Introduction
AMD‘s brand new graphics cards are finally here, and with them comes a whole new generation of performance. Sporting the new RDNA3 architecture, the new GPUs are equipped to take on Nvidia‘s latest RTX 4000 cards. But despite the significant performance improvements, where do the new cards lie in terms of power consumption?
Are consumers expected to pick up a new ATX 3.0 compatible GPU? And what kind of wattage power supply will you need in order to power the new cards? We’ll be answering all of these questions today with a buyers guide of the best PSUs to pair with the the Radeon RX 7900XTX. We’ll be looking at cheaper and more expensive options that will suit a variety of PC builds.
Suggested Article: AMD Radeon 7900XTX Review
Our Recommendations
1. Cooler Master MWE Gold 850W V2
👑 The best budget PSU.
At the start of the list we’ve picked out Cooler Master‘s MWE Gold 850W V2. This PSU is a reliable and reasonably priced option giving you the ability to sustain high power draw at a lower cost. The 80+ Gold rating ensures that the MWE Gold will be more efficient at a 50% load, and this is also backed up by the ETA rating further demonstrating the efficiency capabilities.
Although noise levels aren’t the quietest when your PSU is pushing itself, the HDB fan will provide a long lifespan allowing you to get the most out of your PSU for years to come. The fully modular cable management system allows you to install each of the black flat cables at your own will providing customisation options for your individual needs. This gives you the option to maintain a clean build whilst still having the option to install more or less cables dependent on your component choices.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Cooler Master MWE Gold 850W V2 |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Cybenetics ETA Rating | Gold |
| Modular | Fully |
| RGB | No |
Things We Like
Fully modular cables: Cooler Master’s MWE Gold V2 is a fully modular designed power supply, allowing consumers to pick and choose which cables they install. This can help a fair bit during cable management, smoothing the building process.
Strong efficiency rating: The MWE Gold V2 features an 80+ Gold efficiency rating that is backed up by Cybenetics. This means that consumers can draw more power at higher loads with minimal amounts lost as noise, or heat.
Things We Don’t Like
No support for ATX 3.0: Although AMD’s current Radeon 7000 cards don’t use the ATX 3.0 standard, we expect manufacturers to integrated the new 16-Pin cable over the next couple years for improved power draw. But unfortunately the MWE 850W Gold V2 does not support this latest cable standard.
Somewhat noisy: Cooler Master’s MWE Gold V2 is one of the noisier power supplies that we’ve encountered. Although the Gold rated efficiency does reduce this to a degree, consumers wanting an entirely silent system may want to consider other options.
Summary
Cooler Master’s MWE 850 Gold V2 is a very cheap PSU option, offering a strong efficiency rating, along with a fully modular design. It is slightly noisier compared to other power supplies we’ve looked at, but I feel most consumers will be fine with this due to the much lower price point.
Features: 3.7/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 3.8/5
Pros
- Good efficiency rating.
- Modular cables aids the building process.
- Efficiency backed up by Cybenetics.
Cons
- Somewhat noisy.
- Doesn’t support 16-Pin cables.
Where to Buy
Buy the Cooler Master MWE 850 Gold V2 on:
2. NZXT C850 Gold
👑 The best compact PSU.
For our second PSU recommendation we’ve picked out NZXT‘s C850 Gold. This power supply comes in three different flavours with the 850W sitting at the top (capacity wise). Although the C850 is an older model, this PSU will have no problem supporting AMD’s latest graphics cards. The C850 is fully modular giving you the option to customise your cable choices as you wish, of which there are many options.
The C850 has plenty of protection mechanisms to reduce the likelihood of your PSU damaging components or cables. The cables also feature protection due to the inline caps improving ripple suppression resulting in much more consistent voltage overall. Although there isn’t much to look at in terms of aesthetic and RGB, the C850 Gold is ideal to pair with the 7900XTX and should provide efficient and stable power to your build.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | NZXT C850 Gold |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Cybenetics ETA Rating | No |
| Modular | Fully |
| RGB | No |
Things We Like
Low voltage ripple: NZXT has designed the C850 Gold with safety at the forefront of their mind. The cables features inline caps which significantly improve voltage ripple suppression, providing consistent voltage and power to your build.
Smaller, compact design: The smaller design of the NZXT C850 provides consumers some more space in their power supply chamber. The extra space allows consumers to jam their cables into space due to having more room.
Things We Don’t Like
No ATX 3.0 support: Much like the MWE Gold, the C850 Gold also doesn’t support the new ATX 3.0 standard. This might be a problem for those planning on picking up the next generation of GPUs later down the line.
