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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.