[HELP] PSU to Graphic card

[Auratus]

Hi Guys,
My son bought a graphic card, which has one 6 pin and one 8 pin PCIe connectors. However, his current PSU has only two 6 pin PCIe connectors. To make matters worse, the PSU was a pass down by his cousin and it did not come with the PCIe cables.
I need advise whether :
1. Get another PSU
2. Buy the connecting cables and what and where can I get them?

Thank and appreciate all help and replies.

 

[royfrosty]

Get a new one.

 

[zenniz]

What is the graphic card?
What is the current PSU brand/model?

 

[PsychoPath]

Better to buy a new one.. Molex connectors are not designed to support 8 pin..

 

[and_who]

agree with roy on getting new PSU.

If the GPU is 6+8 pin, the 6pin draws 75w, the 8 pin draws 150w, the PCI slot provides another 75w - total 300w max power draw

add the cpu, hdd, ram, etc will likely hit 500w - if the psu only has 2 PCI 6 pins, likely that the power draw will exceed the CPU power rating. may overload the capacitors and blow the psu and the entire system (doubt generic PSUs have safety shut-off features other than fuses).

still should let us know what card, what components, and what PSU. in the meantime, maybe unsafe to continue running the system.

 

[scsim002]

agree with roy on getting new PSU.

If the GPU is 6+8 pin, the 6pin draws 75w, the 8 pin draws 150w, the PCI slot provides another 75w - total 300w max power draw

add the cpu, hdd, ram, etc will likely hit 500w - if the psu only has 2 PCI 6 pins, likely that the power draw will exceed the CPU power rating. may overload the capacitors and blow the psu and the entire system (doubt generic PSUs have safety shut-off features other than fuses).

still should let us know what card, what components, and what PSU. in the meantime, maybe unsafe to continue running the system.

Talking about the 8 pins... its cheat people one.... Its just a 6 pin with 2 extra ground pins. Seriously I don't understand why is there a need for 2 extra ground pins.

 

[and_who]

Talking about the 8 pins... its cheat people one.... Its just a 6 pin with 2 extra ground pins. Seriously I don't understand why is there a need for 2 extra ground pins.

[TIPS] Maximum Power Consumption of Graphics Card Connectors | Geeks3D

"the PCI Express power connectors on the graphics card. There are two types of power connectors:
6-pin: this power connector can provide up to 75 watts
8-pin: this power connector can provide up to 150 watts"

i dont think its safe to take risks - to let a generic no brand $20 PSU screw up an entire system. theres a reason why people pay 100 - 300 for a good quality PSU

 

[scsim002]

[TIPS] Maximum Power Consumption of Graphics Card Connectors | Geeks3D

"the PCI Express power connectors on the graphics card. There are two types of power connectors:
6-pin: this power connector can provide up to 75 watts
8-pin: this power connector can provide up to 150 watts"

i dont think its safe to take risks - to let a generic no brand $20 PSU screw up an entire system. theres a reason why people pay 100 - 300 for a good quality PSU

Yes, I understand the specs but I just feel it makes no sense. Cause for a 6 pin, you have 3 live (yellow) cable to supply 75W. Now you still have 3 live cable but needs to supply 150W. If 3 cables can supply 150W, why do you need 5 ground cables (the cables of PSU are usually of same gauge).

If you see some PSU, they tap the 2 extra ground cables from the original 3 cable so you technically only have 3 cables for ground (I know Seasonic Bronze series does that).


for the 8 pin, if you have 4 live + 4 ground I would understand (more cables = high current capacity). But adding more ground wires without adding more live is not going to increase current capacity. This is why I feel its kind of stupid.

 

[and_who]

Yes, I understand the specs but I just feel it makes no sense. Cause for a 6 pin, you have 3 live (yellow) cable to supply 75W. Now you still have 3 live cable but needs to supply 150W. If 3 cables can supply 150W, why do you need 5 ground cables (the cables of PSU are usually of same gauge).

If you see some PSU, they tap the 2 extra ground cables from the original 3 cable so you technically only have 3 cables for ground (I know Seasonic Bronze series does that).


for the 8 pin, if you have 4 live + 4 ground I would understand (more cables = high current capacity). But adding more ground wires without adding more live is not going to increase current capacity. This is why I feel its kind of stupid.

this could be the answer... but not independently verified ah. for me I just overbuild my stuff and am using a 1200w platinum supply with loads of 8 pin PCI connectors.


"Correct, 6-pin can source 75W, 8-pin 150W. The 2 extra ground pins just tell the gfx card that they can draw up to 150W, or none if the gfx needs 150W and shuts itself down.

A 6 to 8-pin converter may or may not blow up your PSU... unlikely any harm will be done in reality."

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=69480.msg809880#msg809880

 

[Auratus]

Hi Guys, thanks for the input.
The current PSU is mushkin xp650 and the card is evga gtx 760.
Its was my son first paycheck from his poly internship that he reward himself with the card. But looks like he forgot about the PSU requirement, I will tell him to get a new PSU.

Truly appreciated you guys help. Good weekends to all.

 

[and_who]

Hi Guys, thanks for the input.
The current PSU is mushkin xp650 and the card is evga gtx 760.
Its was my son first paycheck from his poly internship that he reward himself with the card. But looks like he forgot about the PSU requirement, I will tell him to get a new PSU.

Truly appreciated you guys help. Good weekends to all.

hmm a 6-8 pin connector maybe doable - from what I see its a 650w PSU, but the PSU is almost 8 years old! (released 2006 from what I see)

better to be safer and just get a new PSU/secondhand relatively new PSU (a decent basic budget PSU would be this PSU : Seasonic M12II 620W) - this is just an example, scan the forums for good deals!

 

[Felfirez]

Now don't let the misconception that a 6 pin can or cannot deliver 150w. It's how much amperage the 12v rail can supply in all. There are 2 pins, one in one of the 2 extra 8pins and one on the main 6pin. These are just to tell the Gfx card how much it can draw; 1 sense for 75w, 2 sense for 150w.

Some power supplies can power more than 150w per 8pins. So to be safe for newcomers, get recommended PSUs from more experienced buyers.

And to ans TS questin, if the psu is less than 3yrs old, you can use it with a 8pin adapter. If it's more than that, get a new one. Can get a 500w for less than $100. Better be safe than sorry if you're not confident.

 

[Auratus]

Roger guys....new PSU it shall be....told my kid.

Thanks.