I'm considering upgrading my faulty 2080 Super, especially with GPU prices expected to rise. I've got a 650W power supply unit (PSU), and I've seen conflicting recommendations about whether that's sufficient for a new GPU. Some sources say 650W is enough, specifically for the 5070 Ti, but my friend mentioned I might need a higher-rated PSU for the 9070 XT. Here's my current build: Intel i5 13600KF, 32GB DDR5 RAM, two 1TB M.2 SSDs, a 1TB HDD, and two fans. Can anyone help clarify if my 650W PSU can handle either of these GPUs?
3 Answers
You should be fine with a 650W PSU for both cards, assuming your PSU is good quality. However, if you're going with the 9070 XT, it might be a little wobbly under load. Just to play it safe, you could limit the power draw a bit, especially if it's a high-end model that could pull more power.
I've heard that some recommend at least a 700W PSU for the 5070 Ti, just to give you a bit more headroom. I think you could run the 9070 XT, but consider undervolting it to ease the load on your current setup.
Honestly, if you can afford it, just go for a 9070 without the XT. The performance gain isn’t worth the extra power consumption. Plus, you can save enough to cover a new PSU if you need one later on, making it a smarter choice overall.
I went through the same dilemma and decided it was worth upgrading to an 850W PSU just for peace of mind. It gives you the flexibility for future upgrades too.