What PSU Wattage Do I Need?

Size your power supply from typical component board-power, with a safety headroom baked in.

Estimates only. These calculators use typical component specifications and rough rules of thumb. They are for planning and education, not purchase advice. Verify every number against your parts’ official datasheets before buying or building.

Sum your components’ typical power draw, add a safety headroom, and get a recommended PSU wattage. TDPs are typical board-power figures, not bare die values.

Result

Choose a 700 W PSU
Estimated load (no headroom)560 W
With 25% headroom700 W
Recommended PSU700 W
Typical load on PSU80%
PSUs are most efficient around 50–70% load. A 700 W unit leaves margin for GPU transient spikes and future upgrades. For a 450 W+ GPU, a good 80 PLUS Gold unit is worth it.
How to size a PSU

Add the typical board-power of each part (CPU + GPU dominate), then add headroom for transient GPU spikes, ageing capacitors, and future upgrades. PSUs are most efficient around 50–70% load, so a unit rated well above your peak draw runs cooler and quieter. For a 450 W+ GPU, choose a quality 80 PLUS Gold unit. Always check the exact wattage and the +12V rail rating on the manufacturer spec sheet.

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