Are you wondering which PSU is best for your i5-9400f with an RX 6800 XT?
Are you wondering which PSU is best for your i5-9400f with an RX 6800 XT?
Right now I'm using a 500W power supply. My PC case isn't easy to open, and I haven't managed hardware before. I'm new to PC components...
I have an i5-9400f (it uses 65-95W peak) and recently got a Sapphire RX 6800 XT Nitro+ (about 300W peak, no overclocking allowed). Besides that, I've got 16GB RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a 1TB HDD. I don't know the exact power draw of these parts, but they shouldn't be too much.
Before swapping my GPU for the RX 6800 XT, I'd like some advice about power usage.
First, can you estimate how many watts I'll need? I won't be overclocking anything. I'm only going to lower the voltage on both the CPU and GPU. The PSU spec says at least 850W, but that seems way too high for this setup. I've seen some tests of this GPU online, and someone with a similar CPU ran the whole system around 530W while playing AAA games in 4K. So I should probably aim for about 600W or even 550W, right?
Second, does lowering the voltage really cut down overall power consumption? If so, is there a way to calculate the savings? For example, if I lower my CPU voltage by -60mV and my GPU by -80mV, how much would the total wattage drop?
Third, is it true that the CPU doesn't get more demanding no matter the game resolution? I'm currently playing at 2K, but my old GPU couldn't handle 4K. My CPU uses about 55W on average and stays around 55°C while gaming. After installing the new GPU and switching to 4K, will my CPU start using more power and getting hotter (like 65W and 65°C), or is the extra load just going to the GPU and the CPU doing the same job?
Finally, what do you think about the Red Dragon PSU? It's a 600W modular unit. I've read mixed opinions on forums—some warn against it, but others praise the reviews. How much more would a better PSU cost? Is the price difference around 20 Euros or more?
Your whole setup will consume roughly 400-450 watts during gaming sessions. Even lower if you adjust your GPU’s voltage, though that could cause stability problems if overdone. Reducing clock speeds might help, but it won’t give you the best performance. Remember, your CPU can already limit the 6800X in many titles to a reasonable extent.
In Prime95 stress tests, the CPU only draws about 150 watts under typical gaming conditions. The 6800X itself uses around 270-300 watts at full load, with the rest of the system using no more than 30-50 watts.
It’s wise to ensure you have a power supply that can handle at least 750 watts. A quality unit will last longer, operate quieter, and stay cooler. For this configuration, a 750W unit is ideal. Your CPU might struggle even more at 1080p or 2K, acting as a bottleneck. At higher resolutions, performance drops noticeably due to its older design and lower boost speeds.
Graphics will also be affected, especially at 1080p, where you may see reduced frame rates because of CPU limitations. In games that rely more on CPU power than GPU, you might notice stuttering or FPS drops.
Avoid low-quality power supplies—standard units often fail to deliver full ratings or maintain stability during long gaming sessions. They can also harm other components if they malfunction. Invest in a reliable 750W gold-rated power supply from reputable brands like Adata Core Reactor, Corsair RMX series, Phanteks AMP, MSI A GF series, ASUS Strix series, or Seasonic Focus. Steer clear of cheap or outdated options such as “dragons,” “diesels,” or “devils.”
Here is a more varied version of the text while keeping the original meaning and structure intact:
1. This document outlines the necessary power specifications for graphics cards.
PSU REQUIREMENTS - RealHardTechX
Website: www.realhardtechx.com
The 6800XT model requires approximately 700 watts.
If your card is a modified version needing more than two standard 8-pin connections, the power demand will increase.
Current graphics cards often experience significant power surges. If the PSU isn’t capable of managing them, game performance may drop.
Therefore, it’s advisable to invest in a robust PSU.
You won’t waste energy on an overpowered unit—it will only consume what it needs, and a mid-range PSU will run more efficiently and quietly.
Additionally, upgrading power usage only slightly increases the overall cost.
For instance, the Seasonic Focus GX850, which comes with a 10-year warranty, is priced at $20 more than a 750W model, while the 1000W version costs an extra $40.
It’s likely that Corsair RMx units follow a comparable pricing pattern.
2. Reducing voltage isn’t beneficial and can cause issues. Any minor energy savings are negligible.
Similarly, comparing platinum versus gold ratings offers little advantage.
