Question PSU Hierarchy 2020 !

[Deleted member 2731765]

Hello everyone,

Okay, this is just a simple query that I need to ask, so please bear with me. Anyway, can we follow this PSU tier list as outlined under this website ?

Yeah, I know most of you guys don't trust any TIER list posted on the Internet, but what are your thoughts on this list ? Can we trust this listing, at least just for reference, or it's not worth it ? Some of the power supply model entries seem okay to me though.

What are the pros and cons of any PSU TIER list posted on the internet ?? The TIER keeps on changing places though.

PSU Hierarchy (Mar. 2025) - Power Supply Unit List

Here is the ultimate list-based hierarchy of all power supply units. We've ranked them in 8 different tiers so you can easily find out if your PSU is good!

www.gamingscan.com

EDIT: I suppose TOM's HW is also having its own Tier list of some sort ?

 

[geofelt]

A psu quality tier list is really based on opinion and experience.
Nobody can compare all of the candidates on the same basis, there are just too many.

By and large, I think such a list is a good thing.
I would not have any problem using the one you linked.
There are others too.
It is better to use such a list than to base a purchase on marketing fluff or price.

 

[Archaic59]

It's really only going to help someone if they know what tier they should be looking at for their specs. At the end of the day too many people use budget as the deciding factor instead of what's best for their system. It can be tough to convince someone to buy a 2060 and $100 PSU when they want a 2060 Super and a $50 PSU. Tier list goes out the window.

 

[Gam3r01]

Tier lists are okay for general reference (Is this unit quality? Etc), but I have disdain for people who just say "Pick any Tier X to Y unit from this list"
Not only is it not helpful in the slightest, but there are far too many factors to consider within tiers (number of connections, fan profiles, budget, length of cables, modular, etc etc).
I dont really have a problem with saying "This unit is a Tier X unit, therefore it possesses qualities worth considering such as ____"

A typical downfall of most tiers is either becoming too divided over little details, or lack of attention to new tech.
If a unit is rated top tier, what happens a few years down the line when something else is now better, possibly much better? Does the original unit stay top tier? Does it get re-evaluated and re-tiered? Not usually.

 

[Archaic59]

Tier lists are okay for general reference (Is this unit quality? Etc), but I have disdain for people who just say "Pick any Tier X to Y unit from this list"
Not only is it not helpful in the slightest, but there are far too many factors to consider within tiers (number of connections, fan profiles, budget, length of cables, modular, etc etc).
I dont really have a problem with saying "This unit is a Tier X unit, therefore it possesses qualities worth considering such as ____"

A typical downfall of most tiers is either becoming too divided over little details, or lack of attention to new tech.
If a unit is rated top tier, what happens a few years down the line when something else is now better, possibly much better? Does the original unit stay top tier? Does it get re-evaluated and re-tiered? Not usually.

This is a good point. The tier list needs to be maintained on a regular basis to have any validity.

 

[Deleted member 2731765]

Thanks for all the replies ! Makes sense.

 

[Deleted member 2731765]

It can be tough to convince someone to buy a 2060 and $100 PSU when they want a 2060 Super and a $50 PSU

That's the bottom line though. A lot of peeps just want to SKIMP on the power supply stuff when building any gaming RIG.

 

[jonnyguru]

This is a good point. The tier list needs to be maintained on a regular basis to have any validity.

Yeah. I tried to make one based on objective aspects (topology, efficiency, fan bearing type, capacitor temp rating, etc.), but it's just too much work.

Making a subjective list is much easier... but it's also quite "subjective".

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Every person has their own biases and their own opinions. That will carry over to any sort of tier list.

I suggest something like this which just lays out the facts about tons of units. Draw your own conclusions.
https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...ortable-database-of-desktop-psu-smps.3476900/