Power requirements for graphics cards

As so many people aren't sure how much power a modern graphics card requires MINIMUM, I've decided to write a list of various models with the sort of PSU they require. Obviously it would be better to get something better than what is stated. It is only a rough guide, as it also depends what other hardware you have in your system. I hope it is of some use to people.

The following are the minimum power requirements using a PSU with a single +12V rail. Also these requirements are for a system containing basic components (unless otherwise noted). The more add in cards and hard drives that a system has, the more amperage draw on the 12v rail.

nVidia

GeForce GTX TITAN Black - 42A and a 600W PSU minimumGeForce GTX TITAN - 38A and a 600W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 780ti - 42A and a 600W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 780 - 42A and a 600W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 770 - 42A and a 600W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 760 - 30A and a 500W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 750ti - 20A and a 400W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 750 - 20A and a 400W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 690 - 46A and a 650W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 680 - 38A and a 550W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 670 - 30A and a 500W PSU minimumGeforce GTX 660ti - 24A and a 450W PSU minimumGeforce GTX 660 - 24A and a 450W PSU minimumGeforce GTX 650ti Boost - 24A and a 450W PSU minimumGeforce GTX 650ti - 20A and a 400W PSU minimumGeforce GTX 650 - 20A and a 400W PSU minimumGeForce GT 640 - 20A and a 350W PSU minimumGeForce GT 630 - 20A and a 350W PSU minimumGeForce GT 620 - 18A and a 350W PSU minimumGeForce GT 610 - 16A and a 300W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 590 in SLi - 78A and a 1000W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 590 - 46A and a 700W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 580 - 40A and a 600W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 570 - 35A and a 550W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 560 Ti in SLi - 42A and a 700W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 560 Ti - 31A and a 500W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 560 - 24A and a 4500W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 550 Ti - 24A and a 400W PSU minimumGeForce GT 520 - 18A and a 300W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 470 and 480 in SLi - 55-60A and a 850W PSU minimum GeForce GTX 480 - 42A and a 600W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 470 - 38A and a 550W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 465 in SLi - 46A and a 700W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 465 - 30A and a 500W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 460 in SLi - 42A and a 650W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 460 - 26A and a 450W PSU minimumGeForce GTS 450 in SLi - 35A and a 600W PSU minimumGeForce GTS 450 - 24A and a 450W PSU minimumGeForce GT 430 - 22A and a 350W PSU minimum

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GeForce GTX 295 in Quad SLi - 70A and a 1000W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 295 - 50A and a 700W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 285 - 46A and a 550W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 280 in SLi - 55A and a 800W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 280 - 40A and a 550W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 275 in SLi - 50A and a 800W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 275 - 40A and a 550-600W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 260 OC in SLi - 50A and a 700W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 260 OC - 40A and a 550W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 260 in SLi - 50A and a 700W PSU minimumGeForce GTX 260 - 38A and a 500W PSU minimumGeForce GTS 250 - 24A and a 450W PSU minimumGeForce GT 240 - 18A and a 300W PSU minimumGeForce GT 220 - 18A and a 300W PSU minimumGeForce 9800 GX2 - 35A and a 550W PSU minimumGeForce 9800 GTX+ - 32A and a 500W PSU minimumGeForce 9800 GTX - 25-30A and a 450W PSU minimumGeForce 9600 GT - 26A and a 450W PSU minimumGeForce 9600 GSO - 26A and a 450W PSU minimumGeForce 8800 Ultra - 35A and a 500W PSU minimumGeForce 8800 GTX 30A and a 450W PSU minimumGeForce 8800 GTS 512MB - 28A and a 500W PSU minimumGeForce 8800 GTS 320/640MB 26A and a 400W PSU minimumGeForce 8800 GT in SLi - 36A and a 500W PSU minimumGeForce 8800 GT - 26A and a 450W PSU minimumGeForce 8600 GT/GTS - 24A and a 350W PSU minimumGeForce 8500 GT - 22A and a 350W PSU minimumGeForce 8400 GS - 18A and a 350W PSU minimumGeForce 7950 GX2 27A and a 400W PSU minimumGeForce 7950 GT 22A and a 350W PSU minimumGeForce 7900 GTX 22-26A and a 350-400W PSU minimumGeForce 7900 GTO 22-26A and a 350-400W PSU minimumGeForce 7900 GT 22-26A and a 350-400W PSU minimumGeForce 7900 GS 22-23A and a 350W PSU minimumGeForce 7800 All - 26A and a 400W PSU minimumGeForce 7800 GS AGP - 20A and a 400W PSU minimumGeForce 7600 GT 22-26A and a 350W PSU minimumGeForce 7600 GS 15-17A and a 350W PSU minimumGeForce 7300 GT 15A and a 300W PSU minimumGeForce 7300 GS 15A and a 300W PSU minimum

