Do I need 2 cables for GPU power?

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Ariewok

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Apr 18, 2016
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Hi there,
So I recently decided to actually bother with cable management. My GPU was using 2 6-pin power cables, going into an 8-pin splitter (if that's the right word). Do I actually need the 2 cables, or can I just use 1 6-pin cable and 1 2-pin cable?

My PSU is just kinda confusing in general, but I'll try to explain below the specs.

SPECS:
PSU: 650W Antec EarthWatts 80+ rating
GPU: EVGA 960 FTW Edition

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3
CPU: AMD FX-8120 8 core, orig. clock 3.1 GHz OC'd to 4.0 GHz
RAM: PNY 16 GB DDR3 1600 MHz
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 256 GB
2x HDD: Seagate 480 GB 7200 RPM

So, my PSU cables are all labelled. One of the 6 pin cables is labelled PCI-e with the other identical one is labelled P4. All the cables are P1 through P-whatever. Do you think the PCI-e cable delivers more power than the P4 cable, or is it just unnecessarily confusing? Wish they would just be labelled for their purpose, but whatever...

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the help!
 
Solution
Shektron
Do NOT connect the P4 cable with the GPU. The P4 cable is for CPU power only. The PCI-E cables are the only ones meant to be used with a GPU for power. Usually the PCI-E cables come in the 6+2 format, so if your card requires an 8-pin connector, you just hold the 6-pin and the additional 2-pin connectors together and stick 'em in(the GPU, not anywhere else).
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Shektron

Shektron

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May 31, 2017
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Do NOT connect the P4 cable with the GPU. The P4 cable is for CPU power only. The PCI-E cables are the only ones meant to be used with a GPU for power. Usually the PCI-E cables come in the 6+2 format, so if your card requires an 8-pin connector, you just hold the 6-pin and the additional 2-pin connectors together and stick 'em in(the GPU, not anywhere else).
 
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Ariewok

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Apr 18, 2016
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I swear...

Bought my PC off Craigslist from someone who's worked at IBM as a server and system for the past 20+ years. Just learning today that...
A. My "3.1 GHz CPU overclocked to 4.0 GHz" was still running at 3.1 GHz. He adjusted the turbo clock -_-
B. He didn't even know how to connect GPU cables properly.

That honestly sucks a lot. Hope it didn't damage my GPU at all.
 
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CaptainCretin

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Jul 18, 2016
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I once worked with someone who claimed to have previously been THE computer guy at a major firm; strange that he kept calling "Modems", "Modals", and generally didnt have a clue about anything related to computer tech.
 
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Shektron

Shektron

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May 31, 2017
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If you didn't turn the PC on, it shouldn't be damaged, but there's only one way to tell - fingers crossed!
 
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Ariewok

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Apr 18, 2016
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Oh, it's definitely not damaged. Came with the P4 cable plugged in when I bought it 6 months ago, and the hardware is pretty outdated. Likely been running like this for 5+ years.

Good to know though! Just happy to not damage it more.
 
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Ariewok

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Apr 18, 2016
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What some people will do to just gain your trust...

My seller seemed pretty legit though. Even had the LinkedIn fully setup.
 
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