Hey folks! I'm considering picking up either the 5070 Ti or 9070 Xt this summer, and I'm curious to know whether I need to upgrade my power supply. Currently, I have a bequiet! 750w Pure Power FM which is rated as 2.1. Is it necessary to switch to a 3.1 PSU just for the cables? I also don't quite get how the 12V cables work. Is my 750w PSU enough, or should I splurge on an 850w, like the Corsair RM850e? Thanks for the help!
4 Answers
No, a 3.1 PSU isn't required. You can use the adapter that comes with the card, or grab a 12vhpwr cable that fits your power supply instead.
You don't strictly "need" a 3.1 PSU, but it would be a good idea if it's within your budget. I've been using a 6-year-old 850w Seasonic Focus G with my 9070 Xt, and it works perfectly fine!
The 5070 and 5070 Ti use the 12V connector, while the 9070 has two 8-pin connectors. While 750w and ATX 3.1 are recommended, it’s not mandatory. Getting an 850w would give you more leeway. Personally, I bought a 3.1 PSU to avoid potential issues with adapters. I went with a Segotep GM850 and haven’t faced any problems so far.
I’d recommend getting a 3.1 PSU, even though it's not a must. The 12V special cable just has extra sensor pins, so it's pretty simple. Regarding your 750w PSU, it's hard to say if that's enough without knowing the rest of your setup. Higher wattage PSUs handle load spikes better, which previous Nvidia generations struggled with. If you can, I'd say go for an 850w for extra headroom and reliability.
I have to say, Segotep PSUs are pretty unreliable. That model is definitely not a top choice!