Key Points
- Our choice for the Absolute Best Overall PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti is the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13.
- The GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is a graphics card by NVIDIA that is popular with builders because of its ability to run modern computer games.
- The RTX 3080 Ti is a brute of a graphics card requiring a significant power supply.
- NVIDIA recommends a minimum of 750W for the RTX 3080 Ti, but having some extra power on hand ensures stable operation and room for future upgrades.
- When you’re shopping for the best PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti GPU, focus on power output and efficiency, size and cable connections, cooling system and safety features, and price.
A power supply unit (PSU) is critical in any PC build, and your graphics card (GPU) has its own power demands. The RTX 3080 Ti from NVIDIA is universally considered one of the best GPUs available, but it is a power-hungry beast. NVIDIA specs note a 350W requirement for graphics card power and a 750W requirement for system power, but breathing room is always preferable. We recommend no less than an 850W PSU or more depending on your power consumption concerns.
PSUs run the gamut from low-end and affordable to high-end and quite expensive. Our review of the top PSUs for the RTX 3080 Ti focused on balancing power output and efficiency with versatile connection options, cooling options, and affordable pricing. You may have other favorites from your previous PC build projects using this popular GPU. We’d love to hear about them.
After considering numerous options, our rankings for the absolute best PSUs for the RTX 3080 Ti are:
- Best Overall PSU: be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13
- Best 750W-1650W PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 ATX 3.0
- Best 650W-1000W PSU: Corsair SF Series PSU
- Most Efficient PSU: Seasonic Prime TX-850
- Best Budget PSU: MSI MPG A850G
#1 Absolute Best PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti: be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13
- 1600W ATX 3.0 PSU
- Supports PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 6+2 GPUs
- 80 Plus Titanium efficiency rating
- 2X 12VHPWR connectors
- Overclocking via 6 independent 12V rails or 1 large 12V rail
- Cable Included
Our selection for the Absolute Best PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti is the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13. This top-of-the-line NVIDIA product takes the best overall honors for exceptional performance and reliability. This modular PSU measures 16.42 x 9.97 x 5.98 inches but delivers an astounding 1600W of raw power. This is more than enough to operate the RTX 3080 Ti GPU with extra to spare. Operating temperatures are kept to a manageable 122°F by a 135mm fluid-bearing cooling fan.
The Dark Power Pro 13 is rated at 80 Plus Titanium for overall efficiency (94.5%), one of the highest in the industry. Six built-in 12V rails function similarly to your home’s circuit breakers to prevent burnouts. Users can switch between single-rail and multi-rail operation. This product includes several cables and a few cable combs to help streamline your organization.
Do you need 1600 watts of power for the average PC build? Not likely; however, some special build projects may demand more power capacity. The Dark Power Pro 13 from be quiet! delivers all the power you need and more for the most high-performance personal computers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13 PSU delivers up to 1600W of raw power with an 80 Plus Titanium overall efficiency rating. | You may not need this much power for your PC build. |
| The fluid-bearing 135mm cooling fan keeps temperatures at or below 122°F. | |
| Single or multi-rail operation is an additional safety feature to prevent electrical burnouts. | |
| This PSU lives up to the company’s unique name with virtually silent operation even at high loads. | |
| NVIDIA backs this powerful PSU with a 10-year warranty. |
Check out the be quiet! Dark Power Pro 13 on Amazon.
Best 750W-1650W PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti: Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 ATX 3.0
- 1000W PSU with 10-year warranty
- PCle 12 + 4 pin connector
- Able to push 600W of power to next-gen 5.0 PCle GPUs
- 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating
- 12VHPWR connector
- Compatible with Intel's ATX 3.0 specs
PC builders needing a PSU in the 750W-1650W range will be pleased with the Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 ATX 3.0, our choice for the best in this category. The Toughpower GF3 is ultra-quiet and fully modular, making it an excellent choice for mid-range PC builds using the RTX 3080 Ti. With seven power output options between 750W and 1650W, builders can choose the PSU closest to their specific needs.
The 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating is respectable for reducing waste and energy costs. This rating boasts its highest level (90%) at 50% loads, where most PCs run. A 100% load only drops to 87%, so heavy gaming or other operations still run efficiently. A single 135mm fluid-bearing fan guarantees exceptional cooling under the heaviest loads.
Measuring 6.3 x 5.9 x 3.4 inches and weighing almost four pounds, this compact PSU still delivers an admirable amount of stable power while not breaking the bank in energy costs. You may not need 1650W, but other options allow you to tailor your wattage choice to your needs. Thermaltake also warrants this product for 10 years.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 PSU offers seven power output options of 750W-1650W. | Some cable configurations may be problematic. |
| This PSU has a respectable 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating, reaching its highest level (90%) at 50% loads. | |
| This ultra-quiet PSU is fully modular, allowing more versatility for connections. | |
| A fluid-bearing 135mm fan keeps the unit cool at all times. | |
| Thermaltake warrants this product for 10 years. |
Check out the Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 ATX 3.0 on Amazon.
