Introduction
The RTX 4090 is one of the most powerful consumer-based desktop graphics cards to date. Consumers can expect unrivalled performance in pretty much everything you throw it at. You can play games at the highest setting possible, with RTX maxed out. Render and export times can also be cut in half by utilising the dual 8th-gen AV1 encoders.
Needless to say, this graphics card is an absolute powerhouse of performance, with excellent metrics in all facets. But as you can probably expect, a card this powerful needs a lot of juice to supplement the crazy performance, and you’d be correct. The vast majority of consumers building a PC for the first time are faced with a number of different wattages, efficiency certifications, and power connectors, which can be rather confusing if you’re not sure what to look for.
However, in this buyers guide we’ll be alleviating any stress and confusion that comes with picking up new components, by rounding up the best power supplies to pair up with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4090. We’ll be delving into why the RTX 4090 is such a performance beast, along with clearance issues, and recommendations!
Suggested Article: Best Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Graphics Cards to Buy
Our Recommendations
1. Corsair RM850X
👑 The cheapest 850W PSU
Introduction
Corsair‘s RM850X is one of the cheapest power supplies on the market right now that can handle the power of the 4090. This unit is equipped with a gold rated 80+ efficiency, offers fully modular cable support, and is designed to keep noise levels low, even while under a higher load. The minimum recommended PSU requirement for the RTX 4090 is 850W, which the RM850X can easily handle.
The RM850X is equipped to handle high wattages, minimising any power lost as heat or noise due to the gold efficiency rating. This is also backed up by Cybenetics, which indicates an A+ noise rating too, making this PSU great for consumers prioritising low noise levels for their build. The Zero RPM fan mode will also add to this too, when your system load is at a lower level the fan will turn off entirely.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Corsair RM850X |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Wattage | 850W |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Modular | Fully |
| RGB | No |
| PCI-E 5.0? | No |
Things We Like
Perfect for low-noise systems: The RM850X is specifically tuned for low noise operation, so even when you’re playing games at maxed out settings, this PSU should remain relatively quiet. The Zero RPM mode, ensures that the fan will turn off too if the sustained load is quite low.
Solid price point: There is a definitive need for high wattage power supplies based on all of the powerful components releasing, but despite this Corsair‘s RM850X is not insanely priced. Although it doesn’t support the ATX 3.0 standard, the sub $150 price point is a relatively competitive offering versus the rest of the market.
Things We Don’t Like
No support for ATX 3.0: The latest ATX 3.0 standard is basically a requirement for those prioritising cable management for a new RTX 4000 PC build. However, if you’d rather avoid the pesky adapters, you’ll want to look at other options on the market that support PCI-E 5.0 cables.
No RGB lighting: Corsair are pretty well known for manufacturing units that have RGB lighting on the PSU fans, however this unit is a little bit more plain when it comes to aesthetic.
Summary
Corsair‘s RM850X is one of the best options for consumers looking to build an RTX 4090 PC for the lowest price possible. This unit offers solid efficiency, modularity to help with cable management, and is pretty quiet even when under higher amounts of load. It is a little bit lacking on the features and aesthetic front, but I’d argue that the competitive price point makes it worth a consideration for consumers building a cheaper PC!
Features: 3.7/5
Design: 3.7/5
Performance: 4.2/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Competitive price point.
- Modularity aids with cable management.
- Solid efficiency rating.
Cons
- No support for ATX 3.0.
- Weaker on the aesthetic front.
Where to Buy
Buy the Corsair RM850X on:
2. Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold
👑 The best SFX PSU.
Introduction
Next up in our roundup is the V850 Gold from Cooler Master, a high wattage SFX unit. This PSU is an interesting model, as high wattage SFX power supplies are quite rare. Manufacturers do produce them, but the interest tends to be rather niche as SFX cases are also relatively rare. However, for consumers building a small form factor PC, this power supply is ideal.
The V850 Gold offers an 80+ Gold efficiency rating, with fully modular cable management and a 10 year warranty. If you have any breakages or shorts, Cooler Master will cover the repair, or resupply of another PSU. The most interesting inclusion is the SFX to ATX bracket that Cooler Master have provided in the box. If in the future you decide you’d like to switch out your case choices, you can use the included bracket to upgrade to an ATX case, allowing you to retain the same power supply unit.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | SFX |
| Wattage | 850W |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Modular | Fully |
| RGB | No |
| PCI-E 5.0? | No |
Things We Like
Offers support for ATX: Cooler Master has included an SFX to ATX bracket that allows consumers to install this PSU into an ATX case. This provides some upgradeability if you change your case, but keep your old PSU.
