What Power Supply Do I Need For Gtx 1060

Powering Up Your GTX 1060: Finding the Right Power Supply

The GeForce GTX 1060, while not the newest kid on the block, remains a popular and capable graphics card for 1080p gaming and beyond. However, before you can unleash its graphical prowess, you need to ensure you have the right power supply unit (PSU) to feed it. Choosing the wrong PSU can lead to system instability, crashes, and even damage to your components. This article will guide you through the process of selecting the appropriate power supply for your GTX 1060 system, offering insights to help you make an informed decision.

Understanding Power Consumption: TDP and Peak Power

The first key concept to grasp is Thermal Design Power (TDP). The GTX 1060's TDP, depending on the specific model (6GB or 3GB), generally ranges from 120W to 130W. This is the average power draw under typical load. However, it's crucial to remember that this is not the maximum power the card will draw. During demanding game scenes or intensive applications, the card can momentarily spike to a significantly higher power draw – often exceeding its TDP by 30% or more. This peak power draw is the critical factor when choosing your PSU.

For a GTX 1060, expect peak power draw to potentially reach 170W or even slightly higher in demanding scenarios. This peak draw is why simply matching the TDP is insufficient; it can lead to system instability or shutdowns.

Calculating Your System's Total Power Draw

The GTX 1060's power requirements are just one piece of the puzzle. To determine the appropriate PSU wattage, you need to estimate your system's total power consumption. This includes:

CPU: The power consumption of your CPU varies significantly depending on its model and workload. Consult your CPU's specifications or online resources for an estimate. A modern, energy-efficient CPU might draw 65W to 95W under full load, while a high-end CPU could draw significantly more.

Motherboard: The motherboard draws a relatively small amount of power, typically around 15W to 30W.

Storage Devices: Hard drives consume minimal power (around 10W each), while SSDs consume even less (typically under 5W).

Other Components: Consider power consumption of fans, optical drives (if applicable), and other peripherals. Add approximately 10-20W for these.

Example: Let's assume a system with a 95W CPU, a 20W motherboard, a 10W HDD, and the GTX 1060 (170W peak). Adding these up, we get a total estimated power draw of approximately 300W (95W + 20W + 10W + 170W).

Selecting the Appropriate PSU Wattage: Safety Margin is Key

Once you've estimated your system's total power draw, it's essential to add a safety margin. This margin accounts for unforeseen spikes in power demand, ensuring your system has enough power to handle unexpected surges without shutting down or causing damage. A 20-30% safety margin is recommended.

In our example, a 300W system needs an additional 60W to 90W of headroom (20-30% of 300W). This means you should aim for a PSU with a minimum of 360W to 390W. A 450W or 500W PSU would provide ample power and future-proofing capabilities.

Important Note: Always choose a PSU from a reputable manufacturer (e.g., Corsair, Seasonic, EVGA, be quiet!) to ensure quality and reliability. Cheap, low-quality PSUs can be unreliable and even dangerous. Look for 80+ Bronze or higher efficiency ratings for better power conversion and lower heat generation.

Understanding PSU Connectors: The Right Fit Matters

Beyond wattage, it's vital to check the PSU's connectors. The GTX 1060 typically requires one or two 6-pin PCIe power connectors. Make sure your chosen PSU has these connectors available. A shortage of connectors will render the card unusable. Double-check your motherboard’s and card’s manuals to ensure compatibility.

Real-World Scenarios and Practical Advice

Consider upgrading your CPU or adding other power-hungry components in the future. Choosing a PSU with more wattage than you currently need allows for smoother upgrades without having to replace the PSU. A 550W or 650W PSU will easily accommodate future upgrades.

Avoid “overclocking” your GTX 1060 without a well-chosen, higher-wattage PSU capable of handling increased power demands from overclocking. If overclocking is your plan, you should allocate more headroom within your power supply estimations.

