When choosing components for a new computer, it is very important to choose the right power supply unit (PSU), since insufficient power will lead to unstable operation of the PC. On the other hand, buying a PSU with a large margin is also not best idea, as this will hit your budget hard and prevent you from assembling an optimal configuration. In this article we will tell you which power supply is needed for NVIDIA graphics cards GEFORCE GTX 1060, 1070, 1070 Ti, 1080 and 1080 Ti.
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, we turn to the characteristics on the manufacturer's official website. According to official data this video card consumes 120W electricity. At the same time, this indicator is the same both for 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 power supply is needed for the operation of such a PC. In this case, we will use. If you choose a processor Intel Core i9 9900KF, one GEFORCE GTX 1060 graphics card, 2 hard drives, 4 modules random access memory, 4 fans, 4 additional PCI express cards and 1 DVD drive, then MSI calculator recommends 400W.
Considering the above data from NVIDIA and MSI, we can conclude that For normal operation of the NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1060 video card, a 400 W power supply is required... If you want to play it safe or have a stock for upgrading components in the future, then you can purchase a power supply unit with some margin. For example, you can take a model that delivers 100 watts more. In this way, for GTX 1060, the power supply will be 500 W with a margin.
PSU 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 graphics cards, we need to study the characteristics on the NVIDIA website. According to the official specifications, this video card consumes 150-180 W power. Moreover, this indicator is the same for both the regular version and the improved version with the Ti prefix.
Also, in the characteristics of the video card, NVIDIA provides recommendations on the power of the power supply. In this case, for both versions of the GTX 1070 the recommended power supply unit is 500 W.
You can check the recommended power supply power, which NVIDIA indicated, using the online power supply 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 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 such components MSI calculator recommends a little over 450W.
In this case, the MSI calculator produced 50W less than NVIDIA recommends. Therefore, for maximum reliability, you need to focus on a higher value.
Thus, we can conclude that for normal operation of the NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1070 or 1070 Ti video card, a 500 W power supply is required... If you want to leave room for an upgrade or just want to play it safe, then you can install the PSU with some margin. For example, you can purchase a model that will deliver 100 watts more. In this way, for GTX 1070 and GTX 1070 Ti, the power supply will be 600 W with a margin.
PSU 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 is 250 watts.
Also in the official specifications, the company indicates the recommended power supply capacity. In this case for a GTX 1080 graphics card, the recommended power was 500 W, and for the GTX 1080 Ti video card - 600 watts.
You can check the power supply power, which is indicated in the characteristics, using the online power supply calculator. Such calculators allow you to make an approximate estimate of the power supply capacity based on the specified components. For verification, we will use.
First, let's check the values for GEFORCE GTX 1080. Let's point to 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 slightly more than 450 W(same as 1070 and 1070 ti).
To check the GEFORCE value of the GTX 1080 Ti, we will use the same components. GTX 1080 Ti score - 525W.
In the case of GTX 1080 and GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards, MSI calculator gives values that are noticeably lower than those recommended by NVIDIA. Therefore, when choosing a power supply unit, you should first of all be guided by the official values from NVIDIA.
From this we can conclude that GTX 1080 requires 500W PSU and for the GTX 1080 Ti at 600 watts. If you want to play it safe or leave some margin for future upgrades, then you can take a model with 100 watts more. In this way 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 PSU is an important stage in PC assembly.
Power supply power
How much power do you need a power supply for your computer? 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 site of the well-known company be quiet! (https://www.bequiet.com/ru/psucalculator). This is where the model is introduced central processing unit and video cards, the number of S-ATA, P-ATA devices and memory 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 to a computer, the maximum load of which will be at 63%.
Don't feel like messing around with a calculator? Let's give general advice here:
- Often in the specifications for video cards, overestimated conditions for the power of the entire system are indicated. We learn to calculate it ourselves.
- Suppose the choice fell on a Geforce GTX 1060 video card. According to tests, such a configuration with a central Intel 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 345W), and a PC with a Geforce GTX 1070 can run up to 330W, but 400W is sufficient in both cases.
- If Geforce GTX 1080 is responsible for the graphics, then we find a 500 Watt PSU.
- For an overclocked Geforce GTX 1080TI graphics card in conjunction with any CPU, a 600-watt device is suitable.
- More powerful models PSUs are used in SLI systems (for 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
The power has been calculated. Let's move on to the following priority properties of power supplies:
- Standard size;
- Manufacturer;
- The degree of silence;
- Distribution of currents along the lines;
- The presence of the necessary protections;
- Modularity;
- Variety of power connectors.
Form Factor
PSU is installed in the case personal computer... There are two main standards depending on the size - ATX and SFX... The first is used in common system blocks, 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 power supplies supported.
Format ATX implies the installation of a cooler with a diameter of up to 14 cm in the power supply unit. Previously, the type SFX had an 80mm fan. Now a compact power supply for a computer is equipped with a 12 centimeters cooler, which has a positive effect on the noise level.
Computer power supply manufacturers
Each company can release both a successful series and a non-shiny one. PSUs from different manufacturers are presented on the market, but according to the filling of the same company.
Of the completely branded power supplies, only the company remained Super flower, the prices of which are biting. Their quality is excessive. Such PSUs will come in handy in hot server systems with round-the-clock load or mining.
