BLOG

Best PSU for RTX 3080

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 might not be the most powerful GPU anymore, owing to the 40-series and their upgraded Super variants. However, the RTX 3080 is still a plenty capable GPU, and all the more appealing considering the astronomic cost of the latest GPUs, and the inevitable price drops it’ll receive now that it’s no longer the top dog.

Basically, it’s a good time to get a 3080, but if it’s been a while since your last upgrade, you might need a new PSU, so let’s browse through the comprehensive options here at CORSAIR to find the best PUS for the RTX 3080. But first, a quick sense check to make sure you are at least meeting the bare minimums for the 3080 to work.

Best PSU for RTX 3080

RTX 3080 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

  • PCIe 4.0 X16 Slot (For best performance).
  • 750W power supply or greater.
  • Minimum 2x 8-pin PCIe connectors + Adapter required or 450W or greater 12HPWR connector. (We make a power bridge to help tidy the notoriously unwieldy 12VHPWR cable, by the way)

RTX 3080 Power Requirements

It’s important to note here that not all RTX 3080s are born the same. While any RTX 3080 will provide almost top tier performance, depending on which brand your 3080 is, there are some differences in the recommended PSU voltage. Below you’ll find a list of some of the more popular RTX 3080s and their power requirements. Be aware that this is not an exhaustive list, so if the RTX 3080 you’re looking at doesn’t appear below, check the manufacturer’s website for its minimum PSU.

Model TDP (Thermal Design Power) Minimum recommended PSU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (Founder's Edition) 320W 750W
ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 OC 320W 850W
GIGABYTE Gaming OC GeForce RTX 3080 (Rev. 2.0) 320W 850W
MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 370W 750W
ASUS ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 3080 320W 850W
GIGABYTE Vision OC GeForce RTX 3080 320W 750W
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3080 MASTER 320W 850W
MSI Ventus GeForce RTX 3080 320W 750W
MSI Suprim GeForce RTX 3080 370W 850W

With the minimum PSUs starting at 750W, and typically topping out at 850W, you’re safe with an 850W PSU. That being said, our recommendations are going to be 1000W, as the additional headroom leaves more room for future upgrades, and will be able to eat any pesky transient power spikes. We’ll have a 750W at the bottom for those who enjoy teetering on the edge of electrical Armageddon.

Best fully modular ATX PSU for RTX 3080: CORSAIR RM1000x SHIFT

Those using a mid or full-tower case like the 4000D or 7000X can enjoy the benefits of a regular-sized ATX PSU, and if you’re balling out with the RTX 3080, then the power-companion of choice can only be the CORSAIR RM1000x SHIFT.

Aside from the niceties like an 80 PLUS Gold efficiency rating and cables fully compliant with the ATX 3.0 and PCIe 5.0 specifications, you get the side-mounted modular cables that earn these PSUs the SHIFT suffix.

RM1000x_SHIFT_07
RM1000x_SHIFT_09

CORSAIR RM1000x SHIFT Specs

So, yes, the CORSAIR RM1000x SHIFT is the best PSU for the RTX 3080 as far as the ATX standard goes, but PC people are dorks, so for those people, here’s the power table and cable configuration for this PSU.

CORSAIR RM1000x SHIFT Power Table

Rail +3.3V +5V +12V +5VSB
Max Load 25A 25A 83.3A 3A
Max combined wattage 150W 999.6W 15W

CORSAIR RM1000x SHIFT Cable Configuration

Cable type Description Length Cable quantity
Flat ATX Cable (24-pin) 610mm ± 10mm 1
Flat EPS / ATX 12V 8-pin (4+4) 650mm ± 10mm 2
Flat 12VHPWR (12+4) pin 650mm ± 10mm 1
Flat PCIe 8-pin (6+2) (6+2) 750mm ± 10mm 2
Flat PCIe 8-pin (6+2) 650mm ± 10mm 3
Flat SATA (4 SATA) 800mm ± 10mm 4
Flat PATA (4-pin) 750mm ± 10mm 2

Best fully modular SFX PSU for RTX 3080: CORSAIR SF1000L

If you’re limited by desk space, or just like the aesthetic of a compact PC case like the 2000D, then you’ll need an SFX PSU. These are smaller than ATX PSUs, but can be just as efficient, as is the case with the CORSAIR SF1000L.

Additionally, we retain the modular cables here, too. Perhaps all the more important given the super tight space constraints that come with SFX cases. As usual, you’ll find the power table and cable configuration for the SF1000L.

