Buying Guide
The Best Power Supplies for the RTX 4090
Six units of 850W or more with native 12V-2x6 cables, matched to NVIDIA's 850W recommendation for the RTX 4090.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
NVIDIA recommends an 850W power supply for the RTX 4090, which uses a 16-pin connector. A 1000W unit is sensible with a high-power CPU.
We compared wattage, connectors and ratings from the power supply listings against the card maker's guidance; we did not load-test these units.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Match for an RTX 4090
Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W1000W in a 140mm body with a native 12V-2x6 cable.
Best for: Most RTX 4090 builds.
Check price for Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 850W Pick
be quiet! Power Zone 2 850WPlatinum ratings from 80 Plus and Cybenetics.
Best for: Builds with a modest CPU.
Check price for be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best NZXT Pick
NZXT C1000 Gold Core (ATX 3.1)1000W with a 7-year warranty and zero-RPM mode.
Best for: Quiet builds.
Check price for NZXT C1000 Gold Core (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Shortest Unit
Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W850W Platinum in a 125mm body.
Best for: Tight PSU bays.
Check price for Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most 12V-2x6 Cables
MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 IITwo native 12V-2x6 cables.
Best for: Future dual-connector cards.
Check price for MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Premium Pick
Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 (ATX 3.1)Platinum ratings with 100% Japanese capacitors.
Best for: Long-term builds.
Check price for Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 (ATX 3.1) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Match for an RTX 40901 of 6
Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W
Thermaltake's Toughpower GT 1000W is only 140mm deep, short for its wattage, and ships with a native 12V-2x6 cable and flat modular cables.
Best for
- Most RTX 4090 builds.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: native 12V-2x6 cable count of 1, behind the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II (2).
Why we like it
Its flat modular cables have colour-matched connectors, and a hydraulic-bearing fan with Smart Zero Fan keeps it quiet. On rated output it ties with the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 at 1000W. On native 12V-2x6 cable count it ties with the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 at 1.
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. At 140mm deep, compare it with your case's PSU clearance before buying. It undercut the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 1000W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Depth
- 140mm
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 120mm
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- 1000W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A short 140mm body
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Native 12V-2x6 cable count of 1, behind the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II (2)
The catch
The maker doesn't give its 8-pin PCIe connector count; if that figure matters, the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W offers 3.
Best 850W Pick2 of 6
be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W
be quiet!'s Power Zone 2 850W carries Platinum ratings from both 80 Plus and Cybenetics, three PCIe 8-pin connectors and a native 12V-2x6.
Best for
- Builds with a modest CPU.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 140mm fan stops at low load. It matches the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W on rated output (850W). It matches the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 on native 12V-2x6 cable count (1).
Like the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000, it has a platinum 80 plus rating, while the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II uses a gold 80 plus rating. No depth is rated for the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. You also get this: ATX 3.1 compliance.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 850W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- PCIe 8-pin connectors
- 3
- 80 Plus rating
- Platinum
- Cybenetics rating
- Platinum
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Fan
- 140mm
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- A 850W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- 80 Plus Platinum efficiency
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Costs more than the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed warranty, look to the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II instead: it offers 10 years, while this one gives no figure.
Best NZXT Pick3 of 6
NZXT C1000 Gold Core (ATX 3.1)
NZXT's C1000 Gold Core is a fully modular ATX 3.1 unit with a native 12V-2x6 cable, a 7-year warranty and a 135mm fan with a zero-RPM mode.
Best for
- Quiet builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It uses 105°C-rated capacitors, embossed modular cables and a dual-colour 12V-2x6 connector. It matches the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 on rated output (1000W). It matches the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 on native 12V-2x6 cable count (1).
Like the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W and MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, it has a gold 80 plus rating, while the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W uses a platinum 80 plus rating. It also offers Cybenetics noise certification listed by NZXT. No depth is rated for the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 1000W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Warranty
- 7 years
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- Cybenetics rating
- Platinum
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 135mm
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- 1000W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- ATX 3.1 compliance
- Fully modular cables
Cons
- Costs more than the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W at the time of writing
The catch
There is no published 8-pin PCIe connector count figure, whereas the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W offers 3.
