When upgrading your PC, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new CPU and GPU and not even consider whether you need a new power supply unit (PSU).
Given how the PSU supplies your PC with its much-needed power, it’s a component you do not want to overlook. So, here are two websites I always use before upgrading to ensure I’m still in the clear, power-wise.
What Is a Power Supply Calculator?
If you’re unsure whether your hardware upgrade requires a new PSU, try a power supply calculator. These websites let you punch in the hardware you want to run, and it’ll tell you the minimum wattage your PSU must output to keep everything powered up. It’s handy if you’re planning a new build, but you can also use them to test out upgrades. Just enter your current hardware, tweak what hardware you want to upgrade, and see how much power you’ll need to run it all.
The 2 Best Power Supply Calculators
While they won’t tell you everything you need to know when buying a PSU, they’ll give you a target wattage at the very least. So, here are two websites I recommend you use to test your new hardware.
OuterVision Power Supply Calculator
If you want to get down to the nitty-gritty details, I recommend the OuterVision power supply calculator. This tool lets you examine minute details to ensure your PSU can handle your specific use case.
How precise is it? For starters, you can manually set the desired CPU clock speed and utilization percentage. You can select up to two graphics cards and tell the website how much you’ll be overvolting them. There are also options for smaller devices, such as USB peripherals, liquid cooling, and system fans.
In short, if you want to go over everything with a fine-tooth comb, the OuterVision calculator is the way to go.
Cooler Master Power Supply Calculator
On the flip side, you have the Cooler Master power supply calculator. This one keeps it short and sweet; enter your CPU, GPUs, RAM, SSDs, HDDs, optical drives, and motherboard, and the website will tell you what wattage you need. There are not as many options as the OuterVision calculator, but if you’re not planning to overclock your hardware and just want a quick and easy figure, it’s an excellent tool.
Power supplies are the unsung heroes of our PCs; without them, our expensive hardware is no more useful than a paperweight. The next time you upgrade your rig, try these tools to see if you need to grab a new PSU or if your current one can handle the job just fine.
