Best PSU for Intel Core i5-12600K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080
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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080
Configuration Analysis
System Performance Assessment
This system offers excellent gaming performance at 1440p and 4K resolutions. The i5-12600K provides a strong CPU foundation, well-paired with the powerful RTX 5080. Expect high frame rates in demanding titles with ray tracing enabled. Content creation tasks will also be handled smoothly.
Recommended Power Supplies
Thermaltake GF1 (2024) Fully Modular ATX 850W Power Supply – 80 Plus Gold – Ultra Quiet – Zero RPM, PS-TPD-0850FNFAGU-P
CORSAIR RM850e (2025) Fully Modular Low-Noise ATX Power Supply with 12V-2×6 Cable – ATX 3.1 & PCIe 5.1 Compliant, Cybenetics Gold Efficiency, 105°C-Rated Capacitors, Modern Standby Mode – Black
The RM850e offers headroom for your 5080 and i5, plus future upgrades, with efficient, reliable Gold-rated power and modern standards.
MSI MAG A850GL PCIE 5.1 & ATX 3.1 Gaming Power Supply – Full Modular – 80 Plus Gold Certified 850W – Compact Size – ATX PSU – 10 Year Warranty
The MSI MAG A850GL is perfect! Its ATX 3.1 & PCIe 5.1 support future-proofs your RTX 5080, and 850W gives you plenty of headroom.
Comparison Table
| Model | Wattage | Efficiency | Form Factor | Modularity | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermaltake GF1 (2024) Fully Modular ATX 850W Power Supply – 80 Plus Gold – Ultra Quiet – Zero RPM, PS-TPD-0850FNFAGU-P | 850W | 80+ Gold | ATX | Full-Modular | $94.99 | Overall Value |
| CORSAIR RM850e (2025) Fully Modular Low-Noise ATX Power Supply with 12V-2×6 Cable – ATX 3.1 & PCIe 5.1 Compliant, Cybenetics Gold Efficiency, 105°C-Rated Capacitors, Modern Standby Mode – Black | 850W | 80+ Gold | ATX | Full-Modular | $129.99 | Energy Efficiency |
| MSI MAG A850GL PCIE 5.1 & ATX 3.1 Gaming Power Supply – Full Modular – 80 Plus Gold Certified 850W – Compact Size – ATX PSU – 10 Year Warranty | 850W | 80+ Gold | ATX | Full-Modular | $119.99 | Energy Efficiency |
Why This Wattage?
Power Calculation
The recommended PSU wattage is calculated based on the total power draw of your CPU (Intel Core i5-12600K) and GPU (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080), plus approximately 100W for other components like motherboard, memory, and storage devices.
Extra Headroom
We add an additional 30% headroom to ensure optimal efficiency, handle power spikes, and allow for future upgrades. This ensures your system runs stable and your PSU operates in its optimal efficiency range.
Efficiency Standards
We recommend power supplies with 80 Plus certification, which represents higher energy efficiency and more reliable performance. Power supplies are most efficient at 50-60% load, so having adequate headroom is important.
Power Efficiency Tips
Utilize NVIDIA's GeForce Experience to optimize game settings for performance and efficiency, reducing power draw.
Enable power-saving modes in Windows and adjust the power plan to 'Balanced' when not gaming to minimize idle power consumption.
Special Installation Note
Ensure the 12VHPWR (12V-2×6) cable from the PSU is securely connected to the RTX 5080 and fully seated to prevent potential power delivery issues. Use the cable provided with the PSU, not adapters if possible.
Usage Scenarios
AAA Gaming
This system can play the latest AAA games at maximum settings, with high frame rates and resolutions, including ray tracing.
Video Editing
Edit 4K and even 8K video smoothly, using demanding effects and color grading without significant lag or rendering delays.
AI Development
Train and run moderately sized AI models, utilizing the GPU for accelerated machine learning tasks and data analysis.
Installation Tips
Position Properly
Most cases have a dedicated PSU bay at the bottom. Ensure the PSU fan is facing down if your case has bottom ventilation, allowing it to draw cool air from outside.
Cable Management
With modular PSUs, connect only the cables you need. Route cables behind the motherboard tray when possible for better airflow and cleaner appearance.
Proper Connections
Ensure all power connectors are fully seated and locked. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 will require dedicated PCIe power connectors from the PSU.
Test Before Completing
Before fully closing your case, connect the essential components and test that your system boots correctly with the new power supply.
The Thermaltake GF1 850W Gold has plenty of headroom for your 5080 and 12600K, plus it's fully modular for a clean build!