ATI/AMD

Radeon R9-295X2 - 52A and a 800W psu minimumRadeon R9-290X - 33A and a 600W psu minimumRadeon R9-290 - 31A and a 550W psu minimumRadeon R9-280X - 30A and a 550W psu minimumRadeon R9-270X - 24A and a 500W psu minimumRadeon R9-260X - 19A and a 450W psu minimumRadeon HD 7990 - 48A and a 750W psu minimumRadeon HD 7970 Ghz Edition - 31A and a 550W psu minimumRadeon HD 7970 - 30A and a 500W psu minimumRadeon HD 7950 - 25A and a 500W psu minimumRadeon HD 7870 - 23A and a 500W psu minimum Radeon HD 7850 - 21A and a 500W psu minimumRadeon HD 7790 - 21A and a 500W psu minimumRadeon HD 7770 - 19A and a 500W psu minimum

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Radeon HD 7750 - 16A and a 400W psu minimumRadeon HD 6990 - 45A and a 750W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6970 - 34A and a 550W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6950 - 30A and a 500W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6870 X2 - 40A and a 600W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6870 CrossfireX - 38A and a 650W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6870 - 28A and a 500W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6850 CrossfireX - 35A and a 600W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6850 - 25A and a 450W PSU minimum Radeon HD 6770 CrossfireX - 33A and a 600W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6770 - 25A and a 450W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6790 - 25A and a 450W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6670 - 17A and a 400W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5970 CrossfireX - 70A and a 900W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5970 - 50A and a 600W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5870 CrossfireX - 55-60A and a 700W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5870 - 40A and a 500W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5850 CrossfireX - 55-60A and a 650W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5850 - 35-40A and a 500W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5830 - 35-40A and a 500W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5770 - 34A and a 500W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5750 - 30A and a 450W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5670 - 26A and a 400W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5570 - 24A and a 350W PSU minimumRadeon HD 5450 - 22A and a 300W PSU minimumRadeon 4890 - 32A and a 550W PSU minimumRadeon 4870 X2 CrossfireX - 67A and a 1000W PSU minimumRadeon 4870 X2 - 43A and a 600W PSU minimumRadeon 4870 - 32A and a 500W PSU minimumRadeon 4850 - 30A and a 450W PSU minimumRadeon 4830 - 26A and a 400W PSU minimumRadeon 4770 Crossfire - 34A and a 750W PSU minimumRadeon 4770 - 26A and a 400-500W PSU minimumRadeon 4670 - 26A and a 400W PSU minimumRadeon 4650 - 24A and a 350-400W PSU minimumRadeon 4550 - 20A and a 300W PSU minimumRadeon X3870 X2 - 30A and a 550W PSU minimumRadeon X38xx series - 28A and a 450W PSU minimumRadeon X2900 XT Crossfire - 45A and a 800W PSU is recommended for high-end rigsRadeon X2900 XT - 35A and a 500W PSU is recommended for high-end rigsRadeon X2900 Pro - 35A and a 500W PSU minimumRadeon X2600 XT - 25A and a 400W PSU minimumRadeon X2400 XT - 20A and a 350-400W PSU minimumRadeon X1950 XTX 20A and a 420W PSU minimumRadeon X1950 Pro 20A and a 420W PSU minimumRadeon X1900 XTX 25A and a 520W PSU minimumRadeon X1900 XT 22-25A and a 520W PSU minimumRadeon X1900 GT 22A and a 400W PSU minimumRadeon X1650 Pro 18A and a 350W PSU minimum

UPDATE:

AMD's new Radeon HD 6850 and 6870 have been added to the list. These two new cards are basically the next generation up from the 5750 and 5770, and offer performance close to the existing 5850 and 5870.

