Can I Use an RTX 3050 with a 180W Power Supply?
Asked by
CuriousCoder42
I have an HP Prodesk 280 G4 MT with an i5-8500 processor, 32GB of RAM, and multiple storage options including a 1TB SSD, 2x1TB HDDs, and a 1TB NVMe drive. My power supply unit (PSU) is rated at 180W with an 80+ Platinum certification. I'm planning to run various services like media streaming and music, and I want to try playing some games using Sunshine. Currently, I have a Zotac GTX 750 2GB installed, but I'm considering upgrading to an RTX 3050 Low Profile. Will it work on my 180W power supply?
Answers
The RTX 3050 can technically run on a 180W PSU, but be aware it might cause your system to shut down during power spikes. I once tried using a GTX 1080 Ti with a 520W supply, and the PC would crash whenever I launched a demanding game. Even though the combined draw was only about 400W, the spikes caused issues. So, it’s a risk with your current setup!
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Unfortunately, you’ll likely need a larger PSU for the RTX 3050. A 250W supply might work, but it’s cutting it close, especially under load. I'd recommend a higher wattage for stability and to avoid issues down the line.
BudgetBuilder89: Yeah, I was thinking a higher wattage would be safer too, just to be on the safe side.
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TechieTom2023: That sounds risky. I think it might be worth considering a beefier PSU.