Best PSUs for RTX 30-series GPUs
We take a closer look at today's market to try and find the best PSU pairing for the latest RTX 30-series GPUs
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The RTX 30-series smashed onto the scene with a huge bang, unlocking new levels of gaming performance that were previously unheard of at this specific price range.
Whilst the main question on everyone’s mind is, where can I actually buy a 30-series GPU? Many additional questions are being raised in regard to build components and compatibility. One of the most common questions being asked is whether or not consumers will need to buy a new PSU for the RTX 30-series.
In the following article, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the best PSUs available for the RTX 30-series GPU range. Alongside this, we’ll be answering some of the most commonly asked questions when regarding PSUs and the new GPU lineup, including whether or not you actually have to upgrade your existing power supply.
So, with plenty to get through, let’s waste no further time and dive straight into it!
How we choose
Choosing the right components for our best of guides, whether it’s a high-end gaming monitor or the latest budget headset, is never an easy task.
It requires hours of product research, performance benchmarking, and user feedback to get anywhere close to a definitive conclusion. If you aren’t tech-savvy and struggle to put time aside to go through the above requirements, you may end up purchasing a GPU that isn’t right for you or your build.
Fear not though, friends! Here at WePC, we like to take the stress of product research away and transform it into an easy-to-follow, complete buyers guide. That’s right, our team of PC enthusiasts has done all the hard work, so you don’t have to.
How we test
Testing the products we recommend is a huge part of the overall selection process in our best of guides. It’s a way to make sure what we recommend is the absolute best option in its specific category. To be sure a product is “the best,” it must show excellent performance in our tests and display better qualities over the competition it faces.
Most of the products we recommend here at WePC have gone through a strict testing process that involves everything from price and aesthetics to performance and efficiency. Each product is pushed to the limit to see how it performs under intense stress to make sure it warrants the top spot.
Doing this enables us to provide you with the most accurate review of how the product performs and, ultimately, decide whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash.
Things to consider
Choosing the best PSU for your RTX 30-series GPU can be a strenuous process, usually littered with a ton of secondary considerations. For that reason, we’re going to be taking a closer look at some of the contributing factors that you may need to consider before purchasing a new PSU.
RTX 30-series power consumption
One of the big differences that separate the 20-series from the 30-series is the amount of power the two generations of cards consume. Looking at the RTX 2080 Ti, when it first arrived on shelves people were worried they’d have to upgrade their PSU thanks to the 260W power consumption it needed when under load. Compare that to the 320W consumption the RTX 3080 needs and the same questions start to crop up.
Nvidia has since come out and said that a 650W PSU will be more than enough power to accommodate the RTX 3080 and the rest of your components. That said, for the sake of the power efficiency curve, we’ll be recommending slightly higher. This will not only allow you to comfortably make hardware changes in the future but will also give you the peace of mind to overclock this GPU to its maximum potential.
Below, we’ve outlined our recommended PSU wattage for the entire RTX 30-series range:
| Power Consumption | Recommended Wattage | |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 3070 | 220W | 650W |
| RTX 3080 | 320W | 750W |
| RTX 3090 | 350W | 750W |
12 Pin Power Connector
The Nvidia Founders Edition RTX 3080 and 3090 have both adopted a new 12 pin PCI-e power connector design. The new connector is only found on the Founders Edition cards but will require a specific adapter cable to be used. The reason Nvidia has used a new 12 pin power connector design is down to the cooling. The truncated circuit board used on the RTX 3080 and 3090 allows the cooling solution to extend further and air to blow right through them.
This compact design doesn’t offer the space required to utilize a standard PCI-e power connector, meaning Nvidia had to come up with something completely new. The new 12 pin power connector will be situated in the middle of the card and won’t require any additional purchases. Nvidia will be shipping the Founder Edition cards with the adapter included.