Conclusion

Choosing the right power supply for your GTX 1060 is crucial for system stability and longevity. By accurately estimating your system's total power draw, adding a generous safety margin, and selecting a quality PSU with the correct connectors, you can ensure a smooth and reliable gaming experience. Don't underestimate the importance of the PSU – it's the unsung hero of your gaming rig.

FAQs

1. Can I use a 450W PSU for a GTX 1060 system? Yes, a 450W PSU is generally sufficient for most GTX 1060 systems, especially if your CPU is not high-end. However, ensure it meets the connector requirements and consider a higher wattage (550W or higher) for future upgrades or if your CPU consumes more power.

2. What happens if my PSU is underpowered? An underpowered PSU can lead to system instability, crashes, random shutdowns, and potentially damage to your components.

3. Is a higher wattage PSU always better? Not necessarily. A larger PSU may be less efficient at lower loads, generating more heat. However, it does provide headroom for future upgrades.

4. What is the 80+ certification? This certification rates a PSU's efficiency in converting AC power to DC power. Higher ratings (e.g., 80+ Gold, Platinum) mean less wasted energy and lower heat generation.

5. Can I use a used PSU? Using a used PSU is risky. It's difficult to assess its remaining lifespan and health, increasing the risk of failure. For peace of mind, purchase a new PSU from a reputable supplier.

Search Results:

Is 450w enough for GTX 1060? - Gaming Pedia - NCESC 26 Jun 2024 · How much power do I need for GTX 1060? The minimum recommended power supply for a GTX 1060 is 400W with one 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connector. It is important to make sure you meet all the system requirements listed for a smooth installation.

GTX 1060 and 400W power supply. - Linus Tech Tips 22 Oct 2017 · 400-450 watt quality power supply is totally fine for your rig... but has to be a quality power supply from a reputable brand.. like i would go with corsair or EVGA or cooler master.

What PSU Do I Need For GTX 1060 - Robots.net 29 Nov 2023 · – The power consumption of the GTX 1060 typically ranges between 120-150 watts, but it’s essential to have a PSU that can provide enough power to all components in your system. – A PSU with a recommended wattage rating of around 500-550 watts should be sufficient for most GTX 1060 configurations.

How Much Power Does a GTX 1060 Need? : r/buildapc - Reddit 24 Dec 2019 · Only about 120 watts, but that is just for the GPU itself and doesn't include any headroom for overclocking which you want. Most low budget power supplies such as your 320 watt model lie about their capacity, and can't delivery all of it on the 12V rail.

Is my current Power Supply enough to run a GTX 1060? 28 Dec 2016 · Gigabyte's PSUs are far from the best (They should've stuck to motherboards, GPUs etc). While a 580W PSU *should* be more than adequate, that PSU would be more accurately described as a 420W - 35A...

Question - Power supply for 1060 6gb | Tom's Hardware Forum 19 Aug 2019 · The minimum recommended PSU for the GTX 1060 is 400 Watts, as stated by Nvidia. Though, for some extra headroom, and future proofing, you can also get any high quality 500/550 Watts PSU. What's...

How Much Power Does The GTX 1060 Use? (GTX 1060 Power … 28 Aug 2023 · What Power Cable Do I Need for GTX 1060? The required GTX 1060 power cable is a 6-pin PCI Express connector, that connects the power supply to the graphics card. This cable delivers extra power to the GPU, beyond what the PCI Express slot provides.

How to Find Right Power Supply for Graphics Card [Detailed Guide] For example, below you can see the recommended PSU for the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 G1 Gaming 6G graphics card on Gigabyte’s website. The recommended PSU specified for this card is 400W. You can look for this information for the graphics card …

Best Power Supply For Gtx 1060 (2025 Updated) - Just A Taste 5 Mar 2025 · When it comes to the GTX 1060, it requires a minimum of a 400W power supply with an 8-pin power connector. Both modular and non-modular power supplies can meet this requirement, so the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget.