Noisy under load: The biggest downside to the C850 Gold, is that noise levels under a higher load aren’t great. Consumers pushing their PC with higher loads such as productivity applications or 4K gaming, may have to contend with somewhat annoying fan noise.
Summary
NZXT’s C850 Gold is one of the best compact PSUs for the RX 7900 XTX. This power supply has strong protection and safety mechanisms making it ideal for those pushing their system quite hard. The smaller design makes cable management much simpler, and the lower price point makes this PSU a worthwhile consideration for many consumers.
Features: 4/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- Great safety mechanisms.
- Compact design aids with cable management.
- Solid efficiency rating.
Cons
- Nosier in heavier workloads.
- No support for the 16-Pin connector.
Where to Buy
Buy the NZXT C850 Gold on:
3. ASUS ROG Thor Platinum
👑 The best RGB PSU.
For our final 850W power supply we’ve picked out the ASUS ROG Thor Platinum. This PSU is the peak of customisation when it comes to this particular component, and gives consumers a massive amount of options in terms of aesthetics and monitoring. The ROG Thor has plenty of RGB lighting which can be configured with the ASUS AuraSync software, alongside the LCD display for monitoring purposes.
The ROG Thor also has an excellent efficiency rating making it ideal to sustain high wattages with consistency and minimal ripple. The ROG Thor has a Cybenetics rating of Platinum making it cost effective in the long run, and the A+ noise rating also makes this ideal for those wanting to build a much quieter system. Overall if you’re looking for flashy but a consistently effective power supply, then the ROG Thor will suit your build well!
Key Specs
| Key Specs | ASUS ROG Thor Platinum |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Platinum |
| Cybenetics ETA Rating | Platinum |
| Modular | Fully |
| RGB | Yes |
Things We Like
Awesome aesthetic: The ROG Thor Platinum is one of the few power supplies that actually looks cool. This PSU has a futuristic chassis, featuring RGB lighting and an LCD screen for those interested in monitoring system information.
High efficiency rating: As we start to see higher wattages, efficiency should follow suit, but this isn’t always the case. However, the ROG Thor offers an 80+ Platinum rating making it ideal for consumers pushing their components to the max, this is also backed up by a Cybenetics ETA Platinum rating too.
Things We Don’t Like
Very expensive: The ROG Thor comes with some pretty awesome features, but because of this, this PSU is not a cheap option. The LCD display, and high efficiency rating make this PSU a strong option, but a pricey one at that.
Some features will be pointless dependent on case choice: Although the ROG Thor is rather unique in it’s features, consumers will need to pick up a case that can show off the RGB and LCD display, or else this unit becomes somewhat pointless to a degree.
Summary
The ROG THOR Platinum from ASUS is an awesome power supply bringing great efficiency, and a unique set of features. The RGB and LCD display are big winners for us when it comes to design, but the caveat to this PSU is the high price point. It is definitely worth a consideration if you like flashy components, but the price point will be a turn-off for many consumers.
Features: 4.5/5
Design: 4.5/5
Performance: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- RGB and LCD display looks awesome.
- Strong efficiency rating.
- Perfect for top-end systems.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- RGB and LCD are pointless dependent on case choice.
Where to Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG Thor Platinum on:
4. MSI MPG A1000G
👑 The best value 1000W PSU.
MSI’s MPG A1000G is a PSU that we’ve put in a number of PC builds, alongside a full in-depth review because it has consistently delivered on wattage and efficiency. MSI have created a compact design that gives consumers a massive variety of options when it comes to power cables and modularity, including five PCI-E slots for multiple graphics cards if needed.
In terms of efficiency, the A1000G sports an 80+ Gold rating alongside its Lambda rating of Gold showing that this PSU is better suited to 50% loads to ensure higher efficiency. The A1000G also has a huge amount of protection mechanisms such as Over-Voltage and Over-Power significantly reducing the risk of any components being damaged due to a short, or failure.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | MSI MPG A1000G |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Gold |
| Cybenetics ETA Rating | Gold |
| Modular | Fully |
| RGB | No |
Things We Like
Reasonably priced: 1000W power supplies are pretty expensive units, and can be off-putting for consumers on a budget. However, the A1000G is one of the cheaper 1000W options, making it ideal for consumers building a top-end system, but are more price conscious about their purchases.
Excellent safety mechanisms: The MPG A1000G is one of the most well equipped power supplies when it comes to protection and safety. Consumers won’t need to worry about shorts, or going over their wattage rating, because this PSU will shut the system off to ensure no components are damaged.
Things We Don’t Like
No ATX 3.0 support: Much like the majority of the other PSUs on this list, the MPG A1000G also does not support the new ATX 3.0 standard. This means for consumers looking to pick up the next generation of graphics cards, may need to pick up a new PSU as well.
