Can an RTX 3090 Run on an 850W Power Supply?

At stock settings, yes an 850W power supply is viable for the RTX 3090, but overclocking or upgrading other components may demand more headroom. Let‘s dive into a detailed analysis based on real-world testing and builds.

Power Hungry Beast: RTX 3090 Consumption Stats

First, a quick refresher – the RTX 3090 has some serious power demands, with Nvidia recommending a 750W supply. Here‘s a breakdown from Tom‘s Hardware testing:

• Peak gaming power consumption: 389W
• Peak gaming+compute: 463W
• Sustained 100% compute load: 408W

So realistically expect 400-450W+ continuous draw, spiking higher in demanding scenes. Overclockers have pushed above 650W!

For overclocked 3090 builds, an 850W unit runs dangerously close to max capacity after factoring in the rest of the system. 1000W+ is strongly recommended here.

Ideal PSU Targets for Stable 3090 Operation

Given the 3090‘s appetite for power, what PSU specs should you aim for?

• Wattage – 850W leaves 100-150W buffer for a high end build, but 1000W+ ideal for overclocking or future upgrades. Remember PSU wattage degrades over time.
• 80+ Gold Certification – Shoot for at least Gold efficiency, ideally Platinum. This improves heat dissipation and ensures clean stable power delivery.
• 12VHPWR Connector – New power connector for 3090 drawing up to 600W over three 8-pin cables.

Real-World 3090 Builds and Power Draw

Let‘s examine some real configurations from PC enthusiasts pairing a 3090 with different CPUs:

Observations:

• The i9-12900K + 3090 build exceeded 850W capacity during stress tests and benchmarking. Users reported shutdowns or reboots indicating the PSU was overloaded.
• The 5950X provided more headroom and remained stable with an overclocked GPU. But power spikes still nearing 850W limits.
• Small form factor builds are more likely to throttle due to heat or power limits when components are packed tightly.

Warning Signs of PSU Overload or Instability

If your 850W powered 3090 build experiences any of these, it likely needs a PSU upgrade:

• System shutdowns or restarts during intense gaming sessions
• BSOD errors pointing to power delivery issues
• 3090 throttling earlier/lower than expected
• Fan speeds running at 100% trying to counteract excess PSU heat

Don‘t ignore these warnings over time. You risk game crashes, component damage or data loss if the PSU can‘t handle load transients.

Top PSU Options for 3090 Rigs

If shopping for a new power supply capable of handling RTX 3090 configurations, these units stand out:

I recommend at least 1000W and 80+ Gold. Paying up for premium efficiency helps when running near max capacity for long periods. And higher capacity not only gives you headroom today but better sustains peak performance years down the road.

In Closing: Gauge Needs But 850W May Suffice

To answer the original question – can an RTX 3090 run on a 850W power supply? The answer is yes, in many builds it will function reliably. However, for heavily overclocked systems or SFF configurations, 850W cuts it too close.

Carefully examine your CPU choice, intended overclocks if any, and case cooling limitations. These factors all influence the true real-world power demand. 850W leaves little error budget if you upgrade other components down the road.

My firm recommendation is 1000-1200W to confidently power an RTX 3090 machine with stability to spare. But an 850W 80+ Gold unit from quality brands like Corsair or EVGA may meet your needs if you remain at stock clocks. Just keep a close eye on overall system power draw as you put the hardware through its paces.

I hope this detailed analysis gives you a clearer picture of the RTX 3090‘s power requirements – let me know if you have any other questions!