Do I need a surge protector?

[Akol]

Im planning my first build so I have to ask, is surge protector needed? I plan on using this power supply: Corsair TX650M (http://www.corsair.com/en-eu/tx-m-series-tx650m-650-watt-80-plus-gold-certified-psu-na) and the page says one of the features is: 

"Over-voltage protection, under-voltage protection, short circuit protection, over power protection, and over temperature protection provide maximum safety to your critical system components."

 

So the power supply should protect the rest of the PC? 

[Oshino Shinobu]

They're not expensive, it's good to have. Better to have a £20 surge protector get taken out instead of your PSU, even if it does save the rest of the system, it can still get itself taken out in the process. 

 

Just recently in a lightning storm I had the PSU in my server die connected directly to the wall and the PSU in my main rig and everything else connected to a surge protector was fine but the surge protector died. Well worth the £20 it cost. 

[mmCharles]

Considering they’re pretty cheap, you may as well just to be on the safe side. 

[TetraSky]

Yes, it's better than not using one, as it would be taken out first, instead of your PSU biting the dust if something did happen. It's also much cheaper than a quality PSU.
Ideally, a UPS would be better, but a surge protector is a good compromise between nothing and a UPS.

[manikyath]

48 minutes ago, Oshino Shinobu said:

 

They're not expensive, it's good to have. Better to have a £20 surge protector get taken out instead of your PSU, even if it does save the rest of the system, it can still get itself taken out in the process. 

 

except that most "£20 surge protectors" have the exact same hardware in them that is already in your power supply.

[andrewmp6]

I use a ups on my pcs its a little more money but worth it to me.Its cool when the power goes out your pc still has time to safely shut it down.