Desktop PC Power Requirements

What are your desktop PC power requirements? From basic office computers to high end gaming rigs, learn how to choose your computer power supply wattage here.

How much power does my computer need? This question has asked since computer pioneers were tinkering with their 8086 PCs in the late 1970s.

A simple (but crude) solution is to splurge on a high wattage power supply. While a 1,500 watt monster is able to deliver enough power for almost all imaginable situations, it's going to burn a deep hole in your pockets.

A much better method is to determine your computer's maximum power consumption and match it with the correct PC power supply wattage. To make sure that a power supply is able to deliver its rated wattage, it should have been tested to full load by Ecova (80 Plus Certified) or a credible review site.

By popular request, we shall also recommend the best and most suitable power supplies for each computer type.

A high wattage power supply doesn't consume more electricity than a low wattage unit. Whether you have a 500 or 1,000 Watt power supply, it's still going to draw the same amount of power from the wall.

Budget Computer

Purpose: web surfing, email, office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), listening to music, viewing images, watching videos.

Components

Lowest End CPU (Intel Celeron)
Low End Motherboard
RAM Module x 1
3.5" Hard Disk Drive
DVD-RW Drive
Case Fan x 1

37 W
25 W
3 W
9 W
27 W
6 W

Budget Computer Power Requirements

117 Watts

Mid Range Computer

Purpose: web surfing, email, office applications, listening to music, viewing images, watching high resolution videos, light gaming, light graphics editing

Components

Mid End CPU (Intel Core i5)
Mid End Motherboard
RAM Modules x 2
Low End Graphics Card (Under $125)
Solid State Drive
3.5" Hard Disk Drive
DVD-RW Drive
Case Fans x 2

95 W
40 W
6 W
86 W
3 W
9 W
27 W
12 W

Mid Range Computer Power Requirements

278 Watts

Gaming Computer

Purpose: heavy gaming, heavy graphics editing, overclocking, moderate virtualization, web surfing, listening to music, viewing images, watching high resolution videos

Components

High End CPU (Intel Core i7)
Aftermarket CPU Heatsink Fan
High End Motherboard
RAM Modules x 2
High End Graphics Card ($251 to $400)
Dedicated Sound Card
Solid State Drive
3.5" Hard Disk Drive
Blu ray Drive
Case Fans x 4

95 W
12 W
80 W
6 W
258 W
15 W
3 W
9 W
30 W
24 W

Gaming PC Power Requirements

532 Watts

Home Theater PC

Purpose: watching high resolution videos, streaming online videos, viewing photos, listening to music, playing optical discs (CDs, VCDs, DVDs, Blu ray discs)

Components

Low End CPU (Intel Core i3)
Mid End Motherboard
RAM Module x 1
Dedicated Sound Card
3.5" Hard Disk Drive
Blu ray Drive
Case Fans x 2

73 W
40 W
3 W
15 W
9 W
30 W
12 W

Home Theater PC Power Requirements

182 Watts

Recommended Power Supplies

Budget Computer: EVGA 500 BR 80+ Bronze 500W

Mid Range Computer: Cooler Master MWE 550 Gold 550W

Gaming Computer: Corsair RM850x 80+ Gold 850W

Home Theater PC: Seasonic Focus SGX-500 80+ Gold 500W

Click here for our buyer's guide to the best computer power supplies.

POWER SUPPLY GUIDE

Like and Share