Since Nvidia launched the GTX 1080 in 2016, it has been a long-term favorite of many in the gaming community due to its powerful performance. The GTX 1080 can run most games in seamless ultra HD settings, and has become a reliable source for gamers.
The graphics card inside the GTX 1080 is unmatched – running the most powerful games (such as GTA V, Assassin’s Creed Origins, Far Cry 5, Star Wars Battlefront 1 and 2, etc) without a glitch from medium to high graphics depending on which graphic card you decide on.
A powerful graphics card requires a powerful power supply to ensure that your gaming experience runs smoothly and uninterrupted. Let’s take a look below to the best power supply for GTX 1080 graphics card:
Best Overall
- Short Circuit Protection
- Backwards Compatible
- Low-Fault Rating
Premium Pick
- Fanless Design
- 80 Plus Titanium Efficiency
- Fully Modular
1. Corsair CX Series 550 Watt Power Supply – Best Overall
Corsair Units are inexpensive, and a terrific selection for basic computer systems, and desktop PC’s. They come in a wide range of power configurations and have features t that can easily be found on premium power supplies.
Our Pick
Corsair CX Series 550 Watt
When you think of a system so cheap, you think that it would be made cheaply as well. However, that is not the case with this Corsair unit. It has excellent craftsmanship with a low fault rating.
The cables of this unit are non-removeable and fully sleeved (which solves the problem of them coming apart in other models), and it is equipped with a PCI express connector, and those cables are sufficiently long, as well.
This unit runs a 120mm fan for a quiet operation, almost equivalent to fan-less systems. This also accounts for high energy savings while in use. It also supports the latest ATX12V and is backwards compatible with ATX12V 2.01 systems. It also offers a universal AC input, and Over Current/Voltage/Short Circuit/Power Protection to ensure the safety of your system components.
Pros
- Reliable
- Inexpensive
- Short Circuit Protection
- Backwards Compatible
- Low-Fault Rating
Cons
- Loud Fan (in some cases)
2. Seasonic Prime 600 Watt Power Supply – Premium Pick
The Seasonic 600 WT is fan-less, making it a silent addition to your gaming system. This model has low power consumption, allows two EPS connectors, is Multi GPU enabled, and has four PCIe connectors. All these combined allow it to support a advanced and resourceful gaming system.
Our Premium Pick
Seasonic Prime 600
It has also been awarded the highest Titanium efficiency certification, with 94% efficiency at a 50% load, all while being completely fanless. This shows it has the highest level of power output on the fanless power supply market, which makes this model stand out more than it already does.
Another great advantage of this model is that it is Multi-GPU, which means you are able to use up to two graphics cards. However, please keep in mind that you cannot use two GTX 1080’s with two graphics cards based upon their power output. The graphics cards produce too much power, meaning that it you cannot simultaneously run two cards on a 60w power supply.
The only drawback is its price. However, every power supply in this category with this caliber will have this issue. If you’re in the market for a power supply for a heavily-ran PC (for gaming, photography, businesses, a recording studio, etc), then this is you the system you want to invest in.
Pros
- Fanless
- Silent
- Multi-GPU
- Holds the highest title of 80 Plus Titanium efficiency
- Low Power Consumption
- Fully Modular
- 600W Capacity
Cons
- High Price Tag
3. Thermaltake Smart 700W Power Supply – Budget Pick
If you are looking for a unit that saves energy, this would be the one for you. It saves as much as 86% energy and can function and accommodate with any mainstream build. It is also 80 PLUS Standard Certified. This boasts 700W of power and should have more than enough power to push through the majority of gaming PC’s. It is low price also is very appealing to many buyers and makes it one of the best power supplies for the GTX 1080.
Our Budget Pick
Thermaltake Smart 700W
This unit also has an intelligent cooling fan that delivers airflow with being virtually silent. It also has a single 12V rail with non-stop usage that proves stable and reliable. This unit is also the “Smart Series” that saves energy, and is optimized with all generations of Intel Processors, making it compatible to most PC’s.
This unit also comes with multiple connectors, making instillation easy, yet somewhat challenging. However, it does come with detailed instructions to make installation easier.
Pros
- All have pre attached cables
- Quiet
- Easy to install
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Lots of wires to hook up
4. EVGA 450 BT Power Supply
When you think of cheap power supplies, you hardly ever think that they would be highly recommended. This is because they are usually cheaply made, and expensive to replace. However, despite the EVGA 450 BT’s price tag, it is not cheaply made, and it makes number two on our list for efficiency.
EVGA 450 BT
This model comes with two different watts: 450W and 500W. It is also 80 PLUS Bronze Certified, meaning that it has 85% efficiency (or higher), under its typical loads. This is a huge selling point for a relatively inexpensive system.
It also boasts heavy-duty protections such as OCP (Over Current protection), UVP (Under Voltage Protection), OPP (Over Power Protection), and SCP (short Circuit Protection.) In a buyer’s market, these protections mean a lot more than a price tag: they mean peace of mind.
A big selling point of this system is the noiseless and auto fan system. Although it isn’t a non-fan system, the silence of the fan makes it all more appealing to customers and gamers alike. The fan is also only 120mm and is equipped with Under Current Protection and short circuit protection.
The only drawback to this model is their connectors. It comes with standard and affordable 450W PSU connectors with PCIe connectors for the graphics cards. However, 20-gauge wires are used for most of the connectors whereas 18-gauge wires should have been used for transferring higher power levels. The connectors are satisfactory and could be easily replaced if needed.
This model has the most basic features, and at the price tag it is at, there are not any room for extras or extra modifications. However, even though it is one of the most basic packages, it offers an admirable value for its customers. It also comes with a 3-year warranty, which for a console that is not expensive, shows that the manufacturer is confident in their product.
