Don’t know if your PSU has a high enough wattage to handle any future upgrades? Checking your PSU wattage is easy, especially with this handy guide detailing everything you need to know.
Why Do I Need to Know My PSU Wattage?
The power supply is an essential component of any gaming PC. Just as the name suggests, the PSU supplies power to other hardware, ensuring they perform without any throttling or surges. No two power supplies are the same with models sporting varying wattages, designed to suit a wide range of needs from gaming to content creation. But why would you need to know your PSU wattage?
Say you’re looking to treat yourself to a few upgrades. Your GPU and processors are a little worse for wear and you just can’t reach the level of performance you desire anymore. This is where knowing your power supply’s wattage is essential.
Upgrading your PC isn’t just about picking the most shiny or powerful piece of kit. You need to make sure all your components work in sync. For example, an insufficient PSU that doesn’t deliver the power required can result in system instability, unplanned restarts, throttling, power surges, and even hardware damage.
Are you struggling to find out your PC’s power requirement? We have a dedicated guide designed to help you with this very thing!
How to Find Out Your PSU Wattage
There are three ways you can find out your PSU wattage – physically checking the PSU label, via a third-party software, or by looking at your system specifications displayed on the manufacturer’s website.
Physically Check the Power Supply Label
The easiest and most reliable way to find your PSU wattage is by checking the actual power supply itself. Before you do anything here, it’s vital you turn your PC off. Also make sure the PSU switch is turned off and unplug the power cable. This ensures your safety and protects you against unwanted nasty shocks.
After this, it’s time to locate your PSU. Please be aware that you may need a screwdriver to remove the side panel from your case. If you’re struggling to spot your power supply, it is typically located at either the top or bottom of the case.
Once you’ve located your PSU, find the label on the side of unit. This label will detail the brand, model, and wattage. For example, a Kolink Regulator 850W.
Use a Third-Party Software
Alternatively, if you aren’t confident about opening your PC case, you can use a third-party software to estimate your PC’s power consumption. This won’t tell you your exact PSU wattage, but they can be helpful to determine whether your current PSU is supplying enough power.
As there’s no built-in feature included in Windows, in our example we’ll be using Open Hardware Monitor. This is specialised software designed to deliver detailed hardware performance stats, including your PC’s power consumption.
To use Open Hardware Monitor, simply download and install the software. Follow the on-screen instructions to successfully run the software. Once it’s completed, you’ll see detailed information about the power usage of your CPU, GPU, and other components in watts (W). Again, it won’t show you your PSU wattage, but this can be helpful if you aren’t sure about your PC’s power requirements.
Check PC Specifications or Purchase History
Our last step is for all those organised folks or those who have purchased a pre-built PC .
If you’ve purchased a pre-built gaming PC from a manufacturer, you can simply refer back to the online webpage for your chosen computer and look through the specification to find out the wattage of the PSU.
For example, if you brought an OcUK Mach 3 Pre-Built, you could head over to its dedicated product page, scroll down through the specification table and locate the PSU. In this instance, you would see it comes equipped with a 650W PSU with an 80 PLUS Bronze rating.
Alternatively, if you’re one of those smart cookies who kept all their records, receipts, and purchase history (could never be me), you may be able to find information about your PSU and wattage there.
In Need of a PSU Upgrade?
Have you discovered that your PSU wattage is quite enough to power all your high-end components? At Overclockers UK, you are sure to find the perfect upgrade with a huge selection of PSUs in a range of wattages and 80 PLUS ratings available.
We’ve highlighted some of our top picks below, but you can also explore our full range of power supplies by clicking the button.
Phanteks AMP-GH 750W White ATX Power Supply
- Modular form factor
- 750W capacity
- 80 PLUS Gold rating
- ATX 3.0 compatible
- PCIe 5.0 compatibility
Kolink Regulator 850W Modular Power Supply
- Modular form factor
- 850W capacity
- 80 PLUS Gold rating
- PCIe 5.0 compatible
- ATX 3.0 support
Corsair RM850x 850W ATX Power Supply
- Modular form factor
- 850W capacity
- 80 PLUS Gold rating
- ATX 3.0 compatible
- PCIe 5.0 support
Learn More About Your Power Supply
What Was Your PSU Wattage?
Did you find out your PSU wattage? Is it enough or are you perhaps in need of an upgrade? Let us know in the comments.
- 5 min read
Ruth Rowley
Author
Ruth has been with Overclockers UK for over a year and has gone on to write about everything ranging from in-depth hardware guides to monthly game releases.
Outside of writing blog posts, she can be found wrapped in a blanket with her black cat, engrossed in a book or playing life-simulation games such as The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing.
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