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ATX 3.1 power supplies have been in the market for over a year now, and they’ve been an excellent asset for high-end GPUs with greater power requirements. Unlike the ATX 3.0 PSUs with the 12VHPWR cable, the 3.1 standard uses a 12V-2×6 connector with a slight difference on the component side where the sense pins are shorter and the connections pins are longer. The subtle difference helps mitigate cable melting issues. So, if you want to buy a high-end GPU, it may be time to upgrade your power supply. To help you out, we have rounded up the best ATX 3.1 PSUs currently available.
Below is a comparison table of all five power supplies with their on-paper specifications:
I also recommend checking our PSU wattage calculator to figure out how much juice you need to power your PC.
Best ATX 3.1 PSUs
These are our recommended ATX 3.1 power supplies after comparison among dozens:
- Best 1200W: Enermax PlatiGemini 1200W Platinum
- Best High-End: Seasonic TX-1600 Noctua Edition Titanium
- Best 1000W: MSI MAG A1000GL
- Best 850W: Silverstone Hela 850R Platinum
- Best Value: ASRock Steel Legend SL-1000G
Enermax PlatiGemini 1200W Platinum
Best 1200W ATX 3.1 PSU
Specifications: Size: 150 x 150 x 86mm | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Platinum | Modular: Yes (Fully) | Wattage: 1200W | Protection: OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP, SCP | ATX 24-Pin: 1 | EPS 4+4-Pin: 2 | 12V-2×6 Pin: 1 | PCI-E 6+2-Pin: 3 | SATA: 8 | MOLEX 4-Pin: 4
Pros
- Good overclocking potential
- Semi-silent fan operation with Dust Free rotation feature
- Exceptional performance
- Premium, mesh-sleeved cables
- Efficient & well-engineered
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- ATX12VO has limited compatibility support
Read Our Enermax PlatiGemini 1200W Platinum Review
Starting strong, the first product on our list is the Enermax PlatiGemini 1200W Platinum power supply that can handle higher loads and provide incredible overclocking potential if that’s what you’re aiming for. Not only is this PSU ATX 3.1 compliant, but it’s also one of the first ATX12VO power supplies, meaning it only has the 12V rail and negates the minor 5V and 3.3V rails. Hence, this also helps improve the PSU’s efficiency, which we recorded at 93.92% in our tests.
The Enermax PlatiGemini is a small power supply, coming in at only 150 x 150 x 86mm, but still provides densely packed internals with a good amount of thermal pads to ensure lower temperatures. The junction temperature we noticed only went as high as 50.6°C. Aside from its efficiency, the power supply has outstanding ripple performance at 10.4mV at 100% load, showcasing why it’s an excellent choice for overclocking enthusiasts. However, it’s sad that ATX12VO has limited compatibility support, so you may face issues finding compatible hardware.
After critically testing and reviewing the flagship PSU from Enermax, here’s what I said about the PlatiGemini:
The Enermax PlatiGemin 1200W Platinum takes the crown with its robust build, top-tier efficiency, and exceptional performance. It has a fully modular design, premium mesh-sleeved cables, superior voltage regulation, and excellent thermal management.
What Makes It The Best 1200W ATX 3.1 PSU?
The Enermax PlatiGemini 1200W Platinum power supply uses ATX12VO technology, which helps improve its efficiency and reduce the overall size of the PSU. Due to its lower max ripple and performance difference in 12V load regulation, it provides impressive overclocking potential for all new PC hardware, hence making it the best 1200W ATX 3.1 PSU.
The Enermax PlatiGemini 1200W Platinum power supply appealed the most to me because of its outstanding performance benchmarks, build quality, and lower noise levels. If you have the budget for it, purchasing this power supply is one of the best future-proofing decisions you can make.
– Arsalan Shakil
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Efficiency: 10/10 |
Seasonic PRIME TX-1600W Noctua Edition Titanium
Best High-End ATX 3.1 PSU
Specifications: Size: 210 × 150 × 86mm | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Titanium | Modular: Yes (Fully) | Wattage: 1600W | Protection: OPP, OVP, OPP, OTP, SCP, UVP | ATX 24-Pin: 1 | EPS 4+4-Pin: 3 | 12V-2×6 Pin: 2 | PCI-E 6+2-Pin: 6 | SATA: 16 | MOLEX 4-Pin: 3
Pros
- Extremely silent
- Super efficient
- Great future-proofing
- Dual GPU connectors
Cons
- Slightly higher voltage ripple
- Expensive
- Larger form factor
Read Our Seasonic TX-1600 Noctua Edition Titanium ATX 3.1 Review
The Seasonic PRIME TX-1600 Noctua power supply is a fair treat for productivity-based PC builders who want to utilize multiple graphics cards in their rigs. A few unique points about this PSU include its 120mm Noctua fan, which helps keep fan noise to a minimum. Furthermore, the PSU has two 12V-2×6 connectors to help connect two graphics cards. However, it has a slightly larger form factor and costs much more, making it overkill for most gamers, even for 4K ultra gameplay.
