NZXT SFX PSU for Small Builds, Plus the ATX Alternatives
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If you want an NZXT SFX power supply, the NZXT C850 SFX Gold is the one to buy: it is the only SFX unit in this group, delivering 850W with a 600W 12V-2×6 connector in a case small enough for mini-ITX and other small form factor builds. The other three models are standard ATX units, which only make sense if your case accepts an ATX PSU or you need more wattage than 850W.
This NZXT power supply comparison covers four models: the C850 SFX Gold, the C1000 Gold Core, the C850 Gold ATX 3.1 and the C1200 Gold ATX 3.1. All four are fully modular, ATX 3.1 compliant and 80 Plus Gold. They differ in physical size, wattage, fan size and noise rating, and we compared those from the listings rather than bench tests.
JOB SHEET
Which NZXT PSU Should You Buy
- Mini-ITX or any case that requires SFX: NZXT C850 SFX Gold
go to no. 01 - A high-end graphics card in a mid-tower with room for ATX: NZXT C1000 Gold Core
go to no. 02 - A mainstream gaming PC in an ATX case: NZXT C850 Gold ATX 3.1
go to no. 03 - Flagship GPU, heavy CPU and plenty of headroom: NZXT C1200 Gold ATX 3.1
go to no. 04
No. 01
of 4
NZXT
NZXT C850 SFX Gold
8.6
/10
Our score
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Small form factor gaming builds
Pros
- True SFX form factor
- 850W, ATX 3.1
- 600W 12V-2×6 connector
- Cybenetics Platinum efficiency
Cons
- 92 mm fan, A- noise rating
- SFX cases limit cable space
The NZXT C850 SFX Gold (PS-8G1BB-US) is built for small form factor cases. It measures 4.92 x 3.94 x 2.5 inches, a fraction of an ATX unit, yet it delivers 850W and is fully ATX 3.1 compliant with a 600W 12V-2×6 connector for modern graphics cards. It carries 80 Plus Gold and Cybenetics Platinum efficiency ratings and a Cybenetics A- noise rating.
Cooling comes from a 92 mm fluid dynamic bearing fan with a Zero RPM mode, and the internals use 105°C-rated Japanese capacitors. The listing also highlights low ripple, tight voltage regulation and long hold-up time. It is fully modular, with embossed cables and included cable combs, which matters in SFF builds where every unused cable steals airflow space. The listing does not state the warranty length.
This is the pick for anyone building in a compact case. An 850W SFX unit comfortably powers most single-GPU gaming builds; if you are planning a flagship card with a power-hungry CPU, check your total draw, because the only way past 850W here is an ATX unit and a bigger case. Plan your cable routes before you install it, since the PSU often sits right beside the GPU or motherboard in small cases, and the included combs help keep the 12V-2×6 cable from bending sharply near its plug.
- SFX form factor, 850W
- ATX 3.1, 600W 12V-2×6
- 92 mm FDB fan with Zero RPM mode
- Fully modular with cable combs
No. 02
of 4
NZXT
NZXT C1000 Gold Core
9.2
/10
Our score
Well rated
Scored 9.2/10 or higher
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
High-end GPUs in mid-tower cases
Pros
- 1000W, ATX 3.1
- Cybenetics Platinum, A+ noise
- 135 mm Zero RPM fan
- 7-year warranty
Cons
- ATX size, not for SFX cases
The NZXT C1000 Gold Core is a 1000W ATX 3.1 power supply with a PCIe 5.1-ready, dual-color 12V-2×6 connector rated for 105°C and 600W. It has 80 Plus Gold and Cybenetics Platinum efficiency, an A+ Cybenetics noise rating (15-20 dBA per the listing), and a 135 mm fluid dynamic bearing fan with Zero RPM mode.
The listing says it works with most GPUs via a 12V-2×6 cable or up to three 8-pin PCIe cables, uses 105°C-rated capacitors, is fully modular with embossed cables and comes with a 7-year warranty. It measures 5.91 x 5.91 x 3.39 inches, so it needs an ATX-compatible case. If you are comparing ATX units at a lower wattage, our 750W power supply guide covers that tier.
For a high-end graphics card in a mid-tower, it is the best balance here of headroom, efficiency and quiet operation. It is also the only listing in this group that states a warranty term, and seven years is a long time to be covered for a part that usually outlives several GPU upgrades. The dual-color connector is meant to make it easier to see whether the plug is fully seated, a small detail that matters with high-draw cards.
- 1000W, ATX 3.1, PCIe 5.1
- Cybenetics Platinum, A+ noise
- 135 mm FDB fan with Zero RPM
- 7-year warranty
No. 03
of 4
NZXT
NZXT C850 Gold ATX 3.1
9.6
/10
Our score
Well rated
Scored 9.2/10 or higher
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Mainstream ATX gaming PCs
Pros
- 850W, ATX 3.1
- Silent under 50% load
- 100% Japanese capacitors
Cons
- Cybenetics Gold, not Platinum
- Warranty not specified
The NZXT C850 Gold ATX 3.1-850W Fully Modular Power Supply (PA-8G2BB-US) is the ATX counterpart to the SFX model at the same 850W. It is ATX 3.1 compliant with a heat-resistant 12V-2×6 connector delivering up to 600W to current-generation graphics cards, and it carries 80 Plus Gold, Cybenetics Gold efficiency and a Cybenetics A- noise rating.
