RTX 3080

4 Best CPU-GPU Combos for Gaming & Workstations

October 23, 2020 by Alex Leave a Comment

Matching a processor and a graphics card may seem easy, but when you want to maximize your performance at a certain budget, there are ideal pairings to be made. For example, a demanding gamer won’t need a high number of cores, but someone working on video editing or 3D content creation might.

We’ve compiled 4 pairings to match most peoples needs and budget, but note that new CPU lineups from AMD are coming (Ryzen 5000 series), along with new GPUs from Nvidia (RTX 3070, RTX 3060) and AMD (Radeon 6000 series). So if you’re not in a hurry, it can be smarter to wait for them, whether it’s for the generational performance boost or the consequential price drop of the current generation.

Best – CPUs/ GPUs combinations our selections

Entry-level Gaming: Ryzen 3 3100 + Radeon RX 5500 XT

Want a desktop PC that doesn’t break the bank and still holds his ground in e-sports titles and other not too demanding games? Pairing a Ryzen 3 3100 ($99) – a 4 cores/8 threads CPU that rivals with Intel’s i3 lineup—with a RX 5500XT will give you great performance for 1080p gaming

Why not Intel’s own i3-10100 or i3-9100f you ask? While they have similar performance and can often be found for less money, going with AMD Ryzen gives you access to a more future-proof platform: the AM4 socket will support Ryzen 5000 CPUs and an upgrade to those will be more beneficial than Intel’s offerings.

I would have ideally recommended a Ryzen 3 3300X, more powerful for only $20-30 more, but it’s often out of stock and impossible to find at the moment. If you ever find one though, it is totally worth the price increase.

The Radeon RX 5500XT ($199), while not as known as Nvidia GPUs, dominates the low-end like AMD usually do. It offers awesome performance for 1080p gaming, only matched at this price point by the usually more expensive GTX 1660. Be sure to get a 8GB VRAM model though, as games are becoming more and more demanding on memory.

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Mid-range Gaming: Ryzen 5 3600 -RTX 2070 Super

A pairing that can satisfy most gamers: the Ryzen 5 3600 is simply the best value CPU out there, offering great gaming performance and even 6 cores/12 threads to please streamers and content creators. For a while gamers wanting to maximize performance had to get CPUs over $400 to max their GPU, but now this $199 value-king won’t limit yourself even at 1440p 144Hz, so that’s more money to put towards a better GPU.

Want more? It only has a TDP of 65W, and includes a Wraith Stealth aircooler, good enough to match most $30 coolers on the market. It’s not the most silent, but unlike Intel’s default cooler it’s actually good.

User considering heavy content creation can opt for the Ryzen 7 3700X ($329). With 8 cores/16 threads, it won’t offer more gaming performance until games get optimized for more cores, but multi-thread workloads will run faster, and its TDP is still 65W.

With a price around $400, the RTX 2070 Super still holds the crown of best mid-range GPUs. For 1080p 144Hz gaming, it’s simple, you don’t need more than that at the moment. If you’re tempted to play at 1440p 144Hz, you might want to upgrade to a RX 5700XT or a RTX 2080 , or wait for the upcoming series from Nvidia and AMD. But with a bit of compromise, a 2060 Super can get you running even at that resolution.

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High-end Gaming: i5-10600k + RTX 3080

Users playing e-sports titles at more than 200Hz or heavy AAA titles might be the only ones limited by Ryzen’s current lineup, but Intel has them covered: the i5-10600k ($262) will offer them more single thread performance than a R5-3600, which is enough not to limit the beefiest graphics cards on the market and squeeze every frame out of them.

Intel sadly don’t provide a CPU cooler with this one, so you have to get your own. Make sure it’s good enough to handle its 125W TDP or you could find yourself in throttle territory.

If you’re targeting 4K gaming, even a Ryzen 5 3600 ($199) might actually do the trick. That resolution put less stress on the CPU, and every CPU on the market ends up having similar performance. However if you play on 1440p or 1080p, the gap increases on single-core performance, so Intel’s current lineup is best fitted until we see some Ryzen 5000 CPUs on the market.

