Best PSU for RTX 3070 and 3070 Ti

The 3070 and the 3070 Ti might be approaching four years old, but even without the likes of DLSS 3, there’s no denying they’re still champions of the Ampere lineup for 1440p. Of course, given their age, you can find them heavily discounted too, lending to its standing of being a solid mid-range offering at budget pricing: but they were excellent from a price-to-performance perspective even back when first released.

The PSU might not be the most discussed piece of hardware, but there’s no denying its crucial role in any PC build. What’s more, using the wrong one could be costly, as it supplies power to your whole system. Although Nvidia suggests a baseline of 650W for these GPUs, equipping your system with additional power capacity, such as a 750W PSU, provides a cushion for future upgrades and ensures optimal performance. However, while 750W will keep you going for direct successors such as the 4070 Super lineup, truly top-end graphics cards, such as the 4090 or the upcoming 50 series, are demanding more and more power, up to the likes of 1000W. universal power supply

Anyhow, to jump back to the matter at hand, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best power supplies we think should be paired with a rig using an RTX 3070 or 3070 Ti, looking at options for efficiency, a budget, and of course, future-proofing.

Selecting the best PSU for the RTX 3070 and 3070 Ti involves a thorough analysis of both user requirements and PSU capabilities. Of course, we draw a lot on our RTX 3070 review too, as that has given us a clear vision of how the card performs under load, meaning our choices are curated based on real-life experience.

Our selection process begins by considering the graphics cards’ power demands, ensuring that the recommended PSUs not only meet but exceed these needs. This foresight is particularly essential for those eyeing future system upgrades or who might engage in activities like overclocking.

Beyond raw power, we also evaluate the efficiency, build quality, modularity, noise levels, and additional features of each PSU. User reviews, expert opinions, and hands-on testing are invaluable in this process, offering insights into long-term reliability and real-world performance.

Corsair’s RM750x is a fan favorite; and for good reason, too. It’s a 750W PSU, sporting an 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating, ensuring your power delivery is both stable and energy-efficient. Not to mention, it’s fully modular, giving you the flexibility to use only the cables you need, aiding in a cleaner build.

This PSU is a superb fit for those wanting a mix of performance, reliability, and value. If you’re pairing it with an RTX 3070 or 3070 Ti, rest assured it’ll handle your graphics card with ease, even leaving some wiggle room for additional components. And if you’re someone who loves a neat and tidy build, the modularity here is going to be a blessing.

Corsair’s RM750x is a fan favorite; and for good reason, too. It’s a 750W PSU, sporting an 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating, ensuring your power delivery is both stable and energy-efficient.

What’s more, Corsair has equipped its RMx lineup with several extra features, on top of the Cybernetics and 80 PLUS certifications. that help make this PSU even more efficient – and even better value for money. For one, the magnetic levitation fan used on these units should lead to an increased lifetime under high operating temperatures. This is also good because the cooling fan is a crucial part of every PSU, and it highly affects its reliability. To this end, it’s important to use the best fan types when you can. On top of this, there are other boosts to efficiency too, such as the modern standby compatibility for fast wake from sleep times.

The Corsair RM750x is a testament to why Corsair is such a trusted name in the PSU market. It strikes the right balance, making it an excellent choice for most RTX 3070 and 3070 Ti users.

We’ve praised the Corsair RM750x highly, and so have users on Amazon, with 88% of buyers awarding it with a 5-star rating. In particular, they seemed to have picked up on the noise levels, modularity, and ease of installation of this PSU as being good. One user mentions that it “remains extremely quiet even when under near-full load”, with another commenting that they like how it’s “fully modular…which eases the strain of the cable management chaos”. So, for a quiet and easy-to-install PSU, you should certainly be taking a look at the RM750x – it also comes in an 850W or a 1000W version should you want even more power.

Next up, we’ve got the Corsair HX1000i as our future-proof choice of PSU – and it’s clear why. This 1000W has all the bells and whistles of a unit that’s built to last, not to mention that it comes with a 10-year warranty too. As well as getting the seal of approval from an 80 Plus Platinum rating, the inclusion of ATX 3.0 makes it a modern choice for newer graphics cards: needless to say, a 1000W PSU should see you far beyond an upgrade to a 4090. As you can expect, it’s fully modular too, so no matter your GPU your build should stay free of cable chaos.

Considering its price and the support behind it, it should be one for the years, and you’d like to think so. With a robust portfolio, we don’t expect too much disappointment from Corsair

This PSU might seem like it’s flexing its muscles a bit too much for an RTX 3070 Ti, but here’s the catch – it’s perfect for future-proofers. If you’re the kind of builder who loves to be one step ahead, relishing in the fact that upgrades down the line will be seamless, then the HX1000i is your ticket. Plus, with its advanced features and efficient cooling, it promises smooth operation even under load.