Shortest Unit4 of 6
Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W
Super Flower's Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W is 125mm deep, which Super Flower calls the smallest 850W Platinum ATX unit.
Best for
- Tight PSU bays.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated output matters most to you; the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W offers 1000W.
Why we like it
It has a native 12V-2x6 cable and braided ribbon cables. On rated output it ties with the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W at 850W. On native 12V-2x6 cable count it ties with the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 at 1.
The Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. At 125mm deep, compare it with your case's PSU clearance before buying. On price it sat fifth of 6, between the cheaper be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W and the pricier Seasonic Vertex PX-1000, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 850W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- Depth
- 125mm
- Cybenetics rating
- Platinum
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Fan
- 120mm
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- A 850W rating
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- A short 125mm body
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Rated output trails the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W (1000W)
- Costs more than the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is rated output; for more, the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W offers 1000W.
Most 12V-2x6 Cables5 of 6
MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II
MSI's MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II is the only 1000W unit here with two native 12V-2x6 cables, and it adds three PCIe 8-pin connectors.
Best for
- Future dual-connector cards.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
MSI backs it with a 10-year warranty and 105°C capacitors throughout. Its embossed jacket cables bend easily, and eight protections guard the system. MSI lists RTX 50 series support.
It matches the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 on rated output (1000W). Nothing else here matches its 2 native 12V-2x6 cable count; the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W comes closest at 1. Like the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W and NZXT C1000 Gold Core, it has a gold 80 plus rating, while the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W uses a platinum 80 plus rating. No depth is rated for the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 1000W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 2
- PCIe 8-pin connectors
- 3
- Warranty
- 10 years
- 80 Plus rating
- Gold
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Cabling
- Fully modular
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- 1000W of rated output for high-power cards
- 2 native 12V-2x6 cables
- A 10-year warranty
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Costs more than the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed depth, look to the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W instead: it comes in at 125mm, while this one gives no figure.
Best Premium Pick6 of 6
Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 (ATX 3.1)
Seasonic's Vertex PX-1000 carries Platinum ratings from 80 Plus and Cybenetics, a native 12V-2x6 cable and 100% Japanese capacitors.
Best for
- Long-term builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if native 12V-2x6 cable count matters most to you; the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II offers 2.
Why we like it
It uses hybrid fan control. Seasonic lists it as ready for the RTX 5090 and AMD's RX 9000 series. It matches the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core and the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II on rated output (1000W).
It matches the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core and the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W on native 12V-2x6 cable count (1). Like the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, it has a platinum 80 plus rating, while the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W uses a gold 80 plus rating. The Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. Only the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.
Key specs
- Wattage
- 1000W
- Native 12V-2x6 cables
- 1
- 80 Plus rating
- Platinum
- Cybenetics rating
- Platinum
- ATX version
- ATX 3.1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Fan
- 135mm
- Fan stop
- Yes
- Colour
- Black
Pros
- 1000W of rated output for high-power cards
- A native 12V-2x6 cable for 16-pin cards
- 80 Plus Platinum efficiency
- ATX 3.1 compliance
Cons
- Native 12V-2x6 cable count trails the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II (2)
- Costs more than the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on native 12V-2x6 cable count, where the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II offers 2.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We lined up six power supplies on rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count, 8-pin PCIe connector count and warranty from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and 8-pin PCIe connector count and warranty are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W to the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000, state rated output, native 12V-2x6 cable count and ATX version and share ATX 3.1 ATX version and Black colour.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 give no 8-pin PCIe connector count; the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 give no warranty.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W ($50 to $100) to the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a PSUs for RTX 4090
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated output
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W tops rated output at 1000W and the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W sits lowest at 850W; 4 picks share the top figure. The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W is the pick for rated output.
How much native 12V-2x6 cable count you need
Across these 6 picks native 12V-2x6 cable count spans 1 (the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000) to 2 (the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II). If native 12V-2x6 cable count is your first filter, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II sets the ceiling at 2.
