I’m trying to figure out the right wattage for my new power supply unit (PSU). I’m planning to use an RTX 5080 GPU that pulls 360W and an i7-14700K CPU which has a TDP of 125W but can boost up to 253W. So far, I’ve calculated the total for the GPU and CPU at 613W. My question is how do I account for the power requirements of my motherboard, fans, SSDs, and other components? Is there a simple rule of thumb, like adding an extra 200W for safety? Just to give you some context, I currently run an RTX 3080 and an i5-12600K with a 750W PSU without any issues. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Yeah, if you’re looking for a more comfortable buffer, going for an 850W PSU sounds like a solid choice. I’ve seen those calculators give wildly different recommendations too. Some suggest 720W while others say you need 920W or higher to account for headroom. It’s a good idea to consider the longevity of your components too, especially under load! An 850W from a reliable brand should handle your build nicely without much strain, especially if you’re not pushing max loads all the time. Just be cautious with cheaper brands; a quality PSU can make all the difference!
To calculate additional wattage for components like the motherboard, fans, and SSDs, a good rule of thumb is to add about 50-100W on top of your CPU and GPU calculations. Each RAM stick typically pulls around 1-2W, and the wattage can vary by storage type (M.2, SATA, PCIe). If you’re running multiple fans or have a liquid cooling system, add even more. There are power supply calculators like the one from OuterVision or the one on PCPartPicker that can help as well. Just remember, those calculators give a maximum load estimate, which is not usually what you’ll see in real-life usage. So, your setup with a 750W PSU might work but be aware you’ll be cutting it close, especially if it’s not a top-tier unit.
Thanks for the insight! I’ve been playing around with those calculators as well, but it’s confusing when the numbers can spike so much based on different setups. I get the concern about being close to the limit. I think I’m leaning towards an 850W PSU now just to be safe.
Exactly! The quality of the PSU is super important. I made the mistake of going cheap once and it almost fried my whole setup. Definitely invest in a reputable brand!