What's the difference between graphics cards that are the same but use different PSU usage?

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SteamyStew

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Jul 24, 2017
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Say I look at a GTX 1080Ti that says it needs at least 500W to work properly, then I look at another GTX 1080Ti that only needs 250W to work properly. Which would be better? And would either of them work with my current build if I replace them with my current GPU?

Specs -
PSU: Corsair CX750M, 750W
CPU: Intel Core i7-6700k Skylake 4.0GHz
CPU Fan: Corsair Hydro Series H90
Motherboard: Asus Prime Z270-A Socket-1151
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000MHz 16GB
GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5"HDD
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5"SSD
OS: Win 10 Pro
 
Solution
raisonjohn
The GTX 1080 Ti is a 250-watt card, meaning, the card alone would more-or-less draw around the vicinity of 250W. Most GTX 1080 Ti's have 2x 8-pin PCIE supplemental power connectors, which can theoretically (but not necessarily will) draw up to a max. of ~375W (i.e., 300W from the two 8-pins + 75W from the PCIe x16 slot). Some GTX 1080 Ti's have 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin PCIE supplemental power connectors, which can theoretically (but, again, not necessarily will) draw up to a max. of ~300W (i.e. 150W from the 8-pin + 75W from the 6-pin + 75W from the PCIe x16 slot).

Nvidia recommends at least 600W for such GTX 1080 Ti, but that is considering the whole system, including all other components (based on an i7...
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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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The GTX 1080 Ti is a 250-watt card, meaning, the card alone would more-or-less draw around the vicinity of 250W. Most GTX 1080 Ti's have 2x 8-pin PCIE supplemental power connectors, which can theoretically (but not necessarily will) draw up to a max. of ~375W (i.e., 300W from the two 8-pins + 75W from the PCIe x16 slot). Some GTX 1080 Ti's have 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin PCIE supplemental power connectors, which can theoretically (but, again, not necessarily will) draw up to a max. of ~300W (i.e. 150W from the 8-pin + 75W from the 6-pin + 75W from the PCIe x16 slot).

Nvidia recommends at least 600W for such GTX 1080 Ti, but that is considering the whole system, including all other components (based on an i7 3.2GHz CPU). Some pre-built system may require less, while some custom-built (and OC'd) system may require more. Such recommended 600W PSU is usually based on the whole system drawing 50% of the PSU's rated load, which is the point where highest efficiency is obtained. It also takes into account if the PSU may be of mediocre-quality and other variable factors.

So, in short, you would never find the same chip/GPU that would require a drastic difference in power requirements (such as in your example, a GTX 1080 Ti "needing 500W" while another GTX 1080 Ti "needing only 250W").

Considering your current parts list and PSU (750W), you will have more than enough juice to power a single GTX 1080 Ti, even with your CPU and GPU OC'd. A 2-way SLI of the GTX 1080 Ti would be too tight, but, *may* still be able to work especially if you keep your CPU non-OC'd for lower power draw. On the other hand, extreme OC'ing is out of the question for a 2-Way SLI'd GTX 1080 Ti using a 750W PSU (a good-quality 850W would be ideal for headroom).
 
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