The RTX 3080 ($599), if you can get your hands on one, is THE best GPU on the market right now, and will easily handle every game you throw at it at 1440p or 4K with high refresh rates and even provide a decent RayTracing experience (finally) if you’re into that. It has given gamers a once-in-a-decade performance increase over previous generation and makes every previous high-end GPUs irrelevant.

Its 10 GB VRAM are enough for every games on the market in 2020, and there’s a good chance it will be for a long time. It however has a 320W power draw, so make sure your PSU can handle that.

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High-end Gaming Workstation: Intel i9-10900kf + RTX 3080

If you want a no compromise machine that allows you to both edit 4K videos and play at high refresh rates, look no further. The Intel i9-10900kf ($472) is a 10 core, 20 threads CPU, or should I say a workstation beast, that will not flinch on the most demanding workloads. While it’s overkill for gaming, it offers a significant gain in most content creation software like the Adobe CS suite or Solidworks.

Intel’s 14nm process, while not as efficient as AMD’s 7nm, is refined to near excellency and provide an appreciated gaming performance boost over AMD’s Ryzen 3900X. It’s hard to cool down though, so make sure you have a proper aircooler or AIO cooler to match.

I however highly recommend waiting for the Ryzen 9 5900X or 5950X, which should release on November 5, to maximize your performance especially if you deal with heavy multi-threaded workloads. But if you need a PC right now that’s extremely powerful in gaming AND content creation, the i9-10900kf is your best bet.

As for the GPU, we again find the RTX 3080 ($599), which has no real competition at the moment. For gaming it has unmatched performance, and for work it outperforms both the Titan RTX and 2080Ti on every rendering benchmark there is. Only the RTX 3090 is more powerful, with roughly a 15 to 20% overhead on rendering (and 140% more VRAM with 24GB), but its price is significantly higher and gaming performance between the two is similar.

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Best Monitors for the Nvidia RTX 3080

October 6, 2020 by Alex Leave a Comment

It was but only a few days ago that the Nvidia RTX Ampere 3080 was released, and by the time it takes one to read this sentence, it was already sold out. At least, with its release, we have been able to see more thorough benchmarks, like those carried out by GamersNexus, which prove the RTX 3080 to be the display the better price to performance Nvidia’s flagship model, the RTX 3090. In fact, with its 8,704 CUDA core count, its massive 30 TFLOP FP32 computing performance, and the upgrades to the VRAM and processing node, the RTX 3080 shows a 20% to 25% better gaming performance when compared to the previous generation, $500 more expensive, Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti.

So, when it comes to gaming, the RTX 3080 is the most powerful GPU for its money, and if you are looking to upgrade your current PC (or build a new one from scratch), then it is the best, high-end, graphics card to aim for. It will be optimal for both 4K resolutions, at 60 FPS and 1440p resolutions at 144 Hz; but it is also not far from processing games at a steady 144 FPS at a 4K resolution, too. Of course, it will need to be paired with equally high-level accompanying hardware, so you will need a CPU in the range of an i7-10700K or an i9-9900K, when it comes to 10^th generation Intel CPUs, or, if you don’t mind waiting, a Ryzen 4000 Series CPU that are set to be announced on October the 6^th. Even current generation Ryzen 9 3000 series CPUs, like the Ryzen 9 3950X, can accomplish very similar framerates with the i9-10900K for gaming applications; with the difference in framerates between the two CPUs being reduced to zero at 4K resolutions. The memory of the build is also a very important aspect, and as such we would recommend 32 GB of 3200 MHz and CL14 latency, or 3600 MHz and CL16 latency (the latter being best without overclocking), in a dual channel setup in order to further enhance performance. Of course, a proper motherboard with a good VRM and a solid thermal solution are also important, as they play a huge role in regards to allowing stable overclocking and keeping the hardware at optimal temperatures for a boost in gaming performance.