Its 135 mm fluid dynamic bearing fan has a Zero Fan Mode that is completely silent under 50% load, and it uses 100% Japanese capacitors. Compared with the SFX version, the larger fan can move air more slowly for the same cooling, and the efficiency rating is Cybenetics Gold rather than Platinum. The listing does not state warranty length or dimensions.
Choose it for a standard gaming PC in an ATX case; choose the SFX model only if your case needs SFX. Since Zero Fan Mode holds until 50% load, which is 425W on this unit, a typical mid-range gaming rig will often run with the PSU fan stopped during browsing, streaming and lighter games.
No. 04
of 4
NZXT
NZXT C1200 Gold ATX 3.1
8.4
/10
Our score
Affiliate link. Price and stock live at Amazon and change there, not on this page.
Best for
Flagship GPUs and heavy workloads
Pros
- 1200W headroom
- Cybenetics A noise
- Zero Fan Mode under 50% load
Cons
- Spec sheet has obvious errors
- Overkill for most builds
The NZXT C1200 Gold ATX 3.1 (PA-2G2BB-US) is the largest unit here at 1200W. It shares the C850 ATX’s design: ATX 3.1, a 600W 12V-2×6 connector, 80 Plus Gold and Cybenetics Gold efficiency, a 135 mm FDB fan with Zero Fan Mode below 50% load, and 100% Japanese capacitors. Its noise rating is Cybenetics A.
The spec table contains values that cannot be right for a desktop PSU, including a 1200 A current rating and a 13.6 volt DC maximum input voltage; ignore those and rely on the title and features. This unit is for builders running a flagship GPU with a high-core-count CPU, or anyone who wants the fan to stay off longer because a 50% load threshold on a 1200W unit is 600W. For most gaming builds it is more than needed. If you want your PC to ride through power cuts as well, pair any PSU with a battery backup power supply.
- 1200W, ATX 3.1
- 600W 12V-2×6 connector
- Zero Fan Mode under 50% load
- Cybenetics A noise rating
What Sets These Models Apart
| Model | Form factor | Wattage | Fan | Cybenetics efficiency / noise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C850 SFX Gold | SFX | 850W | 92 mm | Platinum / A- |
| C1000 Gold Core | ATX | 1000W | 135 mm | Platinum / A+ |
| C850 Gold ATX 3.1 | ATX | 850W | 135 mm | Gold / A- |
| C1200 Gold ATX 3.1 | ATX | 1200W | 135 mm | Gold / A |
Figures in this table are copied from the Amazon listings for these models.
NOTES
Buying Tips for NZXT Power Supplies
Check your case first. The SFX vs ATX power supply decision is usually made for you: many SFF cases only fit SFX units, while most mid-towers use ATX. Some ATX cases accept SFX units with an adapter bracket, but an SFX unit in a large case gives up the bigger fan and quieter cooling of an ATX model.
Size wattage to your GPU and CPU with headroom. ATX 3.1 units are designed to handle short power spikes from modern GPUs, and a 12V-2×6 power supply gives a single-cable connection to cards that use it. Aim for a unit that runs your typical gaming load well below its rating, which also keeps Zero RPM fan modes active more often.
Compare noise and efficiency ratings rather than wattage alone. Cybenetics Platinum on the C850 SFX and C1000 Gold Core indicates higher efficiency than Cybenetics Gold on the other two, and less wasted power means less heat inside a small case. Finally, keep your old PSU’s modular cables out of the new build: modular cable pinouts are not standardized across units, so use only the cables that come with the supply you install.
FAQ
Is the NZXT C850 SFX Gold the only NZXT SFX PSU here?
Yes. The C1000 Gold Core, C850 Gold ATX 3.1 and C1200 Gold ATX 3.1 are all ATX form factor units.
Does the NZXT C850 SFX Gold have a 12V-2×6 connector?
Yes. It includes a 600W 12V-2×6 connector and is ATX 3.1 compliant.
Is 850W enough for a small form factor gaming PC?
For most single-GPU builds it is. Very power-hungry GPU and CPU pairings may benefit from the 1000W or 1200W ATX models, which need an ATX case.
Which NZXT PSU is quietest?
The C1000 Gold Core lists a Cybenetics A+ noise rating, the best of the four. The C1200 is rated A, and both 850W models are rated A-.
Are these NZXT power supplies fully modular?
Yes. All four listings describe fully modular designs, so you connect only the cables your build needs.
Which NZXT PSU to buy for a high-end graphics card?
In an ATX case, the C1000 Gold Core balances headroom and quiet operation. In an SFF case, the C850 SFX Gold is your option.
