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Only the RTX 5060 Ti has a higher NVIDIA system-power recommendation than the RTX 4060. NVIDIA recommends a 600 W system power supply for the RTX 5060 Ti, compared with 550 W for the RTX 4060. The RTX 5060 is also rated at 550 W, so its recommendation is unchanged. These are manufacturer recommendations for the whole system, not a requirement that every owner replace a particular PSU.
How NVIDIA’s PSU recommendations compare
| Graphics card | NVIDIA required system power | Total graphics power |
|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 5060 Ti | 600 W | 180 W |
| GeForce RTX 5060 | 550 W | 145 W |
| GeForce RTX 4060 Ti | 550 W | 165 W or 160 W |
| GeForce RTX 4060 | 550 W | 115 W |
These figures are NVIDIA’s published specifications on its GeForce RTX 5060 family page and GeForce RTX 4060 Ti & 4060 page. The pages do not state a publication year.
Compared directly with the RTX 4060, the RTX 5060 Ti recommendation is 50 W higher. The RTX 5060 recommendation is the same 550 W. The RTX 4060 Ti also has a 550 W system recommendation, although NVIDIA lists its total graphics power as either 165 W or 160 W.
Why graphics-card power and PSU wattage are different
Total graphics power is the listed power figure for the graphics card. Required system power is NVIDIA’s recommendation for the power supply serving the entire PC. They describe different things: for example, NVIDIA lists 180 W total graphics power for the RTX 5060 Ti, alongside a 600 W system recommendation.
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The system recommendation is a planning reference, not a measurement of what every build will draw or a guarantee that any PSU of that wattage will work. NVIDIA notes that “Power requirements can be different depending on system configuration.” Its RTX 4060-family page says the minimum is based on a PC configured with a Ryzen 9 5900X; the exact CPU and other components in your own PC can affect what is appropriate.
Check your PSU before upgrading
- Identify the exact card model. Partner-made versions can differ from NVIDIA’s reference specifications. Check the graphics-card manufacturer’s product page for the specific model you plan to buy.
- Check the PSU’s rated capacity and the rest of your build. Compare the card maker’s guidance with your complete system configuration rather than treating the NVIDIA system figure as a universal upgrade rule.
- Confirm that you have the required power cable. NVIDIA lists one PCIe 8-pin cable or a 300 W-or-greater PCIe Gen 5 cable for both RTX 5060-family reference products. Verify the exact partner card’s connector requirements and that your PSU has the appropriate cable available.
- Replace the PSU only if the specific setup calls for it. If your current unit does not meet the exact card and system requirements, or lacks the required connector, choose a compatible supply. The 550 W reference recommendation for the RTX 5060 alone does not mean every RTX 4060 owner needs a new PSU.
What these figures do—and do not—tell you
The official specifications establish a higher system-power recommendation for the RTX 5060 Ti than for the RTX 4060, but not for the RTX 5060. They do not establish how often owners will need PSU upgrades, whether a particular PC is compatible, or which card is the better purchase on performance, price, or availability. Those decisions require checking the exact card and system rather than relying on the model name alone.
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- Fully Modular PSU: Reliable and efficient, low-noise power supply with fully modular cabling, so you only have to connect the cables your system build needs.
- Intel ATX 3.1 Certified: Compliant with the ATX 3.1 power standard, supporting PCIe 5.1 platform withstands 2x transient power excursions from the GPU.
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