GeForce RTX 30 · Ampere · data reviewed 2026-11-10
What PSU for the GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB?
With a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, two DDR5 sticks, one NVMe drive, and three fans, WattWise estimates 497 W continuous while gaming. The minimum size is 650 W. The efficiency size is 1,000 W.NVIDIA's published system minimum is 750 W.
These open a store search for that wattage class. Prices stay on the store. Disclaimer.
Three CPU pairings
Same platform each time: two memory modules of the CPU's generation, one NVMe drive, three fans, no pump. Gaming uses the CPU's base power. The ceiling puts the CPU on its package limit and the GPU on rated board power.
| CPU | Gaming load | Minimum | Efficiency size | Both at the limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 9600X a 65 W six-core gaming CPU | 442 W | 600 W | 1,000 W | 465 W · 600 W |
| Ryzen 7 9800X3D the current 120 W gaming CPU most builds are compared against | 497 W | 650 W | 1,000 W | 539 W · 700 W |
| Ryzen 9 9950X a 170 W sixteen-core CPU at its stock 200 W package limit when both are maxed | 547 W | 700 W | 1,200 W | 577 W · 750 W |
Connectors and spikes
10 GB GDDR6X. Graphics Card Power: 320 W, from the vendor. These figures are the reference design. A partner card can raise the power limit and change the plug.
GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB is rated 320 W. 2× 8-pin (Founders Edition uses a 12-pin adapter). The connector budget covers the rated board power.
This reference design uses 6-pin and 8-pin plugs, not 12V-2x6. Shop the continuous wattage. A PSU without a 12V-2x6 connector follows the lower ATX excursion column (150% for 100 µs on units at or under 450 W, and on larger units that omit the connector). That is still not a reason to double the label.
The vendor does not publish a separate in-game average. The gaming estimate uses rated board power.
NVIDIA's required system power is based on a PC configured with a Core i9-10900K. A lower rating may work depending on the system. The Core i9-10900K is an older reference system. Treat the figure as NVIDIA's floor for that PC.
Questions this card actually raises
What PSU do I need for a GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D?
With 2× DDR5, one NVMe drive, and three fans, WattWise estimates 497 W continuous while gaming. The minimum size for that estimate is 650 W. The efficiency size, near 50% load, is 1,000 W. If the CPU and GPU both hit their power limits together, the load is 539 W and the minimum size is 700 W.
Which power connectors does the GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB reference design use?
2× 8-pin (Founders Edition uses a 12-pin adapter). GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB is rated 320 W. 2× 8-pin (Founders Edition uses a 12-pin adapter). The connector budget covers the rated board power.
Why is the vendor PSU number different from WattWise for the GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB?
NVIDIA publishes a system minimum of 750 W. NVIDIA's required system power is based on a PC configured with a Core i9-10900K. A lower rating may work depending on the system. The Core i9-10900K is an older reference system. Treat the figure as NVIDIA's floor for that PC.
Do transient spikes mean I should double the PSU for a GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB?
This reference design uses 6-pin and 8-pin plugs, not 12V-2x6. Shop the continuous wattage. A PSU without a 12V-2x6 connector follows the lower ATX excursion column (150% for 100 µs on units at or under 450 W, and on larger units that omit the connector). That is still not a reason to double the label.
Sources
Nearby cards
- GeForce RTX 3080 12 GB — 350 W graphics card power
- GeForce RTX 3070 Ti — 290 W graphics card power