3. If you enhance graphics performance, which is often a bottleneck, the CPU will need to perform more.
A simple test can help: run your games at lower resolutions and reduce graphical effects.
This can slightly improve performance.
If your FPS remains stable, it suggests your CPU isn’t the main constraint.
Given the difference in processing power versus CPU capabilities, you might find yourself more restricted by the CPU.
4. When assessing PSU quality, warranty length is a key indicator.
A warranty of seven years or longer typically indicates a higher-quality unit.
A quick check reveals that Red Dragon offers a two-year warranty.
Exactly what you mentioned. I discovered a Seasonic 750W B12-BC-750 for just 20€ more than the Seasonic 650W B12-BC-650. That's why I chose this one. It also includes the 80+ bronze rating, which gives me confidence.
I'm not someone who goes for "ultra settings," so it should be okay. My main concern is that my games don't appear blurry on a 65" 4k TV. I plan to play at 4k resolution, using high settings with demanding content, while keeping medium settings for less intense material like shadows. As far as I've noticed, the 6800 XT should handle this without excessive power usage.
One point that bothers me is the discussion about an i5 9400f being a bottleneck for the 6800 RX, particularly at 1080p. I don't fully understand this argument, but I suspect it's mainly about FPS. If that's the case, it shouldn't affect me. I'm a solo gamer playing around at 60fps with RPGs, adventure games, and some Resident Evil titles—no multiplayer or competitive games. So if the bottleneck is accurate, I won't even notice it with my current frame limit.
The B12 is also produced by Helly Tech, though I might be wrong. Bronze isn't a "safe" certification; you really need to get a more affordable PSU to only achieve a Bronze rating. You keep mentioning reviews, but there are only a few reliable sources; if the review lacks a load tester, an oscilloscope, and a detailed component breakdown (or at least images), it doesn't count as a proper review. SeaSonic hasn't been very proactive in sending products out for review when they outsource manufacturing, which is understandable given their situation.
Let's examine the capacitors used for this...oh.
Notice, AsiaX.
Seriously, this should work well within a budget gaming setup. But seeing it on an RX 6800 XT version is disappointing. "At least the fourth tier, inexpensive Chinese capacitors are 105 degrees instead of 85!" isn't something one would expect for such a high-quality build.
These kinds of comments always baffle me. I understand this isn’t as good as a 200-300€ PSU, but I’m sure it’s acceptable. After all, being okay is sufficient for me. At the moment, I’m running Sekiro at 2k medium/high settings with 60fps on a budget PSU, and I haven’t experienced any issues. My 1660 and i5 9400f are consistently operating near full capacity most of the time. People might say it’s poor, but it functions perfectly. There’s no need for an 80 Plus rating or anything extra. However, after reading your feedback, I’m worried I’ve spent around 100€ on something that could damage my PC or prevent it from starting properly.
As for my setup, I don’t see it as high-end. I chose the 6800 XT because it was only 80€ more than the RTX 3060. My CPU is an i5 9400f and I plan to play at 4k with medium/high settings—nothing more. If I wanted 120fps, I wouldn’t settle for a 100€ PSU and would upgrade my CPU as well. I found reviews and YouTube videos where people mentioned it’s fine. It’s not exceptional, but it meets my expectations. But seeing someone who seems more informed than me, calling it bad, makes me question whether my standards are too high or mine just too low. Am I missing something obvious?
I’m not trying to argue or show disrespect. I’m simply confused after reading your well-reasoned response. Could there be a risk of damaging the PC? Might I expect higher CPU or GPU temperatures, or something similar?
Please don’t think I’m just being sarcastic. I have no prior experience with PSU quality and didn’t even know it existed. 😓
You're asking what I mean by no problems? Many PSU issues aren't obvious until significant damage occurs. No one recommended a 200-300 Euro PSU; a slightly pricier option would have offered greater safety for a longer duration and a more robust warranty.
Your PC won't likely fail or overheat, but you're taking on higher risks. You'll face a shorter lifespan before needing a completely new PSU, and your warranty coverage will be reduced if something goes wrong. Using cheaper, lower-quality components from an unreliable manufacturer comes with its own set of trade-offs.
Ultimately, the decision to invest more in quality parts is yours, but the consequences remain the same.