Top 8 Best 850W Modular PSUs in 2023 – 80+ Gold Certified / RGB / Smart Fan

By | May 22, 2023

The PSU is the one responsible for distributing power to all your components.

The power supply that you should use is robust so that your other PC components will not face power shortage and cause the system to crash or reboot.

An 850W PSU is on the higher side since most budget desktop pcs are made using 550W PSUs. If you are going to install high power components like a powerful graphics card and cpu then you certainly need a high power psu in the range of 850W.

The high end nvidia gpus like RTX 3090, 2080 and those from amd like RX6800 are power hungry gpus that will need a lot of power when under heavy load processing gaming graphics or other 3d applications.

Consider the following build:

  • i9-11900K - 125W
  • RTX 3080Ti/3090 - 350W
  • ATX motherboard
  • 32GB RAM (16gx2)
  • 1TB SSD

Such a system would easily need around 650W. If you overclock, the power requirement would go even up. The best option for such a high end build would be an 850W PSU that can provide sufficient power even under overclocking.

Moreover if you are looking forward to setting up a multi-gpu system like SLI then also the power requirements of the PC shall go up. Though with a 850w psu you can setup a dual gpu setup with an rtx 3060Ti only and no higher. If you plan to use a RTX 3080 or 3090 dual gpu setup then you would need more than 900 watts of power from your cpu.

Other kinds of builds needing higher power supply include those using Ryzen Threadripper 3990X cpus as those are some of the most power hungry cpus.

Corsair HX850i PSU

Corsair HX850i PSU

There are some other components that could draw more power depending on your specific build. For example if you plan to install lots of RGB led strips or custom water cooling loops, they shall need more power compared to ordinary builds.

It should be kept in mind that the system does not draw in that much of power all the time, but only under heavy load or peak conditions, and the psu should be able to provide adequate power under all load conditions.

Higher power psu puts less strain on the internal components of the psu thereby increasing its life-span. Lower power psus will often suffice but will stress their components more to draw higher power when necessary.

A high power PSU also ensures that it will be able to power more components in future that you might be adding or upgrading to, making it future proof.

With that, let's take a look at the top 850W Modular PSUs that will reliably and efficiently power up your PC.

Our Top Picks for Best 850W Modular PSU

Here are some of our top picks for modular psus with 850 watt power supply. These are a mix of semi modular and fully modular designs.

1. Aresgame 850W 80+ Gold Modular PSU (AGK850)

AresGame is a newcomer to the PSU industry. It is looking to take its place in the market where household brands such as Corsair and EVGA are dominating.

With the ARESGAME 850W, they have entered the competition and are here to stay with how much it is undercutting the other PSU in its price range.

Aresgame 850W 80+ Gold Modular PSU (AGK850)

Aresgame 850W 80+ Gold Modular PSU (AGK850)

Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX
  • Wattage: 850W
  • 80+ Gold Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V - 240V
  • Fan: 120mm
  • Protection: OVP, UVP, OPP, SCP, OCP
  • SECC black coating casing, black bushing cables and connectors
  • Honeycomb ventilation design for optimal heat dissipation
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 1x CPU Power 8 pin + 8 (4+4) Pin, 3x Molex Peripheral , 6x SATA , 1x FDD
  • 12 Months Full Refund, 3 Years Limited Warranty

Review

The AGK850 is a quality PSU with groundbreakingly cheap prices. At the first glance, you would be skeptical to invest in a PSU from an unknown brand with a cheap price tag, but do not be fooled. With an 80 Plus Gold Certified rating, the AGK850 can provide up to 90% power efficiency at 100% load.

With its fully modular design, you will not worry about the unused cables tangling around inside your system unit. It also has efficient heat dissipation, meaning more useful power will be produced, instead of being wasted as heat. This also means the fan will be relatively quiet.

2. GAMEMAX 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (RGB-850)

GameMax is on the same boat with Aresgame, in terms of being fresh to the scene. The GameMax RGB-850 provides a stylish and economical way to power your PC. It has a good design, improved by its ARGB functionality.

