Best Power Supplies for Compact PC Cases

The Gamemax GS SFX GS-450 power supply provides good efficiency at 85% and meets the 80 Plus Bronze standard. The power subsystem is capable of delivering up to 336 W on the +12 V line, which is enough to build a home and office PC, an HTPC server for watching movies, and an entry-level gaming machine. The design provides standard connectors for a processor (4 + 4 pin) and a video card (6 + 2 pin), for example, Asus GeForce RTX 3060 Dual V2 OC LHR. It is worth noting the virtually silent operation of the cooler (18 - 25 dB) when performing most standard processes. With a small diameter of 80 mm, it is able to create an effective air flow, the power of which is automatically regulated by the AFC smart system. According to the manufacturer, the temperature of the main components does not exceed 50 ⁰C during 24/7 operation.

The Gamemax GS SFX GS-450 80+ power supply unit is made in the SFX form factor, which is aimed at ultra-compact assemblies in Mini Tower or Desktop cases. The width and height are comparable to an average smartphone, and the flow Rate corresponds to full-dimensions models. For the safe operation of components, all the necessary protection systems are implemented both for the general load (OVP, OPP, SCP, OLP) and for individual lines (OTP, OCP). You can buy a power supply unit at a very budget price.

Chieftec Smart BFX is a power supply unit of perhaps the most popular compact SXF standard (not to be confused with SFX-L). It is used both in cube-shaped cases and in thin lying ones. It is built on CWT circuitry with progressive separate DC-DC stabilization of low-voltage lines. There is also Active PFC reactive power compensation: less than 10% of electricity is returned to the socket.

The efficiency is 85% at half load, which corresponds to the 80 PLUS Bronze certificate. It can work in electrical networks from 110 to 220 volts, which is useful even in our area, because the power supply voltage in the socket often drops below the norm, especially in country houses.

It is cooled by an even larger fan than the TFX, with a diameter of 9 cm. In addition to the dual 4+4-pin processor connector and one 8+2-pin video card connector, it has three SATA, two Molex and one Floppy. The latter is sometimes used to power sound cards. The Chieftec Smart BFX can only be criticized for its relatively low warranty - only 2 years.

The Vinga SFX-500G power supply unit in the compact SFX form factor will cope with the power supply of medium-power computer assemblies designed for professional work and gaming. The main +12 V line allows you to connect high-flow Rate processors (for example, AMD Ryzen 9 Vermeer 5950X) and progressive video cards such as Asus GeForce RTX 4060 Ti TUF OC 8GB. The total power can reach 468 W, which is more than enough for normal operation and preventing overheating. A separate 110 W branch is allocated for RAM and peripherals (+3.3 and 5 V). It is worth noting the presence of active PFC, which brings energy efficiency to a fairly high level. The power supply boasts an efficiency rating of 92% and 80 Plus Gold certification.

Vinga SFX-500G cares about the aesthetics of the PC's inner world and takes into account the limited space of compact assemblies in Mini Tower cases with a modular design. The kit includes a basic set of detachable cables, although the actual number of connectors for connection is much greater. One PSU can power 4 SSDs (HDDs) with a SATA interface, provide additional 8-pin power for processors and video cards.

Despite the dense arrangement of all components, the manufacturer managed to avoid overheating. For this, 3 radiators and a fan with a diameter of 92 mm were used at once. The latter stands out for its quiet operation due to its increased dimensions, since about 600 rpm is enough to effectively pump cold air. Among the disadvantages, one can note the ambiguous protection system, which includes only common mechanisms (OVP, OPP, SCP).

The be quiet! SFX Power 3 BN321 450 W power supply unit features a reliable security system that guarantees stable operation of the PC in almost any conditions. In addition to standard control mechanisms (OVP, OPP, SCP), there is a voltage stabilization unit (SIP) that effectively copes with input parameters from 100 to 240 V. The model allows you to avoid power drops thanks to a well-thought-out electronic circuit. The +12 V line is capable of delivering all the declared 450 W, and 85 W are allocated for the periphery. The manufacturer claims that the PSU is capable of withstanding a peak total load of up to 500 W, which makes it suitable for any home, office PC for household and gaming purposes. The SFX form factor is aimed at the most compact Mini Tower cases, as well as interesting assemblies based on Desktop and Cube Case.

be quiet! SFX Power 3 BN321 complies with the 80 Plus Bronze standard. Energy efficiency is at an optimal level due to the use of active PFC, and the efficiency reaches 89%. Thus, the heat dissipation of the components is insignificant and a small 80 mm fan is enough for cooling. The latter is based on an upgraded Rifle plain bearing, is distinguished by low noise (13 dB at 50% load, 34 dB at maximum) and is equipped with an automatic speed control (AFC) system. Among the non-removable cables, you can find all the necessary connectors for the motherboard, the main and additional power supply of the processor (4 + 4 pin), as well as meeting the needs of a mid-range video card (2 lines 6 + 2 pin), for example , MSI GeForce RTX 4060 Ti VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC.

The Sharkoon SilentStorm SFX 500W power supply unit has good energy efficiency, confirmed by 80 Plus Gold certification and an efficiency factor of 90%. High-quality electronic components cope with increased loads due to active PFC, generate a minimum of heat and provide stable current values at the output for safe PC operation. The declared power of 500 W is optimal for basic home tasks, creating a multimedia cinema, and gaming scenarios. The PSU can provide full power for high-flow Rate processors and video cards of the latest generations, if their total power on the +12 V line does not exceed 480 W. A reserve of 105 W is available for connecting peripherals, which is unlikely to be filled.

Sharkoon SilentStorm 500W belongs to the SFX-L category for compact cases, but when choosing the latter, it is worth considering slightly larger dimensions. Thanks to this, a 120 mm fan on a sleeve bearing is placed inside, so you can forget about problems with overheating. A profitable solution is the modular connection of cables, which will allow you to properly organize the internal space of the system unit and simplify self-assembly. The kit includes a complete set of cables, as well as a bracket adapter for installation in standard ATX systems. In terms of safety, Sharkoon SilentStorm SFX 500W provides full control of incoming and outgoing current indicators, overload on individual lines, stabilization of low voltage. The power supply is quite balanced in all respects except for the price, which seems overpriced.