Not enough power to VGA, use 6to8pin adaptor, or wasting my time

[brettms71]

I have a Zalman 850 watt power supply, hooked up to a ATI Radeon 4890 X2.
The 4890X2 has a 6 pin connector and an 8 pin power connector.

The red led is lit on the D5 label on the back of the 4890, which from looking at the forums signifies not enough power, or a power issue.

The PSU is a component PSU and has fixed cables which have 2 x 8 pin PCI cables. I was thinking of grabbing a 6 to 8 pin adaptor cable and trying to use the component plugs on the PSU labelled PCI3, PCI4, and the other 6 to 6 PCI cable i have, therefore bypassing the fixed cables.

However am i wasting my time, since it comes from the same PSU, or will it be from a different part of the PSU, so may work?

I just want to test if it's a video card problem or a PSU problem. The system powers up ok, but doesn't boot.
Thanks

 

[o1die]

If you have an sli setup, then try this adapter or use what you have: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-PCIEXSPLIT6-6-Inch-Express-Splitter/dp/B004NNTVT6/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1340020297&sr=8-31&keywords=pci-e+power+adapter. One lead from your power supply for each video card should be adequate.

 

[ko888]

I thought that the ZALMAN ZM850-HP Plus hard wired PCI Express cable has one 6-pin and one (6+2)-pin connectors.

You should be able to use one of the two modular PCI Express cables that came with the PSU with each modular cable having one 6-pin and one (6+2)-pin connectors on them. That should split the graphics card's +12V power load over at least two different +12V rails.

You can also use both modular PCI Express cables for the graphics card and not use the hardwired one at all.

 

[brettms71]

Unfortunately the PSU i got only had 2 additional 6 pin PCI modular cables, not 8 pin. the only 8 pins come from the hardwired ones. Maybe i have an older model than the one above. i will pick up a 6 to 8 pin and post back here if it works

Thanks for the replies.

 

[brettms71]

Ends up the problem was a dead video card. Off to the shop