GAMEMAX 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (RGB-850)

GAMEMAX 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (RGB-850)

Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX12V, ATX
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Gold Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V - 240V
  • Fan: 140mm High AirFlow ARGB Ring Fan
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Under Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Over Current Protection, Input Surge and Inrush Protection
  • High-end SECC black coating casing
  • Honeycomb ventilation design for optimal heat dissipation.
  • Addressable RGB Lighting with Control
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 2x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4), 3x Molex Peripheral, 8x SATA, 1x FDD
  • 3 Years Warranty

Review

The GameMax RGB-850 emphasizes its value and performance rating. It has a powerful single 12V rail that provides decent DC output, which can support a wide range of high-end graphic cards and CPUs. The eye-turning RGB fans along with their honeycomb ventilation do a lot of cooling to the PSU.

You can also rest assured that the RGB-850 is not a risk to your other components with multiple international security standard certificates to its name. Not only that, it is only slightly more expensive than the AGK850, which is still a good deal, considering that it provides a customizable RGB effect. In terms of efficiency, it can also provide up to around 90% of its wattage and a 0.9 active power factor.

3. EVGA SuperNOVA 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (850 P2)

The first PSU with a household name to appear on this list is the EVGA SuperNOVA 850 P2. It has an 80+ Platinum rating, boasting up to 92% efficiency on regular load. It also features a Japanese Capacitor design that enhances the PSU's longevity because it uses high-quality electrolytes.

EVGA SuperNOVA 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (850 P2)

EVGA SuperNOVA 850W Fully Modular Power Supply (850 P2)

Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX12V and EPS12V
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Platinum Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V - 240V
  • Fan: 140mm Double Ball Bearing fan
  • 100% Japanese Capacitor Design
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Under Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Over Current Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 2x 6 PCI-E Pin, 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4), 4x Peripheral, 10x SATA, 1x FDD
  • EVGA 10 Year Warranty With Registration

Review

The SuperNOVA 850 P2 is expensive, but in terms of how reliable and efficient its performance is, it is justified. It also has a stable 12V rail that blows away other competitors in its category. The fan scales well even if you amped up the load of the PSU to up to 90%.

It reaches the 35 dBA point only when the load is at 100%. This is made possible by its high-quality dual-ball bearing fan that will not spin until it reaches higher loads.

Another point of interest is EVGA's 10 Year Warranty. This shows how confident EVGA is with their product, indicating that it can last you for many years and can outlast many of your other PC components.

4. Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 850W Fully Modular Power Supply

Another powerhouse for PC components, Thermaltake approached the PSU market by being among the first ones to incorporate RGB lighting into the PSUs and that's what they did to this model. The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 850W has a bright 14-LED RGB ring fan that has 5 different lighting modes, which can be controlled with a button.

Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 850W Fully Modular Power Supply

Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 850W Fully Modular Power Supply

Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX, ATX 12V v2.4 and EPS v2.92
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Gold Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V - 240V
  • Fan: 140mm Hydraulic Bearing RGB Fan
  • Ultra Quiet Smart Zero Fan
  • Side Ventilation Design
  • 100% Japanese Capacitor Design
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Under Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, and Over Current Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 6x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4), 4x Peripheral (4 pin), 12x SATA, 1x FDD
  • 10 Year Warranty

Review

It features an Ultra Quiet Smart Zero Fan that only starts when the load is at 20%. This setting can be turned off with a switch that is located on the PSU itself. It has a sturdy design that is also maximized for airflow by putting vents at the side of the PSU. Its cables are also flat, and since it is also fully modular, it means that it will not be an obstruction inside your system unit.

With its 80 Plus Gold rating, it promises up to around 90% efficiency with higher loads. It also features a low ripple noise, not exceeding 30 mV. This means that the periodic variation of the DC voltage is not high and will not affect other components with voltage spikes.