Even if you have all the best hardware available in the market, it will be all for naught if you do not have the means of properly displaying their power. Therefore, if you’re looking to buy an RTX Ampere 3080, then you should also plan to get a PC monitor that is capable of displaying its graphical processing power. Thankfully, such monitors do exist, and choosing between the right monitor for your rig is now simply dependent on your preferences. Whether you are a competitive gamer, that cares more about function than looks, or whether you love to be immersed in a photorealistic journey of a AAA single-player game, there are monitors that can match your playstyle perfectly. To help you choose the right one for you, we have compiled a list of the four best PC monitors to be paired with the RTX Ampere 3080; depending on intended use, resolution, framerate, and, of course, price.

Best Monitors for the RTX 3080

Best 1080P 360Hz Monitor for the RTX 3080

You don’t need to be a professional esports player to seek even the slightest competitive edge when gaming against your friends, or other competitors. If online multiplayer are your forte, then now is the best time to invest in a monitor that can provide you an extreme framerate, and, more importantly, a minimal amount of input lag. For this task, four different PC monitor manufacturers have recently announced four different models of FHD 360 Hz monitors, set to release by the end of 2020. These monitors have all been created in partnership with Nvidia, as they include an Nvidia Latency Analyzer (as a hardware component) that is optimized to work with Nvidia’s new Reflex feature. This analyzer is used to actually calculate overall, end-to-end, input latency – and displays it for you in real-time. Up until now, this was only possible with the use of specialized external equipment. Using the power of the 360 Hz monitor, the RTX 3080, and Nvidia’s Reflex software, it is possible to reduce input lag by up to 44 milliseconds (when compared to a 60 Hz monitor and an older Nvidia GPU), which is a considerable amount. Of the four FHD 360 Hz monitors announced, the one that displays the best price to value ratio is the ASUS ROG Swift PG259QN.

This 24.5-inch monitor features a fast-IPS panel with an 8-bit depth, and a viewing angle of 178 degrees (both vertically and horizontally). This screen can display 1.68 million colors (24 bits), covering 99% of the sRGB color space with a static contrast of 1,000 to 1, and a brightness of 400 nits using its W-LED backlight. Of course, where this monitor excels is the input lag, where it will feature a 1 millisecond response time in conjunction with Nvidia’s G-Sync and ULMB (Ultra Low Motion Blur) Sync. The monitor also features a custom heatsink to better dissipate the heat during prolonged gaming sessions.

In regards to its design, the ASUS ROG Swift will have an almost borderless frame, with an RGB-lit ROG logo on the back, and an anti-glare coating on the bezel. In addition, the ROG Swift also offers a great deal of ergonomic versatility. Its screen can pivot into landscape or portrait mode, the height of its stand can be adjusted by up to 120 millimeters, it can be swiveled in both left and right by up to 25 degrees, and it can be tilted, either forwards by 5 degrees, or backwards by 20 degrees. If you prefer to mount the monitor, it is VESA compatible and the stand can be removed. A desk clamp is also included so you can clamp it to the edge of your desk.

The ASUS ROG Swift will come with a variety of ASUS exclusive software: like AURA Sync (for the RGB lighting), a Low Blue Light feature, GamePlus, Game Visual, and flicker-free technology.

Connectivity-wise, it will include two USB 3.0 Type-A slots (downstream), two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DP 1.4 slot, and one 3.5mm audio-out jack – while being high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) compatible.

The ROG Swift is set to release by the end of September with a price tag of $699. Not cheap, but definitely a better price than most of its 360 Hz competition.

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Best 1440p 144Hz Monitor for the RTX 3080

When it comes to not compromising in either resolution, framerate, and game quality settings, the safest option appears to be the 1440p 144 Hz monitor. The RTX Ampere 3090 has shown that it can consistently maintain framerates above the 144 FPS threshold, to make the most of what these screens can offer. Now, this may not seem like much of a task for this brand-new RTX 30 Series GPU in 2020, but given the fact that even the RTX 2080 Ti struggles to maintain framerates of this level for a variety of different games, having a GPU that can reliably perform at this level for current (and most likely also for next-generation) titles is still an impressive feat. And the best monitor for you to witness this accomplishment is the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ.

