How to install powersupply

The power supply is what facilitates the flow of power from an electrical source to the other components of the computer. Keep in mind that if your computer came pre-assembled, you don't need to install the power supply, though you may eventually need to replace it. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers.

Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article Steps. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Find a power supply for your computer. The power supply that you buy depends on the computer's motherboard and housing size, meaning that you'll need to research your motherboard model to see which power supplies will fit.

You can usually find power supplies in tech departments or stores, as well as in online shops like Amazon and eBay. Make sure that you buy a power supply that is optimized for your region. Power supplies for European markets use different voltage settings than the ones used in North American markets.

Assemble your tools. You'll need at least one screwdriver typically a Phillips head to open the CPU housing, which is usually the right-hand side of the CPU box when looking at the back of the box. You may need a different screwdriver for your power supply as well—look at the screws that came with the power supply to determine whether or not this is the case.

Ground yourself. This will help prevent you from accidentally damaging the internal components of your computer with static electricity. You can buy a grounding strap to help keep you grounded while working. Open the computer case. You should be looking at the computer's internals at this point. Lay the computer case on its side, with the exposed side facing up. Set the power supply's voltage switch.

If there's a voltage switch on the power supply, switch it to the v or v setting. This will ensure that your power supply provides ample power without damaging the components to which it's connected. Not all power supplies have voltage switches, and those that do normally have the switch set to the standard of the region for which they were purchased. Find the power supply's intended location. Power supply units PSUs typically sit at the top of the case; this is why the computer's power cable usually plugs into the top-back section of the case.

Refer to your computer's instruction manual for the proper placement of the power supply unit, or look for a rectangular cut-out on the back of the case.

If you're removing an old power supply, look for a power plug on the back of the case to find the power supply. Insert the power supply. The power supply should have a distinct "back" with plugs and a fan, as well as a "bottom" with a fan on it.

The "back" should face the back of the case, while the "bottom" should face the internal part of the case. If you have an old power supply in your computer, remove it first. Screw the power supply into place. With the "back" of the power supply unit pressed against the back of the case, insert the included screws to lock the power supply into place. Learn how to install a power supply today with these simple steps.

With its big assortment of cables and connectors, a power supply unit PSU can appear daunting to hardware newbies, but PSU installation is often easier than most would expect.

Look for the power supply cut-out at the back of the computer case - It should be located either at the topmost or the bottommost of the case:. Now place the power supply unit inside the computer case with its fan facing down doesn't matter whether it's mounted at the top or bottom of the case. Slide the PSU towards the back of the case:.

By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Choosing the right power supply is essential for making sure your PC runs well. Without an adequate supply of regulated electricity, your desktop might suffer from performance issues, or possibly not boot at all. The amount of power a power supply delivers is measured in watts.

They generally provide from around two hundred for the smallest and most efficient machines to over a thousand one kilowatt for the biggest, beefiest gaming and media desktops.

Determining how much power you need is a matter of adding up the power draw from all of your components. Other components also draw power, including hard drives, optical drives, and cooling systems like fans or radiators.

These are typically require much lower power, and can usually get away with rough estimates. If you want to estimate your power requirements, look at the specifications of each component in particular. A margin of error is a handy thing to have, not to mention the fact that having a little extra power gives you room to add more components in the future—like extra storage drives or cooling fans.

Just plug in your components and it gives you a recommended wattage. Add a little bit for a safety margin, and you have wattage you need your PSU to deliver. Some ATX-standard power supplies are longer than normal, stretching to eight or ten inches long, but keeping their width and height standardized.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, some cases are too small for even a normal-sized ATX power supply. These power supplied generally top out at around watts, though some more expensive and more powerful units are made.

At this size things can get confusing, since some enthusiast Mini-ITX cases can also fit a full-sized ATX power supply for beefy gamer configurations. At this point, a complete PC replacement might be more practical. The cables that run from your power supply to the various components in your PC generally standardized, but there are three crucial types you want to check for compatibility with your specific machine:.

Modern storage and optical drives use standardized SATA power connections, and every modern power supply includes them. Case fans typically use 3 or 4 pin plugs, and again, modern power supplies usually come with at least one of these.

Older drives or fans may use a 4-pin Molex connector, with larger pins and a trapezoidal plug. Compliance with the 80 Plus system is indicated by a sticker on the power supply, and usually advertised as a feature on the box or online listing.

There are different grades of the 80 Plus sticker: standard, bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and titanium. Each higher level indicates a higher point of efficiency, and generally a higher price. Almost all power supplies sold at retail reach the minimum 80 Plus requirement. But those wishing to save some money on their power bills in the long term may want to shop for a higher-rated supply.

Modular power supplies allow the power rails from the PSU to be unplugged both at the component side and on the power supply side. By comparison, a non-modular design has a big bundle of power cables permanently affixed to the steel box of the power supply itself.

This makes running the power cables easier, keeps things looking tidier, and helping preserve good air flow in the case. They can be a handy compromise. If your home or office is particularly susceptible to static electricity, you might also want an anti-static bracelet.

There are high-power capacitors inside that can injure or kill you if they discharge. Power down your PC, remove all the power and data cables, and then move it to your work area. On a standard ATX case, these are on the right and left sides, held in place with screws on the back of the computer.

Remove these screws two or three on a side , then pull back the access panels and set them aside. If you use a small form factor or other non-standard case, consult the manual. Now, identify all of the components plugged into your power supply.