For a system under load the following power consumption figures are given:

1X 6850 = 278W /12 = 23.2A2X 6850 = 393W /12 = 32.8A

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1X 6870 = 295W /12 = 24.6A2X 6870 = 421W /12 = 35.1A

That is based on a system with an X58 based motherboard, Core i7 965 @ 3750 MHz and 6144 MB (3x 2048 MB) Corsair DDR3 RAM @ 1500 MHz.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-6850-6870-crossfirex-review/4

Based on that I've given the following recommendations:

Radeon HD 6870 CrossfireX - 38A and a 650W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6870 - 28A and a 500W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6850 CrossfireX - 35A and a 600W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6850 - 25A and a 450W PSU minimum

I'm trying to make the list more realistic for any future graphics cards. Updates will be given showing my research.

UPDATE:

The GeForce GTX 580 has been added to the list.

For a system under load the following power consumption figures are given:

1x 580 = 451W /12 = 37.6A

That is based on a system with an X58 based motherboard, Core i7 920 @ 3.70GHz and 6144 MB (3x 2048 MB) G.Skill DDR3 RAM.

It seems the GeForce GTX 580 uses slightly less power than the GeForce GTX 480, although there are reports on other sites it uses more power with the older VBIOS.

http://www.techspot.com/review/337-asus-geforce-gtx-580/page11.html

Based on that I've given the following recommendation:

GeForce GTX 580 - 40A and a 600W PSU minimum

UPDATE:

The GeForce GTX 570 has been added to the list.

Please note the following though as reviewers are changing their method of measuring power consumption:

"As of lately, there has been a lot of discussion using FurMark as stress test to measure power load. Furmark is so malicious on the GPU that it does not represent an objective power draw compared to really hefty gaming. If we take a very-harsh-on-the-GPU gaming title, then measure power consumption and then compare the very same with Furmark, the power consumption can be 50 to 100W higher on a high-end graphics card solely because of FurMark.

After long deliberation we decided to move away from Furmark and are now using a game like application which stresses the GPU 100% yet is much more representable of power consumption and heat levels coming from the GPU."

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-570-review/8

Techspot have also started to measure the power consumption differently and have given very similar

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results for the GTX 570's full system power consumption: http://www.techspot.com/review/346-gigabyte-geforce-gtx-570/page11.html

For a system under load the following power consumption figures are given:

1x 570 = 369W /12 = 30.8A

That is based on a system with an X58 based motherboard, Core i7 965 @ 3750 MHz and 6144 MB (3x 2048 MB) Corsair DDR3 RAM @ 1500 MHz.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-570-review/8

Based on that I've given the following recommendation:

GeForce GTX 570 - 35A and a 550W PSU minimum

UPDATE:

AMD's new Radeon HD 6950 and 6970 have been added to the list.

For a system under load the following power consumption figures are given:

1X 6950 = 312W /12 = 26A

1X 6970 = 361W /12 = 30.1A

That is based on a system with an X58 based motherboard, Core i7 965 @ 3750 MHz and 6144 MB (3x 2048 MB) Corsair DDR3 RAM @ 1500 MHz.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-6950-6970-review/11

Based on that I've given the following recommendations:

Radeon HD 6970 - 34A and a 550W PSU minimumRadeon HD 6950 - 30A and a 500W PSU minimum

UPDATE:

The GeForce GTX 560 Ti has been added to the list.

For a system under load the following power consumption figures are given:

1X 560 = 319W /12 = 26.6A

That is based on a system with an X58 based motherboard, Core i7 965 @ 3750 MHz and 6144 MB (3x 2048 MB) Corsair DDR3 RAM &nb

UPDATE:

AMD's Radeon HD 7900, 7800 & 7700 series have been added to the list.

For a system under load the following power consumption figures are given:

7970 ghz edition: * System in IDLE = 155W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 373W *Difference (GPU load) = 218W *Add average IDLE wattage ~10W *Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 228 Watts

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- From 373w max results the recommendation: 31A and a 550W psu minimum (373w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/radeon_hd_7970_ghz_edition_review,8.html

7970: System in IDLE = 163W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 355W * Difference (GPU load) = 192W * Add average IDLE wattage ~3W * Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 195 Watt

- From 355w max results the recommendation: 30A and a 500W psu minimum (355w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/amd_radeon_hd_7970_review,8.html

7950 - System in IDLE = 165W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 300W * Difference (GPU load) = 138W * Add average IDLE wattage ~3W *Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 138 Watts

- From 300w max results the recommendation: 25A and a 500W psu minimum (300w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/his_radeon_hd_7950_review,8.html

7870: System in IDLE = 157W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 274W * Difference (GPU load) = 117W * Add average IDLE wattage ~10W * Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 127 Watts

