The RTX 2080 Ti GPU is the top-of-the-line GPU for Nvidias 20 series. You will be able to get a stellar performance from this graphics card without having to pay a ton like you would if you bought a 30-series GPU.
With a low power consumption for today’s standards the RTX 2080 Ti is a great pick and today we will go in-depth on how much power this amazing card uses as well as what kind of PSU you will need if you are going to build a whole PC around it as well.
How Many Watts Does an RTX 2080 Ti Use?
The RTX 2080 Ti has a TGP of 260W. It typically produces 260W during gaming and only 14W when idle.
The wattage this card uses can change depending on how powerful your gaming setup is and the types of games and tasks you are doing.
For example, if you use more than one monitor expect your graphics card to have a higher idle power consumption.
Typically, with an extra monitor the idle power consumption will be under double what you would see with just one monitor.
In this instance, the Geforce RTX 2080 Ti graphics card will produce around 26 Watts of power when idle in a dual monitor setup.
When looking at a GPU’s power consumption, you want to look at the TGP (Total Graphics Power) because this shows the maximum power draw you will usually get when using your GPU for intensive tasks such as gaming.
You might also hear the phrase “TDP” which can be used interchangeably with TGP. The difference is essential in that TDP is the total power consumption of a component, and TGP is the total power consumption of a GPU specifically.
However, it is not actually the true maximum of the graphics card. The true maximum of the RTX 2080 Ti is around 265 Watts.
The 2080 Ti will only reach this high wattage when it is overclocked and under a very heavy load.
Related Article: What Does Ti Mean in a GPU?
RTX 2080 Ti Power Consumption Compared to Other GPUs
The GPUs power consumption is compared using TGP. It is essential to know and compare your graphics cards to other similar models because it will help you get a grasp on the amount of power your system is going to use.
Here is a comparison of a few graphics cards that are around the performance range of the RTX 2080 Ti.
| GPU | TGP |
| RTX 2080 Super | 250 Watts |
| RTX 2080 Ti | 260 Watts |
| RTX 3080 Ti | 350 Watts |
As you can see from this table, the RTX 2080 Ti has a fairly low power consumption when compared to its next-generation counterpart the RTX 3080 Ti, which uses almost 100 watts more than the 2080 Ti.
However, when comparing it to its same-generation 20 series GPUs you can see that the RTX 2080 Ti is on the higher end of the power consumption spectrum.
If you want to compare more graphics cards on their power consumption and TGP I have provided a database where you can look at dozens of different GPUs and their power consumption, that way you don’t have to do the research yourself.
Check out the Database.
I have also provided the average power consumption when gaming, as well as the average power consumption when idle, that way you can get a better understanding.
What Power Supply Do I Need To Use For My RTX 2080 Ti
I would recommend that you try to get a power supply unit that is 800 watts. If you go on Nvidia’s page you can see that they say that the RTX 2080 Ti would be able to run on a 650-watt power supply, however, that is the bare minimum.
When purchasing a power supply for your computer you want to remember that every piece of hardware in your system also has a certain level of power consumption, not just your graphics card.
Although not as powerful as a graphics card, all of these little components add up and can exceed the wattage of your PSU very quickly.
That’s why you want to be safe and grab a PSU that has around a 20% increase in extra wattage than you planned for your system. This usually equates to a PSU that is around 50-100 watts more than what the manufacturer which in this case is Nvidia recommends.
By doing this you will not only know for sure that your PSU will be able to support powering your whole system but it will also be safe from any power spikes that happen when you are gaming.
If you also want to save on your electricity bill, you should purchase a power supply that is at least 80 plus Bronze certified, with the best rating being 80 plus Gold certified.
You should read: “How Do Power Supply Ratings Work?”
RTX 2080 Ti FAQ
What is the TGP of the RTX 2080 Ti? The RTX 2080 Ti has a TGP of 260W, which represents the maximum power draw of the graphics card during intensive tasks such as gaming.
How much power does the RTX 2080 Ti use when idle? The RTX 2080 Ti typically uses around 14 watts of power when idle. However, keep in mind that the power consumption can vary depending on factors such as the number of displays connected and any overclocking you may have done.
What power supply do I need for the RTX 2080 Ti? NVIDIA recommends a minimum power supply of 650 watts for the RTX 2080 Ti. However, it’s always a good idea to go with a power supply that has more wattage than the minimum recommendation. A power supply that delivers at least 800 watts would be a safe choice, especially if you have a high-end gaming PC with other power-hungry components.
What happens if I use a power supply with insufficient wattage for the RTX 2080 Ti? If you use a power supply that can’t deliver enough power to the RTX 2080 Ti, you may experience stability issues and crashes when gaming or performing other intensive tasks. In extreme cases, the power supply may even fail and cause damage to your graphics card or other components. Therefore, it’s important to use a power supply that has sufficient wattage to ensure stable and safe operation of your PC.
What does the 80 Plus certification mean for a power supply? The 80 Plus certification is a standard that measures the efficiency of a power supply, indicating how much power is lost as heat when the PSU is converting AC power to DC power for your components. A power supply that has an 80 Plus rating means that it’s at least 80% efficient at typical loads. Higher certifications such as 80 Plus Gold and 80 Plus Platinum indicate even higher levels of efficiency. Using a power supply with an 80 Plus certification can not only save you money on your electricity bill but also help your system to run cooler and quieter.
