Your new power supply should come with screws to secure the unit to rear panel of your case; screw those in as directed by your manual. Plug the pin power connector into your motherboard first, then go for the 4 or 8-pin CPU power connector. Plug in the optical drives, SSDs, and hard drives as needed.
Finally, plug any required PCI-E power connectors into your graphics card if applicable , then double-check all of the plugs to make sure they are securely seated. If you took photos of or labelled the cables on your old power supply, you can now use those as a reference for figuring out how to connect the cables of your new power supply.
This means they have to accept a PSU 15x9cm and at least 14cm long. There of course exceptions to the rule, firstly mini-cases can use smaller microATX, or entirely custom-designed PSUs, where the physical PSU size differs from this standard as seen here. Check before buying. Make sure you choose a suitably powerful PSU. As a rough guide you need to add the wattage used — sometimes called the TDP — for the processor and graphics card. These are the two main power eaters and it's important the 12V rail on your new PSU will supply enough power to both.
If in doubt use an online PSU calculator. In some cases you may need to remove the CPU cooler or top of the case to gain full access. 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.
On a standard PC build, this will be:. Check from both sides of your PC and multiple angles: excess lengths of power and data cables are often stored behind the metal motherboard mounting tray. If you have to remove anything to get to these plugs, especially data cables, remember their original positions and restore them as you have access. Taking pictures as you go is a great idea.
If your power supply is modular, you also can remove the power rails from the back of the power supply housing. Carefully pull them free of the PC case itself and set them aside. Now turn your attention to the back of the PC. This article was written by Jack Lloyd. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work.
This article has been viewed , times. This wikiHow teaches you how to install a power supply for a Windows desktop computer. 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.
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