Choosing a CPU for a new build, especially one focused on gaming, has never been easier. AMD has now dominated any competition from Intel with the release of its Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 Series processors. Not only do these CPUs outclass their equivalently priced Intel counterparts in multi-core performance, but they now also feature faster single-core speeds, and an energy efficiency that, quite frankly, puts Intel to shame.
Choosing between the available AMD CPU options is also quite simple. For gaming, it seems like the Ryzen 5 5600X is the best option, as it provides the most amount of value for its price; while also including a stock cooler that the other Zen 3 processors lack. Of course, it could be argued that the Ryzen 7 5800X is also a solid choice, as it has a full Core Complex (CCX) – with eight cores, 16 threads, and 32 MB of L3 Cache – though, its price leaves much to be desired in terms of value.
TechSpot’s benchmarks show us that the Ryzen 5 5600X displays the best cost-per-frame ratios amongst all current-generation CPUs for both gaming and multi-core performance.
Because of the low, 65 Watt, TDP that the Ryzen 5 5600X features, this CPU can be flexible in terms of overclocking potential, as well as PC form factors that it can be used in. Choosing a proper PSU that will provide it with the sufficient amount of power it requires, as well as a proper efficiency rating and internal thermals, is not as easy a task as it may seem. There are many aspects to take into consideration to ensure a perfect fit for your overall setup.
Firstly, the wattage and efficiency. Though the Ryzen 5 5600X can operate just fine even with a 500W PSU, it is always best to allow leeway for any additional components that may be added down the line, as well as for overclocking – which results in the CPU drawing more power from the power supply. The 80 PLUS rating that best fits your needs will depend on the level of use of the PC. If it is to be used infrequently, for a couple of hours a day for example, then a Bronze rating will suffice; but if it is to be used for several hours a day, a Gold or Platinum Rating will better suit the build.
The power supply must also operate silently, which is dependent on the quality of the internal components, as well as the fan, and its type of bearings. Additionally, the PSU must be able to output most of its wattage through the +12V rail, as this is where the majority of energy is supplied to the most critical components: the CPU and GPU. Any additional external display features are always welcome to those that enjoy a flashy setup, like the ever-trending RGB illuminations.
Taking all the above into account, we have compiled a list of the best power supplies to pair with the Ryzen 5 5600X; depending on price, intended use, and form factor.
Best PSUs for Ryzen 5 5600X – Our Recommendations
| Award | Design | Model | Wattage | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Budget PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X |  | Gigabyte P650B | 650W | 80+ Bronze |
| Best Gaming PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X |  | Super Flower Leadex III | 650W | 80+ Gold |
| Best Low-Profile PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X |  | SilverStone SX700-PT | 700W | 80+ Platinum |
| Best PSU for Overclocking Ryzen 5 5600X |  | ASUS ROG Thor | 850W | 80+ Platinum |
Best Budget PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X
Hardware components are definitely not getting any cheaper, and this is the case for both the Ryzen 5 5600X, and any accompanying GPU you may choose. In fact, the Ryzen 5 5600X saw an increase in price from its predecessor, the Ryzen 5 3600X, by 50%. Therefore, if you’re looking for a PSU on a budget, we can’t blame you. Of course, it is always wise to invest in a proper PSU, as it can outlast many of your existing PC components, but if you are intending to use your PC for just a few hours a day, buying an affordable power supply will work just fine.
The Gigabyte P650B is a PSU that costs under $100, and has features found in some of the higher-end power supply models. This 80 PLUS Bronze-rated PSU has an efficiency level between 82% and 85%, and includes a 120 mm fan that makes use of premium hydraulic bearings that are not usually found in budget products. The only downside to this fan is that it does not appear to be PWM controlled, so it will operate no matter what the load. Still, because of the hydraulic bearings, it will run at noise levels below 40 decibels, even at maximum loads, which isn’t that bad.
The Gigabyte P650B also features all-Japanese capacitors, produced by Nippon Chemi-Con and rated for temperatures of up to 105 degrees Celsius. These capacitors not only ensure reliability during operation, but also a longer lifespan for the PSU, which is rated to have a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 100,000 hours and is backed by a three-year warranty.
The cables of the P650B are sleeved, again not seen in most budget-level power supplies, with a quality mesh braided wrapping for flexibility and reduced clutter. However, the P650B is a non-modular PSU, so unused cables will have to be tucked within the case.
One last thing to mention, is that this power supply has a single +12V rail, which can output 648 Watts, or 54 Amps, so you won’t have to worry about your CPU or GPU ever lacking the proper amount of power needed to operate, or even overclock.
Perhaps the best aspect of the Gigabyte P650B is its price, as you can find this model currently on sale for $59.99 – down from its original $74.99 MSRP.
Best Gaming PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X
The Ryzen 5 5600X is looking to be the ultimate CPU for gaming builds, as it provides framerate output that is within a 3.75% range of the Intel 10th generation flagship i9-10900K – while costing almost half its price. This is why it has the best performance to price ratio of all new generation CPUs, including Intel CPUs as well. A PSU for a dedicated gaming build needs to have a solid 80 PLUS rating, high power output on the +12V rail, to supply the CPU and GPU for any overclocking use, and, of course, a stylish exterior with RGB lighting displays that can add some extra flare to the gaming rig.
