The Nvidia RTX 30 series consisting of the RTX 3070, RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 is considered to outpace its predecessor in terms of design, AI features and cooling quality.
At the same time, it also outruns the 20 series in terms of power supply requirements. Even before their official specs were announced, there was much debate over how much power they would need as many rushed to buy a new power supply.
A gaming system that consists of such a power-hungry GPU requires a high power draw which can only be fulfilled by the best PSU that is highly powerful and has good quality.
In this article, we will discuss the power requirements for RTX 3080 and RTX 3090, explain how many watts they require to have enough power, and discuss the minimum PSU requirements. If you consider investing in a new PSU, the information will come in handy.
Power connection requirements
The power connection requirements vary according to design. Most GPUs from the 30 series need two PCIe 8 pin connectors, while the more demanding GPUs require three connectors.
Power supply requirements for RTX 3080
The Nvidia RTX 3080 is characterized by a power draw of 320W. While Nvidia recommends a 750W power supply for best performance, a lower power rating may also work. However, it is contingent on system configuration.
The GeForce RTX 3080 requires two 8 pin PCIe power cables. Moreover, the RTX 3080 graphics card requires two unused expansion slots in the PC case.
Power supply requirements for RTX 3090
The Nvidia RTX 3090 has more power draw than the RTX 3080, i.e., 350W. It is one of the most demanding GPUs when it comes to power draw. Like the RTX 3080, Nvidia recommends a 750W power supply for better performance. A lower power rating may work, but you need to consider the system configuration.
For the GeForce RTX 3090, two 8 pin PCIe power cables are also needed that run separately from the PSU. If you purchase the Nvidia's founders edition, the power cables will come with the package.
The RTX 3090 graphics card will require three unused expansion slots in your pc case, so you may need to check your system before you consider getting it.
Compared to the RTX 3080 and RTX 3090, The GeForce RTX 3070 has less power consumption. Nvidia recommends a 650W PSU for the graphics card.
Our recommendation that works for both the 3080 and 3090:
Corsair RMX Series, RM850x, 850 Watt, 80+ Gold Certified, Fully Modular Power...
- 80 Plus Gold certified for lower power consumption, less noise and cooler temperatures
- For maximum cooling surface area and performance
- Zero RPM fan mode for near silent operation at low to medium loads; Continuous output rated temperature: 50°C
- 80 Plus Gold certified for lower power consumption, less noise and cooler temperatures
- For maximum cooling surface area and performance
- Zero RPM fan mode for near silent operation at low to medium loads; Continuous output rated temperature: 50°C
- 100 percent industrial grade, 105°C rated Japanese capacitors ensure unwavering power and reliability
- Fully modular cables, so you only connect the cables your system needs. Fan size-5.3 inches. iCUE Compatibility-No. Modern Standby Compatible- No
The power supply efficiency
Before wrapping up, we need to touch upon the importance of PSU efficiency. Efficiency implies how much power the PSU will draw from the wall socket. An 80 plus certification is recommended for power supply efficiency, implying that a 300W PSU would draw a maximum of 375W from the wall socket.
