– 3000W rated for 220-240V; limited to 1600W on standard 100-115V outlets.
– Designed to power four RTX 5090 GPUs plus accessories.
– Full 3000W requires a 240V outlet, which is rare in standard U.S. rooms.
– In Europe, high-power use may require special 16A outlets (e.g., Swiss Type 23).
– At near-max load, a dedicated circuit is needed; multiple such PCs would overwhelm a typical apartment.
Celebrating 20 Years of Republic of Gamers
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Republic of Gamers brand, Asus is launching the ROG Thor 3000W Titanium III Edition 20, a particularly powerful power supply. Its designed to power four GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards plus various accessories inside the case. This unit goes way beyond what most consumers are use to seeing from a desktop PSU, making it a real statement piece for high-end builds.
Dual Voltage and Power Limits
The power supply can also operate in a lower voltage mode. Asus calls this “Dual Voltage Adaptive Design”, which can operate at both 220-240 volts and 100-115 volts. In the latter case, however, the maximum output is limited to 1,600 watts. This is particularly relevant for use in countries that use Type A connectors. The lower voltage at comparable amperage limits the wattage output. Its important to understand this if your planning to use it in a standard home environment.
Real World Constraints in the US
That doesn’t mean, however, that the power supply can be used at full power in the US. During Computex, Asus pointed out that this would require a 240-volt outlet. Such outlets do exist, but they are rarely found in standard rooms. The situation is quite complex, as Technology Connections explained in a well-researched video five years ago. So, if the necessary connection technology is lacking, the high-performance power supply effectively becomes a 1,600-watt power supply.
European Plug Problems
This can also happen in Europe. Switzerland is one example. Despite its three prongs, its plug is very compact. A typical Schuko socket can often accommodate three Type 13 sockets. However, these are only rated for a maximum of 10 amps. Type 23 sockets, which are protected by a 16-amp fuse, are then required. The Swiss have fewer distribution problems with this than Americans do. Nevertheless, Type 23 outlets are not found everywhere, so youll need to check your local wiring.
Circuit Requirements and LAN Parties
With its 3,000-watt power supply, Asus has clearly gone far beyond what is generally considered standard. And even if the power supply is operated at close to its maximum capacity from a properly fused wall socket, there’s not much headroom left for other devices. A computer and its accessories would then need their own dedicated circuit. A LAN party with several of these computers would likely be impossible for an apartment to power. This is a serious consideration for any enthusiast.
Comparison with Other Manufacturers
Of course, other manufacturers also face similar issues with similar products, which have so far been marketed as professional power supplies for the AI sector. The ROG Thor 3000W Titanium III Edition 20 seems to be bridging a gap between consumer and enterprise hardware, but the electrical infrastructure in most homes just isnt ready for it. You definately need to plan ahead if your thinking about buying one.