ATX 3.0 PSU or ATX 3.1 PSU
Prefer a well-built ATX 3.1 unit for a new high-power GPU build because it adopts the revised connector system. A good ATX 3.0 unit remains usable when its native cable, wattage, and tested behavior fit the hardware.
The decision
Which one to buy
ATX 3.0 PSU
Choose a good ATX 3.0 unit when its native cable, wattage and tested behavior fit your parts.
ATX 3.1 PSU
Choose ATX 3.1 for a new high-power graphics card build: it adopts the revised high-power connector.
Cheapest new 850 W unit at Newegg: ATX 3.0, $79.99; ATX 3.1, $54.99, $25.00 less. Prices checked 31 October 2026, before tax and shipping.
The comparison
What differs
3 of 6 fields differ. Both sides of every row come from a published manufacturer document, cited on the row itself, with what the difference does once the parts are in a case.
| Field | ATX 3.0 PSU | ATX 3.1 PSU | What the difference does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard scope | Desktop power-supply design standard introduced in 2022knowledge.seasonic.com | Updated desktop power-supply design standard introduced in 2023knowledge.seasonic.com | ATX 3.1 is a revision of the power-delivery standard rather than an efficiency tier, so it cannot replace an 80 PLUS comparison. |
| Gpu power connector | 12VHPWR required above the cited 450W thresholdknowledge.seasonic.com | 12V-2x6 required above the cited 450W threshold, with longer conductor terminals and shorter sense pins on the device-side socketknowledge.seasonic.com | ATX 3.1's revised 12V-2x6 socket improves connection sequencing, which is the clearest reason to prefer it for a fresh high-power GPU build. |
| Hold up time | 17ms at full load17 ms at full loadknowledge.seasonic.com | 12ms at full load, with 17ms at 80 percent load recommended12 ms at full loadknowledge.seasonic.com | ATX 3.1 relaxes the mandatory full-load hold-up time, so the newer version is not automatically better at surviving every short input drop. |
What is identical: 3 of 6 fields
This comparison comes from published specifications, not from testing. We do not test hardware, and we never present a judgment as though we had. Current affiliate offers stay on category pages and do not determine this specification comparison.
In full
The comparison in detail
ATX 3.1 is not a blanket upgrade in every row. It revises the device-side high-power connector and relaxes the mandatory full-load hold-up time, while the cited transient and extremely-light-load efficiency requirements remain the same.
Prices: compare units of the same wattage and efficiency grade on today's power supply lists by wattage. Maker pages: Thermaltake's ATX 3.0 Toughpower GF3 and be quiet!'s ATX 3.1 units (read 26 July 2026).
| Property | ATX 3.0 PSU | ATX 3.1 PSU | What it changes | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard scope | Desktop power-supply design standard introduced in 2022 | Updated desktop power-supply design standard introduced in 2023 | ATX 3.1 is a revision of the power-delivery standard rather than an efficiency tier, so it cannot replace an 80 PLUS comparison. | ATX 3.0, ATX 3.1, Updated 26 July 2026 |
| Efficiency | At 10W or 2 percent load: at least 60 percent required and at least 70 percent recommended | At 10W or 2 percent load: at least 60 percent required and at least 70 percent recommended | ATX 3.0 and 3.1 retain the same cited extremely-light-load efficiency rule, so version 3.1 does not automatically cut the power bill. | ATX 3.0, ATX 3.1, Updated 26 July 2026 |
| GPU power connector | 12VHPWR required above the cited 450W threshold | 12V-2x6 required above the cited 450W threshold, with longer conductor terminals and shorter sense pins on the device-side socket | ATX 3.1's revised 12V-2x6 socket improves connection sequencing, which is the clearest reason to prefer it for a fresh high-power GPU build. | ATX 3.0, ATX 3.1, Updated 26 July 2026 |
| Transient load | 200 percent instantaneous peak power for 100 microseconds | 200 percent instantaneous peak power for 100 microseconds | Both standards carry the cited 200 percent short peak requirement, so ATX 3.1 does not double transient capability over ATX 3.0. | ATX 3.0, ATX 3.1, Updated 26 July 2026 |
| Hold-up time | 17ms at full load | 12ms at full load, with 17ms at 80 percent load recommended | ATX 3.1 relaxes the mandatory full-load hold-up time, so the newer version is not automatically better at surviving every short input drop. | ATX 3.0, ATX 3.1, Updated 26 July 2026 |
| Product quality | Internal design, protections, noise, warranty, and cable quality remain model-specific | Internal design, protections, noise, warranty, and cable quality remain model-specific | A standards revision cannot rank two actual PSUs, so finish the choice with independent model testing, connector count, and warranty. | ATX 3.0, ATX 3.1, Updated 26 July 2026 |
Where next