Power supply 8 pin issue

[ambz00]

Hi,

I apologized if this has already been asked but I've been searching and can't find the answer.

I have a Xion 850w power supply which has 2 - 8 pin pci-e slots, and I also have a gigabyte nvidia 770gtx graphics card which is also 2 - 8 pin pci-e slotted. I have been having a difficult time because the power supply only came with one 6pin - 8pin pci-e cable and one 8pin - 8pin pci-e cable. I've tired ordering 2 different 8 pin to 8 pin pci-e cables from separate companies that I purchased and neither worked. I will plug them in and turn on the computer and it says "please plug in the appropriate pci-e cables for the graphics card". Should I get a 6pin - 8pin adapter to plug my 6 pin cord into the power supply? I'm not sure what I should do and I'm getting extremely frustrated.

Thank you.

 

[ambz00]

Are you sure it doesn't have two 8-pin plugs?

On the specs, it says it has two 6-pin plugs and two 6+2 pin plugs (aka 4 PCI-E plugs)
In the pictures of the power supply, I can make out at least 3 red 6-pin plugs and one 2pin red plug ... but you are right in that I can't see that extra 2pin plug anywhere, which is soo strange....

Anyways, just check the red plugs one more time... if not you can probably safely use a dual 6pin plug that converts into one 8-pin plug (yes two of them not one).
BTW, they were really hard to find:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-6-Pin-PCI-Express-Male-to-8-Pin-PCI-Express-FeMale-Y-Splitter-Power-Cable-/191094657259?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item2c7e2110eb

So... if you bought this cable, here's how you would set it up:
* Your red 6+2 PCI-E plug would go in one 8-pin slot.
* Two of your red 6-pin PCI-E plugs would connect to this convertor... and the converter connects to the other 8-pin slot.

Note:
6-pin plugs provide 75W power
8-pin plugs provide 150W

A single 6-pin (75W) to 8-pin (150W) converter might work fine. After all, some video cards actually include such a cable. Note: by using a single 6pin to 8pin converter, you are putting an extra 75W load on a wire that may not handle it ... or, the video card *might* detect that it is really just a 75W line and not be able to draw the full 150W. Anyways, since so many people probably use it, it's probably safe enough to try.

It has 2 red 8 pin pci-e slots. It's really weird that I wasn't sent 2 6+2pin - 8pin pci-e cables but they for whatever reason didn't. They are very hard to find and the ones I've tried haven't worked. I'm really surprised about this, I wasn't able to tell from the information that I wasn't getting the correct cables, I wouldn't have purchased the power supply if I had known that. I want to get the adapter but I'm almost afraid to keep spending money and have it not work.

 

[ambz00]

Just to confirm. Your power supply provides 3 6-pin PCI-E plugs and 1 6+2 pin PCI-E plugs right?
If so, the converter should work.
If you only have two 6-pins and nothing else... that might be a little more problematic... actually it might be quite problematic as you are needing two 8pins.

Is it no longer possible to return the power supply?

It has 4 6pin I believe, which is being used for the motherboard and hard drive and such, and 2 red 8 pin pci-e. It should be able to still be returned because it is from tigerdirect, if the converter doesn't work I will be returning it, thanks for the help.

 

[ambz00]

Just to confirm. Your power supply provides 3 6-pin PCI-E plugs and 1 6+2 pin PCI-E plugs right?
If so, the converter should work.
If you only have two 6-pins and nothing else... that might be a little more problematic... actually it might be quite problematic as you are needing two 8pins.

Is it no longer possible to return the power supply?

It has 4 6pin I believe, which is being used for the motherboard and hard drive and such, and 2 red 8 pin pci-e. It should be able to still be returned because it is from tigerdirect, if the converter doesn't work I will be returning it, thanks for the help.

Ok, this is a bit confusing...

PCI-E plugs look like this. They will NEVER be plugged into your motherboard, hard drive, or anything but the Video cad. They are ONLY for video cards:
6-pin PCI-E (for video cards only):
http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#pciexpress
8-pin PCI-E (for video cards only):
http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#pciexpress8
or sometimes they are split up into 6+2 pins like this:
http://data.stuartconnections.com/images/CableConnectors/6plus2pin_PCIe.jpg

If you have two plugs that are exactly like the last two pictures, then you can use those for your video card.


Anyways, I would actually recommend returning that power supply no matter what. It has pretty bad reviews on newegg (failing and damaging parts in the computer).

Instead, get a more reliable model power supply. Brands like Corsair, Seasonic, Antec, XFX, etc....

Sorry to confuse, I don't know the best terminology for computer parts, but yes those are what I'm talking about. I wish I had known it had bad reviews on newegg, I bought the psu from tigerdirect and it had great reviews, I only buy products that do have good reviews. I'm not with the psu at the moment which is why I'm not the best at answering, but it has 2 red pci-e slots that are 8 pin and are for the graphics card which is 8 pin as well. I'm pretty sure I'm just gonna return the psu.

 

[ambz00]

Sorry to confuse, I don't know the best terminology for computer parts, but yes those are what I'm talking about. I wish I had known it had bad reviews on newegg, I bought the psu from tigerdirect and it had great reviews, I only buy products that do have good reviews. I'm not with the psu at the moment which is why I'm not the best at answering, but it has 2 red pci-e slots that are 8 pin and are for the graphics card which is 8 pin as well. I'm pretty sure I'm just gonna return the psu.

That's fine... as long as I was able to help you out, that's great. and sorry if my tone/attitude was bad in that post.
BTW, check out those two power supplies I gave you a link to. I think you will be glad you picked them instead of the Xion in the long run. They will probably end up lasting you many years (and cause you less problems). The thing with power supplies, is that is one of the components that you have to be really picky about, as the quality can vary so much ... and... if you can get a much, much better model for the same price as your Xion, I say go for it.

Thank you, I appreciate it. It still baffles me that a psu wouldn't come with 2 8 pin - 8 pin pci-e cables if it is 8 pin only. I wish I had a picture to show, because I can't find one online. Thank you though.

 

[ambz00]

Well, I went ahead and checked for you anyways. These two models appear to be of pretty good quality.

Partly modular (aka some cables you can remove; some are permanently attached):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151132
Fully modular (all cables can be removed and very slightly better quality build):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087

These are probably a tad more expensive than what your Xion cost (or those other two power supplies I showed you), but if you want the modular feature and the slightly extra quality, then I figured I'd give you the option.

Thank you, I am returning the psu. I just need to find another so thank you for the help.