Graphics card needs external power

TracePoint · Jul 9, 2014

I have a 500 watt power supply and recently bought a graphics card which requires a 6 pin (i think that's what its called) but I'm not sure what to do with the wires from the psu. There is currently a straight 4 pin available but it needs to be 3x2 in a block for the graphics card

Any help would be much appreciated.

ksham · Jul 9, 2014

The straight 4-pin that you're referring to is most likely a molex cable. That is not a PCIe power cable. What power supply do you have? Please name the brand and model.

TracePoint · Jul 9, 2014

I'm not sure the brand or model but it's this one apparently

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/191025096255?cmd=VIDESC

LucoTF · Jul 9, 2014

TracePoint :

I remember seeing that PC on ebay before, it's honestly not a bad pc for the money but that power supply has got to be a cheap, no-name fire hazard.

Get one of these, depending on what your budget can stretch to:
£35 http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1450sx2b9
£44 http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

0ffice · Jul 9, 2014

Its a Telsa Black PSU.

One ebay seller states the following in the description of his listing:
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN ENTRY LEVEL POWER SUPPLY AND WE WOULD NOT SUGGEST USING WITH PERFORMANCE GRAPHICS CARDS.

Also, what graphics card are you using?

TracePoint · Jul 9, 2014

Graphics card is a amd r9 270x

LucoTF · Jul 9, 2014

0ffice :

You sure it's telsa? because that same seller has an ACE 500w that has no GPU connector on it:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ACE-PSU-500W-120mm-SILENT-FAN-Power-Supply-Unit-/321320212441?pt=UK_Computing_PowerSupplies_EH&hash=item4ad02d57d9

Either way, it needs to be replaced to enjoy that 270x

0ffice · Jul 9, 2014

LucoTF :

Hm, perhaps! I'm with you on this - 650watt psu really should be about right for a 270 setup with room for a few modifications.

ksham · Jul 9, 2014

I also vote to replace it.

TracePoint · Jul 9, 2014

So if I were to replace it what'd be the best? I'm really low on funds at the moment after buying the pc graphics card and network adapter o-o

LucoTF · Jul 9, 2014

I think any half decent 450w or better would handle a 270x, no need to blow the budget

For £35 this really is a bargain: http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/Non-Modular+650W+or+less/450W+XFX+Pro+Core+Edition+80PLUS+Bronze+Power+Supply+%5BP1-450S-X2B9%5D+?productId=53989&source=pcpartpicker

Or heres a corsair VS450 (V2) for £27: http://www.cclonline.com/product/99687/CP-9020009/Power-Supplies/CCL-Choice-450W-80-High-Efficiency-PSU/PSU0505/

The XFX is definitely superior to the corsair in terms of quality but neither are dangerous, both would meet your needs and both are a huge step up from your current supply OP.

TracePoint · Jul 9, 2014

on the xfx specs it says it has 0 6pins for graphics cards, would that be a problem?

LucoTF · Jul 9, 2014

TracePoint :

No because it has an 8 pin, comprised of a 6+2 pin connector - you connect the 6 and leave the 2 hanging

TracePoint · Jul 9, 2014

Ah i see! So what would be the disadvantages to taking the cheaper option?

LucoTF · Jul 9, 2014

TracePoint :

Well I'm using the VS450 myself and it works, and is within ATX specifications for ripple and voltage. It comes with a three year guarantee instead of 5 like the XFX, which hints at the cheaper overall build quality.

ksham · Jul 9, 2014

TracePoint :

Lack of power -- system doesn't start or it crashes while you're working.
It blows up - even the best PSU can blow up but they are built with higher quality capacitors and usually do not fry other components when that happens.
It blows up and fries other components - the PSU is literally attached to everything (except the case) and has to power everything, so it can also fry them.
Poor ripple suppression, voltage regulations, etc. will degrade the life span of electrical components.

Having a quality power supply is VERY important.

TracePoint · Jul 9, 2014

Do will the 450w be able to fuel the eBay pc specs + graphics card?

LucoTF · Jul 9, 2014

TracePoint :

Wait a minute... you said 270x and one 6 pin connector. I thought all 270x models needed two connectors, not one?

Both of the power supplies I mentioned are sufficient for your needs btw.

TracePoint · Jul 9, 2014

LucoTF :

By the looks of it, it's plugged in followed by a 6 pin connector from the psu.

here's the model:
https://www.dabs.com/products/best-value-vtx3d-amd-radeon-r9-270-2gb-gddr5-pci-e-3-0-hdmi-x-edition-9762.html

LucoTF · Jul 9, 2014

TracePoint :

That explains it. It's a 270, not a 270x - the 270 needs less power and doesn't need a second 6-pin

Yeah both the xfx and corsair would power your rig just fine

TracePoint · Jul 9, 2014

LucoTF :

TracePoint :

That explains it. It's a 270, not a 270x - the 270 needs less power and doesn't need a second 6-pin

Yeah both the xfx and corsair would power your rig just fine

Ah that's great, thanks a bunch!

Graphics card needs external power

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