This article is sponsored by be quiet! This is part 3 in our new PC Building series.
Go to just about any listing for a pre-built gaming pc, and you’ll often see a variation of the same question pop up in the comments: “The specs are nice, but what about the power supply?”
More often than not, that too good to be true deal on a pre-built computer is too good to be true because the manufacturer decided to save money on the power supply. Some manufacturers don’t even list the model of the power supply included in the build — either because they know it’s inferior or they suspect the average consumer doesn’t care.
But you should care about what power supply is in your PC. In fact, the PSU can be the difference between life and death for your rig. A bad power supply can brick (severely damage) your computer, while a great power supply allows you to get the most out of your components and even explore the wonderful world of overclocking (running your components faster than intended for better performance).
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The problem is that there’s just not a lot of information out there to help those who want to separate inferior power supplies from superior power supplies. It’s not all about the watts; there are just some power supplies that are better manufactured than others.
That’s why we decided to rely on the Pure Power 11 700W CM from be quiet! for our official Den of Geek gaming PC. Check out a detailed guide to how we installed this PSU in our PC below:
In this instance, the be quiet! name was a big part of the reason why we decided to go with the Pure Power 11. We’ve relied on be quiet! components for some of the most important parts of our gaming computer, including the case and the CPU cooler, and a reliable name is certainly one of the first things you should look for when picking your computer’s power supply. It is, after all, the thing that help makes all the more glamorous parts of your PC work.
True to its name, be quiet’s Pure Power 11 is virtually silent while running. The supply’s 120mm fan is more than enough to keep everything cool (its basic design accommodates thorough airflow), and if your PC is making noise, the odds are low that it’s the Pure Power 11 that you’re hearing.
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The Pure Power 11’s design may be optimized for efficiency, but that doesn’t mean it’s light on features. Indeed, the cable management options on the Pure Power 11’s CM model are some of the best that you’ll find in this price range (currently $110 on Newegg). Its modular cable management options aren’t just a blessing for those who want to ensure that their PC isn’t a mess of cables, but they genuinely make it that much easier to install connecting components, especially in systems with multiple GPUs.
Of course, your primary concern when looking for a power supply should always be how effective it is at actually supplying power to your computer. Fortunately, the Pure Power 11 passes all major power supply tests with relative ease.
That’s especially true of its impressive 80 PLUS Gold and Bronze certification, which translates to an operating efficiency of up to 92%. What’s that mean for you? It means that this power supply is not only effective at actually supplying power, but it ensures that your computer will barely be a blip on your electric bills. That feature is certainly welcome, especially in the summer when air conditioners go from a modern convenience to “as important as the next breath you breathe.”
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The Pure Power 11 is also designed to intelligently regulate your voltages during heavy loads. This helps ensure that you won’t need to worry about your power supply suddenly deciding that it’s had enough and turning your gaming PC into a stunning paperweight in the process. It’s just one of the many safety features on this device that protects against so many of the common calamities that turn lesser power supplies into future lessons for PC builders.
With models ranging from 300W to 700W, the Pure Power 11 can accommodate a variety of voltage needs, from those looking for a high-end gaming computer to those who just want a desktop computer that’s more reliable than the average pre-built options on the market today.
Your computer’s power supply has the dubious distinction of being one of the most important components in a PC build and also the element of a computer you tend to want to think about the least when building your dream PC. Save yourself some trouble, then, and trust in the quiet, affordable, and reliable Pure Power 11.
To read the rest of the PC Building series, click the links below:
Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014.