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Noob PSU/GPU question

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  • GPUs
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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April 25, 2013 7:22:01 AM

I notice the 7970 Vapor X (like all other cards) have a place to plug power into it. Do I use cables in both of these slots for power, or only one of the two places? I'm buying sleeved cables and would like to know which and how many I need to power my GPU. Thank you!!!

More about : noob psu gpu question

April 25, 2013 7:31:53 AM

You would use both. Mid range to high end GPUs simply need more power then the PCIe bus can provide. So they have one or two 6/8 pin plugs for additional power. Chances are if you only plugged one in it would turn on and work. However, as soon as you launched a game that pushed the card, it would cause your PC to lock up or crash.
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April 25, 2013 7:32:06 AM

Both power slots are used 2x8pin plugs
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April 25, 2013 7:44:04 AM

If this is the graphhics card you're looking at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... it uses one 6pin PCIe and one 8pin PCIe. You can use the larger picture view to rotate the card to see the connectors and yes, you use both
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April 25, 2013 7:46:20 AM

You mean 2x4 (=8) pin? You can use an 8-pin PCIe power cable, or a 6+2 pin PCIe power cable. Both are needed. The card probably won't work at all if you don't plug in both. Some graphics cards have a piezo-speaker that will shriek at you if you forget to plug in power; others will run their fans at full speed to let you know something isn't right, and I've heard of some that will show an onscreen message.
If your PSU does not already have PCIe power cables, using adapters is generally a bad idea. Not only are they messy, but a PSU without PCIe power cables probably doesn't have the +12V amperage to run a powerful video card (regardless of what its label may claim).
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April 25, 2013 7:49:31 AM

Onus said:
If your PSU does not already have PCIe power cables, using adapters is generally a bad idea. Not only are they messy, but a PSU without PCIe power cables probably doesn't have the +12V amperage to run a powerful video card (regardless of what its label may claim).

This is worth repeating

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April 25, 2013 9:25:31 AM

Thank you all for your help, I'll grab 8 pin and 6 pin cables :D 
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April 25, 2013 9:45:53 AM

Your PSU will have those cables already attached to it if it is capable of powering the card; nothing else to buy.

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April 25, 2013 1:26:51 PM

Onus said:
Your PSU will have those cables already attached to it if it is capable of powering the card; nothing else to buy.



Yup! I'm just spending a few extra dollars for white braided cables.
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