Have Seasonic began to meet noisy specimens 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 less quality.
Have be quiet! better cooling systems are obtained, and the real manufacturer of the power supply unit is HEC, which does not reach the "middle peasant".
Better not to buy models Chieftec, the quality factor of which has dropped recently, but the cost has remained at the same level.
BP Aerocool the VX series are noisy at maximum power and mediocre quality, and KCAS- quiet, and flaws can be detected immediately and returned to the store.
Firm Corsair inconsistent - the CX series is the most unfortunate, and the RM is the best, albeit expensive.
XFX- decent power supplies in terms of price / quality ratio, since they are quiet, and they are responsible for the filling Seasonic... Such power supplies are cheaper, as they are not assembled at the main plant of the eminent brand.
Efficiency
Power supplies differ in the quality of energy transfer from the outlet to the computer, that is, in the degree of loss. To formalize these parameters, an 80 PLUS certificate was issued, which is issued by a power supply unit with an energy efficiency of at least 80% and a power factor of at least 0.9.
How much you spend on electricity directly depends on this parameter. The noise level from the PSU will be less with a more advanced certification, as the fan removes 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, at a voltage of 230 Volts, the power loss 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 struggle with it by adding special elements to the circuit.
There are two types of PFCs:
- Active;
- Passive.
APFC copes with short-term voltage dips in the mains (work continues due to the stored energy in the capacitors), so the voltage range at the input of such a power supply reaches 100-240 V. The resulting power factor rises to 0.95 at full load.
The passive PFC circuit is a large inductance choke that smooths out low frequency interference. But the power factor does not rise above 0.75.
Power supplies with an active PFC look preferable, which improves their performance.
Noise
PSUs for a computer also differ in the type of cooling:
- Active;
- Passive;
- Semi-passive.
The first type has become widespread. In such devices, the fan rotates constantly, 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 the sleeve bearing when worn).
A passive cooling system implies a massive heatsink. The absence of a fan in the power supply unit does not mean complete silence during operation. Some parts of the block board may emit a quiet but noticeable hum. 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 low (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 semi-passive cooling is not only low noise levels, but also increased fan life due to reduced fan speed, as well as optimized heat dissipation at any time the power supply is running.
A high-quality power supply unit creates independent circuits of +3.3 V; +5 V and +12 V. In budget power supplies, 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, it is necessary to find reviews on the models of interest on the Internet 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 is able to deliver the maximum possible power through it, better - close to the total. Such information is displayed on the PSU label.
Protection technologies
The next stage is for the power supply to have a variety of protections against:
- overload (OPP);
- overcurrent (OCP);
- overvoltage (OVP);
- undervoltage (UVP);
- overheating (OTP);
- short circuit (SCP).
Modularity
There are three types of PSUs according to the method of connecting the power cables:
- Non-modular;
- Fully modular;
- With partially detachable cables.
The first type is the cheapest. Such a power supply unit requires careful laying of wires in the PC case so as not to impede the free movement of air. Fit system unit with good cable management.
The PSU is easier to install if only the cables you need are connected to it. In this case, such stringent requirements are not imposed on the case.
Power cables for the motherboard and the central processor are required regardless of the number of connected devices, so you can choose the least expensive PSUs with partially detachable connectors.
Power supply connectors for computer
The PSU supplies power to the components of the personal computer through cables with connectors. For hard drives and optical drives used SATA and outdated Molex types. But the second option is used to operate case fans if their rotation speed is not regulated. Solid state drives powered either by SATA, or directly through PCI and M.2 interfaces of the motherboard. A floppy drive needs a Floppy connector.
The main power cables go to the motherboard (24/20 pin) and the CPU (8/4 pin). The 20-pin connector was used with the early motherboards, now - 24 pin, in which 4 contacts are usually unfastened. A 4-pin power supply is enough for undemanding "stones", but it is better to connect all 8 wires.
If the external video adapter does not have enough PCI bus power, then additional power pads are connected. The connectors of the computer power supply for the video card can be 6 or 8-pin, and for powerful devices - two connectors of 8 wires.
The length of the supplied cables is also important. Before buying, go to the website of the power supply manufacturer and study the parameters of interest.
It is impossible to build an efficient and sustainable system without competent research of the PC power supply market. The durability of the components directly depends on the properties of the power supply. Which power supply is best for your computer? An ideal purchase is a device of a well-known brand 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 hull heavier with the help of bolts set on tape. Now nobody is engaged in such "life hacks", and there is no need for it. For a long time, the weight of the power supply does not say 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, this is where the cables come loose!»In fact, only the name of the manufacturer, the price and the efficiency classification of 80 PLUS speaks about the reliability of the unit.
All three points, as you yourself understand, are interrelated. So, cheap devices from SeaSonic, ENERMAX and be quiet! on sale you will not find. Yes, the computer power supply market is quite conservative. Therefore, the name plays an important role. The paradox is that there are not very many manufacturers of power supplies themselves, and companies that produce ready-made solutions under their own logo are a dime a dozen. It all depends on the office itself, namely on how closely it monitors the production process. Therefore, sometimes there are sad situations when at first the quality of a particular model is kept at a consistently high level. And she is gaining well-deserved popularity. But a year or two later, under the same name, they release a block on a different platform with a modified "filling" of inferior 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 over. But, as Ostap Bender said, abroad will help us!