SF1000L_RENDER_02
SF1000L_RENDER_06

CORSAIR SF1000L Specs

CORSAIR SF1000L Power Table

Rail +3.3V +5V +12V +5VSB
Max Load 20A 20A 83.3A 3A
Max combined wattage 150W 1000W 15W

CORSAIR SF1000L Cable Configuration

Cable type Description Length Cable quantity
Flat ATX Cable (24-pin) 300mm ± 10mm 1
Flat EPS / ATX 12V 8-pin (4+4) 400mm ± 10mm 2
Flat 12VHPWR (12+4) pin 400mm ± 10mm 1
Flat PCIe 8-pin (6+2) (6+2) 500mm ± 10mm 1
Flat PCIe 8-pin (6+2) 400mm ± 10mm 3
Flat SATA (4 SATA - Straight) 445mm ± 10mm 1
Flat
SATA (4 SATA - Right)
445mm ± 10mm 2
Flat
PATA (4-pin)
330mm ± 10mm 1

Best ultra-low noise ATX PSU for RTX 3080: CORSAIR HX1000i

While all the options on this list have a zero-RPM mode, so that the fan won’t even spin below a certain limit, there is some inevitable noise when the PSU properly kicks in. If you’re a sonically sensitive sort, then the CORSAIR HX1000i is the correct way to go. This one is even 80 PLUS Platinum rated. Here’s the power table and cable configuration for this silence-serving savage.

HX1000i_03
HX1000i_09

CORSAIR HX1000i Specs

CORSAIR HX1000i Power Table

Rail +3.3V +5V +12V +5VSB
Max Load 20A 20A 83.3A 3A
Max combined wattage 150W 1000W 15W

CORSAIR HX1000i Cable Configuration

Cable type Description Length Cable quantity
Flat ATX Cable (24-pin) 610mm ± 10mm 1
Flat EPS / ATX 12V 8-pin (4+4) 650mm ± 10mm 2
Flat 12VHPWR (12+4) pin 4650mm ± 10mm 1
Flat PCIe 8-pin (6+2) (6+2) 775mm ± 10mm 2
Flat SATA (4 SATA - Straight) 800mm ± 10mm 1
Flat
PATA (4-pin)
750mm ± 10mm 1
Round
USB (TYPE C)
To 10-1 Pin
525mm ± 25mm 1

Best 750W PSU for RTX 3080: CORSAIR RM750x SHIFT

We mentioned at the outset that you’re just about safe with a 750W PSU, at least for the FE 3080, perhaps 850W for the other brands. So, if you’re happy with riding the line on the very edge of the bare minimum, it must be the RM750x SHIFT.

RM750x_SHIFT_07
RM750x_SHIFT_09

Given that the power requirements for 3080 cards swing from 750W to 850W, it’s worth mentioning that the there’s an 850W version within the SHIFT PSU lineup, too.

CORSAIR RM750x SHIFT specs

CORSAIR RM750x SHIFT power table

Rail +3.3V +5V +12V +5Vsb
Max Load 20A 20A 20A 3A
Max Combined Wattage 150W 750W 15W

CORSAIR RM750x SHIFT Cable Configuration

Cable Type Description Length Cable Quantity
Flat ATX CABLE 24-PIN (24) 610mm ± 10mm 1
Flat EPS/ATX12V CABLE 8-PIN (4+4) 650mm ± 10mm 2
Flat 12VHPWR Cable (12+4) 650mm ± 10mm 1
Flat PCIe CABLE 8-PIN (6+2) x2 750mm ± 10mm 2
Flat PCIe CABLE 8-PIN (6+2) 650mm ± 10mm 3
Flat SATA CABLE (4 SATA) 800mm ± 10mm 4
Flat PATA CABLE (4-PIN) 750mm ± 10mm 2

There ya go, folks. All the best PSUs for the RTX 3080 all in one place, depending on your individual needs. For more PSUs, plus basically everything else than goes into a PC, head to our webstore.

RTX 3080 PSU FAQs

That's 4 of the best PSU options for the RTX 3080. Below, we've included a answers to a few of the most common PSU questions, in case you want some more specific information.

How long is the warranty on a CORSAIR PSU?


All our PSUs come with a minimum of a 3-year warranty, with many holding 10-year warranties. You can find the warranty for each specific PSU on our support site.



Are there still issues with the 12VHPWR connector?


Following the release of the 12VHPWR standard, there were some incidences of the connector melting, due to it not being fully-seated when connected. This is avoidable, just make sure the cable is fully connected at both ends, and avoid bending the connector during the cable management process. Our PCIe 5.0 12VHPWR GPU Power Bridge can help with that, allowing for neater cable management, and a lower likelihood of the cable being bent too much. (Just check it will work with your specific RTX 4080.)



What do the "80 Plus" and "Cybenetics" symbols mean?


80 PLUS and Cybenetics are the two most common PSU efficiency ratings. Basically the better the rating, the more efficient the power supply. We've written an article explaining these two standards that you can read for more detail.



Are all PSU cables compatible with all PSUs?


No. there are different standards and connector types at play here. This means you have to be very careful. Check out our compatibility matrix to make sure. Plugging the wrong type of cable into your PSU, or any other component in your system can have disastrous consequences.



PRODUCTS IN ARTICLE

RELATERET INDHOLD