No higher efficiency ratings: Although the 80+ Gold efficiency rating is pretty good, we’d much prefer to see a higher rating for a PSU of this wattage. Those buying high wattage power supplies are likely to be using most of the rated availability, so a better efficiency rating is preferred to minimise power lost as heat or noise.
Summary
MSI’s MPG A1000G is one of the best value power supplies rated at 1000W. We would prefer to see a higher efficiency rating, but considering the lower price point, and the clear focus on safety and protection, I feel the vast majority of consumers will be happy with this option.
Features: 4.3/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4.6/5
Value for Money: 4.2/5
Pros
- Huge focus on protection and safety mechanisms.
- Pretty reasonably priced.
- Compact design will aid with cable management.
Cons
- No support for ATX 3.0.
- We would prefer to see a Platinum or Titanium efficiency.
Where to Buy
Buy the MSI MPG A1000G on:
5. Seasonic Prime Titanium Ultra
👑 The best efficient PSU.
For our final recommendation we’ve picked out Seasonic‘s Prime Titanium Ultra. Seasonic is one of the older power supply manufacturers and thus have years of experience creating consistent and effective PSUs at low and high wattages. The Seasonic Prime Titanium Ultra although expensive is ideal for those that want to keep their power draw as efficient as possible
This PSU features a Titanium rated efficiency which is the highest possible level reachable. This means that the Seasonic Prime Titanium Ultra is one of the most efficient power supplies at 1000W on the market sporting 94% efficiency at 50% system load. Although this power supply might be overkill, if you’re worried about protection mechanisms or you’re looking to save money in the long run when it comes to power draw, the Seasonic Prime Titanium Ultra is definitely an excellent choice!
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Seasonic Prime Titanium Ultra |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Efficiency Rating | 80+ Titanium |
| Cybenetics ETA Rating | Titanium |
| Modular | Fully |
| RGB | No |
Things We Like
Insane efficiency rating: The Seasonic Prime Ultra is a Titanium rated power supply, making it one of the best PSU options that you can pick up. It’s efficiency rating is effectively unmatched comparative to other power supply options.
All the connectors!: The Prime Ultra Titanium has an insane set of power connectors, also making it one of the best options if you’ve got plenty of components, peripherals or accessories. There are eight 8-Pin connectors, alongside six 6-pin connectors for GPUs, or spare drives.
Things We Don’t Like
Crazy expensive: As you can imagine, a PSU with an efficiency rating this high, is probably quite expensive. And unfortunately, you’d be right, the Seasonic Prime Ultra Titanium is not a cheap option, and definitely geared towards top-end builds.
Summary
Seasonic’s Prime Ultra Titanium is one of the best power supplies that you can buy when it comes to efficiency, ports, protection mechanisms and more. This is probably one of the most expensive options too, but if you’re putting together a top-end build with the best components, this PSU is the one to choose.
Features: 4.3/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 5/5
Value for Money: 4.4/5
Pros
- Insane Titanium rated efficiency.
- Ridiculous set of connectors.
- Ideal for a top-end build.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- Potentially too overkill.
Where to Buy
Buy the Seasonic Prime Titanium Ultra on:
Are the Radeon 7000 Cards ATX 3.0 Compatible?
In short, no. AMD made the executive decision to not change the power standard for the new generation of cards. There are upsides and downsides to this decision. First off is that consumers don’t need to worry about cables setting on fire or melting. AMD joked about this in the original press conference but it seems that the 16-Pin adapter is a genuine problem for some consumers.
The second positive of this outcome is that most consumers already sporting a high-end power supply likely won’t need to upgrade. If you’re already running 850W or above, then you won’t need a new PSU as the Radeon 7000 cards support the standard six and eight pin power connectors. I’m not a big fan of these connectors in terms of aesthetics, but many will consider the benefit of not having to upgrade – advantageous.
There are some small downsides with sticking to the older standard of power delivery. First is aesthetic. Having to use multiple cables isn’t ideal for those trying to minimise the amount of power connectors in your build. The second disadvantage to this is longevity. The older power connectors can’t pipe as much power as the new standard, which will be a limitation for those wanting an upgrade in the next few years. As the new standard starts to saturate the market, it is likely graphics cards manufacturers will make use of the improved power draw.
Recommended Power Supply Wattage
One of the biggest factors to consider when you’re putting together a PC is the amount of wattage you’ll need. Dependent on the components you’ve picked out you might have a significant power draw. Modern graphics cards and CPUs have drastically increased in power requirements over the past few year, so you might need a stronger PSU with more juice in order to sustain power for a high-end build.
