There’s a lot to consider when scouting components for a PC build, but don’t overlook the humble power supply. While not the most glamorous of parts, a quality PSU will provide many years of service, often spanning multiple builds. It pays, therefore, to invest in a robust unit that will stand the test of time.
And that doesn’t mean breaking the bank. It’s possible to find stellar supplies for less than £100 if you shop around. I’ve been browsing the shelves for an upgrade this morning and discovered the MSI MAG A850GL, whose price is cut by a whopping 25% at Amazon UK. That brings the asking fee back down to an all-time-low of £89.98.
MSI MAG A850GL
“Smaller than typical PSUs on the market, this power supply unit that can save space and make it easier to organize cables in the computer case by freeing up more room inside.”
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The US discount is a little smaller, with a 10% reduction bringing cost down to $108.49, while on the continent Amazon France lists a 15% saving at €111. Anytime you can get a quality PSU for roughly £10 per 100W represents a great deal in my book, especially set against the backdrop of rampant inflation in recent years.
For the money you get an 850W Gold-rated, fully modular supply with a native 12VHPWR connector good for powering the latest PCIe 5.0 graphics cards without the need for an adapter. A single 120mm fan keeps the unit cool, and at 140mm x 150mm x 86mm in size, it’s a relatively petite supply that bodes well for cable management.
Speaking of which, MSI bundles flat cables as standard. These include 20+4-pin ATX, two 4+4-pin EPS, 16-pin PCIe 5.0, a quartet of 6+2-pin PCIe, eight SATA and four Molex. The whole package carries a seven-year warranty, too. The specifications suggest a high-quality supply, and digging deeper into technical bits for you, having DC-to-DC conversion for the minor rails and a full-bridge design are good things.
I especially appreciate the compact 140mm depth, enabling it to fit into a wide range of space-constrained chassis. What’s more the PCIe 5.0 cable, ostensibly for Nvidia graphics cards, is capable of delivering the full 600W, meaning it’s good for today and whatever Team Green comes out with tomorrow.
In short, it’s a lot of supply for the money, and an automatic top pick at the reduced price of £89.98. If you’re in the market, our guide on how to choose the right PSU for every PC build will also be of interest.
Club386 is always on the lookout for unmissable PC component bargains. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook to stay up to date with the latest deals, and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to stay abreast of all the developments in the world of tech.
