Hey everyone! I'm building a new PC and have settled on using the 9800X3D along with a 9070XT for the time being. While I'm tempted by the 5080 for its DLSS and ray tracing capabilities, it's just way too much at an extra $1000 AUD compared to the 9070XT. I typically upgrade my PC every 5 to 6 years, so I'm wondering if I should invest in a 1000W power supply now to accommodate potential future upgrades to NVIDIA graphics cards, or if sticking with an 850W PSU is sufficient for now. Also, how much did power requirements change with previous NVIDIA flagship cards, like from the 3080 to the 4080 or the 4080 to the 5080? Thanks for your insights!
4 Answers
If you're looking to future-proof your build, definitely go for the 1000W PSU. It gives you extra headroom for upgrades down the line without any worries. Plus, the price difference is usually minimal, like $30 or so, so it's a no-brainer!
I’m using an 850W EVGA PSU with a 5080 and a 9800X3D, and it works great. It actually pulls less power than the 12700K and 14600K I used to have. Just make sure your PSU is from a reliable brand rated A or S-tier and you should be fine!
To quote JayzTwoCents, your PSU is the one component you can truly future-proof. I learned that the hard way when I went with an 850W on my current setup and now I'm forced to upgrade because of work requirements with a 5080 or 5090. I 100% recommend getting at least a 1000W PSU. It pays off in the long run!
I was looking at a 750W for my last build, but for just $30 more, I grabbed a 1000W on sale and I've recycled it through several builds without a hitch. A little dust cleanup here and there, but it’s been reliable!
I've never heard anyone regret getting a larger PSU. Trust me, if you plan on upgrading to a more powerful GPU, the 1000W is the way to go. You won’t regret it!
You can definitely run a 5080 with an 850W PSU, but it's risky if you plan to push the limits on performance. Better to have the extra wattage just in case!