NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
Transient-aware PSU requirements, ATX compliance, cable safety audit, and power efficiency comparison.
| Specification | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Tier | Ultra | High-End |
| Total Board Power (TBP) | 320W | 290W |
| Transient Peak (modeled) | 561W | 486W |
| Minimum Recommended PSU | 800W | 700W |
| PCIe Connector Required | 8pin-x2 | 8pin-x2 |
| Number of Connectors | 2 | 2 |
| ATX 3.1 Required | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Daisy-Chain Safe | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| MSRP | $699 | $599 |
| Generation | Ampere | Ampere |
PSU Requirement Breakdown
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
⚠ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 requires 2 separate 8-pin PCIe power cables. DO NOT daisy-chain — each cable must run directly from the PSU to the GPU.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
⚠ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti requires 2 separate 8-pin PCIe power cables. DO NOT daisy-chain — each cable must run directly from the PSU to the GPU.
Power Efficiency Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 requires less PSU headroom per dollar spent. It needs 800W recommended at $699, versus 700W at $599 for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which PSU do I need for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080?
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 has a 320W TBP but can spike to 561W during transient loads. We recommend a minimum 800W ATX 3.1 PSU for safe operation with headroom.
Which PSU do I need for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti?
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti has a 290W TBP and transient peak up to 486W. We recommend a minimum 700W ATX 3.1 PSU for stable operation.
Does NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti need ATX 3.1?
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 uses a standard 8pin-x2 connector and does not strictly require ATX 3.1, though an ATX 3.x PSU is still recommended for transient headroom. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti uses 8pin-x2 and does not require ATX 3.1.