Too often, people skimp on their power supply purchase, choosing a low-quality unit that may not be able to handle the load or may fail prematurely. This can lead to costly repairs or even a complete computer rebuild. If you don’t want to suffer that fate, then you’ll want to ensure you pick one of the best 650 W PSUs to power your rig.

A good power supply unit must be able to handle the load of all the other components in the system and provide stable power without any voltage fluctuations or surges. So, before blowing your budget on a fancy high-end GPU, make sure to include a quality PSU on your list. That’s not as daunting as you might think, as we’ve rounded up the best 650 W power supplies for you.

Our Picks for the Best 650 W PSUs

1. EVGA Supernova 650 P2

EVGA’s Supernova P2 is an older power supply, but it still delivers where it counts. Its 80 PLUS Platinum efficiency, excellent electrical performance, and 10-year warranty are still among the best power supplies in this range.

Electrical performance is definitely the highlight here. The P2 boasts tight load regulation, with all PSU rails running at near-perfect voltages. Deviation is kept to a minimum and is consistently good across various power loads, too. This is nearly as good as it gets.

The P2’s ripple suppression was class-leading when it launched and still holds up well now. The chart below shows that the P2’s ripple is comfortably below the recommended 50 mV and 120 mV tolerances for the 5 and 12-volt rails respectively.

Efficiency is another of the P2’s strong suits. Testing shows between 91% and 94% efficiency at 50% load, which only dips slightly to 91% at full tilt. It’s a solid performer, no matter what you throw at it. You also get the requisite safety features, such as over-voltage and over-power protection, and a large dynamic ball-bearing fan to keep fan noise low.

The P2 has a fully modular design, allowing you to easily adjust and customize your power cables to optimize space efficiency. Modular power supplies are the natural choice for cable management, and you’ll also be pleased to know that the P2 has strong aftermarket cable support if you’re keen on customization, taking customization up a gear.

Overall, the EVGA Supernova P2 is an excellent power supply that continues to impress despite its age. EVGA has newer power supplies like P5 and the P6, but the P2 offers tried-and-tested performance and power delivery. If you want a safe bet, the 650 W P2 is the EVGA PSU for you.

2. Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 650 W

Thermaltake’s Toughpower GF1 650 W boasts near-silent operation, Platinum-equalling efficiency, and a decade’s warranty, all while regularly selling for well below $100. Want a high-quality PSU without breaking the bank? This is an almost untouchable deal.

Despite costing significantly less than some high-end 650 W power supply units, the GF1 650 W’s voltage regulation still holds up exceptionally well. It’s not as consistent as some pricier models, but deviations are well within spec. Can you get better? Sure, but you’ll have to pay dearly for the privilege.

The GF1’s standout feature is its high efficiency. Despite only having an 80 PLUS Gold efficiency rating, tests show that the GF1 can hit 95% efficiency and generally stays above the 90% efficiency threshold regardless of load. This exceeds its Gold efficiency rating and puts it on par with Platinum-rated PSUs. Impressive, especially considering the price.

A 140-mm fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) cooling fan keeps the Toughpower GF1 cool. By default, the GF1’s fan runs in a semi-passive mode, only activating above 30% load. You can disable this if you want active cooling at low loads, although you likely won’t need to. The GF1’s 100%

Japanese capacitors should run happily without cooling at lower power loads.
Overall, Thermaltake’s Toughpower GF1 650 W does exceptionally well at the basics and does so at a good price. Some competitors might have better electrical performance, marginally quieter performance, or more appealing aesthetics, but you’ll likely have to pay significantly more for marginal improvements.

If you want a power supply that ticks all the right boxes at a good price, Thermaltake’s Toughpower GF1 650 W is hard to beat. Want more bling? The Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 ARGB 650 W adds an ARGB fan for subtle RGB lighting.

3. Corsair RM650x

Corsair’s RM650x has a lot going for it. Solid build quality, 80 PLUS Gold efficiency, and great electrical performance combine with excellent low-noise operation to create a compelling option for those after a quiet 650 W PSU.

Corsair isn’t being complacent with its PSUs. The RM650x has always been a good PSU, but the 2021 version we’re discussing here is even better. Corsair reduced the fan size by 5 millimeters while improving cooling performance, all while fine-tuning the zero-RPM semi-passive mode to work at both low and medium loads. This makes the new RM650x a great low-noise power supply for a silent PC build.

