Component guide
Power supply (PSU)
Converts electricity from the wall outlet into the voltages components need. It distributes power to the motherboard, graphics card and other parts.
How does it work?
The power supply converts alternating current into direct current and regulates its outputs. Its rated wattage describes its supply capacity; actual consumption depends on the components and their workload.
Concepts you should know
Key concepts: wattage, connectors and electrical protections. An efficiency certification alone does not describe a power supply's overall quality.
An everyday example
When the CPU and GPU work hard, their power requirements increase. The power supply must deliver that power steadily through the correct connectors.
How it connects to the rest of the computer
Powers the motherboard and other components. With modular power supplies, cables must be compatible with the specific model: similar connectors do not guarantee identical wiring.
References and further reading
Explore these guides and resources for more detail. Links open in a new tab.