Thermaltake is known for its vibrant colors that it applies to its different PC components. Coupled with the Toughpower Grand RGB 850W's strong and efficient performance, this PSU is a must-buy for users who value form at the same level as functionality.

5. ASUS ROG Thor 850W Fully-Modular Power Supply

Republic of Gamers (ROG) is the flagship brand of ASUS, targeted towards a subset of their usual customers, gamers. The Thor product line is the first PSUs that Asus had ever released. Consistent with ROGs premium and high-end branding, the OEM for this product is Seasonic.

ASUS ROG Thor 850W Fully-Modular Power Supply

ASUS ROG Thor 850W Fully-Modular Power Supply

Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX, ATX 12V
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Platinum Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V - 240V
  • Fan: 135mm Patented ASUS Wing-blade Fan
  • Asus Aura Sync Compatible RGB Lighting
  • OLED Power Display
  • 100% Japanese Capacitor Design
  • Sleeved Cables
  • ROG Heatsink
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, and Over Temperature Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4), 5x Peripheral (4 pin), 12x SATA, 1x FDD, 2x RGB sync cables
  • 10 Year Warranty

Review

From the first glance, you'd know that the ROG Thor 850W PSU towers are above the rest in terms of aesthetics. With its real-time power draw monitoring using OLED Power Display and its Aura Sync ARGB illumination, they make the exterior design of the Thor 850W premium. The ARGB lighting is highly customizable with Asus' accompanying program, Aura Sync.

The interior is just as strong as the exterior, if not more. They enhanced the heatsink configuration so that the speed of the fan will not ramp up and make noise. The fan that the Thor 850W uses is Asus' own wing-blade fan, which utilizes the thermal sensors of the PSU for smart speed adjusting.

It also features Japanese capacitors, which makes power conversion more reliable. As a testament to that, the DC output, when tested, provided a peak value of around 20mV ripple noise on the 12V rail and about 5 mV lower for the lower voltage rails.

The cherry on top for this PSU is its 10-year warranty, meaning Asus ROG is confident that they can maintain this high-level performance for a long time without malfunctioning.

Elite exterior aesthetic, strong build quality, almost non-existent noise levels on moderate loads, excellent and efficient power performance, and innovations that advance the competition, you could not ask any more from a PSU with Asus ROG's entry to the market.

The only drawback for this unit is its price, with it being the most expensive PSU on this list. But Asus' flagship brand ROG is not marketed for budget enthusiasts anyway. Its goal is to provide high-end and premium products, like the Thor 850W.

6. Rosewill Glacier 850W Modular Power Supply

Like the first two entries, this PSU from Rosewill is aimed towards the budget category. This 80+ Bronze Certified PSU can produce up to 87% power efficiency as promised by Rosewill. The OEM for this is Rosewill's own Rosewill Direct.

Rosewill Glacier 850W Modular Power Supply

Rosewill Glacier 850W Modular Power Supply

Features

  • Semi-Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.92
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Bronze Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V-240V
  • Fan: 135mm Aero-Diversion Fan with Auto Fan Speed Control
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Over Current Protection, Under Voltage Protection, and Over Temperature Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 4x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 1x CPU 12V 8 pin, 1x CPU 12V 4+4 pin, 6x Molex Peripheral (4 pin), 8x SATA, 2x FDD
  • 3 Year Warranty

Review

The Rosewill Glacier Series 850W can provide enough wattage for a decent PC build without difficulty. With its 135mm Aero-Diversion Fan, it is designed to have low noise levels on moderate loads. It has an Intelligent Thermal Operation that automatically adjusts the fan speed in response to varying temperatures. It also has a 3-year warranty if you're not satisfied with Rosewill's product.

This model is also the first semi-modular form to appear on this list. It means that the basic cables that are often used for most PC builds are not detachable while the other cables are.

7. NZXT 850 Watt Power Supply (C850)

NZXT's entry to this list is with the C850M 850W 80+ Gold. The C850M features a reliable and efficient power performance. The C850M is manufactured by NZXT's C-series manufacturer, Seasonic.

