Possible solutions for PCI Express 6-pin to 8-pin?

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pazysmeap

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Jun 18, 2015
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I bought a EVGA GTX 960 (http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=02G-P4-2968-KR) to upgrade from my current video card.

My PSU (http://www.coolermaster.com/powersupply/extreme/extreme-power-plus-500w/) only has 1 PCI-E 6 pin. The GTX 960 requires 1 PCI-E 8-pin. Excuse me for not doing my research properly.

Now, I want to find a way to power my video card with my current connectors.

A 2x 6-pin to 1x 8-pin Y-cable adapter (http://www.evga.com/products/images/gallery/02G-P4-2968-KR_XL_3.jpg) comes with the video card, and I'd like to know if that would work alone in this fashion:

PSU connected to one 6-pin connector, which would be connected to the 8-pin powering the video card, leaving the last 6-pin unused. If I didn't explain that well, this is what I mean: http://i.imgur.com/z7UsBPI.png


If not, I would like to know what kind of combinations can be done with the currently unused connections I have.
I have 3 unused molex connectors, 2 unused SATA connectors, and 1 unused PCI-E 6 pin.
For example:
2x molex to 8-pin
2x SATA to 8-pin
6-pin to 8-pin

I know that output amps are related to this problem, but I have very little knowledge on electricity.

Also, if possible, I would prefer not to buy a new PSU, as money is tight for me right now.
Thanks in advance.

Also, I should mention that I don't actually have the video card yet, it comes tomorrow. I just want to know what my current possible options are.
 
Solution
Gam3r01
The PCI lane also supplies 75W to the card as well.
You should be able to support the 960s that have a single 6 pin.

Overall its your call, spend more on a new PSU, or downgrade to a 960.
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Gam3r01

Gam3r01

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I never recommend using adapters for cards. If you dont have the connectors that most likely means your PSU was not suitable for running the card.

The first configuration would be the same as just plugging a 6 pin into the 8 pin slot. Not enough wattage supplied to the card.
The second configuration would be a two molex to a 6 pin, which would occupy the second slot on the two 6 pin to 8 pin. Now that description alone should show how poor that option would be.

Out of the two, if you absolutely had to, I would chose the first.
If the card crashes randomly its because its not getting the power needed.
 
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pazysmeap

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When you say that my PSU might not be suitable for powering the card, do you mean power requirements?
I looked at the video card's specifications, and it says it requires at least a 400-watt PSU. My PSU is 500 watts.

Or do you just mean that my PSU doesn't provice sufficient power capabilities?
 
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Gam3r01

Gam3r01

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Depending on the quality of the unit, and its ability to deliver its rated wattage.
For example, the 970 requires 28A on the 12V rail, and your unit can supply 18 on each of its two 12V rails. Now this amperage can be used together, but its not necessarily added. So while the unit has enough watts by specs, it may not have enough Amps.
 
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pazysmeap

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I recall someone talking about comparing the amp output on the PSU with the required amperage for the video card.
If the PSU was able to provide enough (or more) than the required amperage for the video card to function, would it all work?
 
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pazysmeap

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Jun 18, 2015
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Upon more research, the 960 requires 20A (I only have 18A) and ~100W power consumption while gaming (since I only have 6-pin, my PSU can only do 75W).
Through my logic, my PSU could theoretically support the video card, but it would be much safer to buy a new PSU.
 
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