The TUF Gaming is a 27-inch monitor that makes use of an AHVA IPS panel that has an 8-bit depth, a wide viewing horizontal and vertical angle of 178 degrees, and a refresh rate that can be overclocked to 165 Hz. The monitor, of course, is Nvidia G-Sync compatible, and also makes use of ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur) Sync. The fact that the TUF Gaming has a G2G response time of 1 ms, and an extremely low input lag of only 5.3 ms, makes this monitor ideal for any type of gaming, even at a competitive level. For single-player enthusiasts, the panel is also capable of a large spectrum of colors, covering 99% of the sRGB color space, 71% of the Adobe RGB color space, 72% of the NTSC color space, and 77% of the DCI P3 color space; with a brightness level that peaks at 350 nits and HDR10 compatibility. The static contrast is also noteworthy, as the TUF Gaming VG27AQ features a 1,200 to 1 ratio.

When it comes to ergonomics, the monitor pretty much has it all. Other than being VESA compatible with a removable stand, its height can be adjusted by up to 130 mm, it can pivot between landscape and portrait orientations, it can swivel in both directions by up to 90 degrees, and it can be tilted forwards by 5 degrees, and backwards by 33 degrees.

The TUF Gaming VG27AQ also comes equipped with two integrated speakers (2 watts), two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DP 1.2 slot, and a 3.5 mm audio-out jack. Included features are GameFast Input technology, GamePlus, GameVisual, Low Blue Light, a 5-way OSD joystick, and Shadow Boost. If you’re looking for a great 1440p 144 Hz monitor to pair with an RTX Ampere 3080, the ASUS TUF VG27AQ goes above and beyond expectations. Its current, MSRP, price tag is $429.

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Best 4K 60 HZ Monitor for the RTX 3080

Another safe option, in terms of resolution and framerate, is a 4K 60 Hz monitor. The current benchmarks of the RTX 3080 show us that it can handle the task with ease, for just about every well-optimized game that was tested. Especially, if you don’t care much for competitive games, but instead prefer triple-AAA titles at their best, then 4K 60Hz is definitely the way to go. For both its quality and its price, the BenQ EL2870U is one of the best available options.

With a 28-inch screen, the EL2870U has a 10-bit depth (8 bits plus Frame Rate Control (FRC)), a TN panel, and a W-LED backlight that is capable of displaying over a billion colors (30 bits) with a brightness of 300 nits and a 1,000 to 1 static contrast ratio. To be more specific, this monitor covers 97% of the sRGB color space, 72% of the NTSC color space, and 70% of the DCI P3 color space. Another great aspect it has for gaming, is that it has an extremely low grey-to-grey response time of only 1 millisecond, and an input lag of only 5 milliseconds. The display latency is so low mainly due to the TN panel, but the downside of this panel is its viewing angle. It has a maximum horizontal viewing angle of 170 degrees, and a maximum vertical viewing angle of only 160 degrees.

When it comes to ergonomics, the BenQ EL2870 is very limited, as it cannot pivot to any degree, and its height cannot be adjusted. It can be tilted, but only forwards by 5 degrees and backwards for 15 degrees. The monitor can be removed from its stand and mounted, as it is VESA compatible.

Two, 2-watt, speakers are included, as well as two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one 3.5mm audio-out jack (HDCP 2.2 compatible). Some of its features include AMA (Advanced Motion Accelerator), Brightness Intelligence Plus, Flicker-free technology, and Low Blue Light.

Perhaps the most enticing part of this monitor is its price, as it can currently be purchased for only $299 – down from its original $499 price tag.