Pros
- Noiseless and auto fan system
- Equipped with Short Circuit Protection
- Has two different watts to choose from
- 80 Plus Bronze Certified
Cons
- Basic model
- No room for extra modifications
5. EVGA SuperNOVA 650 Ga PSU
The EVGA SuperNOVA 650 Ga PSU is the smallest unit in the Ga line, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with a 80 Plus Gold efficiency, a semi-passive operation, and a modular cabling design. It has a DC to DC Resonant Circuit design, ensuring that it won’t fail under your current operating system while maintaining 90% efficiency at a low heat loss.
EVGA SuperNOVA 650 Ga
Because of its 12-volt rail, this system has enough power to fuel your hardware. It has a highly efficient platform, an abiding passive mode, and an almost silent fan, this system offers a quiet operation, even under the toughest conditions.
This is realistic for all low watt power supplies, and with this system only being 650 watts, it performs within its allowance and is a great GTX 1080 power supply.
On the downside, if you want intense gameplay, you may want to look for a power supply in a higher wattage bracket. Although it boats Japanese capacitors, this system only excels on a low to medium load. This is perfect for lower quality games, and not high-resolution graphics.
Pros
- Silent Operation
- Extended Warranty
- Highest Quality Japanese Capacitors
Cons
- Single EPS Connector
- Can only handle low-medium loads
How To Choose The Right Power Supply
It appears for every type of gamer, businessperson, or even people using PC’s for leisure purposes, there are many options to choose from. However, when you choose your power supply, you have to keep in mind that if you choose the wrong one, it may cause irreversible damage for you, your electronics, and your household (even resulting in the risk of sparking a fire or blowing your fuse box.) Commit as much time to choosing a power supply as you would buying a PC, building a PC, or controlling your set-up. Remember: multiple power supply’s can run in multiple machines, so the possibilities are endless depending on your needs and what your intentions are.
Style of Power
Consider what style of power that your desired power source uses and how it will best fit your needs. Some power sources have one input/output whereas others have multiple. If you are running a larger set-up, you will most likely be looking for a power supply with multiple inputs/outputs that can run into a surge bar or AC outlet.
If you are running a smaller set-up, one AC outlet (or more commonly known as a wall outlet) should suffice. However, if you’re running a much larger set-up (for example, in a business or a hospital), then you would need to go with a power supply with more than one output.
Don’t Just Go For The Biggest One You Can Find
Even though you may think that bigger is better, that is not always necessarily the case. Enormous power supplies usually are not necessary for most PC builds. Remember – your system will not be in use all the time, and it won’t be running at maximum capacity all the time either, meaning that if you do choose the biggest power supply, it’s probably overkill and could definitely burn out your hardware. You can choose a 500W-600W that will idle at 80W, and it is still as effective in your setup as a 1200W. Keep this in mind; the higher the voltage, the more stress it will more-than-likely bring.
If you are wondering what voltage is right for your PC set-up is, there are many tools online that can help. One of these is EVGA’s Power Meter (this will ask how many drives you have, your GPU, CPU, and if you are overclocking.) If this does not work for you, another good alternative is vbutils, which goes a little more in depth with the components of your PC. They will give you a base value and recommend you do not go over it. Remember – most PC’s do not need anything over 600W, so even going up to 650W is overkill.
SFX vs ATX
Now that you’ve gotten your wattage figured out, the next step is to consider the layout and size of your power supply unit. There is obviously a variety of different form factors, but every form factor falls into the ATX/Eps and SFX/SFF categories.
SFX was introduced in 1997 is the “smaller form factor” and is designed for smaller PC set-ups. However, this model was brought out for less powerful PC’s – for example: general consumers and offices. Recently, however, they have been competing with ATX, and they have become more popular with their increased power output. Although they cannot compete with the full-size ATX, they can still accommodate smaller PC’s to run smoothly and efficiently without incident.
SFX power supplies will more-than-likely run more expensive than ATX power supplies (even at the same level and wattage). It is recommended to just go with one SFX in your PC if your case even requires it. However, if you are able to put more than one SFX in your set-up, it is recommended to buy an ATX to SFX adapter (or even just an ATX at that point) so you can save energy and wattage. By doing this, it is not a risk to overload your computer.
ATX is what you would usually immediately think of when going to purchase a standard power supply for your PC. Almost all of power supplies today in the “ATX” category meet EPS requirements and include a 12V and 4-pin connector that can be used with just about any processor.
The official size of “large”” for the ATX power supplies have a depth of up to 200mm or even larger. Remember – any power supply you choose in ATX format will have the same height and width, but its depth could vary depending on the model. Before buying, be sure to check your PC’s manufacturer’s website for depth dimensions on your system’s case to make sure it can be accommodated.
Closing Thoughts
Anyone building a custom PC have the flexibility to do so in whatever way they like. There are a great number of approaches to take while choosing the best power supply for GTX 1080, depending upon what you are using it for. You can focus on a primary feature to begin with (for example: a processor that is silent or fanless, a processor that is the most efficient, a processer that can hold two graphics cards, maximum modularity, etc), or you can build from the ground up, starting from scratch.
Always remember before buying a power supply to check for the following items:
- 80 PLUS Gold Certified
- Make sure it has four 12V rails
- Fanless or silent fan (depending on your preference)
- Sleeved or capped cables (so they do not break)
No matter what power supply you choose, be sure that it fits your computer and your system. Look for a demanding build, yet one that does not drain energy from your PC, and you can easily have peace of mind knowing you probably will not have to replace. Do not buy a power supply on a whim: take the time to look through them, know your system, do your research, and make sure that the one you choose is a perfect fit for you, your PC, and what you’re expecting out of it.
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