High-wattage power supplies rated at 1000 W or more are made for PCs with a top-end graphics card, a many-core processor or a lot of storage. Our range runs from 1000 W units up to a 3000 W model, from brands such as Lian Li, Montech, DeepCool and Corsair.
How to choose a high-wattage power supply
Wattage. Add up the peak draw of the graphics card and processor, then leave headroom for power spikes and future upgrades. Many models in our range are 1000 W, with 1200 W and 1600 W units for dual-GPU or workstation builds and a single 3000 W model for specialist use. Buying far more than you need brings no extra speed.
Efficiency rating. Our range includes 80 PLUS Gold, Platinum and Titanium units. A higher tier wastes less energy as heat, which usually means lower electricity use and less fan noise under load. The step from Gold to Platinum is modest, so it matters most for PCs that run for many hours a day.
Connectors and cables. Count the drives you plan to fit: models here offer from 5 to 16 SATA power connectors and from 1 to 8 four-pin Molex connectors. Many recent high-end graphics cards use the 12VHPWR or 12V-2x6 connector, so check that the power supply has a native cable for it rather than relying on an adaptor. Modular cabling keeps unused cables out of the case.
Mains input and fit. Most units listed accept 100 to 240 V, which covers South African mains, and a few are limited to 200 to 240 V, which also suits it. Check the length of the unit against the space in your case, because high-wattage models are often deeper than standard ones.
High-wattage power supply brands we carry
- Lian Li: known for aluminium PC cases and addressable RGB cable lighting, which shows in its focus on build looks.
- Corsair: long-established maker of PC power supplies, memory and cooling, with several well-known PSU families.
- be quiet!: German brand that built its name on low-noise power supplies and coolers.
- ASUS: its ROG power supplies are aimed at gaming builds and some models include a small display for power readings.
- DeepCool: best known for CPU air coolers and PC cases, and also makes power supplies.
- Phanteks: a case and cooling specialist whose power supplies suit its own enclosures.
- MSI, Gigabyte and ASRock: better known for motherboards and graphics cards, they offer power supplies that pair with their own components.
Also in our range: Montech, Gamemax and Darkflash.
High-wattage power supply FAQ
Is a 1000 W power supply enough for a gaming PC?
Yes, 1000 W is enough for most gaming PCs, including many with a high-end graphics card and a modern processor. Check the recommended power figure for your graphics card and add headroom for spikes. A 1200 W or larger unit is only needed for very demanding or multi-GPU builds.
Is 80 PLUS Platinum worth paying more than Gold?
Platinum is worth it mainly if the PC runs for long hours or under heavy load. It wastes slightly less energy than Gold, which can mean a little less heat and fan noise. For occasional gaming, a Gold unit gives most of the benefit.
Does a higher-wattage power supply use more electricity?
No, a power supply only draws what the PC needs, plus a small loss from conversion. A 1000 W unit in a PC that needs 400 W will not draw 1000 W. Efficiency is usually best at around the middle of the load range, so a very oversized unit can be slightly less efficient at idle.
Do I need a power supply with a 12VHPWR connector?
You need one if your graphics card uses the 12VHPWR or 12V-2x6 power connector and you want to avoid an adaptor. Many recent high-end graphics cards use it, while older cards use the standard 8-pin PCIe cables. Check your card's power connector before choosing the power supply.