Best PSU for RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti - CORSAIR 3 days ago · Happily, the weak GPU cloud comes with a couple of power-related silver linings. The first is that these cards are using the old familiar 8-pin power connector, because they do not consume enough power to need the newer standard. This is good for those who are still uncertain about the 12V-2x6 / 12VHPWR cables. The next lining is that you might ...

Recommended PSU Table | GPU Power Requirements - CORSAIR 8 Jan 2025 · For a quick and easy way to see the PSU wattage for your CPU and GPU combo at a glance, refer to the table below. Simply locate your GPU and CPU Series and the intersection point between the two will show what wattage PSU you'll need. Note that this is not an exhaustive list, as not every CPU, nor every GPU is included.

Need power supply for gtx 1060 - Tom's Hardware Forum 25 Sep 2016 · I am getting a gtx 1060 and i need a power supply for it. its recommended a 400w but i was thinking around 500w for max performance. anyone know a cheap and reliable one for it? it must...

gtx 1060 power needed - Tom's Hardware Forum 11 Dec 2016 · In theory, 300W is enough for an i5-6400 + GTX 1060 (cutting it kinda close though), but just because the PSU says 300W on the side doesn't mean it can be trusted to safely and reliably...

Best PSUs to Buy for the RTX 5060 Ti - GeekaWhat 4 days ago · The MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5 is both ATX 3.1 and PCI-E 5.1 ready, so it adheres to the latest power standards built for high-power excursions, up to a maximum of 1500W. The MAG A750GL PCIE5 is 80 Plus Gold and Cybenetics Gold-rated, ensuring that this unit draws minimal excess power from the wall, reducing any power lost as heat or noise.

1060 GPU on 300 Watt PSU - Power Supplies - Linus Tech Tips 3 Jul 2019 · Nvidia rates the GTX 1060 at 120w, Intel rates the i5-8400 at 65w, realistically you're unlikely to exceed 250w between only those and with some overhead 300w actually sounds about right. Cutting the drives and going to a single m.2 sounds like a great plan as well.

Appropriate PSU for gtx 1060 - Tom's Hardware Forum 22 Jul 2016 · 450W will be enough for your system, dont worry. The calculator says that 336w will be the abdolute highest the system can go so 450w will do fine. If you plan to OC than 450w should still...

what PSU for a gtx 1060 3gb - Power Supplies - Linus Tech Tips 2 Mar 2019 · Yes, 400 watts is enough for that configuration. Just make sure to get a decent power supply, like a Corsair CX450M.

GTX 1060 Power Consumption Guide - Eco Energy Geek 22 Jun 2022 · What Power Supply Do I Need For A GTX 1060? As a minimum, you should aim for a power supply with a 350- or 400-watt capacity. It’s possible to run a GTX 1060 on a high-end 300-watt power supply but you’ll be limited in your choice of processor and motherboard.

What PSU to use with GTX 1060 6gb | Tom's Hardware Forum 26 Sep 2018 · I have a 1060 and I use an EVGA 650W 80+ Gold PSU to allow for plenty of overhead space. The 450W unit you listed from Amazon would technically run your system but not efficiently. I would...

psu good enough for 1060? - Graphics Cards - Linus Tech Tips 20 Oct 2017 · I had a GTX 1060 MSI Gaming X (consumes a few Watt more than usual stock 1060s). GTX 1060 @ stock: 210-220 Watt power pulled out of the Wall (I have a measurement device between PSU and Wall). Not ignoring the PSU Efficiency, the Computer itself would consume like 200~ Watts there.

Choosing the Best PSU for Nvidia's GeForce GTX 1060 GPU 1 Feb 2025 · Check out my Recommended Power Supplies for GTX 1060 GPUs below. The main job of a power supply is to convert the alternating current (AC) from your wall outlet into the direct current (DC) needed by the components inside your computer. An important factor when buying a PSU is the supported wattage.

My psu have only 6 pin connector but gtx 1060 requires 8 2 Sep 2016 · My recommendation: Upgrade the power supply. Your model of thermaltake is actually only 450 watts; the 500 watt peak power figure can be ignored. Personally I stay far away from any power...