Taking it to our test bench, the PSU shows an impressive 94.93% efficiency, thanks to its 80+ Titanium rating and the Interleaved Bridgeless PFC design for improved efficiency. The percentage difference in the 12V load regulation was also very low, at 0.41, so you won’t have to worry about any stability issues. Lastly, while the max ripple is good at 20mV, we have seen greater competition by other power supplies going to greater lengths to improve the ripple voltage.
We were impressed by the power supply’s performance and build quality during our testing. Here’s how we described it:
The Seasonic Prime TX-1600 Noctua Edition is a beast of a power supply, built to handle the most demanding setups with ease. It combines Seasonic’s proven reliability with Noctua’s whisper-quiet fan for a premium experience. The PSU delivers excellent voltage regulation, top-notch efficiency, and impressive ripple control, making it ideal for power-hungry GPUs and next-gen builds.
What Makes It The Best High-End ATX 3.1 PSU?
The Seasonic PRIME TX-1600W Noctua is an impressive power supply featuring lots of connectors, 80+ Titanium efficiency, low noise, a Titanium Cybenetics rating with noise levels of Lambda A++, and support for dual GPUs. With its tight load regulation and decent max voltage ripple, it’s the best high-end ATX 3.1 PSU you can get for productivity tasks.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Efficiency: 10/10 |
MSI MAG A1000GL
Best 1000W ATX 3.1 PSU
Specifications: Size: 150 × 150 × 86mm | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Gold | Modular: Yes (Fully) | Wattage: 1000W | Protection: OPP, OVP, OPP, OTP, SCP, UVP | ATX 24-Pin: 1 | EPS 4+4-Pin: 2 | 12V-2×6 Pin: 1 | PCI-E 6+2-Pin: 4 | SATA: 12 | MOLEX 4-Pin: 4
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Low temperatures
- Impressive performance
Cons
- Higher noise at 70% load
- High voltage regulation
Read Our MSI MAG A1000GL PCIE5 Gold Review
1000W is currently the sweet spot for most PC enthusiasts. You can pair a 1000W PSU with most GPUs while keeping an eye out for future-proofing. The MSI MAG A1000GL features just that: decent future-proofing within a 1000W power supply. You have an ATX 3.1 compliant PSU with excellent build quality with the CWT OEM for better performance. Furthermore, the main transformer’s contact points are soldered directly to the vertical PCB to reduce power losses. Doing so not only improves the load regulation but also the airflow around the MOSFETs.
However, not everything is fantastic with this power supply, as the noise output increased after 70% load. The noise will keep increasing with higher load because the PSU doesn’t have a Hybrid Fan mode. Also, during our testing, we saw that the percentage difference in the 12V rail regulation was higher than our other tested power supplies. On the other hand, the PSU’s efficiency is satisfactory at 92.08%, and the 15.2mV voltage ripple at 100% load is quite good, providing good overclocking potential.
After putting the power supply on our test bench, we were amazed by its performance and build quality. Here’s how we described it:
The MSI MAG A1000GL PCIE5 is an excellent mid-range PSU that balances cost with modern features like the 12VHPWR connector and ATX 3.1 compliance, offering impressive efficiency and reliable power regulation. Despite a few component compromises, it performs exceptionally well for its price, making it a great choice for gamers or creators looking to power power-hungry GPUs.
What Makes It The Best 1000W ATX 3.1 PSU?
The MSI MAG A1000GL power supply has an impressive build quality for a decently-priced product. Along with being ATX 3.1 compliant, the PSU features decent performance, especially in terms of its max voltage ripple and lower temperatures, making it the best 1000W ATX 3.1 PSU.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Efficiency: 8.5/10 |
Silverstone Hela 850R Platinum
Best 850W ATX 3.1 PSU
Specifications: Size: 150 x 150 x 86mm | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Platinum | Modular: Yes (Fully) | Wattage: 850W | Protection: OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP, SCP | ATX 24-Pin: 1 | EPS 4+4-Pin: 2 | 12V-2×6 Pin: 1 | PCI-E 6+2-Pin: 5 | SATA: 8 | MOLEX 4-Pin: 6
Pros
- Extremely efficient
- Sturdy build quality
- Impressive ripple performance
- Silent operation
- Low temperatures
- High-quality flat cables
Cons
- Expensive
Read Our Silverstone Hela 850R Platinum Power Supply Review
Many gamers have started to look down on 850W power supplies because of the higher wattage requirements of top-tier GPUs. However, you can still easily future-proof your PC with an 850W PSU. Therefore, the Silverstone Hela 850R Platinum PSU is a decent choice because of its lower temperatures, sturdy build quality, and impressive performance. If you’re not planning on purchasing behemoths like the RTX 5090, you won’t have to worry about future-proofing with this PSU.
