NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
Transient-aware PSU requirements, ATX compliance, cable safety audit, and power efficiency comparison.
| Specification | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Tier | Ultra | High-End |
| Total Board Power (TBP) | 320W | 220W |
| Transient Peak (modeled) | 561W | 361W |
| Minimum Recommended PSU | 800W | 500W |
| PCIe Connector Required | 8pin-x2 | 8pin-x2 |
| Number of Connectors | 2 | 2 |
| ATX 3.1 Required | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Daisy-Chain Safe | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| MSRP | $699 | $499 |
| 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
Power Efficiency Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 requires less PSU headroom per dollar spent. It needs 500W recommended at $499, versus 800W at $699 for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080.
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?
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 has a 220W TBP and transient peak up to 361W. We recommend a minimum 500W ATX 3.1 PSU for stable operation.
Does NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 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 uses 8pin-x2 and does not require ATX 3.1.