NZXT 850 Watt Power Supply (C850)

NZXT 850 Watt Power Supply (C850)

Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX, ATX12V v2.4 / EPS12V v2.92
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Gold Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V-240V
  • Fan: 120mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan
  • Sleeved Main Cables
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Over Current Protection, Under Voltage Protection, and Over Temperature Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 2x CPU power (4+4 pin), 6x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 6x Peripherals, 8x SATA
  • 10 Year Warranty

Review

The C850M is a solid role-player in the mid-range PSU category. It has a simple black exterior and design which goes well with minimalist builds. The interior also has a nice build quality. It has a lower capacity bulk cap that greatly affects hold-up time.

It also offers low noise levels on low loads. This is made possible by its 120mm fluid-dynamic bearing fan. It also extends the life of its fan with these adjustments. The efficiency for this 80+ Gold Certified PSU can reach up to around 90% on 50% to 100% load.

It might pale in comparison to other PSUs in terms of aesthetic and flashy features, but the C850M is still a solid investment for those who value functionality over form.

8. Corsair RMX Series 850W Power Supply (RM850x)

Corsair originally started off producing memory-related products such as RAMs. They eventually tried to expand and their next venture is towards PSUs, which they also became known for, releasing good market competitors consecutively. One of those is the RM850x 850W 80+ Gold.

Corsair RMX Series 850W Power Supply (RM850x)

Corsair RMX Series 850W Power Supply (RM850x)

Features

  • Fully Modular
  • Form Factor: ATX, ATX12V v2.4 / EPS12V v2.92
  • Wattage: 850W
  • Efficiency Rating: 80 Plus Gold Certified
  • VAC Input: 100V-240V
  • Fan: 140mm Rifle Bearing Fan
  • Zero RPM Mode
  • 100% Japanese Capacitor Design
  • Sleeved and Flat Cables
  • Protection: Over Voltage Protection, Over Power Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Under Voltage Protection, and Over Temperature Protection
  • Connectors: 1x Mainboard Power (20+4 Pin), 6x PCI-E (6+2 Pin), 2x CPU 12V 8 pin (4+4), 8x Peripheral (4 pin), 6x SATA, 4x SATA, 2x FDD
  • 10 Year

Review

The Corsair RM850x is a mid-range PSU and gives tight voltage control for each component. With an 80+ Gold rating, it is expected to have around 90% efficiency and maybe even more. This is made possible by its use of 100% Japanese Capacitors Design.

It also implements Corsair's special Zero RPM Fan Mode, where the fan stops operating on low to medium loads. The fan will start when it detects higher heat dissipation.

Corsair's approach with this product is to keep it simple and focus on optimizing the factors where a PSU should stand out. It managed to find a balance of good power performance, high build quality, low noise levels, and a decent price tag.

In other words, the Corsair RM850x 850W 80+ Gold Certified exhibits all the qualifications of a good PSU.

Conclusion

Choosing a Power Supply Unit is not as complicated as the PC building community makes it out to be. Once you know the power requirement of your PC, you just have to be aware of how the efficiency calculation works. Make sure you leave an allowance for future upgrades and maximizing the ability of your whole set-up.

Do not get me wrong, it is not complicated but it is definitely crucial. A malfunctioning PSU is not only a danger to your PC components but also to your own safety. By investing in a good PSU, you are essentially investing in every component of your PC. You're extending their life expectancy by preventing them from being vulnerable to power surges from a defective PSU.

They might not be the most visually appealing component for your PC, however, it still carries the huge burden of how your PC operates, so it would be in your best interest to make an informed decision about the PSU that you'll be trusting your components with.

Category: PSUs
About Silver Moon

A Tech Enthusiast, Blogger, Linux Fan and a Software Developer. Writes about Computer hardware, Linux and Open Source software and coding in Python, Php and Javascript. He can be reached at [email protected].

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