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Best 4K 144Hz monitor for the RTX 3080

If you’re looking to go all out with your monitor purchase and get yourself the best gaming monitor money can buy at the 4K resolution range, then nothing beats Acer’s Predator X27. Now, you may be wondering, is the RTX Ampere 3080 capable of such high framerates at a 4K resolution? Well, the answer is both yes and no. It certainly can for many games, but for others, it will inevitably fall short. Still, even if it can’t reach 144 FPS for some titles, it will be able to reach upwards of 100 FPS, and if overclocking is utilized, or the game’s quality settings are lowered, that baseline framerate can be reached, so you can take full advantage of the performance of a 4K 144 Hz monitor.

The reason why the Acer Predator X27 is the best monitor in its resolution range is because of its incredible color range and peak brightness level. The X27 has an AHVA IPS panel with a depth of 10 bits (8 bits combined with FRC), using a Direct LED backlight display which features 384 individually-controllable LED zones. Because of this Full-Array Local Dimming technology, the monitor has a large display area (84.82%), and backlight bleeding is all but non-existent. Using Quantum Dot technology, HDR10, and HDR1000, the Predator X27 is able to display over 1 billion colors; covering the full sRGB color space, 99% of the Adobe RGB color space, 85% of the DCI P3 color space, and 75% of the Rec. 2020 color spectrum. It also has an impressively high brightness of 600 nits, that can max out at 1,000 nits. The display lag is not great, but not too bad, as it has a 4 millisecond Grey-to-Grey response time, and an input lag of around 13 milliseconds. Thankfully, with Nvidia Reflex included with the RTX Ampere 3080, the overall end-to-end input lag can drop to a level where it more than compensates for the slightly increased latency of the Predator X27.

The only field where the Predator X27 is limited is its ergonomic flexibility. It cannot pivot to any degree, it can swivel by only up to 20 degrees, and it can by tilted by 5 and 25 degrees forward or backwards respectively. Its height can be adjusted by up to 130 mm. If you are looking to mount it, the monitor is VESA compatible and the stand is removable.

Surprisingly enough the Acer Predator X27 comes with two, high quality, 7-watt speakers, which are usually absent from gaming monitors. It has four USB 3.0 ports (3x downstream, 1x upstream), one HDMI 2.0 slot, one DP 1.4 slot, and a 3.5mm audio-out jack. Included features are Nvidia’s G-Sync, ULMB, flicker-free technology, a blue light filter, and DDC/CI.

Now, this monitor is by no means cheap, as it does currently sell for $1,799, but it can be found on sale for as low as $1,299. Either way, for its color range, resolution, framerate, and overall quality, it is very much worth its price.

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Best Power Supplies for RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 builds in 2020

October 2, 2020 by BuildPicker Leave a Comment

If you’re looking to build a brand-new PC, there is no better time to do so than now. The latest CPUs have been released by Intel, AMD’s Ryzen Zen3 announcements are just around the corner, DDR4 RAM has reached its peak (both in performance and in price) and, of course, we have the release of the latest Nvidia GeForce Ampere RTX 3000 Series GPUs. Of the three announced graphics cards, the RTX Ampere 3080 is the only one that has been released… and it was sold out within eight seconds. So, whether you are one of the lucky few that was able to get their hands on an RTX 3080, whether you are waiting for more RTX 3080s to restock, or whether you’re looking forward to September the 26^th for the RTX Ampere 3090 to be released (and hopefully not sell out within seconds), then you are going to want to build a PC that can support the power of these beastly GPUs.

What’s important to note, is that every component of a new build is important – so it is not just the GPU, the CPU, and the RAM that you should worry about. Every hardware component is like a link in a chain: If one is weak, the entire chain can break. Let’s start off with the CPU. Anything in the range of a i7 or i9 10^th generation CPU from Intel, or a R7 to R9 CPU from AMD should suffice for pairing with these upper tier RTX Ampere GPUs. The RAM we would recommend would be either a 3600 MHz C16 or 3200 MHz C14, dual channel, memory sticks – with at least 16 GB of storage, depending on the intended use. The case and cooling within also need to be adequate to support overclocking the CPU, GPU and RAM, and, generally speaking, it is hard to go wrong with Noctua case-fans and CPU coolers, as well as Fractal noise cancelling or tempered glass paneled cases.

