Best PSU for RTX 4080 – do you need a new power supply?

Anyone looking for the best PSU for RTX 4080 needs to conduct some careful research before committing to a power supply unit.

The first thing to bear in mind is the RTX 4080 uses up 320W, which is substantially less than the 4090 which consumes a chunky 450W of power. Still, it’s a lot compared to older gen cards, so remember that when thinking about your other PC parts. Now that the RTX 4080 Super is here, here’s the best PSU for it as well.

We update this page monthly to ensure you’re seeing only the most relevant recommendations.

Once you’ve got your hands on one you might ask yourself – do I need a new power supply for the RTX 4080.

To answer that question, we’ll get into the nitty-gritty, discussing wattage, modularity, and efficiency. If you need further guidance, we’ve also written a piece on the best CPU and PC case for the RTX 4080, plus a list of tech retailers you can buy the graphics card from.

To make things super simple for you all, we’ve listed the best PSUs in several different categories, allowing you to prioritise what you want.

We’ve chosen the best overall PSU, as well as our picks for the best based on power efficiency, quietness, reliability and budget

Best high-end PSU for RTX 4080 – Corsair AX1600i

Corsair AX 1600i

Dimensions

150 x 86 x 200

80 Plus Certification

Titanium

Wattage

1600W

Modularity

Full

How We Review

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Pros

• Excellent software – you can monitor the power via Corsair iCue
• Premium quality components built to last
• Very quiet even at high speeds

Cons

• Costly, but worth it

By far the best PSU money can buy – the Corsair AX1600i costs a high price while offering quality performance from a PSU. The 80 PLUS Titanium efficiency rating is made possible by the gallium nitride transistors replacing the outdated silicon tech that hampers modern technology. This allowed a reduced form factor alongside much improved heat dissipation and energy efficiency.

Read More: RTX 4070 vs 4080 which graphics card should you go for?

Aside from the technical brilliance of the Corsair AX1600i, it excels in the software made available. By allowing you to monitor and control your power supply – you have the most chance of preserving your computer hardware, eliminating energy waste, and reducing noise and heat.

Though the RTX 4080 only requires 750W to operate, the AX1600i steams past that with a maximum wattage of 1600W.

The EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P5 is the most power efficient PSU for the RTX 4080 – with a highly coveted Eco mode to decrease the damage done by the mega 1000W power that the machine can churn out. With a Platinum rating, the EVGA SuperNova is amongst the elite class of PSU with a fully modular system in place.

Read more: Best GPU for 4K gaming

Alongside that, it sports an ultra-quiet 135mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan with an EVGA ECO Mode, which can operate on a completely silent mode when the time calls for it, perfect for late night gamers.

This is our choice for best silent PSU for the RTX 4080. The MSI MPG A850G is powerful, efficient, fully modular and capable of silent operation.

Its GOLD 80 PLUS certification, places it just above average, meaning you’ll be saving money without paying the premium price for optimal energy efficiency. For many gamers, this level of efficiency is unnecessary.

The MSI MPG A850G’s 0% RPM mode stops the fan from operating while TDP is under 40%. This means silent operation, allowing you to focus, all while saving energy at the same time.

You can check the price of the MSI MPG A850G here.

Best budget friendly PSU for RTX 4080 – EVGA 750 GQ

EVGA 750 GQ

Dimensions

85 x 150 x 165 mm

80 Plus Certification

Gold

Wattage

700W

Modularity

Semi

How We Review

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Pros

• Super affordable
• Good power efficiency

Cons

• PSUs are worth spending a bit of money on for longevity

Coming in at under $100, the EVGA 750 GQ is a budget friendly way to power your RTX 4080. Other pros are its ultra quiet cooling system and 100% high quality Japanese capacitors.

At 700W it will power you RTX 4080 along with the rest of your system, though with limited space for future upgrades. Its semi-modular design is another drawback, potentially cramping up your PC with cables.

WePC has a handy little guide on good cable management.

Check the exact cost of the EVGA 750 GQ here.

Best reliable PSU for RTX 4080 – Corsair RM850x

Corsair RM850x

Dimensions

149 x 149 x 86 mm

80 PLUS Certification

GOLD

Wattage

850W

Modularity

Fully modular

How We Review

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Pros

• Good warranty period
• Best suited for cases with side mounted PSU slots

Cons

• Make sure you have plenty of clearance to fit this PSU comfortable with all the cables

The Corsair RM850x One is our best all rounder PSU for the RTX 4080. Its renowned for its reliability and safety. Though it doesn’t support ATX 3.0, it does come with Corsair’s12VHPWR solution, meaning you don’t have to worry about burn-up.

Its full modularity is another pro. Though all these upsides do make it a slightly pricier option. Though for this price you are getting a high quality product, and a 10 year warranty.

Best small form factor PSU for RTX 4080 – Corsair SF750

Corsair SF750

Dimensions

80 Plus Certification

Platinum

Wattage

750W

Modularity

Full

How We Review

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Pros

• Perfect for smaller cases
• Excellent efficiency
• Quiet operation
• Fully modular

Cons

• Pricey

Our pick for the best small form factor PSU is another of Corsair’s power supplies. The Corsair SF750 is both cost efficient and space considerate.

