Best PSU for Intel Core i5-12600K in 2022
By Ben Wilson published

If you're building a PC with the 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12600K CPU, you'll need to give your rig the juice it needs with an appropriate power supply. The Alder Lake chip has a TDP rating from 125W to 150W, so we're helping you find the best PSU for Intel Core i5-12600K with enough power for the processor and accompanying components.
EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650W
Best overall
EVGA impressed with its SuperNOVA P2 topping our best gaming PC PSU roundup. This fully modular ATX supply is the best overall PSU for Intel Core i5-12600K processors with its 650W output, 140mm double ball-bearing fan, and an 80 Plus Platinum efficiency rating.
Corsair RM650x (2021) 650W
Fully modular
Corsair has been in the PSU game for many years, and the RM650x is another fully modular masterpiece that's fantastic for cable management. Its 135mm magnetic levitation fan prevents things from getting noisy and joins an 80 Plus Gold rating for high power efficiency.
EVGA BQ 650W
Semi-modular
The semi-modular EVGA BQ keeps only the critical cables hard-wired, leaving you to decide what else to connect and where. The 140mm fan offers a near-silent operation paired with an 80 Plus Bronze rating for a decent reduction in wasted energy.
SeaSonic S12III 650W
Non-modular
For a non-modular solution, the SeaSonic S12III is a 650W PSU that'll need some consideration into careful cable management. The 120mm fan offers cool and quiet operation with an 80 Plus Bronze efficiency rating if you're ready with a suitable case to store the spaghetti cabling.
Thermaltake Smart 500W
Best budget
If you're aiming for low-to-mid-range components without drawing too much power, stick with the Thermaltake Smart 500W PSU. It's non-modular with a 120mm fan but is super cheap and reliable. A realistic option to get your build started, with options of upgrading in the future.
be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 1200W
Best premium
For the enthusiast builder putting together a high-end PC, you can't go wrong with the Dark Power Pro 12. It proved practically perfect for modern GPUs while offering a superior 80 Plus Titanium efficiency rating and a 10-year warranty. It's the ultimate premium PSU for an i5-12600K.
Choosing the best PSU for Intel Core i5-12600K
Putting together a PC is mostly a matter of matching compatible components, but every piece of hardware has its power requirements. The 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12600K CPU has a TDP (thermal design power) rating of 125W for base power and 150W max. A PSU rated around 650W is the happy medium for most builds these days, and the EVGA SuperNOVA P2 tops our best gaming PSU list as fantastic value for a fully modular power supply, and a perfect fit for the Core i5.
Towards the cheaper end of the scale, you're looking at non-modular power supplies to keep the costs down. The Thermaltake Smart 500W is about as low as I would recommend. For the price, it's a steal and won't feel so painful to replace should you need extra power for beefier components in the future. For the ultimate enthusiast build, there's the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 pulling an incredible 1200W with an immense 80 Plus Titanium energy efficiency rating. It doesn't get any better for a high-end gaming PC built around the Intel Core i5-12600K.
Get the best of Windows Central in in your inbox, every day!
Thank you for signing up to Windows Central. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.