Short answer: 1000W for an RTX 5090, 850W for an RTX 5080, 750W for an RTX 5070 Ti and 650W for an RTX 5070. The RTX 5060 Ti and 5060 run happily on 600W and 550W. Pick an ATX 3.0 or 3.1 unit with a native 16-pin cable and you’re set.
Card by card
| Graphics card | Card power | Recommended size | My pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | 575W | 1000W | Corsair RMx (2024) 1000W |
| RTX 5080 | 360W | 850W | Corsair RMx Shift 850W |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 300W | 750W | Corsair RMx (2024) 750W |
| RTX 5070 | 250W | 650W | Seasonic Core GX ATX 3 650W |
| RTX 5060 Ti | 180W | 600W | Seasonic Core GX ATX 3 650W |
| RTX 5060 | 145W | 550W | Seasonic Core GX ATX 3 650W |
RTX 5090 to 5070 from PC Gamer’s spec table. RTX 5060 Ti and 5060 from Nvidia’s spec page. Recommended size is for the whole PC with a typical processor.
Add headroom for these
- A top processor. Chips like the Ryzen 9 9950X and Core Ultra 9 285K can draw 230W to 250W at full boost, according to Tom’s Hardware. Add about 100W.
- A factory-overclocked card. Many partner cards run above Nvidia’s card power. Check the box or product page for your exact model.
- Overclocking either part yourself.
The full method is in the wattage guide.
Connectors
Most RTX 50 cards use the 16-pin 12V-2x6 connector. Every ATX 3.0 and 3.1 unit on my list has a native cable for it, so you don’t need the adapter from the graphics card box.
The RTX 5060 Ti and 5060 are simpler. Nvidia lists one 8-pin cable, or a 16-pin cable rated 300W or more, with an adapter in the box. Any unit below has both.
Fit the 16-pin plug carefully. Push it fully home and keep sharp bends away from the socket. The ATX 3.1 guide covers why.
Is the RTX 5090 different?
Yes. At 575W, it draws close to the 600W limit of a single 16-pin cable. That leaves very little margin, so seating the plug properly matters more here than on any other card. I’d use a 1000W unit at the minimum and go to 1200W with a top processor.
The picks in detail
- RTX 5090 · Tier ACorsair RMx (2024)80 Plus Gold · Fully modular · ATX · 750/850/1000WQuiet at everyday loads and well reviewed, with fan failure protection. Take the 1000W version.Check 1000W price
- RTX 5090 with a top processor · Tier ACorsair HXi (2025)80 Plus Platinum · Fully modular · ATX · 1200/1500W1200W of headroom. In Tom’s Hardware’s test the fan stayed off until about 600W.Check 1200W price
- RTX 5080 · Tier ACorsair RMx Shift80 Plus Gold · Fully modular · ATX · 750/850/1000WTier A and very quiet, if your case suits its side sockets.Check 850W price
- RTX 5070 Ti · Tier ACorsair RMx (2024)80 Plus Gold · Fully modular · ATX · 750/850/1000WThe 750W version.Check 750W price
- RTX 5070, 5060 Ti or 5060 · Tier ASeasonic Core GX ATX 380 Plus Gold · Fully modular · ATX · 650/750/850WCompact at 140mm deep and solid at 650W. The fan always spins.Check 650W price
Questions
Is 850W enough for an RTX 5090?
MSI and PC Gamer both point to 1000W for a typical RTX 5090 build, so I wouldn’t go below that.
Is 750W enough for an RTX 5080?
The usual recommendation is 850W. 750W leaves too little headroom for the card’s short power spikes.
Do I need ATX 3.1 for an RTX 50 card?
No. ATX 3.0 units work too. ATX 3.1 refines the connector, so it’s the better buy if you’re choosing now.
Can I use the adapter that came with my card?
Yes, if your power supply has enough separate 8-pin cables. A native 16-pin cable is neater and has fewer connections to seat.
What about a 1000W unit for an RTX 5080?
That’s fine. It gives extra headroom and keeps the fan quieter, but 850W is enough for a typical build.
Sources
- PC Gamer: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (RTX 50 series spec table)
- Nvidia: GeForce RTX 5060 family specifications
- MSI: recommended PSU table for Nvidia 30/40/50 series
- Tom's Hardware: Ryzen 9 9950X vs Core Ultra 9 285K
- Tom's Hardware: why power connectors are melting, and what to do (June 2025)
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