How many watts does a gaming graphics card need?

Follow the card maker's recommendation, listed with every card: mid-range cards want 650 W, upper mid-range 750–850 W, the top class 1,000 W and more. A computer without a discrete card manages with 400–450 W.

Is 80 Plus Gold worth it over Bronze?

The electricity saving on a home computer is a few hundred crowns a year; the reason for Gold is rather quieter running and better construction. The certification says nothing about protections – look at the warranty length too.

Do I need an ATX 3.0 power supply?

Not for cards with classic 8-pin connectors. For higher-class cards with the 12V-2x6 connector we recommend ATX 3.x – the cable is native and the unit handles the short power spikes these cards create.

Can a PSU with a lot of headroom damage anything?

No. The computer draws only what it needs; a unit with headroom runs in a more efficient and quieter band. Only an undersized or poor-quality unit does harm.

Guide

Which power supply for a PC: wattage, 80 Plus and ATX 3.x without myths

Last updated October 22, 2026

The power supply decides everything else

The power supply is the one part that can destroy the others when it fails. It is also the part cheap builds save on most, because it has no effect on game performance – as long as it works. A good unit lasts two or three generations of computer, so it pays to buy it once and properly.

How many watts

The wattage follows the graphics card, the biggest consumer in a gaming PC. Every card maker states a recommended PSU wattage – you find it in the card's parameters on our site and the configurator uses it as a floor. As a guide:

Card class	Recommended PSU
no discrete card (integrated graphics)	400–450 W
entry card (up to ~130 W)	500–550 W
mid-range (150–220 W)	650 W
upper mid-range (220–300 W)	750–850 W
top class (300–450 W)	1,000 W and more

Headroom is not waste: a PSU is most efficient and quietest around 50 % load, and launching a game or spinning up fans causes short spikes that older units without headroom would shut down on.

80 Plus: efficiency, not quality

The 80 Plus certification (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium) rates conversion efficiency – how much wall power becomes heat instead of supply. A Gold unit at 500 W of load draws about 560 W from the wall, a Bronze about 600 W. On a home computer's electricity bill that is a few hundred crowns a year; more important is that Gold units are usually quieter and better built, because the maker did not skimp on parts. The certification says nothing about protections and quality, though – two Bronze units can differ more than Bronze and Gold.

ATX 3.x and the 12V-2x6 connector

New higher-class cards are powered by a single 12V-2x6 connector (formerly 12VHPWR) instead of several 8-pins. Units built to ATX 3.0/3.1 carry this cable natively and handle the short spikes up to twice the rated power that modern cards create. For mid-range cards with classic 8-pin connectors ATX 3.x is not necessary; for higher classes we recommend it – adapters from 8-pins work, but they are one more joint.

Modular cabling, form factor, fan

A modular PSU (detachable cables) makes building easier and improves airflow; it costs a few hundred crowns more.
ATX is the standard for ordinary cases; SFX belongs in small cases and costs more. The configurator checks that the PSU fits the case.
Semi-passive mode (the fan starts only above a certain load) suits anyone who wants silence while working.

Warranty as a guide

Makers of quality units give 7–10 years of warranty, basic ranges 3–5 years. Warranty length is the most reliable quality signal on the box.

Recommendations

Choose the PSU by your card maker's recommendation plus one step of headroom (card wants 650 W → buy 750 W if you plan an upgrade).
At least 80 Plus Bronze, for quiet long-term use Gold.
For higher-class cards ATX 3.x with a native 12V-2x6 connector.
Shelf: Power supplies. In the configurator a PSU below the card's recommended wattage does not pass.

Frequently asked questions

How many watts does a gaming graphics card need?: Follow the card maker's recommendation, listed with every card: mid-range cards want 650 W, upper mid-range 750–850 W, the top class 1,000 W and more. A computer without a discrete card manages with 400–450 W.
Is 80 Plus Gold worth it over Bronze?: The electricity saving on a home computer is a few hundred crowns a year; the reason for Gold is rather quieter running and better construction. The certification says nothing about protections – look at the warranty length too.
Do I need an ATX 3.0 power supply?: Not for cards with classic 8-pin connectors. For higher-class cards with the 12V-2x6 connector we recommend ATX 3.x – the cable is native and the unit handles the short power spikes these cards create.
Can a PSU with a lot of headroom damage anything?: No. The computer draws only what it needs; a unit with headroom runs in a more efficient and quieter band. Only an undersized or poor-quality unit does harm.