- From 274w max results the recommendation: 23A and a 500W psu minimum (274w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/amd_radeon_hd_7850_and_7870_review,7.html

7850: System in IDLE = 160W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 256W * Difference (GPU load) = 96W * Add average IDLE wattage ~10W * Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 106 Watts

- From 256w max results the recommendation: 21A and a 500W psu minimum (256w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/amd_radeon_hd_7850_and_7870_review,7.html

7770: System in IDLE = 155W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 231W * Difference (GPU load) = 76W * Add average IDLE wattage ~10W * Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 86 Watts

- From 231w max results the recommendation: 19A and a 500W psu minimum (231w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/amd_radeon_hd_7750_and_7770_review,7.html

- 7750: System in IDLE = 155W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 188W * Difference (GPU load) = 33W * Add average IDLE wattage ~10W * Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 43 Watts

- From 188w max results the recommendation: 16A and a 400W psu minimum (231w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/amd_radeon_hd_7750_and_7770_review,7.html

Note: The recommendation of a 500w psu for 7770 - 7970 is due to AMD's own recommendation (http://www.amd.com/de/products/desktop/graphics/7000/7970/Pages/radeon-7970.aspx#2)

Update:

GTX Titan added following Nvidia OEM recommendations.

Update:

Added GTX 650ti Boost following Nvidia OEM recommendations. Added Radeon HD 7790 following AMD recommendations/Anandtech review (http://www.anandtech.com/show/6837/amd-radeon-7790-review-feat-sapphire-the-first-desktop-sea-islands/16

Update:

Added GTX780 following Nvidia OEM recommendation (more Amps on +12v required than for Titan). Added Radeon HD 7990 following AMD recommendations/Anandtech review (http://www.anandtech.com/show/6915/amd-radeon-hd-7990-review-7990-gets-official/16).

Update:

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Added GTX770 following Nvidia OEM recommendation (more Amps on +12v required than for Titan and GTX680)

Update:

Added GTX760 following Nvidia OEM recommendation

Update:

AMD's Radeon HD R9-260X - 280X series have been added to the list.

For a system under load the following power consumption figures are given:

R9-260X: * System in IDLE = 118W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 221W *Difference (GPU load) = 103W *Add average IDLE wattage ~10W *Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 113 Watts

- From 221w max results the recommendation: 19A and a 450W psu minimum (221w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/radeon_r7_260x_r9_270x_280x_review_benchmarks,10.html

R9-270X: System in IDLE = 116W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 283W * Difference (GPU load) = 167W * Add average IDLE wattage ~10W * Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 177 Watt

- From 283w max results the recommendation: 24A and a 500W psu minimum (283w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/radeon_r7_260x_r9_270x_280x_review_benchmarks,10.html

R9-280X - System in IDLE = 119W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 350W * Difference (GPU load) = 231W * Add average IDLE wattage ~10W *Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 241 Watts

- From 350w max results the recommendation: 30A and a 550W psu minimum (350w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/radeon_r7_260x_r9_270x_280x_review_benchmarks,10.html

Update:

AMD's Radeon HD R9-290X has been added to the list.

For a system under load the following power consumption figures are given:

* System in IDLE = 120W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 396W *Difference (GPU load) = 276W *Add average IDLE wattage ~10W *Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 286 Watts

- From 396w max results the recommendation: 33A and a 600W psu minimum (396w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/radeon_r9_290x_review_benchmarks,10.html

Update:

Added GTX 780ti following Nvidia OEM recommendation

Update:

AMD's Radeon HD R9-290 has been added to the list.

For a system under load the following power consumption figures are given:

* System in IDLE = 128W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 372W *Difference (GPU load) = 244W *Add average IDLE wattage ~10W *Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 254

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Watts

- From 372w max results the recommendation: 31A and a 550W psu minimum (372w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/radeon_r9_290_review_benchmarks,10.html

Update:

GTX750(ti) added following Nvidia OEM recommendations

Update:

GTX Titan Black added following Nvidia OEM recommendations

Update:

AMD's Radeon HD R9 295X2 has been added to the list.

For a system under load the following power consumption figures are given:

* System in IDLE = 137W * System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 624W *Difference (GPU load) = 487W *Add average IDLE wattage ~20W *Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 507 Watts

- From 624w max results the recommendation: 52A and a 800W psu minimum (624w / 12v) Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/amd_radeon_r9_295x2_review,12.html

You can view this article online at:http://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/power-requirements-for-graphics-cards

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