power supplies category covers both PC power supply units and the equipment that protects and distributes electricity: modular and non-modular ATX units, online and line-interactive uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and rack power distribution units (PDUs). They suit gaming PCs, workstations, servers and professional offices.

For a PC power supply unit, compare the wattage with your components, above all the graphics card, the 80 Plus efficiency rating (Gold, Platinum), the form factor (ATX or SFX) and cable modularity, which keeps the case tidy. For a UPS, look at the VA and watt ratings, the type of operation and the number of outlets; for a PDU, the number and type of sockets and the rack format. Brands include Corsair, ASUS, be quiet!, APC, Eaton and Thermaltake.