Modular cable sockets on the back of a power supply How much warranty you need
Here warranty runs from 7 years on the NZXT C1000 Gold Core to 10 years on the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, a 43% spread. If warranty is your first filter, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II sets the ceiling at 10 years. The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 give no warranty figure, so 2 of 6 picks are compared here.
Setup checks
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter.
Power cables routed to a graphics card inside a PC Features beyond the spec table
The Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W: braided ribbon cables. The MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II: server-grade 105°C capacitors throughout. The Seasonic Vertex PX-1000: hybrid fan control with a 135mm FDB fan.
How to Choose a PSUs for RTX 4090
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most RTX 4090 builds | Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W | 1000W in a 140mm body with a native 12V-2x6 cable |
| Builds with a modest CPU | be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W | Platinum ratings from 80 Plus and Cybenetics |
| Quiet builds | NZXT C1000 Gold Core | 1000W with a 7-year warranty and zero-RPM mode |
| Tight PSU bays | Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W | 850W Platinum in a 125mm body |
| Future dual-connector cards | MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II | Two native 12V-2x6 cables |
| Long-term builds | Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 | Platinum ratings with 100% Japanese capacitors |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W leads on rated output at 1000W, ahead of the NZXT C1000 Gold Core at 1000W. "Not listed" marks 8-pin PCIe connector count where the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 leave the figure out.
| Power supplie | Wattage | Native 12V-2x6 cables | PCIe 8-pin connectors | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W | 1000W | 1 | Not listed | Not listed |
| be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W | 850W | 1 | 3 | Not listed |
| NZXT C1000 Gold Core | 1000W | 1 | Not listed | 7 years |
| Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W | 850W | 1 | Not listed | Not listed |
| MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II | 1000W | 2 | 3 | 10 years |
| Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 | 1000W | 1 | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Power supplies |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W |
| About $100 to $150 | MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II, NZXT C1000 Gold Core, be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W |
| About $250 to $500 | Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the most native 12V-2x6 cable count: the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II or the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W?
Between the top two, it is 2 on the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II against 1 on the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, a 100% difference.
How does the NZXT C1000 Gold Core compare with the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II on warranty?
The MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II leads at 10 years, with the NZXT C1000 Gold Core at 7 years. The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 don't state a warranty figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 6 picks are ranked.
Is the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W ahead of the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W on depth?
The Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W is lowest on depth at 125mm; the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W follows at 140mm, 11% apart. No depth figure is published for the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core, the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000, which leaves 2 of 6 picks ranked here.
What makes the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II the Most 12V-2x6 Cables?
It carries the badge for two native 12V-2x6 cables. The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at future dual-connector cards.
Do the Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W and the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W differ on 80 Plus rating?
The Thermaltake Toughpower GT 1000W, the NZXT C1000 Gold Core and the MSI MPG A1000GS PCIE5 II use Gold; the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W and the Seasonic Vertex PX-1000 use platinum. The maker of the Super Flower Leadex VIII Platinum PRO 850W doesn't state 80 Plus rating, so 5 of 6 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W?
The be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W comes with a native 12V-2x6 cable, so a 16-pin card plugs in without an adapter. No depth is rated for the be quiet! Power Zone 2 850W, so check the maker's page against your case's PSU bay. In this guide it ranks second of 6, as our Best 850W Pick, and fifth of 6 on rated output (850W).
Bottom Line
Thermaltake's Toughpower GT 1000W is the best-matched unit for an RTX 4090 here, and short enough for most cases. be quiet!'s Power Zone 2 is the 850W pick, and Super Flower's Leadex VIII suits tight PSU bays.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 850W Power Supplies for a Single-GPU Gaming PC
- Related guideThe Best 1000W Power Supplies for High-End Gaming PCs
- Related guideThe Best PC Cases for the RTX 4090
- Lower budgetThe Best Power Supplies Under $75
- Similar guideThe Best Power Supplies for the RTX 4060 and 4060 Ti
- ExplainerHow to choose a power supply for a PC build
- Explainer80 Plus Ratings Explained
- Check compatibility: graphics cardsHow to Choose a Graphics Card for 1080p Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best Power Supplies for the RTX 4070 and 4070 Super
- Topic hubAll power supplies guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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