But one of the most neglected hardware components that is crucial to the overall smooth operation of a PC is the PSU. Having an insufficient power supply can make cause hardware components to not receive the necessary power they need, which translates to unwanted freezes, stuttering, and even shutdowns or startup inability. Additionally, if the efficiency of the PSU is not a good match for your build, that will translate to more money spent on electric bills, and more unnecessary heat emanating from the PSU that is transferred to your other hardware. Even the noise from a PSU at high loads can be infuriating, so the extra research necessary to make the right choice for a component that can last you several years to come is well worth the while. The key aspects to look for, and that we’ve taken into account for this list of PSUs, is having the power supplies be modular to some capacity, meaning you can remove cables that you don’t need instead of cramming them in the case, making sure that the fan included has premium bearings and PWM controls, so that it does not spin unnecessarily, that the wattage is appropriate for your build.

Best PSUs for RTX 3080 & 3090 – Our Selections

Best Budget PSU for RTX 3080 and 3090

Seasonic is one of the oldest and most consistent PSU manufacturers out there. They are in fact the first brand to manufacture an 80 PLUS Gold-rated PSU, which shows their commitment and innovation in the power supply industry. If you’re in the market for a PSU devoid of any fluff, that is still reliable and energy-efficient, then the Gold-rated Seasonic Focus GM-850 is the way to go.

Firstly, this power supply is semi-modular, meaning that only the necessary cables are fully integrated, while the peripheral cables can be removed and connected when necessary. The former cables feature web sleeves, while the latter are simply flat black cables. If you are worried that the PSU won’t output enough wattage in the +12V rail, then you’ll be happy to know that the Focus GM-850 actually outputs 70 amps, or 840W; therefore there is no need to worry.

Surprisingly enough, despite its price, the fan on this PSU actually has fluid dynamic bearings, which are the most silent and durable bearings – second only to magnetic levitation bearings that are non-existent in power supplies. This 120mm fan is also regulated by Seasonic’s Smart and Silent fan controls, which means that the fan will spin accordingly with the PSU’s load and temperature. This means silent operation is guaranteed for low loads, and that the fan itself will last longer. In fact, Seasonic backs the durability of the PSU with a seven-year warranty, while certifying the GM-850 with a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 100,000 hours of operation.

So how much will the Focus GM-850 cost you? Well, this PSU has sold for as low as $129.99, but do keep an eye out for it, since it can sell out quite quickly.

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Best Gaming PSU for RTX 3080 and 3090

What makes the ASUS ROG the PSU for a new gaming rig is not just its stylish exterior, but also its multitude of certifications. This 850W power supply has an 80 PLUS Platinum certification (so a guaranteed efficiency of at least 89%-92%) as well as LAMBDA A+ and ETA A energy ratings. In fact, its +12V rail can output even slightly above the 850 wattage of this PSU; for a maximum of 71 amps, or 852 Watts.

When it comes to looks, though, ASUS did not go with the conventional fan-lit RGB display. Instead, they opted for a more practical RGB-lit side-display (the PSU is usually situated sideways, so the RGB-lit fan is not always visible) as well as a stylish, and useful, OLED screen which displays how much power your hardware is currently drawing. Thus, with just a glance toward your PC case, you can see the load which the PSU is operating under, and adjust fan speeds accordingly.

The fan included is 135mm in diameter, has a patented Wing-Blade fan design which is optimized for longevity, and double ball bearings. These bearings are better than sleeve or regular ball bearings, but not as good as hydraulic bearings. That being said, to keep thermals in check, the PSU has integrated heatsinks that ASUS claims can drop the internal temperatures by up to 20% – which is a significant amount. Given that the fan operates at very low RPM during low to medium loads, having the heatsinks draw heat away also translates to a more silent PSU.

