Best PSU for RTX 4090 in October 2023 – what power supply do you need?

Here to put the rumours to rest, let’s take a deep dive into the best PSU for RTX 4090.

Before we get stuck into recommending the best power supplies for the job, 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.

You’ll also need to decide on what’s within your budget. The RTX 4090 Founder’s Edition will do absolutely fine with an 850W PSU and will be the cheapest option you can get. However if you plan your PC build even further, such as with a 4090 SKU, then you’ll need one of the best 1000W PSUs for the job, or even higher.

So, why are these PSUs all over 1000W? Because the RTX 4090 flagship from Nvidia is an absolute monster with an even more monstrous TDP. Having this bad boy as your GPU is a bit like having a baby – you need to buy lots of other things to make sure it’s properly looked after. That probably includes find the best PC case and the best CPU for the 4090.

Finally, remember that the power recommendations can change depending on the AIB model your GPU is. Just make sure know the relevant manufacturer’s web page to avoid disappointment and frustration! Now we can get stuck into our recommendations which we update monthly to show the most relevent PSUs.

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.

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.

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 fully modular PSU for RTX 4090 – ASUS ROG THOR 1200W 80 Plus Platinum PSU

ASUS ROG THOR 1200W 80 Plus Platinum PSU

Dimensions

190 x 160 x 86 mm

80 Plus Certification

Platinum

Wattage

1200W

Modularity

Fully Modular

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Pros

• Full power at 47°C
• Accurate AC Watt readings
• Lots of modular cables and connectors
• 10-year warranty

Cons

• Expensive
• Bulky

Probably one of the best PSUs for your gaming PC we’ve seen, we love the all out ASUS ROG PSU for its aesthetics and performance. We’ve chosen this PSU for its special features and overall might. It features an OLED power display and an integrated OLED panel which can be enjoyed with one easy glance.

Best 1000W PSU for RTX 4090 – MSI MPG A1000G

MSI MPG A1000G

Dimensions

150 x 150 x 86 mm

80 Plus Certification

Gold

Wattage

1000W

Modularity

Fully Modular

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Pros

• Delivers full power at 47°C
• 10 year warranty
• 150mm distance between the peripheral connectors

Cons

• Not so quiet under heavy loads

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.

It’s also on the smaller side compared to most PSUs listed here, making it a strong choice for those with limited space.

Best power efficient PSU for 4090 – EVGA Supernova 1600W Platinum

EVGA Supernova 1600W Platinum

Dimensions

88 x 150 x 220

80 Plus Certification

Gold

Wattage

1600W

Modularity

Full Modular

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Pros

• Quiet
• Good cable management
• Great ripple suppression

Cons

• 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.

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 4090 – EVGA GQ 1000W Gold

EVGA GQ 1000W Gold

Dimensions

85 x 150 x 180 mm

80 PLUS Certification

Gold

Wattage

1000W

Modularity

Semi-Modular

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Pros

• ATX 3.0 compatible
• 100% solid state Japanese Capacitors
• Top Platinum standard

Cons

• Relatively expensive

The EVGA GQ 1000W Gold PSU offers great bang for your buck and comes with a five year warranty for peace of mind. 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 keep up with 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. This does mean those who want a 24-pin ATX RGB, setup should opt for a fully modular PSU instead, like the Seasonic Focus GX 850 which is also considerably cheaper.

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 which means your cables are tidy and easy to replace if they’re damaged. It also comes with a 10 year warranty period, so you can heave peace of mind knowing you’re not about to waste the best part of $150 on a new PSU that only gives up after a year or two!

A pretty good choice of PSU if you ask us!

Best versatile PSU for 4090 – Corsair RM850x

Corsair RM850x

Dimensions

149 x 149 x 86 mm

80 PLUS Certification

GOLD

Wattage

850W

Modularity

Fully modular

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Pros

• Runs quietly
• Fully compliant with ATX v2.52
• Highly efficient with light loads
• Magnetic levitation fans

Cons

• 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.

Still though, anyone looking for a sleek and premium looking PSU without costing buckets will be happy with this PSU. It provides ample power for highend PC components, like your 4090

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 adapter 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.

Can you run 4090 with 750W power supply?

According to popular opinion via Reddit, you can run a 4090 with a 750W power supply so long as you’re not overclocking the GPU. The risk is not leaving enough power for the rest of your system, especially if you have a less power efficient CPU. If you’re not gaming , it’s probably a little less risky too.