Is It Bad To Get An Overkill PSU [Things That Matters]

Choosing a PSU has always been a confusing decision for PC builders. A PSU’s required wattage depends on the components of the PC. But is it necessary to opt for a PSU higher than that required for the rig? 

An overkill PSU can take a toll on your wallet. But a common question among beginners is whether it also places strain on the components.

So, is it bad to get an overkill PSU?

No, a PC draws in only the amount of power the components require. If your components won’t consume more than the required load from the PSU. However, it’s better to have a 100-150W headroom. But do remember that a higher wattage will not increase your PC’s performance. But it’ll put strain on your pocket. 

This is only elementary information on the matter though. We have a comprehensive guide on this common query.

Read on to know everything in detail!

What is an Overkill PSU? 

The PSU is short for the power supply unit, and is the essential housing for wattage. It supplies power to all the components via its connection to the motherboard.

All the components in the motherboard have a combined need for power. This is the required load of the components. The more powerful the components are, the higher the required load.

If the combined load of the components is 500W, then the required PSU is 500W. 

So, if you ask- can an underpowered psu damage your computer? 

Indeed it can. The peak load being much higher than the PSU wattage causes shorts. This results in a blue screen. Anything lower than required wattage would cause power outages and damages to the system.

But PSUs can also be on the higher end and overkill. So what is the most powerful psu? And is it bad to get an overkill PSU? 

Read on for more details on these pressing matters!

Is 850W PSU overkill?

In most cases of accidental shutdowns, the PSU is found to be the culprit. A PSU incompatible with the motherboard can cause power outages. 

People fix this by going overboard with a high wattage PSU. Although there are no downsides to having a higher than required PSU, it can be quite expensive. Running up to $200, they are not an idle purchase for most.

An 850W PSU is enough for the highest end of graphics units. In fact, the RM850x is enough for 3080 or 3090 cards, this should tell you how high 850W is. 

Unless your rig boasts a Tri or Quad GPU set with SLI, you’re overdoing it. A 650W power supply runs a GTX 1080 or R9 290 fairly easily. 

Source: Reddit

But what if your PSU is not meeting the required loads or is underpowered? Your GPU can be seriously damaged over time. Something an overkill PSU will never do to your GPUs.

On that note, here are some of the best 850W PSU in the current market.

Is 1000W PSU Bad for GPU?

People often wonder if they are pushing their efforts too far with the rig. “Can an overkill PSU break the motherboard?” is a common query amongst newbie builders.

Using a 1000W supply for a system requiring 600W is unnecessary. It takes a toll on your pockets. 

For those interested in sheer power, 750W and higher wattages for overclocking are recommended. Undervolting also requires you to look for suitable PSUs. So check out this comparison between the 4 types of PSUs ranging from 550W-850W.

As we’ve mentioned prior, a surplus of power doesn’t harm the internals in any way. People often ask if an overkill PSU is bad for GPU when they first start builds.

The short answer is no, a 1000W PSU will not harm the GPU. But a 1000W PSU is overkill by a long stretch. As 850W is enough for TRI-SLI. 

A 1000W is more geared towards creative professionals with 3 or 4 4k-8K monitors connected to their rig. Unless you run a multi CPU/GPU/Monitor rig, you are out of your depth. 

However, you might be planning on upgrading your PC in the near future. And to have a GTX 30 series GPU or more, you should get yourself a 1000W PSU like this lady.

To make your life easier, here I’ve compiled the top-performing and tested PSUs in the market. All of this is absolutely adored by gamers and miners all over the world.

Overkill does not lead to overloading though, in fact, it’s quite the contrary. Read on to learn more about how it affects your PC!

How Does a Higher Wattage PSU Affect Your Computer?

If you’re still wondering whether your computer can have too high a PSU, fret not. Let’s look at some of the effects, or the lack thereof, of a higher wattage PSU.

Speed

A larger power supply DOES NOT make your PC run faster. Your GPU running faster with a higher PSU is a myth. Nor does it make your processor stronger, increase the RAM speed, or have better storage performance.

The components simply draw in as much power as required. A surplus doesn’t improve performance, but it stops the components from shorting.

Power

A frequent issue for motherboards is power surges. PSUs and motherboards adjust their voltages to accommodate small power changes and demands. 

Overload and Thermals

If you mildly overload the PSU, you start to get ripples in the circuit. It then overheats and causes thermal shutdowns.

A high-end one shuts down before it harms itself or any components. If a shutdown occurs due to a thermal issue, your PSU might be faulty. Or there’s a dust buildup.

PSU cooling and airflow components need to be adjusted accordingly. Some case fans are listed below to provide you with proper airflow inside the casing.

To learn what happens if you overload PSU, you need to know more about the PSU degrading over time.

So, have you understood can a bad PSU kill a GPU? Knowing that it cannot, pick a PSU that exceeds your rig demands. 

FAQs

What happens if your power supply is too weak?

If the PSU is underpowered, your PC could crash. Not meeting the demands of the components means your systems are in jeopardy. System program errors and unexpected freezes are common. Odd restarts, complete shutdowns, and the “blue screen of death” could all result as a consequence. 

Is 500W PSU enough for the RTX 2070?

No, they require a 650W PSU. A 650W power supply unit is the minimum requirement for the 2070s and above. So PCs with a 500W PSU will crash on startup, even with undervolting. Another thing to note is, should you overclock your PC – overclocking draws in more power. 

Will upgrading the PSU improve performance?

The power supply unit does not directly affect the performance of your PC. But it can definitely hinder it if it fails to meet the component demands. The performance of your rig begins to dip when the peak load is above the PSU wattage. 

Conclusion

So that was everything you need to know about the topic, is it bad to get an overkill psu? Hopefully, we’ve cleared up some of your concerns and busted some myths. 

The diagnostic processes we’ve mentioned are novice-friendly. You’ll get by even if you’re not a hardcore PC enthusiast.

Thank you for reading and come back with more queries!