Best PSUs For Nvidia RTX 3090 GPUs In 2024
After a lot of speculation, leaks, and rumors, Ampere is finally here. The RTX 3000 series of graphics cards is a big deal, no doubt about that. For the better part of the year, both the PS5 and Xbox Series X were getting all of the attention. Ampere is Nvidia’s answer to both of these companies. Despite stock issues at launch, we can’t downplay the importance of these cards.
The RTX 3090 provide incredible performance gains over their respective predecessors. This is one of the biggest generational leaps we’ve seen in a while. Folks, next-gen gaming is finally here. However, let’s not give in to the hype, as there are a few things we need to look at.
The most important question on everyone’s mind right now is if they need to upgrade their power supplies. Well, if you have a 650W PSU, the short answer is yes. The RTX 3090 is quite power-hungry. But you already know that, so we’ll just skip past the formalities. Here are some of the best PSUs for RTX 3090 in 2023.
1. Fractal Design Ion+ 860W Platinum PSU
Best Overall
Pros
- Best-in-class performance
- Silent operation
- Excellent modular cables
- Tight voltage regulation
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- None worth mentioning
Max Output: 860W | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Platinum | Fully Modular: Yes | Fan Size: 140mm | PSU Size: Standard ATX
Check PriceHardware enthusiasts and veteran builders are most likely familiar with Fractal Design. However, thanks to their excellent PC cases, they have gained mainstream popularity. Their main reason for fame is the fact they focus on quality, instead of gimmicks. The Fractal Design ION+ is a prime example of that.
Now, let’s get a few things out of the way first. This is an 80+ Platinum power supply. It has 860 watts of power, along with a fully modular design. Furthermore, it has the popular Zero RPM feature build in as well. This means the fans don’t spin unless it needs to. The 140mm fan is incredibly silent as well. So yes, this is everything you’d expect from a top-tier PSU.
However, it’s not the highest-end PSU you can get. There are power supplies out there with RGB, 80 Plus Titanium efficiency, and a whole lot of gimmicks. This isn’t that type of power supply. However, it’s the best blend of performance, design, acoustics, and reliability that we’ve seen to date.
We’re also big fans of the UltraFlex cables that are incredibly flexible and easy to route. The fan has long-lasting FDB bearings. Apart from that, tight voltage regulation and ease of installation make this PSU even better. Did we mention you get an extensive 10-year warranty? Yeah, this is hands down the perfect power supply.
2. EVGA Supernova 1200 P2 80+ PSU
The Enthusiast's Pick
Pros
- Loads of power
- Great acoustic performance
- Reliable capacitors
- High-quality cables
- Lengthy warranty
Cons
- ECO mode is unreliable
Max Output: 1200W | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Platinum | Fully Modular: Yes | Fan Size: 140mm | PSU Size: Standard ATX
As you’ve probably realized from the name, this 1200W power supply is completely overpowered for most people. In fact, it is most likely not the most practical power supply on this list. However, if you genuinely need that sort of power, this is the one to get. In all seriousness, the EVGA SuperNova 1200W PSU is an absolute powerhouse.
First off, we need to run through the specs quickly. As we said before, the EVGA Supernova 1200 P2 has 1200W of reliable power. It has an 80+ platinum efficiency, so you don’t need to be anxious about the reliability. A popular feature in power supplies is the Zero RPM mode.
EVGA also has this, but it is known as ECO mode. It’s about the same thing. However, just know that the fan curve is a bit limiting. When you need that extra juice, it can take a minute or two for the fan to kick in. Fortunately, this is an efficient power supply so you can turn off ECO mode
This power supply is fully modular. Subsequently, this means that you can put useless cables away. We always appreciate an excellent fully modular PSU. The fact the included cables are sleeved in black and made of high-quality materials make it even better.
Other things worth mentioning are the silent operation, and of course, the 100% Japanese capacitors. The fan size is your standard 140mm, and it uses double ball bearings. The 10-year warranty is undoubtedly the icing on the cake.
3. Corsair RMX Series RM750x
The Best Value
Pros
- Very competitive price
- Decent modular cables
- Lower temperatures
- Zero RPM mode
Cons
- A bit louder than others
- Not for the enthusiasts
Max Output: 750W | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Gold | Fully Modular: Yes | Fan Size: 140mm | PSU Size: Standard ATX
So, we’ve talked about a couple of high-end power supplies. It’s only natural now to come down to earth a bit and be a bit modest. For most people, the Corsair RM750X is the perfect PSU. It has all of the premium features you’d expect, but the overall value is what earns it a spot on this list.