Excellent warranty: The V850 SFX Gold has an astonishing 10 year warranty applied to it. This allows consumers to breathe easy knowing that if their PSU breaks, Cooler Master can facilitate a repair or replacement.
Things We Don’t Like
Pricier than ATX units: Due to the nicheness of smaller form factor components there tends to be a bit of a premium when it comes to cost. Consumers can expect to spend a little bit more for this PSU compared alternative ATX options.
No Support for PCI-E 5.0: Much like the other 850W that we’ve looked at, this unit also doesn’t offer support for the ATX 3.0 standard. This can make cable management a little bit harder as you’re having to use the included adapter.
Summary
Cooler Master‘s V850 SFX Gold is one of the best small form factor power supplies that you can pick up right now! This is a pricier option, but the modular cable management, strong efficiency rating, and astounding warranty, makes this PSU worth taking a look at. Definitely a winner for small form factor RTX 4090 PC builds!
Features: 4/5
Design: 4.1/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 3.9/5
Pros
- Provides upgradeability to ATX cases.
- Excellent warranty.
- Offers 80+ gold efficiency.
Cons
- Doesn’t support PCI-E 5.0 cabling.
- Pricier than ATX units.
Where to Buy
Buy the Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold on:
3. MSI MPG A1000G
👑 The best 1000W PSU.
Introduction
Our next recommendation is the MPG A1000G from MSI. This is a PSU that we’ve recommended a significant number of times, and we’ve also reviewed in-depth previously in the past. This PSU is the go-to option for many consumers looking to build a top-end PC with room for the most powerful components on the market. As a general rule of thumb, we tend to recommend 100W or more above the minimum GPU requirement, so you’ve got room for upgrades.
And this is where the A1000G comes in. This PSU offers an 80+ gold rating, and alongside a Cybenetics Gold certification too. The A1000G offers all of the power connectors you could ever need with a fully modular cable system, a compact design making it perfect for smaller ATX builds, and offers a Zero-Fan mode for those that prefer a quieter system.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | MSI MPG A1000G |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Wattage | 1000W |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Modular | Fully |
| RGB | No |
| PCI-E 5.0? | No |
Things We Like
Perfect for upgrading: The A1000G is a high wattage unit capable of handling some of the most powerful components on the market. If you plan on upgrading to even higher wattage components later down the line, this PSU should be able to handle it without any problems.
Included Zero-Fan mode: The Zero-Fan mode button will turn off the fan when your TDP is below 40%. This makes it ideal for consumers that prefer a silent system with minimal whirring and buzzing.
Things We Don’t Like
Quite expensive: As we increase the wattage, the price of your power supply will also start to rise. Although this is one of the cheaper options on the market, we would recommend looking at some alternatives if you’re on a restrictive budget.
Higher efficiency rating would be preferable: Efficiency rating does become more important if you’re hitting your wattage limit. For 1000W PSUs, we’d much prefer to see a Platinum or Titanium rating, to ensure that any power drawn is just power, and not lost as heat or noise.
Summary
MSI’s MPG A1000G is one of the more well-rounded 1000W PSUs on the market. This unit offers strong modularity, with a multitude of power connectors on offer for a variety of components and accessories. The compact design will aid consumers building a smaller system, with the Zero-Fan mode keeping noise levels lower. This is an expensive PSU, but compared to the rest of the market, I’d argue that this is one of the better options to pick up even if you’re trying to limit how much you spend.
Features: 4.2/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Multitude of power connectors.
- Compact design.
- Near-silent performance.
Cons
- No support for PCI-E 5.0.
- Would prefer to see a Platinum or Titanium efficiency.
Where to Buy
Buy the MSI MPG A1000G on:
4. Corsair RM1200x SHIFT
👑 The best designed PSU.
Introduction
Next up is Corsair‘s RM1200x SHIFT, which is another PSU that we’ve taken a look at numerous times before. The RM1200x SHIFT is an excellent unit, geared towards consumers that prioritise cable management. The unique feature about this particular model, is that all of the power connectors are on the side of the PSU as opposed to the back.
This allows consumers to chop and change cables with ease, minimising hassle and build time when assembling or changing out components. This power supply is great for enthusiasts that plan on upgrading relatively soon, or perhaps if you test a number of components. Admittedly, the use-case is a bit niche, but the bonus in minimising any hassle is worth looking at if you need to move components around.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Corsair RM1200x SHIFT |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Wattage | 1200W |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Modular | Fully (Sideways Cables) |
| RGB | No |
| PCI-E 5.0? | Yes |
Things We Like
Unique power connector placement: As we’ve alluded to above, the use-case of this power supply might be niche, but if you’re a first-time builder you may want to pay the extra to avoid hassle and reduce your time building your PC.
Supports the ATX 3.0 standard: If you’d like to minimise cable management, this PSU is great, because Corsair have provided support for the PCI-E 5.0 connector. This means you can throw away the pesky adapter, and plug in a cable straight from your power supply to your graphics card.
Things We Don’t Like
Significant cost: The inclusion of sideways power connectors makes this power supply quite an expensive choice. If you’re on a bit of a restrictive budget, this PSU is likely to not meet your pricing requirements.
Requires specific cases: The biggest caveat to using side mounted power connectors is that a certain depth is required for your PSU chamber. This will limit case options, and will definitely damage cables if you don’t have a case that is deep enough for the side panel to be installed.
Summary
Corsair‘s RM1200x SHIFT power supply is one of the most unique and interesting units that we’ve seen in recent years. Mounting the power connectors on the side allows consumers to easily install and remove cables without added hassle. This does make the SHIFT a rather expensive option, but it is worth considering if you’d like to avoid the pain that comes with cable management and upgrading.
Features: 4.5/5
Design: 4.5/5
Performance: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Allows consumers to easily build and upgrade their system.
- Removes cable management hassle factor.
- Supports the ATX 3.0 standard.
Cons
- PSU choice will limit case options.
- Very expensive.
Where to Buy
Buy the Corsair RM1200x SHIFT on:
5. Thermaltake Toughpower GF3
👑 The best enthusiast PSU.
Introduction
For our final PSU recommendation we’ve picked out Thermaltake‘s behemoth, the Toughpower GF3 1350W! This power supply is one of the highest wattage units that we’ve looked at before, which is why we’ve given it the enthusiast award. The vast majority of consumers won’t need to pick up a PSU this powerful, but if you plan on building an insane top-end PC, you could find yourself gravitating to a 1350W unit.
Features wise, the Toughpower GF3 supports the latest ATX 3.0 standard, providing easier cable management and removing the hassle of the NVIDIA adapters. This unit offers Platinum rated efficiency making it perfect for those pushing their PC a little bit harder. The GF3 also offers a low ripple design, which ensures voltage will remain consistent and steady even when overclocking is thrown into the mix.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Product Name |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Wattage | 1350W |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Platinum |
| Modular | Fully |
| RGB | No |
| PCI-E 5.0? | Yes |
Things We Like
Platinum efficiency: With PSUs at extremely high wattages we expect to see Platinum or Titanium efficiency. Its good to see that Thermaltake have gone the extra mile to make this unit optimal when it comes to efficiency, making it perfect for overclocking and top-end components.
Perfect for multiple GPUs: 1350W is no small amount, and the vast majority of consumers won’t even be able to reach the wattage limit of this PSU. If you plan on building a PC with two 4090s, this is probably the PSU that we’d recommend picking up!
Things We Don’t Like
Crazy expensive: There’s not really much to say about the price here, other than that it is not cheap at all. It is somewhat justified based on the features, but Thermaltake are definitely not gearing this towards the budget end of the market.
Noise levels aren’t great: This is one of the louder options on the market right now, with Cybenetics rating noise levels as ‘Standard’. This means that you might have to contend with some buzzing or whirring fan sounds under higher load.
Summary
Thermaltake’s Toughpower GF3 is an absolutely insane PSU. This option is plainly geared towards enthusiasts based on the extremely high wattage, and impressive platinum efficiency rating. Needless to say, most consumers won’t even give this PSU a look, but I would wholeheartedly recommend this unit for those looking to build an insane top-end system with plenty of upgrading space.
Features: 4/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 3.8/5
Pros
- Perfect for overclocking.
- Excellent platinum efficiency rating.
- Minimal cable hassle with PCI-E 5.0 connector.
Cons
- Very very expensive.
- Noise levels aren’t great.
Where to Buy
Buy the Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 on:
Is the RTX 4090 Worth It?
Quite simply, yes! The RTX 4090 is definitely worth it, especially if you’re just looking at the performance metrics. This GPU is the most powerful option on the market, and can handle anything you decide to put it through, whether it’s top-end gaming, or intense productivity workloads. However, the value of this card is entirely dependent on your use-case as a whole.
The RTX 4090 although excellent, is likely overkill for 95% of gamers. Unless you’re maxing out all of your settings, and you need to hit high refresh rates at 4K, there are a multitude of other options on the market that can easily handle 4K gaming. Anything less than top-end 4K gaming, and this card is basically being wasted. The only situation anyone would ever need an RTX 4090 is for intense gaming (as I mentioned above), or high load productivity tasks.
Although this is an incredibly powerful card, spending over $1500 for a singular component is difficult to justify unless you’re going to get loads of use out of it. However, if you’re building an insane top-end PC, the RTX 4090 may very well be the card that you decide to settle on. Just keep in mind, that you’ll need to pair it up with other high-end components to avoid any bottlenecking for optimal performance.
Does Efficiency Matter at the Top-End?
Yes, it definitely does. Efficiency is extremely important at the top-end for a number of reasons. The main two are saving money, and heat. If you’re pushing your system quite hard, it is likely that you’ll be in the upper percentile of your PSUs total wattage, which effectively means you’ll be drawing lots of power. If your PSU isn’t very efficient at these higher loads, you could be losing a fair bit of money in the long run, as a lot of the power can be lost as heat, or noise. So for those overclocking, or building a system that reaches 1000W, this efficiency becomes vital in ensuring you’re not wasting loads of electricity.
The second reason, sort of plays into the first one. Because energy can be lost as noise, or heat, your power supply can be pumping out very high temperatures that risk compromising the overall thermal efficiency of your build. Ultimately, if your PC build can handle high temperatures pretty well anyway, this likely won’t make a huge amount of difference. However, for those that have weaker airflow, or a cheaper cooler, you could see real issues in the long run with your PSU worsening temperatures across the board.
To summarise, efficiency is very important if you’re building a top-end PC. If you’re constantly hitting high wattages, efficiency is vital to make sure that temperatures stay low, and minimal power is lost as heat or noise, saving you some money in the long run.
Why You Can Trust Us
Anyone reading our buyers guide recommendations might be wondering what makes us qualified to provide opinions on these components. Here at GeekaWhat, we’re lucky to have a plethora of products come through our doors each week. With every new component that comes into the office, our dedicated team of enthusiasts and PC hardware experts puts them through rigorous testing to ensure they’re fit for purpose, and worth their current price tag.
In order to keep all of our testing fair, we conduct impartial testing, alongside visual inspections to forge an overview of what the component can offers, alongside its strengths and weaknesses too. If you’re interested in finding out more about our editorial team, head over to the About us section!
How We Tested PSUs for the NVIDIA RTX 4090
In order to test and evaluate which PSUs are the best pairing for the RTX 4090, we’ve taken into account a number of factors and considerations which includes and is not limited to:
- Efficiency
- Compatibility
- Versatility
- Value for Money
Conclusion
Best PSU for the RTX 4090: MSI MPG A1000G
Rounding up this buyers guide is MSI‘s MPG A1000G as the best power supply to pair up with the RTX 4090. This unit is still one of the best equipped options on the market, and will stay there until another component comes along offering similar value for a better price point. Although this unit doesn’t support PCI-E 5.0, it is one of the cheaper 1000W options, and has an excellent set of cables to choose from. If you’re looking for a PSU that offers some upgrading room, and isn’t insanely expensive, the A1000G is an excellent choice.
Read our full MSI MPG A1000G Review, or Buy the MSI MPG A1000G on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need PCI-E 5.0?
No! Although the new NVIDIA GPUs do use the 16-Pin cable, an adapter is provided to use the ATX 2.0 standard for GPU power. However, if you’d like easier cable management, a PCI-E 5.0 support PSU is worth looking into.
What is the Difference Between ATX and SFX?
ATX is the normal size for a PSU. These options are the most common, and generally have the dimensions of 85x150x140mm. SFX power supplies are much smaller in comparison, designed for small form factor builds and generally offer dimensions of 100x125x63.5mm.
Is Modularity Important?
This depends on your use-case. If you like to choose your own cables, making cable management easier, then modularity will be important. However, non-modular PSUs provide a standard set of cables to choose from and tend to be cheaper, which can be worth looking into if you’re on a budget.
Is 850W Enough for an RTX 4090?
According to NVIDIA’s website, yes. 850W should be enough, but we always recommend 100-200W above the minimum requirement just to provide room for upgrades to more powerful components.
