Most modern discrete graphics cards require additional power connectors for their high power consumption.
You may wonder what cables to use for the proper power supply to the GPU.
In this article, I will walk you through how PCIe power connectors work & what cables you need.
What are the PCIe Power Cables & How Many Do You Need?
Among these cables, PCIe power connectors are used to supply power to the GPU.
These PCIe power cables help the GPU to draw its required power to operate & provide the best performance.
But how many PCIe cables do you require?
So, the required PCIe cables depend entirely on your GPU specs & their power consumption.
Now let me explain how many types of PCIe cables are used for the graphics cards.
Read more oncan you use PCI-e cable for the CPU?
What Types of Power Connectors are Used for GPU?
As aforementioned, a motherboards PCIe x16 slot can provide up to 75W to the graphics card.
These GPUs dont need more than 75W for their processing & hence no power slot on the card.
Here are the power connector types GPUs are using:
1.
This basic power cable allows the GPU to draw an additional 75W.
You may also like to read aboutare PSU extension cables safe?
With the fixed 8-pin connector, it is limited to the 8-pin port of the GPU.
So, you cant utilize the connector for a 6-pin connector or with an 8+6-pin port GPU.
Additionally, this can also be used for the GPU with 8-pin.
However, as the 6-pin cable provides 75W, the 6+2-pin can cause confusion.
Will this also provide 75W for having a 6-pin?
Well,no.The regular 8-pin cable supplies up to 150 watts.
The 6+2-pin cable works like an 8-pin cable & similarly provides 150W.
Not to mention, consuming this amount of power increases yourGPUs hotspot temp.
12-Pin Power Connector
The 12-pin power connector is a new addition to the PCIe power connector.
Nvidia, for its RTX 3000 series graphics card, brought up this new power connector.
With the same width as an 8-pin connector, this new 12-pin connector can supply up to 600W power!
This adapter ensures compatibility with the extant PSU.
Additionally, your PSU may get aged or may not have all the PCIe power connectors.
So it is crucial toknow when you need a new PSU.
These connectors are usually used for RTX 3090 Ti, RTX 4070 Ti, RTX 4080 & RTX 4090.
For example, an additional 6-pin sums up the total power consumption (75W+75W)=150W.
Similarly, for an additional 8-pin, it will be (75W+150W)=225W.
Now, if you lack any PCIe cables, what would you do?
Is it safe to use converters in replace of a PCIe power cable?
Continue reading to know about this.
you oughta read our separate post onare PSU cables universal?
Should I Use Converters or Adapters for Powering GPU?
GPU power cable adapter is used when the PSU lacks enough or proper PCIe connector cables.
When I had a Radeon 6870, it had two 6-pin PCIe slots.
A very bizarre situation.
But to be frank, this is not good & should not be used.
Similarly, you shouldnt use a 6-pin to 8-pin connector.
In the end, this can create a fire hazard scenario.
Also, 8-pin daisy-chained connectors are also safe.
FAQs
How many power cables do you need for your GPU?
The requirement of total power cables depends on the graphics card.
Why is the 16-Pin 12VHPWR getting melted?
Should I use an adapter for powering the GPU?
I wouldnt recommend using an adapter to power up a graphics card.
Most of the adapters are made in China & are not quality.
Besides that, the wire can heat up for overloaded power & can cause a fire hazard situation.
How to find out the PCIe cable?
Usually, the connectors are different & the cables are labeled with their respective slots.
Though the CPU & GPU cable looks kind of similar, they wont be interchanged.
Final Thought
In conclusion, all computer parts require cables connected to the PSU.
But, the cables are typically labeled for their specific parts.
You will require a 6-pin or up to 12-pin PCIe cable for your beast graphics card.
