How to power an Asus Radeon R9 280X DCU Top?

Ounflaysee · Jul 1, 2014

Ok, so it's been a few years since I bought a graphics card and now I am the new proud owner of an Asus Radeon R9 280X DirectCU Top.

The thing is, it came with two connectors on the side :

1 x 6-pin PCIe
1 x 8-pin PCIe

It also has an adaptor that converts 1x8pin to 2x6pins.

Both my 500W and 800W PSU's only have 1 x 6pin PCIe power connector, and plugging this in causes the fans to start and I can see a red & green led inside the graphics card. But no output from the HDMI or DVI connectors.

Does anyone know the followoing ?

1 - Will the 6-pin (75w) PCIe connector be enough to power this card?
2 - If not, do I need to plug in both 6-pin & 8-pin to power the card?
3 - If I need to use 8-pin PCIe, is there an adaptor available?
4 - Does anyone recommend a PSU (brand) for heavy-duty graphics cards?

As you can see, I am a little frustrated right now (mainly at my own ignorance), and I can't find any information about my particular problem.

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

Ounflaysee :

1. Probably not.
2. You need both plugged in.
3. Yes, here: http://www.amazon.com/HDE-PCI-Express-Pin-Molex/dp/B002CZANA8
4. XFX has good ones, a 650 W should be good and upgradable depending on your CPU.

Ounflaysee · Jul 1, 2014

Ok, so if I understand corectly - I will need two of the adaptors you recommend, as I need to plug these two into the two 6pin adaptors that merge to the 8pin adaptor. That means I need 4 x available Molex connectors plugged into 2 x PCIe 6pin which then merge into a PCIe 8pin, and also the PSU's PCIe 6pin connected?

This is beginning to get weird.

Surely, there must be a power supply that has the requisite connectors to power a very common graphics card? (1 x 6pin + 1 x 8pin). But I can only find PSUs with 6pin.

getochkn · Jul 1, 2014

Any GOOD PSU will have the required connectors. What brand 800w PSU do you have? It has to be pretty crappy to only have 1 6pin. My 600w Cosair has 2x8pins.

Ounflaysee · Jul 1, 2014

Yeah, I got a Sumvision 800W for £25 and thought it should do the job. So if I get a better brand then it should support 6pin and 8pin.

Do you plug your 8pin into the 6pin connector? Are these cross-compatible.

Also I am seeing 6+2 pin connectors, are these just the same power output as a 6pin?

It's a minefield!! I have now bought 2 x power supplies that don't appear to work.

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

Ounflaysee :

Get a better brand like XFX or SeaSonic.

ksham · Jul 1, 2014

Ounflaysee :

No.

Ounflaysee :

Yes.

Ounflaysee :

Yes. You can buy a molex to PCIe connector. However, your power supply SHOULD already support it. If it's modular, you may have lost the extra cables. If that's not the case, I would recommend replacing the PSU.

Ounflaysee :

XFX TS 550W - http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-xfxts550w
Antec HCG 620W (semi-modular) - http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m

Both are 60 USD. Product and prices are subject to change depending on where you live.

ksham · Jul 1, 2014

Ounflaysee :

Wattage is not the most important stat. Total continuous ampere rating on the +12V rail is more important. That said, I don't recommend using Sumvision. I have never heard of them. I suggest you replace it and not buy a molex to PCIe connector. I don't want to read about fireworks emitting from your power supply. Do so at your own risk.

Some 8-pin PCIe connectors are (6+2)-pin. Those connectors are capable of connecting to both 6-pin or 8-pin slots. For the 6-pin slot, just plug in the 6-pin portion of the(6+2)-pin and leave the 2-pin dangling. Do NOT cut it off.

Ounflaysee · Jul 1, 2014

Thanks all for your help - I think I am understand now! (why do all the reviews about this card say how easy it is to plug in?!?!)

Will a 700W power supply with 2 x 6+2 PCIe connectors be enough to power this card, provided I plug both in?

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

Ounflaysee :

Depending on the quality of the PSU, it should work great. Get a good 80+ Bronze or above one from a good brand like SeaSonic and XFX.

ksham · Jul 1, 2014

Ounflaysee :

It's not quantity; it's quality. A quality 550W PSU can power it fine.

Plugging in PCIe cables are easy.

Ounflaysee · Jul 1, 2014

I couldn't find anything from the recommended brands with enough power (pcpartspicker suggest I need a minimum of 750W), so I have bought this and think it should be ok. I will update to let know of the outcome.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111319654500

Fingers crossed! Thanks again everyone.

getochkn · Jul 1, 2014

Ounflaysee :

Why do you ask advice and then completely ignore it. Wattage isn't everything. Quality is. A good 500w is going to be better, provide more power and not blow up over a CHEAP 750w or 900w.

You certainly didn't google that PSU.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/323150-28-good-ebay-link-powercool-750w-modular-plus Tom's members don't like it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Powercool-X-Viper-Modular-Bronze-Active/dp/B009Q1EALY bad amazon reviews

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=24021652 oveclocker users going through 3 of the Powercool power supplies.

The PSU is the main backbone to your PSU. Go cheap and it blows, it takes out half your stuff with it. Cheap MB's have less features. Cheap RAM runs at a slower timing. Cheap GPU's won't overclock well. Cheap PSU's blow up. As in fire, smoke.

Good luck not taking advice and not reviewing the unit first. I found those 3 reviews in 30 seconds of googling. I bet there is hundreds more.

getochkn · Jul 1, 2014

Ounflaysee :

Did what? Said you ordered a crappy power supply? Sure you did. You probably ignored the advice, ordered that, feel stupid after my comment and now you're trying to backtrack.

IF you did just lie and say you bought that to piss us off, well, either way, good luck getting anyone to help you in this thread. You post a question, ask for advice, and either ignored the advice and bought more crap, or you're acting like you're 11, "pretending you bought a crappy PSU".

Either way, I'm out.

Andrew Buck · Jul 1, 2014

Yeah same.

Ounflaysee · Jul 1, 2014

Yeah. Well, ok, I didn't buy it to piss you off - you did reply a bit harshly though.

I'm just on a budget and it's all I can afford.

ksham · Jul 1, 2014

Ounflaysee :

The one that you ordered is no better than the one that you have. My advice: instead of spending small cash on crappy power supplies, save up for a quality one. It's a lot easier when you don't spend what little supply of money that you have. The three that you wasted money on could've afforded you a quality power supply.

Best of luck.

How to power an Asus Radeon R9 280X DCU Top?

Reputable

Honorable

Reputable

Polypheme

Reputable

Honorable

Splendid

Splendid

Reputable

Honorable

Splendid

Reputable

Polypheme

Polypheme

Honorable

Reputable

Splendid

Share this page