Best 650W-1000W PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti: Corsair SF Series PSU
- 600W PSU
- SFX form factor
- SFX-to-ATX power supply adapter bracket included
- 80+ platinum certified
- 92mm low-noise cooling fan
Do you need a lower-end PSU option? Corsair SF Series PSU is our best recommendation for 650W-1000W projects including the RTX 3080 Ti. With wattage options from 650W to 1000W, this tough PSU gets the job done for PC builds with lower power consumption requirements. The 80 Plus Platinum efficiency rating (92%) means this smaller-capacity PSU runs optimally while saving you on energy costs.
Corsair PSUs are known for their quiet operation, and the SF Series is virtually noise-free. It is also fully modular with individually sleeved cables for use in various builds and cable configurations. This PSU is smaller than many similar products at 3.94 x 4.92 x 2.5 inches and only about two pounds, making it ideal for smaller form-factor PCs.
A 92mm fan handles cooling, with automatic controls that only run it when needed. The Corsair SF Series PSU includes an SFX-to-ATX power supply adapter bracket that makes using ATX PC cases a snap. Corsair warrants this PSU for 10 years.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Corsair SF Series PSU has an 80 Plus Platinum efficiency reaching 92% at 50% loads for optimal power use and energy savings. | This PSU may not handle the power requirements for high-performance gaming. |
| A 92mm cooling fan automatically turns on and off for on-demand cooling and quieter operation. | |
| A unique SFX-to-ATX power supply adapter bracket is included for using this PSU in compact ATX PC cases. | |
| Corsair offers a 10-year warranty on this product. | |
| This PSU is very affordable. |
Check out the Corsair SF Series PSU on Amazon.
Most Efficient PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti: Seasonic Prime TX-850
- 850W PSU
- 80 Plus Titanium efficiency rating
- 135mm cooling fan
- Modular cables
- 12-year manufacturer's warranty
Energy-conscious PC builders will enjoy significant savings and operation from the Seasonic Prime TX-850, our selection for the most efficient PSU for the TRX 3080 Ti graphics card. At 4.6 pounds and 6.7 x 6 x 3.4 inches, this boxy PSU delivers the ultimate efficiency in power and reliability. The 80 Plus Titanium efficiency rating means this little powerhouse delivers at 90% even at maximum loads. This 850W PSU is plenty to power most high-end games and applications.
The TX-850 is fully modular so you use fewer cables and have less clutter. A fluid dynamic 135mm cooling fan can be turned on or off as desired. Seasonic boasts a “worry-free” 12-year warranty, the best in the industry, so you know this PSU is reliable. High power output with superior energy efficiency, silent operation, and modular convenience make this PSU a great choice for environmentally-conscious PC builders using the RTX 3080 Ti GPU.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Seasonic Prime TX-850 delivers 850 watts of power with an 80 Plus Titanium efficiency rating (90%). | This PSU can be expensive, depending on the seller you choose. |
| This fully modular PSU uses fewer cables for a less cluttered PC case. | |
| The 135mm cooling fan has two modes with a “fanless” option for more control and less noise. | |
| Seasonic offers a best-in-the-industry 12-year “worry-free” warranty with this product. |
Check out the Seasonic Prime TX-850 on Amazon.
Best Budget PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti: MSI MPG A850G
- 850W PSU
- PCIe 5.0 ready
- ATX 3.0 compatible
- 80 Plus Gold Certified
- Fully modular
Economic-conscious PC builders will want to choose our Best Budget PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti, the MSI MPG A850G. Weighing in at only 3.3 pounds and measuring 11.6 x 9.5 x 5.2 inches, this small power supply packs a walloping 850 watts but still fits into the tightest budgets.
The Gold 80 Plus efficiency certification means the MSI MPG A850G operates smoothly even under heavy loads and doesn’t waste electricity. The compact modular design easily fits into smaller ATX cases. This PSU includes five CPU and PCI-E slots to power numerous CPUs and high-end graphics cards like the RTX 3080 Ti.
This MSI product comes with a 10-year limited warranty and extended protection plans are available.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The MSI MPG A850G PSU is extremely quiet. | Users may not need an 850W PSU in a compact, affordable PC. |
| The compact modular design makes it perfect for smaller ATX PC cases. | |
| This unit delivers 850 watts with a Gold 80 Plus efficiency rating. | |
| MSI warrants this product for 10 years and extended protection plans are available. | |
| This product is extremely affordable. |
Check out the MSI MPG A850G on Amazon.