Regarding its performance, the PSU had a decent percentage difference in the 12V rail regulation, lying around the middle of the other power supplies. For the efficiency test, it went up to a 93.38% efficiency, showcasing its 80+ Platinum rating. While it does lose to the Enermax PlatiGemini in efficiency, the difference isn’t high. Lastly, one of the main highlights of this component is the lower voltage ripple, at 14.4mV at 100% load. We would have absolutely adored this PSU if it hadn’t been so expensive.
Here’s how we described the power supply’s performance and features in our in-depth review:
In our tests, the PSU delivered impressive results, showcasing excellent voltage regulation, high efficiency (up to 94.23%), and exceptional voltage ripple performance. The PSU’s robust build includes top-quality Japanese capacitors and efficient cooling, meaning quiet operation even under load.
What Makes It The Best 850W ATX 3.1 PSU?
The Silverstone Hela 850R Platinum is the best 850W ATX 3.1 PSU because of its incredible overclocking potential thanks to the lower 14.4mV voltage ripple, higher efficiency, and impressive load regulation. The sturdy build quality, lower temperatures, and almost zero noise are other features that make it stand out from its peers.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 9/10 |
ASRock Steel Legend SL-1000GW Gold
Best Value ATX 3.1 PSU
Specifications: Size: 150 x 150 x 86mm | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Gold | Modular: Yes (Fully) | Wattage: 1000W | Protection: OPP, OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP, SCP | ATX 24-Pin: 1 | EPS 4+4-Pin: 2 | 12V-2×6 Pin: 1 | PCI-E 6+2-Pin: 3 | SATA: 9 | MOLEX 4-Pin: 3
Pros
- Balanced overall performance
- Incredible value
- Beautiful white color design
- iCool Hybrid Fan feature
Cons
- Voltage ripple could be better
Read Our ASRock Steel Legend SL1000GW Gold Review
Don’t want to spend a lot of money to purchase a good ATX 3.1 PSU? Don’t worry, the ASRock Steel Legend SL1000GW Gold power supply features the latest compliance while focusing on value. Moreover, this is a decent choice if you’re building a white PC. It has its issues, but the power supply has an overall balanced performance, making it a great value option. The 135mm HDB fan has an “iCool” feature, (basically Hybrid Fan Mode), which if turned on only makes the fan spin after a certain load threshold.
The Steel Legend SL1000GW has the same load regulation as the Silverstone Hela, at 0.91, which is a good start for the PSU’s testing. The curveball on this power supply is its outrageous efficiency, going up to 93.27%, surpassing even 80+ Platinum rankings. No 80+ Gold PSU on our test bench has such a high efficiency. However, when it comes to the voltage ripple, we see why it’s a “value-oriented” component, as the max ripple goes up to 26.4mV. It’s not bad, but it’s not too good, either. This isn’t a remarkable PSU for your overclocking needs.
We carefully analyzed the PSU’s performance and efficiency. This is how we described it after our tests:
The ASRock Steel Legend SL1000GW is a reliable power supply with good efficiency and enough power for high-end GPUs. It meets the latest ATX 3.1 standard and comes with a 10-year warranty, which shows ASRock’s trust in its durability. Performance-wise, it does well in efficiency, with decent voltage regulation and ripple control. Overall, if you want a solid, future-proof PSU from a well-known brand, this one is worth considering.
What Makes It The Best Value ATX 3.1 PSU?
The ASRock Steel Legend SL1000GW Gold power supply features a beautiful white color, perfect for white PC builds. Moreover, it has decent overall performance with an exorbitantly high efficiency that is over the 80+ Gold range. Thanks to its lower pricing and decent features, it’s the best value ATX 3.1 PSU which can provide decent future-proofing for a few PC upgrades.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 10/10 |
Our Test Results Of The Best ATX 3.1 PSUs
After our scrutinous testing, we have attached the results below to back our claims. In the charts, you’ll see all five power supplies competing against each other based on the load regulation, efficiency, and voltage ripple tests.