While it’s on the pricier side, the HX1000i is a powerhouse that delivers. Its forward-thinking design ensures that even as you swap out GPUs in the future, your PSU will remain unfazed.

Corsair has a strong reputation for impressive build quality and top-tier performance, and the HX1000i doesn’t let it down at all in that respect. It’s been well received by buyers across Amazon, with one review commenting that “although this PSU may have a higher upfront cost, its superior efficiency rating will eventually lead to savings”. Corsair’s iCue software has also been commended here, for its prowess in power monitoring – a perk you’ll get from any Corsair PSU. However, there was another user that mentioned that it’s “quiet but overpriced”, so there’s been some mixed reception on the steeper price of this unit.

Next up, as our budget PSU for pairing alongside an RTX 3070 or 3070 Ti, we’ve got the Corsair CX750. Not only does it go above and beyond Nvidia’s minimum recommendation of 650W, but it does so while keeping its pricing well under the $100 mark. Basically, it’s a really wallet-friendly choice for budget or entry-level builders, that shouldn’t give you any problems when it comes to installation either. The CX750 is also one of the units that we’ve reviewed in-house too, so it’s got our seal of approval too.

as a budget PSU, it keeps things simple to keep the price down, and the power rating does still make it a consideration for stronger builds even if your choices are limited

However, the limit on its price does mean there’s a limit on additional features too, and some of these are worth highlighting so you get the full picture of what this PSU has to offer. As an 80 Plus Bronze certified PSU, the CX750 has a slightly lower efficiency rating compared to gold or platinum options, meaning you’ll get slightly higher power consumption and electricity costs overall. What’s more, it’s not a PCIe 5 PSU. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it means that it doesn’t have the native 12VHPWR connectors for some of the best GPUs out there from Nvidia.

As we’ve mentioned, Corsair is a reliable brand for power supply units, and the CX750 is a pioneer of value and performance for its respective price. On Amazon buyer in particular commented that they like the unit for its “quiet operation and reliable performance”, and what’s more, they say that “it’s a solid choice for building a powerful, yet tidy PC setup”. There’s a bit of mixed reception on the aesthetic of the cables, but it’s praised as an all-round solid unit.

Stepping into the budget-friendly realm without cutting corners is the Cooler Master MWE Gold 750 V2. It boasts a 750W capacity with a commendable 80 Plus Gold efficiency, ensuring that you’re getting a solid power delivery without the hefty price tag. Being fully modular, it’s designed to help you maintain a clean and tidy setup, eliminating unnecessary cable clutter.

In essence, the Cooler Master MWE Gold 750 V2 is proof that you don’t need to empty your wallet to get a reliable power supply. It’s the perfect blend of value, efficiency, and reliability for the savvy gamer.

This PSU is a boon for budget-conscious gamers who still want performance. The RTX 3070 and 3070 Ti will find a harmonious partner in the MWE Gold 750 V2, ensuring optimal performance without breaking the bank. Plus, its silent fan technology ensures that your immersive gaming sessions remain undisturbed.

Selecting the right PSU for the RTX 3070 and 3070 Ti transcends merely meeting power requirements. It’s about ensuring consistent, reliable power delivery and system stability. When considering a PSU, it’s essential to scrutinize its efficiency rating. A higher rating, such as 80 Plus Gold or Platinum, translates to less wasted energy and potential cost savings over the lifespan of the unit. As well as the GPU, other components in your PC such as the CPU, RAM, and drives also require power, and can hence be affected by inefficient power delivery. The wasted power and heat can lead in a decrease in the lifespan of your precious PC parts.

The PSU’s form factor, safety features, and brand reputation further play crucial roles. Standard ATX will fit most mid-to-large-sized cases, but SFX might be more appropriate for compact builds. Safety features like Over Voltage Protection (OVP) and Short Circuit Protection (SCP) are vital in preventing potential damage to your components.

Yes, in line with its minimum requirements, 750W should provide a comfortable margin for an RTX 3070 Ti, ensuring optimal performance as well as potential future upgrades. It’s also not a necessarily power-hungry GPU either, so you should have no problems with fitting a 750W PSU into your rig for this GPU setup. It’s not the most future-proof option to go for though, as an 850 or 1000W will see you without need for a PSU upgrade when it comes to getting a 40 or 50-series card from Nvidia when the time is right.

Camilo is a contributor for PC Guide. He's been into tech since he was a teen, surfing through the web and local stores trying to find the cheapest way to play the latest Half-Life on his old Windows

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