750W of power is packed into such a small space – though you’d never notice that in performance. With a Platinum 80 PLUS certification and a fully modular design, this SFX PSU is perfect for anyone trying to fit a high powered PC into a small form factor – though we can’t suggest that you’ll be able to fit an RTX 4080 into an SFX rig.

The Seasonic GX-850 is both powerful and efficient. Capable of up to 90% power efficiency while under 50% load, its deserving of its 80 PLUS Gold certificate.

For a fully modular PSU it also managed to keep its price relatively low, earning it our pick for best modular PSU for the RTX 4080.

Do I need a new power supply for RTX 4080?

The step-up in performance boasted by this new generation of GPUs has come with a step-up in power requirements. While this does increase the likelihood that you’ll end up needing a new PSU for the RTX 4080, it doesn’t make it a done deal.

Basically, so long as your PSU has the wattage levels capable of handling the RTX 4080, you should be okay. The requirements are lower than the RTX 3090 and 3090 Ti, though it requires more than the RTX 3080, which is the exact card many of us will be replacing.

Be aware that it varies from build to build, but generally, if your current PSU has a supply of around 750 watts, you will be okay upgrading to the RTX 4080.

On top of that, you should be future proofed to some extent, allowing you to upgrade other components on your PC, without having to worry about power spikes shutting down your system.

Do I need 12VHPWR adaptor for RTX 4080?

The new graphics card will still function with ATX 2.0 power supplies, as long as it meets the wattage requirements. Though using the latest 12VHPWR cables will make this a much simpler task.

You might have heard the concerning reports that power adapters on the RTX 4090 are melting due to thermal variance. The bad news is that the RTX 4080 is venerable to the same issues as it too uses 12VHPWR 16-pin power connectors.

However, according to advice from NVIDIA, if you are diligent in your cable placement, not bending it too close to the connector, you should be okay. Another option is to go for Corsair’s new cable which doesn’t require the 12+4 pin adaptor.

What is a PSU?

PSU stands of power supply unit. it is responsible for converting electricity from your mains into the correct voltage to power your PC.

While your GPU will likely consume the lion’s share of this power, the PSU powers all the other components, giving you all the more reason to air on the side of caution when picking your PSU.

Read Now: RTX 4080 vs RTX 3080

Features to look out for when choosing a PSU for the RTX 4080

Wattage

This is the amount of pure power your PSU can feed to your graphics card.

You’ll want to go above NVIDIA’s basic recommendations if you want to allow your RTX 4080 to perform to its maximum capacity. Doing so will also allow you to upgrade other components of your PC, without worrying about the system lacking power.

Modularity

If a PSU is fully modular, it means all the cables are fully removable. This allows you to only plug in the ones that you need to use.

Fully modular PSUs allow for the most connectivity and also increased cable management, both in terms of power and space. This does come at a higher cost however.

Efficiency

Energy efficiency is rated using the 80 PLUS certification system. It ranks PSUs from white, all the way up to Platinum, so be sure to check how any you’re thinking of buying rank.

Though a higher ranking will incur a larger upfront cost, the more you run your system, the more you’ll be saving money on your yearly energy bill.

ATX 3.0

This will be a big factor, when considering which PSU to buy for the RTX 4080. If you want a native cable, which avoids the need to use the dreaded, possibly faulty, adaptors, you’re going to need a PSUs that is ATX 3.0 compatible.

Check out WePC’s handy guide if you need any more information.

Best PSU for RTX 4080 final word

When it comes to buying a PSU it is basically never a bad idea to err on the side of caution. Not only will you be protecting yourself from potential power spikes, but you’re also future proofing.

A PSU that has more wattage than you currently need, will just allow you to make future upgrades without having to worry about power. For the bare minimum, check out the best 750W PSUs, or stick around for a wider range of recommendations.

Best PSU for RTX 4080 FAQs

What power consumption does the RTX 4080 have?

The board power of the RTX 4080 is 320W. While this is hefty it’s not higher than the power requirements of the last generation of PSUs. It’s still worth considering if you need a new PSU when buying it, however.

Does a PSU affect gaming performance?

A PSU is vital to allow you PC to run your games smoothly. If its not producing enough power for you system, components won’t work and the system will crash. Good luck gaming on a computer that’s turned off.

How much VRAM does the RTX 4080 have?

The RTX 4080 comes with an impressive 16GB GDDR6X VRAM, that will comfortably handle 4K gaming, and should be able to venture into 8K.

What is the difference between bronze and gold certified PSU?

A gold certified PSU will give you 5% more efficiency than a bronze one, so the difference isn’t that drastic.

Can a 850W PSU handle a 4080?

Yes, you want at least a 750W PSU to run the RTX 4080.

Is the RTX 4080 worth it?

The 4080 is around 21% faster than the last-gen RTX 3080 Ti and takes about 14% lead over the RTX 3090 Ti. The RTX 4080 is also currently retailing for less than the 3090 Ti on Amazon.

Do I need a new PSU for RTX 4080?

The 4080 is substantially more powerful than Nvidia’s 30-series graphics cards, so it’s likely you’ll need a new PSU of at least 750W.