Is a 450 Watt PSU Sufficient for i5 8400 and GTX 1070 Ti?

When building a PC with an Intel Core i5-8400 and an NVIDIA GTX 1070 Ti, you might wonder if a 450-watt power supply unit (PSU) is sufficient. While it can technically work, it's essential to consider several factors, including the specific components, the power efficiency, and the headroom for future upgrades.

Power Consumption Estimates

Intel Core i5-8400: Typically consumes around 65 watts under load. NVIDIA GTX 1070 Ti: Has a TDP Thermal Design Power of about 180 watts. Other Components (motherboard, RAM, storage, etc.): Roughly 50-100 watts.

Adding these figures together, the total estimated power consumption under load ranges from approximately 295 to 345 watts.

Considerations for a 450-Watt PSU

Efficiency

Ensure your power supply has a good efficiency rating, ideally 80 Bronze or better. Efficiency rating plays a crucial role in reducing energy waste and maintaining a stable system.

Headroom

It's generally recommended to have some headroom above your estimated power consumption. A 20-30% margin above the total estimated power can provide peace of mind and support for future upgrades. A 450-watt PSU might work, but it's quite on the lower end for this specific setup.

Quality of PSU

A high-quality 450-watt power supply from a reputable brand is more likely to handle the load better than a cheaper one. Many 450-watt PSUs on the market are of lower quality and may not last as long as you might prefer.

Conclusion

While a 450-watt power supply can technically work, it is on the lower end for this setup. If you plan to overclock your components or add more in the future, it is advisable to get a 500-watt or 600-watt PSU. This will provide more headroom and better overall performance, reducing the risk of future upgrades or changes.

For such a setup, a 450-watt PSU will suffice, but it is recommended to get at least a 550 or 600-watt PSU. This way, if you ever upgrade your components or overclock them, you won't need to change the PSU.

According to Intel, the i5-8400 has a TDP of 65W, and the 1070 Ti has a TDP of 180W. However, the TDP of the graphics card can vary depending on the brand and overclocking settings.

Given the typical power consumption estimates, a 450-watt PSU might work, but it's more than enough. The 1070Ti generally consumes around 150W, and the i5 8400 consumes around 60W, totaling 210W for both components. The remaining power can be distributed among the other parts.

For optimal performance and reliability, a good quality 450W PSU is recommended. However, if you think of doing something extra with the parts, such as changing the CPU, you won't need to change the GPU at all. The 1070Ti is powerful enough to handle most gaming at 4K or better. If you plan to upgrade the 1070Ti, you would need a more robust PSU.

In summary, while a 450-watt PSU may work, it is generally better to go with a higher-rated PSU, such as a 500W or 600W, for future-proofing and reliability.