I'm planning to upgrade my GPU to an RTX 5070 from my current 1660 Super. I have an Intel i7-11700 CPU, but I'm concerned about my 500W power supply. I'm considering replacing it in a month or two, but I want to know if it will hold up in the meantime. I've seen suggestions online about undervolting and power limits. Will my PSU manage this setup until I get a new one?
12 Answers
In my experience testing with an RTX 3060 Ti and a Ryzen 5 5600, I hit about 300 watts under max load. The RTX 5070 should be close, so it might just manage if you watch your power usage closely, but consider upgrading your PSU soon.
I used a 7-year-old EVGA 500W with an i7-5070 for three weeks and had no major issues. It might work for you too, but plan for an upgrade.
That's impressive!
I wouldn't push it, but it might just work. I recently upgraded from a 600W to a 750W PSU for peace of mind—it was about $100 well spent.
You could also plug your entire setup into PCPartPicker. It might give you a better idea of your power requirements based on your components.
Does your PSU have a second 8-pin connector? In theory, you might be okay if you power limit the RTX 5070. Just keep an eye on it; undervolting might not be as effective as you'd hope.
Nvidia actually recommends a 650W PSU for the RTX 5070, so while you can try to limit the power, I'd suggest getting a better PSU in the near future.
It should work, but if you push both your CPU and GPU to their limits, your system might shut down unexpectedly. If you're smart about power management, you can probably get by for a couple of months before upgrading.
Can a Honda Civic tow a boat? Sure! But it's definitely smarter to use a truck for towing. Keep that in mind with your GPU upgrade.
Have you tried entering your build into a PSU calculator? It can give you a pretty solid estimate on how much power you'll need. Check out some online calculators like the ones from Be Quiet or Cooler Master.
Considering price and performance, have you thought about the 9070 XT? It's similar to the 5070 Ti but might offer better value, though it needs a stronger PSU.
But the 9070 XT also needs a 750W PSU, so it's not really a feasible option with a 500W.
It’s a bit more expensive in my area. I'd rather stick with Nvidia for now.
In theory, it'll work, but it's cutting it really close.
The effectiveness really depends on the quality of your PSU. A high-efficiency model could likely handle it, but a cheaper one might cause stability issues. Consider downclocking your GPU as a safety measure, especially since it can draw around 250-270W under load, plus your CPU and other components. You might want to aim for about 70-75% of your PSU's capacity for safety.
Yeah, that sounds like a good plan!
Absolutely, better to play it safe!
Thanks for sharing your experience!