Important PSU Terms To Look For
Power supplies have a lot of jargon words that may confuse new PC builders. To prevent such cases, I have added a few PSU terms you should look out for:
- Efficiency: Power supplies come in various “80+” efficiencies which calculate how effectively they can convert AC power to DC power. These ratings go from Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Titanium. Most modern PSUs have an efficiency rating of Gold or higher, and I don’t recommend going below that standard for a high-end PC build.
- Wattage: A measurement to figure out a power supply’s maximum power capacity, wattage is measured in Watts (W). Depending on your PC’s requirements, it’s better to purchase a power supply with a higher wattage to not only ensure better system stability but also have better future-proofing.
- 12VHPWR Cable: The 12VHPWR cable (abbreviation for 12-Volt High Power) was first introduced with the ATX 3.0 standard PSUs. The cable is used to provide power to high-end GPUs that are more power-hungry. With the latest ATX 3.1 standard, the 12VHPWR cable has been upgraded to the 12V-2×6 cable.
- ATX 3.0: One of the latest PSU standards, ATX 3.0 effectively handles the power requirements of high-end PCs. To overcome the shortcomings of the ATX 3.0 standard, ATX 3.1 PSUs with 12V-2×6 cables were introduced to effectively power GPUs and solve the cable melting issues.
- Voltage Regulation: One of many ways to test a power supply’s stability is by checking its voltage regulation; maintaining a constant output voltage even when the load changes. The load on a PSU usually changes either when the input voltage is changed, or when you plug in or remove additional devices.
- Voltage Ripple: Another way to test a PSU’s performance is by calculating its voltage ripple. The term refers to the small fluctuations in a power supply’s output voltage. Ideally, the voltage ripple should be 0mV, but that’s not possible, so the lower the voltage ripple, the better the power supply’s performance is.
How We Tested And Picked These Power Supplies
We tested multiple power supplies based on their performance, modularity, build quality, and value, and selected the best ones for this listicle. Here are a few tips on what you should look out for when researching for a power supply:
- Performance: The first aspect you should look into is the performance of the power supply. In the performance factor, you’ll be looking at the PSU’s load regulation, voltage ripple, average efficiency, transient response, and more. What good is a power supply if it doesn’t even perform the way you want it to, right?
- Build Quality: When it comes to power supplies, the first rule you want to apply is to never cheap out on its build quality. Hence, all the PSUs on this listicle have top-notch build quality, using the best OEMs on the market. The power supply’s capacitors and internals are adjacent to its performance and lifespan.
- Value: Another important factor to consider is the value the power supply provides for its price. This point is kind of generalized because it’s important for all components, but for PSUs, it can be difficult to identify its value. Therefore, look at the wattage, efficiency rating, cables, and overall build quality, and compare the pricing with other similar-priced power supplies to figure out the value orientation of your choice.
- Modularity: It’s not an important aspect, but considering your PSU’s modularity ensures a cleaner PC build with better airflow. Most modern PSUs are already fully modular so you likely won’t have to worry about losing your top choice because it’s not modular.
FAQs
Yes. For most high-end GPUs that require an ATX 3.0/ATX 3.1 PSU, it’s recommended that you go with an ATX 3.1 standard power supply to help mitigate any cable melting issues.
Yes. AMD’s RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT GPUs support ATX 3.1 as they utilize the latest PCIe 5.0 standard, which aligns with ATX 3.1 specifications.
No. The recommended wattage set by NVIDIA for the RTX 5090 is 1000W. You could make do with an undervolt but could also face instability issues.
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[Errors Troubleshooting Expert]
Arsalan Shakil (aka GuyThatDoesEverything on YouTube) is a PC Tech Enthusiast and Electronic Geek. With over 10+ years of experience in Electronics, he then decided to explore Software Engineering to design embedded products and automate existing hardware solutions.
When he started tearing down old cameras to understand how they worked, he was shocked (literally, when he got zapped by a flash discharge capacitor), giving him the power (debatable) to fall in love with videography/photography. He also started making some fun videos that later became YouTube tech reviews.
Skills:
- 10+ years of experience in Electronics design, embedded solutions, and prototyping
- Majored in Software Engineering
- Research paper publication in IEEE for Embedded Military Uniform & LoRa WAN wireless technology
- Specialized in IoT Solutions
- PC Enthusiast & PC Modder
In his local region, he’s known to expose cheap PSU brands, often claiming fake certification or false claims on the box. He’s a true nerd and needed some friends in his life. Then he met some guys who work at Tech4Gamers, and they also came out to be equal nerds who suggested he join Tech4Gamers as a Hardware Expert.
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