8-pin EPS to 6-pin PCIe or sata to 6-pin PCIe

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EpicPlayer

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I'm planning to buy a 180 watt graphics card, specifically an XFX R9 380 that has two 6-pin PCIe connectors but my computer only has one 6-pin. So I wanted to make sure it wouldn't fry my components if I got a sata to 6-pin adapter and used that in addition to the one 6-pin. Also just out of curiosity, if that wouldn't work could I use an 8-pin EPS to 6-pin adapter instead since my Dell T5600 has a dual socket motherboard but only one CPU and one extra EPS connector
 
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clutchc
1) If your PSU doesn't have the necessary PCIe power connectors, chances are it isn't designed to handle the load. The R9-380 requires a high quality 650W or better PSU.
2) Don't use a SATA to 6-pin because the SATA connector's pins are not designed to carry the load capacity of the Gfx card. Use a Molex 4 pin if you absolutely have to.
3) That would depend on what rail the 8-pin EPS connector is on. If your PSU has more than one +12V rail and it shares the same one as the CPU, I would avoid that.
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clutchc

clutchc

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1) If your PSU doesn't have the necessary PCIe power connectors, chances are it isn't designed to handle the load. The R9-380 requires a high quality 650W or better PSU.
2) Don't use a SATA to 6-pin because the SATA connector's pins are not designed to carry the load capacity of the Gfx card. Use a Molex 4 pin if you absolutely have to.
3) That would depend on what rail the 8-pin EPS connector is on. If your PSU has more than one +12V rail and it shares the same one as the CPU, I would avoid that.
 
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Solution
clutchc

clutchc

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Actually, the entire connector with its 3 voltage supply lines are capable of more than that if added together:
+3.3 volts: 4.5 amps 14.85 watts
+5 volts: 4.5 amps 22.5 watts
+12 volts: 4.5 amps 54 watts

But we are only interested in the +12V rail...
You're assuming the PCIe x16 slot will handle the first 75W of power. It doesn't necessarily work that way. The load may balance equally across the slot and the aux connectors. The load may be applied to the aux connectors first, the remainder across the slot. Or it may vary as conditions change. And the connectors may not balance the load equally between themselves. It all depends on the engineers' design of the card. If you use the SATA connector, do so at your own risk. The R9-380 is nearly a 200W card maxed out.
 
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EpicPlayer

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Since it's been a year since I posted this, I have purchased an RX 480 which only requires one 6-pin. If necessary then I personally believe that an 8-pin EPS to 8-pin PCIe is the better option. I know for a fact that the PSU can handle the load given that each of the two 8-pin EPS connectors has their own 18 amp rail and one remained unused
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Also, check the 8-pin EPS to 6+2 pin PCIe adapter you get to be sure the polarity switches from the end of the EPS connection to the end of the PCI connection. The CPU pwr. connector has its clip side wired to the (+) wires, while the PCIe connector has its clip side wired to the (-) wires http://cdn.overclock.net/a/ac/1000x2000px-LL-ac82eb1d_pinout.png

You never know if some guy in his garage is wiring these up and selling them on places like ebay.
 
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EpicPlayer

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Yeah. I'm aware of the reversed pin layout. But I shouldn't have to buy one in the immediate future since the RX 480 should last me for at least 2 years
 
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