If you’re familiar with online PC hardware forums, you might think that Corsair has a bad reputation with power supplies. The issue is so overblown that we have to address it here. 99% of the time, those people are talking about the VS series of PSUs. Most of those PSUs have group voltage regulation, which makes them less reliable.
The CX, CMX, and RMX series of PSUs are miles better than the VS series. Let us prove it to you. First off, this unit has an 80+ gold certification. It has rated for low power consumption, better acoustic performance, and lower temperatures. It is tuned for low noise operation at full load. However, it is still a bit louder than the higher-end PSUs on this list.
As usual, this PSU has the popular Zero RPM fan mode built-in. The industrial-grade capacitors are Japanese, and we trust Corsair in their reliability for these. The cables are fully modular, so you can get rid of the cables you don’t need. All in all, this is an excellent power supply.
However, while 750W is enough for most people, we recommend going above that if you’re an enthusiast. Once you start adding in capture cards, more SSDs, and other components, the power consumption can start to creep up. We only say this because the RTX 3090 can creep up to an uncomfortable 500W of peak power usage.
4. CoolerMaster MasterWatt 750W Power Supply
The Utilitarian
Pros
- Great value for money
- Semi-fanless mode
- Dustproof fan bearings
Cons
- Cables feel too long
- Occasional coil whine
Max Output: 750W | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Bronze | Fully Modular: Semi-Modular | Fan Size: 120mm | PSU Size: Standard ATX
CoolerMaster has been surprisingly successful with its power supply units. While the enthusiasts will still go with the Seasonic or Fractal Design units, the MWE series is still excellent. CoolerMaster has done a commendable job with these PSUs, and they’re ready for next-gen GPUs.
The MasterWatt 750W Power Supply looks like it’s the best power supply for the average joe. If you’re the type of person who just upgrades every couple of years, you’re going to be fine with this power supply. The MW 750 delivers 750W of tightly controlled power. It has an 80+ Bronze efficiency rating along with a semi-fanless mode.
The fan remains idle at 15%, which means it’s essentially at Zero RPM. The fan curve gradually increases as the load increases. CoolerMaster is one of those companies that does this better than most. Apart from that, this PSU comes with 16AWG fully modular cables. The fan has a size of 120mm with a “dustproof” LDB bearing. You also get 5 years of warranty.
All things considered, this is an excellent power supply for the average consumer. However, there are a few minor annoyances. For example, the SATA cables feel like they are longer than standard cables. This means that they are a bit hard to route. A bigger issue is that some people reported their units possibly have noticeable coil whine. Keep in mind that these reports are in the minority, but it’s something that might bother you or push you away.
5. Corsair SF Series SF750W Power Supply
Best SFX PSU
Pros
- Perfect for ITX PCs
- Lots of power for the size
- Excellent reliability
- No coil whine
Cons
- Noticeable fan noise
- Expensive
Max Output: 750W | Efficiency Rating: 80+ Platinum | Fully Modular: Yes | Fan Size: 92mm | PSU Size: SFX
Corsair earns another spot on this list with something a bit different. Every PSU we’ve talked about has the standard ATX size. As you can guess from the name, the SF750 is an SFX power supply. Some people also refer to it as a small form factor or SFF power supply. Long story short, this is one of the few small PSUs we can recommend for the RTX 3090.
The SF series happens to be one of the better options when it comes to small form factor power supplies. The SF750 is actually an A-tier PSU. Rest assured, this is one of the most reliable SFX power supplies ever made. It has an 80+ Platinum certification, which is always good to see. This is especially true for SFX PSUs, as you’ll appreciate all the reliability you can get.
SFX PSUs often suffer from coil whine, but Corsair has managed to nail this down. Of course, under full load, it can get noticeable. Still, this is one of the few PSUs to cram this much power inside, so we just have to live with it for now. The capacitors are pure Japanese, and extremely reliable.
As usual, there are a few things to worry about. Cramming this PSU inside a small case with a 3090 is going to push temperatures up for sure. The bigger issue is how much of a premium you usually pay for a high-quality SFX power supply. The same remains true for the SF750.
