Here to put the rumours to rest, let’s take a deep dive into the best PSU for RTX 4090.
A lot of people are asking what power supply will I need for a 4090? Before getting started, remember that Nvidia highly recommends using the PCIe 5.0 power connector which is basically a 16-pin power cable (if you want the more technical name it’s called a 12VHPWR). In case you’re unsure, a PSU is a Power Supply Unit, or a power supply. The power supply converts electricity or power from your mains electricity and transforms it to the right voltage for your PC to use.
This 16-pin power connector is set to replace the current 8-pin power connectors for a much easier experience when it comes to cable management for the current generation of GPU hardware.
If you’ve managed to grab a new RTX 4090 and you’re shopping for a new PSU, you’re probably thinking of grabbing a whole new case too. Take advantage of our handy guide here for the best RTX 4090 cases.
We’ve picked these PSUs based on the increased power supplies RTX 4090 needs, which is a TBP of 450W and needs a recommended amount of at least 850W for their Founders Edition.
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We’ve also chosen these PSUs based on power efficiency, cable management, airflow, quietness and budget (although be prepared that nothing is going to come very cheap with the RTX 4090).
Best PSUs for RTX 4090
- ASUS ROG THOR 1200W PSU
- MSI VMPG A1000G PSU
- EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P5 PSU
- EVGA GQ 1000W Gold PSU
- Seasonic GX-850 PSU
- Corsair RM850x
Best overall PSU for RTX 4090 – ASUS ROG THOR 1200W 80 Plus Platinum PSU
ASUS ROG THOR 1200W 80 Plus Platinum PSU
- Full power at 47°C
- Accurate AC Watt readings
- Lots of modular cables and connectors
- 10-year warranty
- Expensive
- Bulky
Great for both aesthetics and performance, we’ve chosen this PSU for its special features and overall might. We like its OLED power display which features an integrated OLED panel which can be enjoyed with one easy glance.
Best 1000W PSU for RTX 4090 – MSI MPG A1000G
Price Check: MSI MPG A1000G via Amazon
An excellent choice of PSU for power and efficiency, this PSU does very well for itself boasting 1000 watts combined with 80 PLUS Gold certification. It also has 0% RPM Mode meaning gaming in silence is easily achieved.
Read Now: PCIe 5.0 vs PCIe 4.0
It’s also on the smaller side compared to most PSUs listed here, making it a strong choice for those with limited space. If you’re still worried about desk space, we’ve selected a few great value gaming keyboards with reduced sizes that will help.
Best power efficient PSU for RTX 4090 – EVGA Supernova 1600W Platinum
EVGA Supernova 1600W Platinum
- Quiet
- Good cable management
- Great ripple suppression
- Could be more power efficient
EVGA’s Supernova 1600W Platinum is looking like the ultimate PSU to go with the RTX 4090. Its whopping 1600W power, with space for up to two PCI-E Gen 5 and 12+4-pin is very impressive.
When you combine that with what EVGA describes as its highest quality Japanese state capacitors which promise reliability and performance, you’ll be laughing.
Read Now: RX 7900 XT vs RTX 4080
Fully modular, with an LCC resonant circuit layout to improve efficiency even further, the specs sound good. Overall, the Supernova 1600W Platinum looks like the mighty fine choice tech enthusiasts will want to go for right now.
Best budget friendly PSU for RTX 4090 – EVGA GQ 1000W Gold
EVGA GQ 1000W Gold
- ATX 3.0 compatible
- 100% solid state Japanese Capacitors
- Top Platinum standard
- Relatively expensive
Coming in under $175, the EVGA GQ 1000W Gold PSU offers great bang for your buck. With an ultra quiet cooling system, plus the same high quality Japanese Capacitors as the EVGA SuperNOVA, you can rest assured count on this PSU to deliver for your new RTX 4090 graphics card.
It is semi-modular though but it comes with six VGA connectors through which you can power up to a 600W GPU with ATV 3.0 and PCI-e Gen 5 standards.
Best modular PSU for RTX 4090 – Seasonic Focus GX 850
Seasonic Focus GX 850
- Power efficient
- Good load regulation
- Ripple suppression
- Can be noisy
- Short distance between peripheral connectors
This 80 plus Gold model is a powerful and efficient choice of PSU. Thanks to Seasonic’s savvy choice of capacitors, this bad boy is capable of 90% efficiency under a 50% load. The Focus GX 850 is fully modular keeping all the cables tidy and easy to manage.
A pretty good choice of PSU if you ask us!
Best versatile PSU for RTX 4090 – Corsair RM850x
Corsair RM850x
- Runs quietly
- Fully compliant with ATX v2.52
- Highly efficient with light loads
- Magnetic levitation fans
- Small distance between peripheral connectors
A quality choice of PSU for those seeking a versatile and efficient PSU.
Thanks to its hybrid mode, the PSU keeps the fan off until its needed keeping its operation to an almost silent level. This is a highly efficient PSU without the premium features of PSUs like the EVGA SuperNOVA. One drawback is this PSU excludes the new 12VHPWR connector, which means you’ll need an octopus connector that comes with most ATX 3.0 power supplies.
Where to buy RTX 4090?
If you’re looking for a PSU for an RTX 4090, you’ve either grabbed the new GPU or you’re in the market for one. See our recommended retailers here:
- Amazon UK: competitive marketplace for current GPUs
- Scan: big selection of RTX 4090 cards on the way
- Ebuyer: RTX 4090 stock available.
- Novatech: latest GPUs at great prices
- Overclockers: Nvidia’s flagship GPU re-stocking soon
Below are our stock checkers for the RTX 4090:
- RTX 4090 stock checker (UK) – Videogamer
- RTX 4090 stock checker (US) – PC Guide
- RTX 4090 stock checker (Worldwide) – WePC
Final word
After our run down, we’d recommend going away remembering the most important features when it comes to choosing a PSU: efficiency and safety. All your RTX 4090 wants at the end of the day is enough power, so if you’re feeling a little weary about how much you’ve just spent to have one, don’t feel like you have to go overboard when choosing your PSU.
Features to look out for when choosing a PSU for the RTX 4090
Wattage
Make sure you know how much power you’ll need for your entire computer system. This means going above Nvidia’s 850W recommendation if you want your RTX 4090 to perform at its best.
Modularity
Only connect what you need with a fully modular PSU and keep the area neat and tidy. Fully modular supplies are usually the most expensive, so those on a smaller budget after buying the 4090 might want to go for a semi-modular power supply.
Efficiency
Look out for the official 80 PLUS certification. The general rule is the more efficient your PSU the more expensive your PSU will be upfront, but this could save you lots of money down the line, especially if you’re using your RTX 4090 on the daily.
ATX 3.0 12VHPWR
Meet ATX 3.0 which has been introduced to keep up with the increasingly taxing demands in the PC gaming industry. Especially as we enter into more energy uncertainty, the new 12VHPWR connector might be a good shout.
Do I need 12VHPWR adaptor for RTX 4090?
When outlets have been describing NVIDIA’s RTX 4090 as a monster, we’re sure they didn’t mean when the new 12VHPWR connector (which takes up to 600W of power) causing problems – specifically melting the new ATX 3.0 rail around the connector. Yikes!
A NVIDIA spokesperson spoke to The Verge in late October to say the company is investigating the problem. It’s worth noting that this isn’t happening to everyone lucky enough to get their hands on the new RTX 4090.
So what’s the solution? We’ve heard that you need to be extremely careful about how the cable is positioned and shouldn’t be bent. Now most of the drama has passed over, Corsair has jumped on the opportunity to produce its own single cable for $19.99, without the need for a 12+4pin adaptor.
FAQs
Does the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 series need a new PSU?
Needing a new PSU should be taken with a pinch of salt – as long as your PSU can supply the power to everything that needs it, then you’re fine.
Does a PSU affect gaming performance?
Yes – it can almost single-handedly define it. If your PSU can’t produce enough wattage for all of your components – they simply won’t work.
Is 850W power supply enough for 4090?
If you’re using Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5, then 850W should be enough for your RTX 4090 to eat through. Make sure you check your GPU model carefully though, as Zotac, Asus and Aorus are known to be required up to 1000W.
Is the RTX 4090 worth it?
Only if the $1,500 needed to buy the 4090 doesn’t set you back too much would we say Nvidia’s flagship graphics card is worth it. If you’re wanting a graphics card that boasts next-gen gaming, we recommend checking out AMD’s more affordable RX 7000 series – we’ve even compared the RTX 4080 vs RX 7900 XTX to help you decide.
Is the RTX 4090 overkill for gaming?
Unless you’re playing the latest games at 8K resolution, the 4090 is probably overkill. Though the 3090 will become obsolete at some point, it still performs brilliantly, going over 140 FPS with good resolution.
Will a 1000W PSU be enough for 4090?
A 1000W PSU will be more than enough to power your 4090, which has a recommended power supply of 850W.
Do I need an 80 Plus Platinum rated PSU?
If energy efficiency is important to you, then go for the 80 Plus Platinum rated PSU. It’s worth mentioning that an 80 Plus Platinum rated PSU will not likely save you substantial money compared to a lower energy rating for years to come.
How much should I spend on a PSU?
To get a decent power supply, you will probably spend anywhere between $200-$300.