Of course, noise is only part of the equation. Thankfully, the RM650x’s electrical performance and power delivery are just as good as ever. Guru3D’s testing shows that the RM650x stays well within the voltage limits on all rails, so you shouldn’t have any stability issues here.

Like most of Corsair’s PSUs, the RM650x boasts top-notch build quality. Corsair packed the RM650x with 100% Japanese capacitors to ensure longevity and high-temperature stability. These capacitors are coupled with an improved ten-year warranty, showing Corsair’s extreme confidence in its refreshed PSUs.

If there’s one issue with the RM650x, it’s the price. At around $130 before discounts, the RM650x costs nearly as much as some Platinum and Titanium-rated PSUs. However, we believe that the RM650x’s solid electrical performance, extended warranty. and low-noise operation make it one of the best power supplies out there.

4. EVGA Supernova 650GM

EVGA’s Supernova 650GM is one of many SFX power supplies out there, but it stands out for its combination of solid features, good performance, and compelling price. It’s not the outright best 600-650 W SFX power supply you can buy, but it’s a good overall package that will work for many.

The Supernova 650GM is a solid performer, if not necessarily a class leader. Load regulation on the 12 V rail is solid, only beaten by a small number of other models. While a 0.61% deviation may look like a lot, it’s well within spec and isn’t a cause for concern.

Ripple suppression on the 12-volt rail isn’t quite as good compared to other SFX PSUs, although it’s once again within spec. But while the Supernova 650GM can’t quite compete with Corsair’s SF600 Platinum, the EVGA’s increased power output gives it an advantage if you need the extra juice.

Other advantages that the Supernova 650GM has over its Corsair competitor include an FDB fan and noticeably lower noise output (including a semi-passive mode). Combined with the lower price and identical warranty, we think the slightly poorer electrical performance is a sacrifice worth making.

EVGA’s Supernova 650GM may not have the greatest electrical performance in its class, but it occupies a sweet spot of price, performance, and wattage that makes it a valuable pick for anyone building a mid-power small form factor rig.

5. Thermaltake Smart BX1 650 W

Thermaltake’s Smart BX1 650 W proves that a budget pick PSU doesn’t have to be devoid of quality features. Despite the ultra-competitive price tag, Thermaltake has ensured that the BX1 is a safe unit with great components and laudable levels of efficiency.

At this price point, it’s crucial to ensure that the PSU you buy has solid electrical performance. Many budget PSUs have sub-par electricals because they’re built to hit a low price point. But that’s not something you have to worry about with the BX1.

ETeknix’s testing shows that the BX1’s voltage regulation is safe and solid. Deviation across the rails is within the safe limits. In fact, it’s under 1% for some rails, which is impressive for a budget unit. Note that while these numbers are from the costlier ARGB version, we’ve not seen anything to suggest that the underlying circuitry differs between the RGB and non-RGB BX1s.

We can also extend that level of confidence to its ripple suppression abilities. Ripple is acceptable, only approaching the limits above 80% load. Sure, ripple is higher than what you would come across in more expensive choices, but the important thing is that they don’t exceed ATX specifications.

The BX1’s efficiency is also better than what its 80 PLUS rating would suggest. Its capability to achieve 85% efficiency at some load levels puts it close to Silver levels of efficiency, which is respectable for a Bronze-rated budget PSU.

The Thermaltake BX1 power supply impresses with its componentry, too. You get a fluid dynamic bearing fan in place of the cheap rifle-bearing design standard in budget PSUs. You also get a Japanese-made Nichicon for the main capacitor, which is another plus point at this price.

Is the Thermaltake Smart BX1 650 W perfect? Of course not. Compromises such as 80 PLUS Bronze efficiency, a semi-modular design, and a shorter five-year warranty betray the BX1’s budget-oriented nature. However, these are acceptable downsides, and the BX1 performs where it matters. It’s one of the best power supplies out there for less than $60.

Closing Thoughts

The power supply unit may seem the most pedestrian-looking component in a build, but it’s actually one of the most important. Get it right, and it could run reliably for years, enduring through multiple new rigs or rebuilds. Get it wrong, and it could fry your rig or, even worse, explode. It’s something not to compromise on.

If you want the best 650 W power supply, EVGA’s SuperNova P2 is the power supply to get. Great electricals and a 10-year warranty make it tough to beat, even if it’s an older model. But if you’re on a tighter budget, Thermaltake’s Toughpower GF1 650 W regularly retails for below $100 and performs almost just as well.

Need more power? Check out our list of the best 750 W PSUs instead.