The internal components of the ROG Thor are of the highest quality, with all Japanese, 105 degrees C certified, capacitors. The cables themselves are all sleeved, and the ROG Thor 850 has a fully modular design. If the RGB and OLED display doesn’t entice you, the price certainly will, as you can currently find the ASUS ROG Thor 850 for only $219.99 – a great deal for a Platinum certified, 850W, PSU.

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Best Silent PSU for the RTX 3080

Many PC building enthusiasts, especially though that use their setup in a professional environment, would gladly trade RGB lighting displays for more peace and quiet. Having so many fans in a case – like those found in the CPU cooler, the GPU, the case fans, and of course, the PSU – means that noise emissions can quickly become irritating, especially at high loads. For a virtually inaudible PSU, we recommend be quiet!’s Straight Power 11.

This power supply may lack a fancy exterior and RGB lighting displays, but it makes up for it with the quality of its fan and fan motor. The fan has be quiet’s Silent Wings 3 technology, which features custom designed fan blades, advanced fluid dynamic bearings, and a 6-pole fan motor. Even without PWM controls, this fan will only reach audio levels of 7.7 to, a maximum of, 22 dB – meaning it is pretty much inaudible from a foot away. Additionally, due to both the wire-free internal configuration and its 80 PLUS Platinum, ErP, and Energy Star 7.0 ratings, the Straight Power 11 can maintain low temperatures within at all times; so the fan won’t have to spin at maximum RPM to keep it cool.

This PSU is quite different than the other listed units, as it features multiple +12V rails. Two of these rails can output 20 amps, while the other two can output 26 amps, for a total of 70.9 amps, or 849.6 watts, for its four +12V rails. The only difference between multiple and single +12V designs, is that with multiple rails the PSU can limit the current through each wire and therefore avoid high temperatures in any single one. In other words, having multiple rails is a design used purely as an additional safety measure.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this PSU is its current price, as the be quiet! Straight Power 11, with its Platinum rating and full modular design, currently costs only $174.90 – down from its $195.99 retail price. If you’re looking to make your setup as quite as possible, this is the PSU to go for.

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Best RGB PSU for RTX 3080 and 3090

If you’re excited for the release of the Nvidia RTX Ampere 3080/3090, then chances are you are a gaming enthusiast. And if you’re a gaming enthusiast, then chances are you like you some RGB lighting on your hardware components. If that’s the case, then Thermaltake has you covered with their Toughpower iRGB Plus PSU. This power supply has an RGB lit fan with 18 addressable LEDs, together with Thermaltake’s patented Riing Plus design, that is capable of displaying 16.8 million different colors, in multiple patterns and effects that you can choose from. This illuminated display can also be synced with Razer peripherals, via the Razer Chroma software.

The Toughpower iRGB Plus has an 80 PLUS Gold rating (and can also be found with a Platinum rating) so it isn’t all style and no substance. The RGB-lit fan itself is 140mm in diameter, equipped with concentrated compression fan blades, is situated onto an anti-vibration mount, and comes equipped with hydro-dynamic bearings for less noise emission and additionally durability. Its 850W power output can be fully utilized by the single +12V rail, for a total of 70.83 amps. Additionally, the PSU has all Japanese, 105-degree Celsius certified capacitors, and is fully modular – so all cables can be removed or attached as needed.

An aspect about the Toughpower iRGB Plus that has been either hit or miss with many users, is the included software. This software compiles statistics of the operation of the PSU and uploads them to a cloud, where a Smart Power Management program displays them either on one’s PC, or through a mobile application. Many reviewers report that this software actually uses significant CPU and RAM power, while the mobile application can be glitchy at times. A neat software feature that is included, is compatibility for Amazon’s Alexa, which you can use to change the color and effects of the RGB lighting; though it is difficult to imagine a scenario where this would be used regularly.

The Thermaltake Toughpower iRGB Plus can usually be found with a price around the $190-$210 mark; and it includes an impressive MTBF of 120,000 hours and a 10-year warranty.

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