With this in mind, where do the new Radeon cards sit? Well, AMD have managed to primarily keep wattage at a reasonable level. The 7900XTX has a TBP (typical board power) of 355W which means with other similarly specced parts, you can get away with an 800W or 850W power supply as a minimum. For those looking to build a top-end PC with this graphics card you’ll likely need to bump your wattage up higher to 1000W just to ensure it has stable functionality while boosting. To provide more context on the wattage you’ll need for the 7900XTX we’ve put together a table of recommended wattages you should stick to!
| PSU Wattage | Do We Recommend? |
| 500W | ❌ |
| 550W | ❌ |
| 600W | ❌ |
| 650W | ❌ |
| 700W | ❌ |
| 750W | ❌ |
| 800W | ✅ |
| 850W | ✅ |
| 1000W+ | ✅ |
If you’re building a top-end PC with a CPU like the Intel Core i9 13900K or a Ryzen 9 7900X it is likely you’ll need to stick to pick up a 1000W or higher PSU. For lower specced PCs consumers will be perfectly fine with an 800W or 850W power supply. To ensure your wattage is high enough we’d recommend checking out a power supply configurator.
Why You Can Trust Us
Before delving into our recommendations, we wanted to briefly talk about our decision making and testing process. At GeekaWhat, we have a team of geeks and hardware enthusiasts that spend numerous hours with all of the products that come into our offices, ensuring they are tested and perform as expected in a number of scenarios. For those interested in learning more about the GeekaWhat team, check the About Us section on our website where you can also find more info about our editorial promise!
How We Picked the Best PSUs for the RX 7900 XTX
At the GeekaWhat offices we test a plethora of different power supplies on a regular basis. Whether we’ve placed them into a gaming PC build loaded up with top-end components, putting them into a benchmarking PC to test all of the latest titles, or we’re just taking a look at them for a review or buyers guide. We always ensure that we get a concrete understanding of the products that come into our offices.
Once we’ve reached a verdict that we’re happy with, this information gets released online either through a YouTube video, review, or buyers guide, like the one you’re looking at right now. When we start to break down our thoughts, we always try our best to provide a general overview with minimal jargon. We take a look what the product has and doesn’t have on offer, along with the benefits and disadvantages that a consumer may gain by picking a particular product.
With power supplies in particular we look at wattage, modularity, efficiency, design, noise, and safety mechanisms. From this we then provide an overview of the features that can impact the experience of PC builders.
For more of an in-depth look at our evaluation methods and procedures, we’ve provided some products reviews in a table below, featuring a number of different power supplies.
| Brand | Review Link |
|---|---|
| MSI | MSI MPG A1000G PSU Review – Do You Really Need 1000W?! |
| Corsair | Corsair CX650F Review – Cables, Efficiency & Design |
| Thermaltake | Thermaltake Toughpower SFX 1000W Gold Review |
Conclusion
Best PSU for the Radeon RX 7900 XTX: MSI MPG A1000G
MSI’s MPG A1000G is one of the best options to pair up with the RX 7900 XTX. This gold rated option sits slightly above the minimum required wattage for the 7900 XTX, giving consumers room to upgrade, or to install very powerful components. There’s a huge focus on safety and protection mechanisms, minimising the risk that can come with components shorting. This PSU is definitely a winner for those looking to pick up a 1000W unit at a fairly reasonable price point.
Read our full review of the MSI MPG A1000G, or buy the MSI MPG A1000G on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need an ATX 3.0 Power Supply for Radeon 7000 Cards?
In short – no. AMD have decided to not utilise the new ATX 3.0 cable, which means consumers can use older units using the six and eight pin cables. However, for those that plan on upgrading in the near future, it is likely AMD’s next generation of GPUs will use this new standard, so it could be a good idea to future proof if you have the money.
What Does 80+ Efficiency Mean?
80+ efficiency is a certification and standard that tests and provides a rating for power supplies. This rating determines power drawn at certain loads, alongside what is lost as noise or heat. White is the lowest efficiency rating, whilst Titanium is the highest possible. The majority of PSUs tend to be rated between Bronze and Gold.
How Many Watts Do I Need for the Radeon RX 7900 XTX?
On AMD’s website, the minimum recommended build wattage is 800W, which means you can get away with an 800W PSU without any problems. However, we always try to urge consumers to pick up a power supply with around 100W more than the recommended minimum, just so you have room for upgrading and other components.
How Efficient Should My PSU Be?
As a general rule of thumb, we try to aim for a Gold rated PSU for higher wattage systems, because this will reduce the amount of power lost when drawing more. However, if you can pick up a Platinum or Titanium rated option for a reasonable price, then this is definitely recommended.
