When selecting components for a new computer, it is very important to choose the right power supply (PSU), since insufficient power will lead to unstable PC operation. On the other hand, buying a PSU with a large margin is also not a good idea, as this will hit the budget hard and will not allow you to assemble the optimal configuration. In this article, we will tell you which power supply is needed for NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1060, 1070, 1070 Ti, 1080 and 1080 Ti graphics cards.

Power supply for GEFORCE GTX 1060

In order to determine which power supply is needed for the NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1060 video card, first of all, let's turn to the specifications on the manufacturer's official website. According to official data this graphics card consumes 120W electricity. At the same time, this indicator is the same for both the version with 3 GB of video memory and for the version with 6 GB of video memory.

You can check the power supply capacity recommended by NVIDIA using the online PSU calculator. Such calculators allow you to select the components used in the computer and roughly estimate which PSU is needed for the operation of such a PC. In this case, we will use . If you choose an Intel Core i9 9900KF processor, one GEFORCE GTX 1060 graphics card, 2 hard drives, 4 RAM modules, 4 fans, 4 additional PCI express cards and 1 DVD drive, then MSI calculator recommends 400W.

Given the above data from NVIDIA and MSI, we can conclude that NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1060 requires a 400W PSU to run properly. If you want to play it safe or have a margin for upgrading components in the future, then you can purchase a PSU with some margin. For example, you can take a model that provides 100 watts more. Thus, for the GTX 1060, the power supply with a margin will be 500 watts.

Power supply for GEFORCE GTX 1070 and GTX 1070 Ti

In order to find out which power supply is suitable for the NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1070 and GTX 1070 Ti video cards, we need to study the specifications on the NVIDIA website. According to official specifications, this video card consumes 150-180 watts power. Moreover, this indicator is the same for both the regular version and the improved version with the prefix Ti.

Also in the characteristics of the video card, NVIDIA gives recommendations on the power of the power supply. In this case, for both versions of the GTX 1070 recommended PSU power is 500W.

You can check the recommended power supply capacity indicated by NVIDIA using the online PSU calculator. These calculators allow you to roughly estimate the power of the power supply based on the components used. In our case, we will use . We will list an Intel Core i9 9900KF processor, one GEFORCE GTX 1070 Ti graphics card, 2 hard drives, 4 RAM modules, 4 fans, 4 additional PCI express cards, and 1 DVD drive. With these accessories MSI's calculator recommends just over 450W.

In this case, MSI's calculator produced a result 50 W less than NVIDIA recommends. Therefore, for maximum reliability, you need to focus on a larger value.

Thus, it can be concluded that NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1070 or 1070 Ti requires a 500W PSU to run properly. If you want to leave room for an upgrade or just want to play it safe, then you can install the PSU with some headroom. For example, you can purchase a model that will give out 100 watts more. Thus, for the GTX 1070 and GTX 1070 Ti, the PSU power will be 600 W with a margin.

Power supply for GEFORCE GTX 1080 and GTX 1080 Ti

In order to decide which PSU is suitable for NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 and GTX 1080 Ti video cards, we need to study the official specifications on the NVIDIA website. According to official information, the video card GTX 1080 draws 180W, and the GTX 1080 Ti graphics card is 250W.

Also in the official specifications, the company indicates the recommended power supply. In this case for the GTX 1080, the recommended power was 500 W, and for the GTX 1080 Ti graphics card - 600 W.

You can check the power of the power supply, which is indicated in the specifications, using the online PSU calculator. Such calculators allow you to make an approximate estimate of the power of the power supply based on the specified components. For verification, we will use .

First, let's check the values ​​for the GEFORCE GTX 1080. Let's specify an Intel Core i9 9900KF, one GEFORCE GTX 1080 graphics card, 2 hard drives, 4 RAM modules, 4 fans, 4 additional PCI express cards and 1 DVD drive. The result of a calculator with such components a little over 450 watts(same as 1070 and 1070 ti).

To check the GEFORCE GTX 1080 Ti value, we will use the same components. GTX 1080 Ti result - 525W.

In the case of the GTX 1080 and GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards, MSI's calculator gives values ​​that are noticeably lower than those recommended by NVIDIA. Therefore, when choosing a PSU, you should first of all focus on the official values ​​\u200b\u200bfrom NVIDIA.

From this it can be concluded that GTX 1080 requires a 500W PSU, and for the GTX 1080 Ti at 600 watts. If you want to play it safe or leave a margin for a future upgrade, then you can take a 100 W model more. Thus power supply with a margin for the GTX 1080 will be 600 watts, and for the GTX 1080 Ti - 700 watts.

For computers, switching power supplies are used. Unlike transformer ones, they are smaller in size, but due to the complexity of the circuit, they are more prone to breakdowns. Therefore, the choice of a PSU is an important stage in the assembly of a PC.

