If you are purchasing a power supply for the first time or need to upgrade to a device with more power, you should pay close attention to the power supply rating system.
Most power supplies you can buy today are 80 Plus certified, but not all power supplies are created equal, and there is more to the rating than you might think. Although this is a voluntary certification program and not a legal requirement for appliances, it does mean that the product has been independently verified, giving you confidence in its quality.
Some of the best power supplies on the market have achieved the highest 80 Plus certification, but a power supply must meet several criteria to achieve this rating. It should be emphasized that the most expensive option on the market is not necessarily the best in terms of rating. Especially when you consider the different powers available and the brands that make them.
Let’s take a closer look at this energy rating system, including the full scope of the certification, what it means, warnings, and more. This includes an overview of non-modular, semi-modular, and full options depending on power. A quality power supply can last up to 10 years (or more), so it’s important to choose the right choice for the long term.
What is the classification system for power supplies?
Many, but not all, power supplies are certified under the 80 Plus certification system, which assigns six different ratings to power supplies.
There are 80 Plus, 80 Plus Bronze, 80 Plus Gold, 80 Plus Platinum and 80 Plus Titanium. This is useful for converting precious metals into strengths, which is convenient because they are color coded to make it easier to understand at a glance.
For more than 20 years, the 80 Plus rating system has measured the energy efficiency of power supplies. This naming convention is in place because the power supply must be at least 80% current. It has been tested at 10% (Platinum only), 20%, 50% and 100% load, and performance figures are provided numerically.
Initially there were only three levels: bronze, silver and gold, but as technology advanced and power supplies became larger and more energy efficient, the levels were expanded to platinum in 2009 and titanium in 2012.
The ultimate goal is to achieve 100% efficiency as much as possible. But we are not there yet. Traditional testing focuses on 50% load to determine a stable midpoint between a minimum 20% load and 100% full performance (although this is relatively rare).
interesting, 80 Plus Ruby was released in March 2025. This is the latest certification for power supplies that are intended only for use in data center servers (not consumer computers). This is the first major development of the system in 13 years and means future power supplies could reach the desired 100% efficiency. The 80 Plus Ruby is said to achieve 96.5% efficiency, so its completion rate is about 3.6%.
How does the 80 Plus rating affect power supply prices?
More expensive power supplies usually have higher 80 Plus certification, but this is not always guaranteed. This is because some devices with higher wattage (or different form factors) may include additional features beyond energy efficiency. Therefore, it is important to know what approximate price range you should pay, the average wattage typically associated with a power supply, and which models are high quality models.
First, let’s talk about non-80 Plus certified power supplies. Many of the cheaper power supplies on the market do not have this certification at all. This is because this certification system is a voluntary measure of competency and not a legal requirement. We recommend using only tested and approved power supplies.
Most entry-level power supplies from reputable manufacturers are 80 Plus Bronze certified, with cheaper options from Corsair, MSI, and GameMax available. Although not typical, they typically range from 500 to 750 wattage and cost between $50 and $80.
80 Plus Gold is the next step up and is usually found in mid to high power models from more reliable manufacturers. Essentially, you’re paying $70 to $150 or more more for energy efficiency, depending on total power output and available form factor.
You can realistically spend a minimum of $100 on an 80 Plus Platinum power supply. However, some manufacturers often charge double (or triple) this amount. Some lower-end models like the LC-POWER 850W Fully Modular cost around $100 for the 80 Plus Platinum, while more established models like the Corsair SF850 Fully Modular can be purchased for around $200 depending on the year (whether they are ATX 3.1 compatible, etc.).
Additionally, higher-power power supplies often have an 80 plus platinum rating and are more energy efficient under moderate loads. This becomes apparent when you look at the Corsair HX1500i Fully Modular and the NZXT C1500 Platinum, but you’ll still have to pay over $300 for each model, even though there are cheaper options available with similar power. It’s all about the balance between price and performance, and you’re likely to get more bang for your buck with an 80 Plus Gold power supply than an equivalent platinum power supply.
By using an 80 Plus Titanium rated power supply, you again pay more for energy efficiency. Naturally, you’ll have to pay more to get one with better reviews in terms of effectiveness (and durability), especially from a reputable manufacturer. For example, larger bricks will exceed this ratio.
This can be checked using and. Although it is not uncommon, premium high-performance bricks often receive this designation.
How important is 80 Plus certification for a power supply?
The 80 Plus rating system is completely voluntary and does not require a company to commit energy. Some of the best power supply brands are actually committed to independent testing, combining verification into an easy-to-understand rating system. Because this is a great way for consumers to know that they are purchasing a quality product.
Compliance is common (though not always guaranteed) for almost all power supplies made by Be Quiet, Corsair, Cooler Master, Enermax, Fractal Design, Gigabyte, Lian-Li, MSI, NZXT, Seasonic, Silverstone, etc.
Latest Posts July 2024 80 Plus Test FAQ PDF Document. Let’s take a closer look at how a power supply is tested and what judgments determine its final rating.
This involves measuring the input voltage at open connectors C19 and C14 and specifying the frequencies at which the device will be tested. This includes observing non-overload testing at 50V and internal repeatability testing at 60Hz, with the voltage depending on whether it is EU (230V) or North American (230V and 277/480V).
The power supply used in testing power supplies is also known. This is the Amtek MX45-3PI-480-HV 45kVA three-phase solid-state power supply that is used for testing at 115V and 230V. Croma 61845 45kVA three-phase voltage supply is used for testing 277V, 480V and 380V DC. This is done by the Yokogawa WT3000E power analyzer using various settings and samples of input and output parameters.
CLEAResult also noted that the testing protocol starts at 0% load and then begins recording each workload for 15 minutes. Repeat this process at 10%, 20%, 50% and 100%. If for some reason the power supply fails, the test is stopped and another unit is placed on the bench in place of the first failure. If approved, the data will be used for reporting purposes; In case of failure, the power supply line will not be supported.
Given the comprehensive nature of the testing offered by CLEAResult and the transparency of the process, it is clear that only power supplies of a certain quality meet the 80 Plus certification criteria. Please read the 19 page document carefully for full explanation.
All things considered, we recommend at least the 80 Plus Bronze power supply, while the 80 Plus Gold or 80 Plus Platinum offer better performance for the price. 99.9% of computer users won’t need the 80 Plus Titanium Power Brick, but if you’re looking for a high-performance model, it doesn’t hurt to get it.
Learn more about the capabilities of computer hardware…
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