1. What is the Newegg Power Supply Calculator?

The Newegg Power Supply Calculator helps determine the appropriate wattage for your computer's power supply unit (PSU) based on your system components. It uses Newegg's methodology of summing component power requirements and adding a 20-30% safety margin.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( P_{components} \) — Sum of all component power requirements
• \( 1.2 \) — Standard 20% safety margin
• \( 1.3 \) — 30% margin for high-performance systems

Explanation: The safety margin accounts for power spikes, future upgrades, and PSU aging while maintaining efficiency.

3. Importance of Proper PSU Sizing

Details: An appropriately sized PSU ensures system stability, maximizes efficiency (often best at 40-80% load), allows for future upgrades, and prevents shutdowns during power spikes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Check your component specifications for power requirements
• Use 20% margin for standard systems
• Use 30% margin for high-performance or overclocked systems
• Consider future upgrades when selecting your final PSU

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why add a safety margin?
A: The margin accounts for power spikes (especially from GPUs), PSU aging, and maintains the PSU in its most efficient load range.

Q2: What if my components spike above their rated power?
A: High-quality PSUs can handle brief spikes, but the safety margin helps accommodate these transient loads.

Q3: Should I get a higher wattage PSU for future upgrades?
A: Yes, especially if you plan to add more powerful components later. PSUs typically last through multiple builds.

Q4: Does PSU efficiency affect the calculation?
A: No, efficiency (80 Plus rating) affects how much power is drawn from the wall, not the power delivered to components.

Q5: What about multiple GPUs?
A: Add the power requirements for each GPU. SLI/CrossFire systems typically need significantly more power.