Best PSUs for the RTX 4090
Upgrading your graphics card is one of the best feelings a PC enthusiast or gamer can have, especially if that new GPU is an RTX 4090. However, Nvidia’s brand-new graphics card comes with a host of demands and recommendations, the most prominent among them being a power supply that can handle its souped-up TDP.
If the time has come to upgrade your GPU with an RTX 4090, you’ll need a new PSU that’s capable enough to stand toe to toe with Nvidia’s new product. A stronger and more resistant power unit that can maintain the lofty demands of the RTX 4090 isn’t easy a find, but luckily we’ve tracked down the absolute best power supplies to support that raging 4090.
Products at a Glance
How we picked the best PSUs for RTX 4090
Once we took a deep look at Nvidia, Asus, Zotac, and Palit’s various recommendations, we began searching for top-notch PSUs to avoid any potential computer issues and damages. In this case, we also had to check the new Intel standards ATX v3.0 to ensure any of these PSUs include a 12+4 pin connector for Add-in Cards, so they can support the new power spikes of the RTX 4090.
Features and considerations
The new graphics card by Nvidia has some intense standards. The 76.3 million transistors and 450W TDP needs a ton of power output for smooth performance, and that power must come from the PSU. Nvidia recommended at least an 850W power supply to optimally run the GPU, but that might be a very low number for the boosted clock speeds this card can achieve in the right setting.
Keeping that in mind, we considered some AIB standards when postulating the best PSUs for the RTX 4090. Some of them follow Nvidia’s recommendation of an 850W PSU, but others are using a 1000W PSU and even a 1200W PSU.
| MODELS | Target Board Power | Minimum PSU Wattage |
| PNY RTX 4090 Verto Epic-X | 450W | 850W |
| Zotac RTX 4090 AMP Extreme, Trinity | 450W | 1000W |
| Asus RTX 4090 ROG Strix OC | Unknown | 1000W |
| Palit RTX 4090 GameRock OC | 450W | 1200W |
You’ll have to consider your computer on the whole before making a final decision. The GPU, obviously, is not the only component drawing power from the PSU. The final decision will solely depend on the total power your CPU needs in tandem with lighting, fans, cooling, and more.
Product Reviews
- ATX 3.0 compatible
- 100% solid state Japanese Capacitors
- Top Platinum standards
- Expensive
We prefer to go big for our best pick. The EVGA Supernova 1600W Platinum is the best PSU on the market right now, making it one of the best PSUs for the RTX 4090, as well. It has 100% Japanese capacitors, plus a DC-DC Converter design to improve 3.3V/5V stability. Thanks to EVGA’s ECO Mode, the PSU provides ultra-quiet operation at quite a long lifespan.
The Supernova was built under the last PCI-e Gen 5 and ATX 3.0 standards, so it contains up to nine VGA connectors that provide more than enough space for six cables for up to two PCI-e Gen 5, 12+4 pin connectors.
A 1600W power supply unit is more than enough to run an RTX 4090, and then some. You’ll have a ton of headroom for other high-end requirements, like CPUs, fans, cooling systems, and more. The Supernova ensures a smooth operation whether you’re gaming, streaming, or just consuming casual entertainment on Nvidia’s new RTX 4090. An added bonus is that it will support any future upgrades you may toss its way later down the line.
- Great bang for the buck
- Fluid dynamic bearings
- Quiet operation
- 6 VGA 12+4 compatible connectors
- Is semi-modular
The EVGA GQ 1000W is a gold standard PSU capable of powering a 600W graphics card with ease. The RTX 4090 will suit it perfectly. If we take into account AIB recommendations, a 1000W PSU should be more than enough to run the RTX 4090. So, if gaming is your gig, this PSU will be one of the absolute best options. You won’t have to worry about this unit quitting anytime soon thanks to the 80 PLUS Gold certified, utilizing 90% (115VAC) / 92% (220VAC-240VAC), and 100% Japanese Capacitors.
It is semi-modular, though, which means that at least one cable will be connected at all times. On the other hand, it comes with six VGA connectors that can power up to a 600W GPU under the new ATX 3.0 and PCI-e Gen 5 standards.
- Great price
- 80+ Gold certified
- Ripple suppression
- Fully modular
- Bit noisy
- Bulky cables
Seasonic’s Focus GX comes in as one of the best PSUs for the RTX 4080 due largely to its extreme modularity. The product boasts some additional features that make it stand out as a gold standard for power supplies, apt of all being its Gold certification.
The PSU also costs a mere $110, making it stand out as one of the most budget-friendly options on this list. It leverages extremely high-performance metrics on top of a super compact design that utilizes several interesting features, like load regulation, ripple suppression, and selective semi-passive operation.
Seasonic’s PSU also comes equipped with a 10-year warranty, so you won’t have to worry about the device’s potential instability or issues arising over the years. At this price point, on top of its modularity, the Focus GX is quite a bargain, especially after dropping upwards of $1,000 bucks on a GPU alone.
- Full power at 47 degrees Celsius
- Fully modular
- Loads of connectors
- Compact dimensions
- Small distance between the peripheral connectors
- No PCIe 5.0 connectors
EVGA is definitely king among PSU designers, stealing the show among the best PSUs for the RTX 4090 even in the 850W category. We can’t stress enough how the SuperNOVA is one of the most notable 850W PSUs in the industry. Running an RTX 4090 with a mere 850W power supply seems quite dicey, despite being recommended by Nvidia itself. Yet, with the worldwide recognition of EVGA on its shoulder, the SuperNOVA proves to be the most stress-free option in this range.
This PSU doesn’t have the required 12.4-pin connector yet, but that can be fixed quite simply with an adapter. The SuperNOVA offers incredible performance even in a compact space. It has an 80 PLUS Gold, Cybernetics Platinum (89-91%), certified efficiency and Cybernetics Standard++ (30-35 dB[A]) noise operation. Whether you’re gaming or just chilling watching Netflix on your 4090, EVGA’s 80 PLUS Gold SuperNOVA is a prime candidate for you.
The RTX 4090 is certainly one monster of a GPU, but it can be tamed with any one of these amazing power supplies. Whether you’re going for the most headroom possible with a 1600W option, or merely want something lighter at 850W, we’ve got you covered with the absolute best PSUs for the RTX 4090 currently on the market. Be sure to check out a few more options of PSU for the RTX 4090 too.
Our Verdict
Upgrading to the RTX 4090 adds a massive bump in power draw. A PC component alteration like that needs to be accompanied by one of the best PSUs to supply such a power-hungry GPU. You will be more than adequate with any one among the above-curated selections, but the EVGA SuperNOVA 1600W Platinum takes the cake without question. It has an incredible price for a 1600W power supply with enough headroom to run even the most sophisticated systems on the market. Thus, the SuperNOVA will ensure the best possible performance in any situation.