Advantages and Disadvantages Of Graphics Cards with 6 Pin Connectors

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Jakelane

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Hello. I am planning to upgrade my graphics card to a GXT 750TI. I have previously bought one, but failed to recognize that it required a 6 Pin Connector. I searched my computer for a 6 Pin Connector, but to no avail. (I do have a pannel covering some wires, however, it is behind my motherboard and all my other components) I then sent it back. This may have been a stupid idea to some, but I really had no other decision. You will see why later. It would be great if, whilst you are answering the primary question to also help/show me where I could find the Connector.

Here is one WITH a 6 Pin: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121855&_ga=1.118479498.241082941.1424527991

Here is one WITHOUT a 6 Pin: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127783&cm_re=gtx_750ti-_-14-127-783-_-Product

These cards are final decisions, however,I am looking for some advantages and disadvantages. I watched a Youtube video reviewsing the one without the 6 Pin Connector, and saw a comment saying something on the lines of, "I was going to get the card, but it had no 6 Pin Connector."

My friend had bought this exact model, and says it is great. He has had no problems with it yet. The reason I sent back the other one was because, A) I couldn't find a 6 Pin Connector, and B)My friend said that the one he had was just as good.

Here is my computer for reference: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229362
This is an outdated model as I have bought this computer back in 2014. The core specs are the same, however, they may not be exact. For example, when I bought this PC, the graphics card was a 610.
 
Solution
Karadjgne
The GTX 750ti, reference, is 60-64w, although in some aftermarket models this can broach 80w. This is great for lower wattage psus as you get good performance at a small cost in power. For some models, this power comes from the pcie x16 slot, which is rated at a total of 75w. Plenty of space.
For other units they split the power, and add a 75w 6-pin pcie connector.
Disadvantages from a 6-pin: only one. You must have a psu with the availability to power it, either by a 6-pin pcie connector, or available molex-pcie adapter.
Advantages of 6-pin : several. The power truly is split, with the power for the processor and fans coming directly from the psu, and power for the memory, VRM's, etc coming from the motherboard. Motherboard...
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jafrankl

jafrankl

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A 6 pin connector will allow power to run directly to the card instead of through the mobo to the card. Higher voltages can flow directly and increases in performance can be seen, especially if you pursue overclocking.
 
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RaDiKaL_

RaDiKaL_

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Specifically with the GTX 750 Ti, when running it at its stock speeds there's really no difference between one with a 6pin connector and one without it, models with a 6pin connector should be able to achieve higher aggressive speeds via overclocking them due to the availability of extra power because of the connector, but such aggressive OC is something very few people actually do in their GPUs so you should be fine with one without it.
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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The cards *should* be nearly identical in performance. There shouldn't be any advantage/disadvantage to whether or not a card has a 6-pin PCI-E power connection. The only thing I can think that may be a reason one has the extra power port is better over-clocking (which requires the extra power).

The 6-pin PCI-E power cable would be coming directly from your power supply.

-Wolf sends
 
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Jakelane

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Is there any real danger in not using a 6 Pin Connector? If I were to try to find the Connector, where would it be located? As I stated before, there are many wires behind all of my components, so if it was there, how would i access it?

 
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coozie7

coozie7

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I wish more posters were as sensible as you, mate, you are totally correct to be worried about the connector/s. Old mantra: If it's not got the right leads, it's not right.

There is probably a lead tucked away, as you say behind the other parts, try tracing them by hand, obviously, turn the system off and remove the power cord first though.

Only difference between them is the cards that need a 6 pin connector are, or should be, overclocked (a bit faster), the reference GTX750Ti runs without a extra power lead.
A GTX750Ti is an immense upgrade over a GT610 BTW, literally night and day, or from tragic, to magic. ;)
 
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Jakelane

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You say that the 6 Pin Connector would be for overclocking, however, I have no intention to do so. Would there be much "Power" lost if I chose not to overclock? I mean, would I lose that much frame rate if I chose to not overclock? Also, if you don't mind; if you check my computer, would it be safely capable of running the GTX 750ti?
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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The GTX 750ti, reference, is 60-64w, although in some aftermarket models this can broach 80w. This is great for lower wattage psus as you get good performance at a small cost in power. For some models, this power comes from the pcie x16 slot, which is rated at a total of 75w. Plenty of space.
For other units they split the power, and add a 75w 6-pin pcie connector.
Disadvantages from a 6-pin: only one. You must have a psu with the availability to power it, either by a 6-pin pcie connector, or available molex-pcie adapter.
Advantages of 6-pin : several. The power truly is split, with the power for the processor and fans coming directly from the psu, and power for the memory, VRM's, etc coming from the motherboard. Motherboard voltages are highly regulated, they have multiple circuits, capacitors, diodes, mosfets etc that regulate them, so the voltages are extremely stable, which is really good for the gddr and VRM's. Psu voltages are not as highly regulated, in effect wide open, which is good for the processor, when it gets instant detail shifts and really high draws. Now add the fans on that, and what you get is one set of stable voltages controlling another set of erratic voltages, vrs the non-6-pin whose single source is mixing those 2 voltages in 1 load.

The net affect of all this is 6-pin cards run cooler as they tend to run either dual fans or larger single fans since they only share their supply with the gpu, not the whole card, so they aren't as limited by the 75w slot, having the balance of the 75w psu to draw upon, and less strain on the motherboard circuits as the gddr/VRM draw isn't close to the draw of the entire 60-64w card.
 
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