PSU Efficiency
Efficiency rating is extremely important when purchasing a PSU, even more so if you value the contents of your household. Whilst it’s unlikely that a less efficient PSU will randomly combust, there are obvious cons to purchasing the budget-oriented options.
A PSU’s efficiency doesn’t just end at stability, it also looks at power consumption/transfer and heat generated. Below is a chart to showcase the difference between each efficiency rating:
Modularity
Lastly, we have a PSU’s modularity. Modularity is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin, it looks at how versatile a PSU’s cabling is. Modular PSUs allow the users to attach only the power cables they’re actually using. In contrast, a non-modular PSU comes with a heap of cables that can become messy and a pain to manage. Unlike a modular PSU, non-modular cables can not be removed at all.
Whilst modularity isn’t the defining factor in your new PSU upgrade, it’s definitely something that must be considered when choosing your next PSU. Remember though, it will add a premium to the cost of your PSU.
Related PSU Guides
If you still haven’t decided which PSU is right for you, why not check out our related PSU guides below:
- Power Supply Ratings: What are they?
- Full vs Semi vs None modular: What does it mean?
- PSU Hierarchy List
- Silent PSUs
Best PSU for 30-series
Corsair RM750x
Wattage
750W
Certification
80+ Gold
Modular?
Fully
- Excellent build quality
- Quiet operation
- Fully modular
- 10-year warranty
- Short distance between peripheral connectors
- No fan test button
The best PSU for the RTX 30-series goes to Corsair and their hugely popular RM750x. The latest version of this fan-favorite comes equipped with a few improvements over the previous iteration, including quieter fans and a more compact form factor.
The 750W PSU from Corsair is the perfect pairing for any of the RTX 30-series GPUs, bringing excellent efficiency, value, and build quality to the table. The RM750x provides an 80+ gold efficiency and ETA-A rating – with the likes of Cybernetics also rating it as LAMBDA-A+ certified. At 15dBa, the RM750x is not only one of the most efficient PSUs in this guide, but it’s also one of the quietest too.
With a fully modular design, the RM750x is also a joy to cable manage, allowing users the freedom to utilize minimum power cables and increase their cable management too. Ultimately, the RM750x is a great all-round PSU that ticks all the right boxes. A superb option for your new RTX 30-series GPU.
be quiet! Straight Power 11 Platinum 750W
Wattage
750W
Certification
80+ Platinum
Modular?
Yes
- Excellent build quality
- Funnel-shaped fan for greater thermal transfer
- 80+ platinum
be Quiet! are one of the best players in the PSU game, so it’s no surprise to see one of their best offerings get a spot in this guide. The Straight Power 11 750W PSU offers up world-class efficiency at extremely low noise levels. It has an 80+ platinum efficiency rating, modular design, and comes at a price that we feel is great value for money.
be Quiet! have equipped the Straight Power 11 with a virtually inaudible Silent Wings 3 135mm fan, built with longevity and efficiency in the mind. The funnel-shaped fan opening of the PSU offers up high airflow intake for better thermal distribution. Alongside this, a wire-free design inside the PSU also provides greater cooling and longevity. Japanese capacitors (rated at 105°C) have been utilized in this build and offer additional stability and reliability to this PSU.
A fantastic all-round PSU that ticks a lot of the right boxes – including value.
EVGA SuperNOVA 650 GA 80+ GOLD Certified
Wattage
650W
Certification
80+ Gold
Modular?
Yes
- High quality power efficiency
- Compact design
- 80+ Gold certification
- Expensive for a 650W PSU
The EVGA SuperNOVA GA 650W power supply gets the best PSU for 3070 spot, mainly thanks to a combination of efficiency, build quality, and overall value for money.
The 650W GA is one of the latest arrivals to the EVGA line of PSUs, bringing with it an 80+ gold certification, 100% Japanese capacitors, a durable double ball-bearing fan, and a fully modular design. It offers up the tried and tested build quality that comes with EVGA products, giving you confidence in its longevity. This power supply also comes with an ECO mode, meaning the power supply’s fan completely shuts down during low to medium loads. Pair this alongside the long-lasting and ultra-durable double-ball bearing fan and you have the ideal balance between performance and silence.