Power supply power

How much power is needed for a computer power supply? PSU manufacturers indicate an effective operating range of 50 - 80% of that indicated on the label. So this criterion cannot be discounted. There are many online calculators on the Internet. Let's pay attention to the website of the well-known company be quiet! (https://www.bequiet.com/en/psucalculator). Here you enter the model of the CPU and video card, the number of S-ATA, P-ATA devices and RAM sticks, as well as the number of air fans and liquid cooling systems.

As a result, we get the maximum power consumption.

Further, it is proposed to select a specific model based on the user's priorities: silence, efficiency, price. In our example, the optimal solution would be a 500-watt power supply for a computer, the maximum load of which will be at 63%.

Don't feel like fiddling with a calculator? Here are some general tips:

• Often, the specifications for video cards indicate overestimated conditions for the power of the entire system. Learn to calculate it yourself.
• Let's assume that the choice fell on the Geforce GTX 1060 video card. According to tests, such a configuration with an Intel central processor consumes about 280 watts. Therefore, we recommend a 400-watt power supply. For AM3+ CPU, we recommend 500 watt models.
• The AMD RX 480 video adapter needs more watts (maximum 345 W), and a PC with Geforce GTX 1070 is loaded up to 330 W, but 400 watts is enough in both cases.
• If the Geforce GTX 1080 is responsible for the graphics, then we find a 500-watt PSU.
• For an overclocked Geforce GTX 1080TI video card in conjunction with any CPU, a 600 watt device is suitable.
• More powerful PSU models are used in SLI systems (for a gaming computer) and in mining. In this case, we add the power consumption of each video card according to the specification.

Selection of a power supply for a computer by parameters

Power calculated. Let's move on to the following priority properties of power supplies:

1. Size;
2. Manufacturer;
3. The degree of silence;
4. Distribution of currents along the lines;
5. Availability of necessary protections;
6. Modularity;
7. Variety of power connectors.

Form factor

The PSU is installed in the PC case. There are two main standards depending on the dimensions - ATX and SFX. The first is used in conventional system units, it is more common. If you have a compact desktop system, then only the Small Form Factor will do. The instructions for the PC frame indicate the type of supported power supplies.

Format ATX implies the installation of a cooler with a diameter of up to 14 cm in the PSU. Previously, the type SFX had an 80mm fan. Now a compact power supply for a computer is equipped with a 12 cm cooler, which has a positive effect on the noise level.

Manufacturers of power supplies for computers

Each company can release both a successful series and a non-brilliant one. PSUs from different manufacturers are presented on the market, but according to the filling of the same company.

Of the fully branded power supplies, only the company remained Super Flower, prices for which are biting. Their quality is over the top. Such power supplies are useful in hot server systems with round-the-clock load or mining.

At seasonic began to meet noisy specimens and with a squeak, although it takes a proud second place.

Enermax began to give the production of new brands to the company TWT which made them of lesser quality.

At be quiet! cooling systems are better, and the real PSU manufacturer is HEC, which does not reach the “middle peasants”.

Better not to buy models Chieftec, the quality factor of which has fallen recently, while the cost has remained at the same level.

BP Aerocool the VX series are noisy at maximum power and mediocre in quality, and KCAS- quiet, and flaws can be detected immediately and returned to the store.

Firm Corsair is notable for its fickleness - the CX series is the most unfortunate, and the RM is the best, albeit expensive.

XFX- worthy power supplies in terms of price / quality ratio, since they are quiet, and are responsible for the filling seasonic. Such PSUs are cheaper, where they are not assembled at the main plant of a famous brand.

efficiency

Power supplies differ in the quality of energy transfer from the outlet to the computer, that is, in terms of the degree of loss. To formalize these parameters, an 80 PLUS certificate was issued, which is issued by a PSU with an energy efficiency of at least 80% and a power factor of at least 0.9.

This parameter directly affects how much money you spend on electricity. The noise level from the PSU will be less with a more advanced certification as the fan dissipates little heat. The higher the efficiency of the power supply, the more expensive it is. Therefore, we choose the “golden mean” - 80 PLUS GOLD. In this case, with a network voltage of 230 volts, power losses at 50% load will be only 8%, while 92% will go to the needs of the PC.

Power Factor Correction

Quality power supplies always have power factor correction (PFC). This coefficient reduces the reactive power consumed by the PSU, which consists of inductive and capacitive components. Such power does not carry a payload, so they fight it by adding special elements to the circuit.

There are two types of PFCs:

1. Active;
2. Passive.

APFC copes with short-term voltage dips in the mains (work continues due to the accumulated energy in the capacitors), so the voltage range at the input of such a PSU reaches 100-240 V. The resulting power factor rises to 0.95 at full load.

The passive PFC circuit is a high inductance choke that smooths out low frequency noise. But the power factor does not rise above 0.75.

Power supplies with active PFC look preferable, which improves their performance.

Noise

PSUs for a computer also differ in the type of cooling:

1. Active;
2. Passive;
3. Semi-passive.

The first type has become widespread. In such devices, the fan constantly rotates, removing warm air. Its speed can be controlled by the temperature inside the power supply case. The noise level depends on the size of the cooler (the larger the diameter, the lower the noise) and the type of its bearings (the quietest is hydrodynamic, the loudest is a plain bearing when worn).

