Question RTX 3050: How High is the Transient Power Demand?

[Imacflier]

Good Morning, All

I am in the process of setting up an RTX 3050 as an external GPU for a minicomputer. This will require providing a separate 12vdc supply for the RTX 350.

I need to spec the size of the external 12vdc.

While the RTX 3050 is spec'd at 130 Watts, the RTX 30xx series GPUs have a reputation of drawing very high transients. The RTX 3070, for example, is reported to draw transients as high as 200% of total board design power <Yikes!>

Question 1: Although the RTX 3050 is a "low power" GPU, it is still a member of the 30xx family; does it also have the high transient power demand issue? (I was unable to find any specific data on the RTX 3050 that I was able to clearly understand.)

Question 2: I expect to 'push' the GPU quite hard. How big (in Watts) a 12 vdc PSU would YOU recommend that I use?

TIA

Larry

 

[Lutfij]

Which RTX 3050 are we looking at here?

This might be a worthwhile read;

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 8 GB Review: Palit RTX 3050 Dual OC in Full-HD and WQHD with DLSS doping | Page 11 | igor´sLAB

With the GeForce RTX 3050, NVIDIA not only counters AMD’s very unfortunate Radeon RX 6500XT, but also rounds off its own portfolio even further downwards. The performance data has been cleverly chosen…

www.igorslab.de

 

[Imacflier]

Lutfij,

I have an 8gb asus geforce rtx 3050 phoenix v2. It is the single fan version.

(I was unable to find any specific data on the RTX 3050 that I was able to clearly understand.)

The link you referenced is the link I was unable to translate into how many watts are required!

Can you translate it and tell me how many Watts I need?

TIA

Larry

 

[Eximo]

Well, their worst case number looks to be just over 180W, with 143W for the card being an acceptable average. So I would say a good 250W unit would be plenty to run just the card. Though outside of Flex ATX I have no idea where you would find such a PSU. You must avoid group regulated units since they expect there to be a significant 5V and 3.3V load.

A little larger than the typical power brick for a laptop too, though you will find such things from the really high end gaming laptops.

 

[Imacflier]

So I would say a good 250W unit would be plenty to run just the card.

Thank you so much for the clear response! But:
Whew! I had located 200 Watt units and had hoped that would be sufficient; I will keep looking!

Now: it is not clear to me that having a GPU shortfall in power during a transient will affect the system since the PSUs are not linked, i.e., no power is drawn from the system PSU. Is this true? or will a transient spike still shut the system down? And, if not, is it likely that the GPU transient will damage the GPU?

Larry

 

[Imacflier]

AHA!

I found a 240 Watt unit, although will have to adapt the 2.1mm barrel connector!

Larry

 

[Eximo]

it is not clear to me that having a GPU shortfall in power during a transient will affect the system since the PSUs are not linked, i.e., no power is drawn from the system PSU. Is this true? or will a transient spike still shut the system down? And, if not, is it likely that the GPU transient will damage the GPU?

For the most part these would be separate power systems. Ideally you would tie the grounds together, for safety.

The PSU going to the GPU could still shut off, yes. While your computer might tolerate that, any program using said GPU might react differently. Similar to someone unplugging an eGPU perhaps, so it must already be handled, but not sure what the actual outcome would be.

GPU transient is caused by the GPU, I don't think will damage it. It just has a sudden demand for power, not getting isn't going to harm anything. Overdriving its own circuits on the other hand is an issue for the manufacturer to deal with. If it burns out prematurely, warranty should cover it.

You can always play it safe and set a stricter power limit on the GPU.

 

[Imacflier]

Eximo,

Thanks, that is what I had pretty much thought. But your confirmation is important to me.

For the most part these would be separate power systems. Ideally you would tie the grounds together, for safety.

And thanks for that as well, I had not considered tying the grounds together, but I will!

Larry