The 650W PSU, the Super Flower Leadex III includes all of the above, at a very reasonable price. Firstly, it comes with a 80 PLUS Gold rating, which ensures an efficiency between 87% to 90%; ensuring that significant amounts of heat won’t spread from the PSU to other hardware components within the case during long gaming sessions. It also has ETA efficiency A certification, and a Lambda A+ noise level certification. To keep thermals and noise levels in check, it makes use of a 130 mm fan, with 11 blades and a contactless hydro-dynamic bearing design. The fan is also PWM controlled, allowing it to operate in a semi-passive mode when under low loads. In fact, this fan reaches an average of only 10.91 decibels of noise, meaning it is virtually inaudible.
The capacitors within are all 105-degree Celsius certified Japanese capacitors; including the main board and the modular front panel. To further protect the PSU, the Leadex III has over voltage, over current, over power, short circuit, under voltage, and over temperature protection – tested and certified to not faulter in over 2,000 on/off switches. It also includes an impressive 7-year warranty.
The Leadex III has a fully modular design, though only the essential cables are covered, while the peripheral cables are bare. Its single +12V rail can output 649.2 Watts, or 45.1 Amps.
Finally, it must be mentioned that this PSU has two incredibly stylish ARGB displays: One that illuminates the fan and its translucent blades, and one that lightens the crystal connector panel design, adding light and color to the front I/O ports. These ARGB displays can be customized via almost any motherboard manufacturers’ RGB synchronization software, including ASUS’s Aura, MSI’s Mystic Light, Gigabyte’s RGB Fusion, and ASRock’s Polychrome.
The Super Flower Leadex III is also currently on sale, with its $159.99 MSRP discounted to $135.99. If you are looking to use a Radeon RX 6800 XT with your Ryzen 7 5800X, this model is also sold in a 750 W version for $144.49. Not cheap, but definitely worth it for its 80+ Gold efficiency rating, silent operation, and ARGB displays.
Best Low-Profile PSU for Ryzen 5 5600X
Small Form Factor (SFF) builds have grown tremendously in popularity, as of late, and for good reason. Having the full power of a desktop PC in a case, with such a small footprint, that can be easily transferred between rooms, offices, or living spaces, can be incredibly convenient. The Ryzen 5 5600X is perhaps the best CPU candidate for an SFF build, as it has a low TDP and excellent operating temperatures. The PSU to power this setup needs to have an SFX or SFX-L form factor, a high 80 PLUS rating, and an excellent cooling solution – due to the fact that heat can quickly become an issue in such confined spaces.
The SilverStone SX700-PT is optimally designed to handle these requirements. It has a 700-Watt power output, which may seem a bit much for this 65 W CPU, but it is best to have the power supply operating at around a 50% load, since that is where it’s most efficient. Additionally, the SX700-PT has a 80-Plus Platinum rating (ETA A, Lambda S++), which means that it is at least 89% to 92% efficient, so the heat emanating from this power supply will be minimal. Taking into account that the SX700-PT features a large-for-its-size 120 mm fan, which is usually found in ATX form-factor power supplies, means that it is almost certain that its temperatures will always be under control. The fan itself has hydro-dynamic bearings and PWM controls, making it virtually inaudible.
Also, important to mention, is that the SX700-PT has all Japanese capacitors and a fully modular design. Its cables do not have sleeves, meant to provide better flexibility for the arrays, and therefore must be handled with care. This PSU also has an incredibly powerful +12V rail, outputting 58.4 Amps, or its full 700 Watts. With an MTBF of 100,000 hours, and all the same protection protocols mentioned for the Leadex III, the SX 700 PT is an efficient and reliable power supply; hence, why it is backed by SilverStone’s five-year warranty.
If you are looking for a power supply for an SFF case featuring the Ryzen 5 5600X, few can compete with the SilverStone SX700-PT, which you can expect to find for $159.
Best PSU for Overclocking Ryzen 5 5600X
Overclocking to high frequencies does not only increase the system cooling demands, which are needed to maintain optimal temperatures that won’t damage the hardware or cause instability, but it also exponentially increases the demand in power. If you are planning to make full use of the potential of the Ryzen 5 5600X, and perhaps even of an accompanying Nvidia 3000 Series or RDNA 2 6000 Series GPU, then you will need your PSU to have high wattage output, high efficiency levels, and a powerful thermal solution.
ASUS’s ROG Thor seems to have been built with overclocking in mind, as not only does it have the aforementioned qualities, but it also has a unique OLED displays which shows you, in real time, the power that is being drawn from the hardware components. This way, as you overclock your CPU, GPU, or even RAM, you can see how much power is still available without the use of any monitoring software.
The ASUS ROG Thor is a 850 W PSU that has a 80 PLUS Platinum rating, and makes use of a 135 mm, PWM controlled, Wing-Blade fan design, that utilizes double ball bearings and IP5X-rated dust resistant materials, in order to keep its thermal in check. In fact, with the ROG Thor’s internal heatsinks, which allow for a 20% lower internal temperature, the fan won’t need to operate at high RPM in order to keep the power supply cool. Its Lambda A+ rating means that the noise emanating from the fan will never exceed 20 decibels, even when at high volumes.
All the capacitors within this PSU are Japanese, and rated for 105 degrees C. It also has a very powerful single +12V rail that can output 71 Amps, or 852 Watts of power. The ROG Thor is also a fully modular power supply, and all included cables are sleeved. Its durability, and the integrity of its internal components are all backed by a 10-year warranty.
The design of the ASUS ROG Thor features an RGB-lit ROG logo, as well as an RGB-lit accent running across the side (between the logo and OLED screen). These displays can be synced via ASUS’s Aura Sync software.
Though definitely not a cheap purchase, the ASUS ROG Thor provides excellent value for gaming and overclocking enthusiasts. You can currently purchase this power supply for $229.99.