Passive cooling system implies the presence of a massive radiator. The absence of a fan in the PSU does not mean complete silence during operation. Some elements of the block board may emit a quiet, but noticeable buzz. In terms of acoustic comfort, such models are often inferior to power supplies with active cooling.

The best choice for this criterion is power supplies with a semi-passive mode, especially if there is a button to control it.

The cooler turns on only when the load on the system is small (from 10 to 30% depending on the model). It then turns off when the temperature inside the PSU falls below the threshold.

The advantage of the semi-passive type of cooling is not only low noise level, but also increased fan life due to reduced fan speed, as well as optimized heat dissipation at any time during the operation of the power supply.

A high-quality power supply creates independent +3.3 V circuits; +5 V and +12 V. In budget PSUs, with a sharp increase in current consumption by a processor or video card along the +12 V circuit, drawdowns are observed on other lines. This may cause the system to freeze. Therefore, before buying, you need to find reviews on the Internet for models of interest and give preference to a device whose voltage fluctuations do not exceed 3%.

The main load in the system unit falls on the CPU and the video adapter, which receive energy through the +12 V line. Therefore, it is important that the power supply unit is able to deliver the maximum possible power through it, preferably close to the total. This information is displayed on the PSU label.

Protection Technologies

The next stage is the presence of a variety of protections from the power supply against:

• overload (OPP);
• overcurrent (OCP);
• overvoltage (OVP);
• undervoltage (UVP);
• overheating (OTP);
• short circuit (SCP).

Modularity

There are three types of PSU according to the method of connecting power cables:

1. non-modular;
2. Fully modular;
3. With partially detachable cables.

The first type is the cheapest. Such a power supply requires careful laying of wires in a personal computer case so as not to interfere with the free movement of air. A system unit with good cable management will do.

The PSU is easier to install if only the right cables are connected to it. In this case, such strict requirements are not imposed on the body.

Power cables for the motherboard and CPU are required regardless of the number of connected devices, so you can choose the least expensive PSU with partially detachable connectors.

Computer power supply connectors

The PSU supplies power to the components of the personal computer through cables with connectors. For hard drives and optical drives, SATA types and the outdated Molex are used. But the second option is used for the operation of case fans if their rotation speed is not regulated. Solid state drives are powered either via SATA or directly via the motherboard's PCI and M.2 interfaces. The floppy drive needs a floppy connector.

The main power cables are fed to the motherboard (24/20 pin) and CPU (8/4 pin). The 20-pin connector was used with early motherboards, now it is 24-pin, in which 4 pins are usually detachable. Undemanding “stones” have enough 4-pin power, but it is better to connect all 8 wires.

If the external video adapter does not have enough power on the PCI bus, then additional power blocks are connected. Computer power supply connectors for a video card can be 6 or 8-pin, and for powerful devices - two connectors of 8 wires.

The length of the cables to be connected is also important. Before buying, we go to the website of the power supply manufacturer and study the parameters of interest.

Without competent research of the PC power supply market, it is impossible to build an efficient and stable system. The durability of components directly depends on the properties of the PSU. What is the best power supply for a computer? An ideal purchase is a well-known brand device that operates at a level of 50 - 80% of its capabilities (affects the strength of its elements and the degree of noise) with all existing protections.

Quality is the main characteristic of any power supply. In the dashing 90s, a good breadwinner of all components was judged by its weight, but the cunning Chinese quickly learned to make the hulls heavier with the help of bolts mounted on adhesive tape. Now no one is engaged in such "life hacks", and there is no need for this. For a long time, the weight of the power supply does not mean anything. In 2016, it is very difficult to determine the build quality by external signs. " metal box». « With fan». « With a bunch of braided wires». « Oh, and here the cables come unfastened!» In fact, only the name of the manufacturer, price and efficiency classification 80 PLUS speak about the reliability of the unit.

All three points, as you understand, are interconnected. So, cheap devices from SeaSonic, ENERMAX and be quiet! you won't find it for sale. Yes, the market for computer power supplies is quite conservative. Therefore, the name plays a big role. The paradox lies in the fact that there are not very many power supply manufacturers themselves, and there are a dime a dozen companies producing ready-made solutions under their own logo. It all depends on the office itself, namely on how closely it monitors the production process. Therefore, sad situations sometimes happen when at first the quality of a particular model is kept at a consistently high level. And she gains well-deserved popularity. But a year or two later, under the same name, they release a block on a different platform with a modified “stuffing” of worse quality. Below is a table of reliable manufacturers, it includes those who are more or less represented in Russian retail. It is difficult to sell expensive blocks worth 10-30,000 rubles in times of crisis. Therefore, retail is mostly filled with simpler solutions. The same ENERMAX in Russia is almost “ended”. But, as Ostap Bender said, foreign countries will help us!