How to Pick the Absolute Best PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti: Step by Step
Your power supply unit converts AC power from the wall outlet into DC power your computer can use. Every PSU on the market does that. So what you need to focus on when choosing the best PSU for your needs is how much power it can crank out, how efficiently it does so, cooling and safety features, how well it fits into your PC case, and of course, how much you are willing to spend.
- Power Output
- Efficiency
- Size and Cabling
- Cooling and Safety Features
- Price
Let’s review each of these criteria in more detail.
Power Output
Powering the RTX 3080 Ti takes watts — lots of watts! NVIDIA recommends no less than 750 watts in system power, but going with the lowest possible power output is a sure prescription for problems. Add to that what your other components require, and loading on extra watts just makes sense. We recommend a buffer zone of at least 100-150 watts for stable operation and future upgrades. Plus, overclocking can add more load, up to 100 watts more.
Our recommendations will all power the RTX 3080 Ti PSU and other essential components. Many of our selections offer much higher wattage output (the highest is 1650). You may not need that much power for your PC build, but it’s nice to know it’s available. Most of our choices offer a solid 750W to 850W option, and this will power almost any custom PC.
Power Efficiency
PSUs come with power efficiency ratings that demonstrate how well they do their job. Power supplies with high-efficiency ratings produce less heat and use less energy even under heavy loads. Of course, energy efficiency varies according to the amount of usage, energy costs, and your PC case’s ventilation characteristics.
The RTX 3080 Ti is power-hungry, so balancing a high power output with the best power efficiency is important. Match the necessary watts closely to what you actually need and choose a PSU with the highest efficiency rating. The money you save on energy costs may surprise you.
Size and Cabling
PSU size is important when planning a PC build. You want everything to fit neatly in your case. Smaller ATX or Mini-ITX cases need a smaller-frame power supply. Some are available with high-wattage outputs, so shop around. A few of our selections are specifically engineered for smaller ATX cases but still provide exceptional power output and efficiency.
Cables and connections can be the bane of any PC build. Ensure your PSU has the correct cables to support the hardware in your system. Some include shorter cables or connections with 90-degree turns that can make connections problematic. Modular cabling allows you to use only the cable types you need to save space.
You should also check out the different connector types supported by any PSU. You may need a SATA power connector for storage devices, a 24-pin connector for the motherboard, and different-sized connectors for the CPU and GPUs.
Cooling and Safety Features
Cooling technologies vary with fanless, always-on, and hybrid systems. The constant draw on your PSU, especially during heavy loads, creates lots of heat. Your power supply must have sufficient means to shed this heat for optimal performance. Heavier PC builds want PSUs with larger fans that employ fan-control technology to prevent overheating. Smaller builds may get by with fans that run slowly or only as needed. Remember, a fan that always runs creates more noise.
Overvoltage protection and short circuit protection are a must for any PSU. They can save you from expensive and time-consuming component failures. Replacing a faulty or worn-out PSU is much cheaper than replacing an entire PC.
What to Know Before Buying the Absolute Best PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti
Inexperienced PC builders may immediately choose the largest wattage power supply they can afford to be sure it can power their build. More seasoned builders will choose the most cost-effective PSU that delivers enough power and uses it efficiently. Consider where you live and your PC use habits before buying the best PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti and your other components.
Are you responsible for the electricity bill where you live? Do you care about conserving energy and protecting the environment? Matching your necessary power output needs with a more efficient rating will likely be on your radar. High-end CPUs and GPUs take a toll on the power bill. Frequent use will be readily noticed month by month on the bill.
Do you live in your family home or a dorm room where you don’t have to pay the electric bill? You can power it up and play all day and night if you wish! Still, high-wattage PSUs can be expensive upfront. If your finances are limited, it may still be wise to choose watts and efficiency that closely match your planned usage habits.
Making the best choice of power outage and efficiency is known as “right-sizing” your power supply. The best practice is to allow about 150 watts above your anticipated power needs. This minimizes your electricity consumption and costs while providing what you need for seamless operation.
Using the Absolute Best PSU for the RTX 3080 Ti: What It’s Like
Using the absolute best power source for your PC build with the RTX 3080 Ti graphics card should result in stable and seamless operation in any conditions. High-end gaming, content creation, video editing, or other graphics-heavy and power-hungry applications should encounter no lag or crashes.
You should also enjoy little fluctuation on your electric bill from the PSU you chose. Modern PSUs major in efficiency, so the best combination of output and efficiency should produce years of enjoyable gameplay or other computer tasks.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©daniiD/Shutterstock.com.
