I'm looking to upgrade my GPU to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090, but I'm not sure what parts I might need to replace. Here's my current build:
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700K
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
- ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi LGA 1700 ATX Gaming Motherboard
- RM850x 80 PLUS Gold Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
- Corsair iCUE H100i Elite CAPELLIX XT Liquid CPU Cooler
- Corsair 5000D Airflow Tempered Glass Mid-Tower ATX PC Case
- VENGEANCE RGB PRO 64GB DDR4 3600MHz
I mainly want to upgrade so I can play games like Cyberpunk and The Witcher at ultra settings; my current GPU just isn't cutting it. I was considering waiting for the 60xx series launch, but with the current market situation, I'm keen to upgrade now.
5 Answers
Some folks are being overly cautious about the PSU. If you adjust your GPU settings (like undervolting), your current PSU could work just fine. Ultimately, fit that awesome new GPU in first, then assess if a CPU upgrade is necessary down the line.
A top-tier PSU is a must for such a power-hungry GPU! I have a similar setup and went with a 1000w PSU when I upgraded to a 5090. It’s been running flawlessly for 4K gaming.
Your setup is solid as is! Upgrading your GPU shouldn’t require much else right away, but if you find your CPU starts bottlenecking performance, then consider going for a higher-end CPU like the 14700K or 14900K in the future. Just make sure your motherboard’s BIOS is up-to-date.
Honestly, your PSU seems decent. If you manage to undervolt your GPU, you might be just fine with what you have. It’s a quality unit, so I wouldn’t stress too much about it. Just slot in the new GPU, and if there are issues later, you can think about a CPU upgrade.
To properly upgrade, you'll likely need a power supply of at least 1000 watts, and possibly even 1200 watts if you plan on future upgrades with a high-performance CPU. Your current PSU just might not cut it for the 5090, especially with your CPU pulling quite a bit of power too.

Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload