With the arrival of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090, the wattage required for a PC build is significantly changing. The RTX 5090 requires a whopping 575 Watts of power, sitting on the cusp of the max power draw of 16-pin graphics card cables. Keeping this in mind, those looking to build an RTX 5090 gaming PC will likely need a brand-new power supply for their build, but how do you choose? Fortunately, we’ve done all the hard work for you, testing a range of excellent power supplies to pair up with the RTX 5090.
While the standard for cabling has remained the same, introducing the RTX 5090 on the market will cause prospective buyers to rethink their power situation. Unfortunately, 1000W isn’t going to cut it anymore, and if you’re using a reasonably hefty CPU like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, you’re looking for something in the realm of 1200W or higher. While this will also increase build costs, I doubt that will be much of a problem for RTX 5090 owners.
In this buyer’s guide, we’ll be delving into the best power supplies to pair up with the RTX 5090. This article covers a range of excellent PSUs that are more than ample for a powerful 5090 gaming PC build.
Our Top Pick: NZXT C1200
The NZXT C1200 is the best power supply for the RTX 5090. It is a reliable and robust unit that we’ve featured in a range of high-performance PC builds. It offers 1200W power with an 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating, minimising additional power lost as heat or noise. It also provides a single 16-pin power cable, allowing you to keep wiring clean and tidy for your 5090 PC build.
The Best PSUs for the RTX 5090
1. NZXT C1200
The NZXT C1200 power supply is a unit we’ve used ample times across several of our high-profile PC builds. The reasons why are two-fold. First is the wattage. 1200W is a tremendous amount of power, and this is what we think the vast majority of enthusiasts will pick out for their RTX 5090 PC build. Second is the cabling options. This power supply features a massive selection of wires, providing all the cables needed for a great system.
This power supply uses the standard ATX form factor, allowing it to fit into most modern cases without issues. The NZXT C1200’s Zero-Fan mode ensures that sound levels are kept to a minimum once the overall power threshold reaches a certain level. Additionally, NZXT offers a 10-year warranty with the C1200, which is a very solid value-add.
| Key Specs | NZXT C1200 |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| PSU Dimensions (W x L x H) | 150mm x 150mm x 86mm |
| Wattage | 1200W |
| Efficiency Rating | 80 Plus Gold Cybernetics Gold |
| Modularity | Fully |
| ATX 3.0 | Yes |
| Fan Size | 120mm |
| PSU Length | Yes |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Regarding efficiency ratings, the NZXT C1200 boasts an 80 Plus Gold and Cybenetics Gold rating. This ensures that any additional power draw is minimised, drawing only the power your system needs. Because it is an ATX 3.0 power supply, the NZXT C1200 can handle large power spikes without needing to trip OCP (over-current protection).
Regarding caveats, the NZXT C1200 is one of the more expensive power supplies on the market. When writing, the C1200 Gold is available for around $250 from Newegg, a significant jump from the price of a PSU like the Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1200W, which is $144.99. If you plan on buying the NZXT C1200 power supply, you can expect to spend a bit more.
Pros
- Solid efficiency
- Ample wattage for the 5090
- Low noise levels
Cons
- Pricier than alternatives
- Not easy to find
2. Corsair RM1200x SHIFT
Corsair’s SHIFT power supply range offers a unique value proposition compared to traditional ATX units. The power connectors are on the side instead of the back, hence the name “SHIFT.” Moving the PSU connectors to the side makes them much more accessible in supported cases, as you don’t need to cram your hands into the back of a tight PSU chamber. Additionally, this makes them much easier to manage, minimising twists and cable bulges.
In terms of features, the RM1200x SHIFT is ATX 3.1 certified, ensuring reliability and strong power efficiency. This is further backed up by the 80 Plus Gold and Cybenetics Gold ratings. Cybernetics has also given the RM1200x SHIFT an A- rating for noise, guaranteeing that this unit is quiet during operation. The 140mm fan further assists this with Zero-RPM support, which switches off the fan during low load periods.
| Key Specs | Corsair RM1200x SHIFT |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| PSU Dimensions (W x L x H) | 180mm x 150mm x 86mm |
| Wattage | 1200W |
| Efficiency Rating | 80 Plus Gold Cybernetics Gold |
| Modularity | Fully |
| ATX 3.0 | Yes |
| Fan Size | 140mm |
| PSU Length | Yes |
| Warranty | 10 years |
The RM1200x SHIFT is a fully modular unit that allows you to select the cables needed for your build. Corsair’s power connectors are also micro-fit, so they take up less space than traditional-sized connectors. Lastly, Corsair offers a 10-year warranty with the RM1200x SHIFT, ensuring reliability during this period.
The Corsair RM1200x SHIFT’s most significant weakness is its compatibility with modern cases. Because the power connectors are side-mounted, they cause issues in chassis with a much tighter rear chamber. Trying to install the RM1200x SHIFT in a tighter case may damage the headers, so we recommend double-checking compatibility beforehand.
Pros
- Cables easier to access
- Low noise
- Great for cable management
Cons
- Expensive
- Not always supported
3. MSI MEG Ai1600T PCIE5
The final power supply in this buyers guide roundup is the behemoth MSI MEG Ai1600T PCIE5. Based on its insane wattage, this PSU is an excellent pairing for the RTX 5090. The MSI MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 offers a gargantuan 1600W power for a PC build. Because of this, it can accommodate two 16-pin graphics card cables, making this unit an excellent pickup for those with multiple GPUs.
This unit features the strongest efficiency rating available, known as Titanium. This guarantees that the Ai1600T PCIE5 maintains more than 90% efficiency or higher across 20%, 50%, and 100% load levels. Furthermore, Cybernetics offers an A++ rating for noise, ensuring silent operation.
| Key Specs | MSI MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| PSU Dimensions (W x L x H) | 190mm x 150mm x 86mm |
| Wattage | 1600W |
| Efficiency Rating | 80 Plus Titanium |
| Modularity | Fully |
| ATX 3.0 | Yes |
| Fan Size | 135mm |
| PSU Length | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 years |
The MSI MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 offers a few additional features worth highlighting. All cables are braided and feature combs to keep the individual wires organised and tidy. The 16-pin GPU cables are yellow so builders can see if they haven’t been plugged in correctly. Furthermore, this PSU has a USB-C port, which can be connected to your motherboard via USB 2.0. This allows you to monitor power incursions and alter settings like fan speed through MSI Gaming Intelligence.
Unsurprisingly, the MSI MEG Ai1600T PCIE5 is a rather premium power supply, and it unfortunately comes with a rather premium price. This power supply is available on Newegg for $699.99 at the time of writing. This is one of the most expensive PSUs on the market. While it does offer plenty of great features and upgradeability for those with an RTX 5090, it’s geared towards enthusiasts with plenty of extra cash.
Pros
- Can handle two RTX 5090s
- Software control
- Titanium efficiency rating
Cons
- Insanely expensive
- Overkill for most builds
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Power Does the RTX 5090 Consume?
According to NVIDIA, the RTX 5090 consumes 575W, which can all be done through the singular 16-pin cable.
Do I Need To Use a 16-pin Cable for the RTX 5090?
No, but it is recommended. Due to the high power consumption, this will use an adapter with more than four connectors, which won’t look great in your build.
What Efficiency Rating Should I Aim For?
Generally, we recommend looking for a gold rated PSU for high-performance builds as this will minimise excess power draw, but platinum and titanium will be better.