We’ve always been big fans of the EVGA SuperNOVA lineup of PSUs here at WePC, and this latest arrival only further cements this product in our minds.
Cooler Master MWE 750 Gold
Wattage
750W
Certification
80+ Gold
Modular?
Yes
- Compact design
- High Build quality
- Good power efficiency
- Great price
Whilst this isn’t the cheapest PSU on the market, we’ve still given it the best value for money PSU for RTX 30-series GPUs. This highly efficient 80+ gold certified power supply offers you all the efficiency and build quality you could want from a PSU of this price point.
Underneath the shell, users are treated to an extremely efficient PSU, one that delivers a consistent 90% power efficiency whilst still posting extremely low temps and quiet operation. Cooler Master prize themselves on using the highest quality, heat resistant components for their PSUs, both of which are clear to see when looking at their MWE 750W offering. Another big plus is the silent operating nature of the MWE 750 PSU. Utilizing a Silencio fan and exclusive LDB bearing, the MWE provides almost silent cooling operation without taking anything away from performance or longevity.
Flat cables help to improve internal airflow by reducing the cable bulk, providing excellent thermal reduction whilst under load. For this price range, the Cooler Master is one of the best budget PSUs you can get your hands on.
Seasonic PRIME TX-1000
Wattage
1000W
Certification
80+ Titanium
Modular?
Fully
- Incredible build quality
- Silent operation
- Full power at 46°C
- 12-year warranty
- Very expensive
Lastly, we have the hugely-impressive Seasonic PRIME TX-1000 – a high-end, high wattage PSU that can handle all your needs (including dual 3090s).
Seasonic’s PRIME TX-series offers the market some of the best power supplies around, however, they do come with a hefty price tag that will naturally reduce the consumer demographic quite considerably. That being said, these are some of the most well-made power supplies available, bringing high-end performance and efficiency to the table.
This particular Seasonic PRIME TX brings a 1000w capacity to the table, making it overkill for most gaming and workstation type scenarios. That said, for those that require 800+ watts of power, going for a PSU like this makes a lot of sense – especially if you consider the power efficiency curve. With a Titanium power rating, low temperatures, and a near-silent operation, this PSU has much more than just power going for it.
If you’re in the market for a high-end PSU that offers over 800 watts of power, the Seasonic should be high on your list of considerations.
Final word
So, there you have it, our comprehensive guide on the best PSUs for RTX 30-series graphics cards. We hope this article has been informative, allowing you to make a more informed decision on what PSU will best suit your new 30-series build.
Best PSU for RTX 30-series GPUs FAQs
How many watts does a RTX 30 series use?
The whole of the 30 series has increased power consumption over the previous generations. So with that, you may wonder how much energy they will use up. So the TDPs are, 130W for the 3050, 170W for the 3060, 200W for the 3060 Ti, 225W for the 3070, 290W for the 3070 Ti, 320W with the 3080, 350W for the 3080 12GB, 350W for the 3080 Ti, 350W for the 3090, and 450W for the 3090 Ti.
What is the best PSU brand for the RTX 30 series GPUs?
Corsair is the best PSU brand for the RTX 30 series GPUs. It offers a balance of quality, price, and efficiency. It is always a fan favorite to pick from. So their power supplies are a good option to go for especially with the large range of wattages.
What is the best PSU for RTX 30-series GPUs?
In general, the Corsair RM series is a great choice of PSU for the RTX 30 series. With plenty of choices for what wattage you may need for your specific card. Whilst the be quiet Straight Power 11, and Seasonic Prime TX are great choices for efficiency. The EVGA SuperNOVA and Cooler Master MWE are good alternative choices as well.
