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Graphics card advice (new ati cards)

neo2210

neo2210

neo2210

Associate
Joined
23 May 2010
Posts
123
According to this article the 6970 (5870 replacement) will need 1 x 8 pin and 1 x 6 pin connectors.
LINK REMOVED

I've been long awaiting the new refresh and I'm glad I didn't get the 5870 since the new ones are looking to be a good bit more poweful.
What's more I've never liked crossfire or sli so I'm looking for the best single chip/card solution.

The problem is my powersupply (a good corsair 750w) only has 2 6-pin connectors, which are currently powering my crappy old 250 gts.

What can I do about this if I'm to buy the new 6970?

Edit - Nevermind apparently I can't paste the article for some reason so I removed the link incase it's a no no.
 
Better to get new PSU, the reason a gfx card requires 8 pin connections is cos it draws more power, a 6 pin connection only provides 75W where as the 8 pin provides more, using an adapter it will fit but it wont be providing the extra power, as such your gfx may become unstable under load as they wont be receiving the required power
 
95thrifles said:
Better to get new PSU, the reason a gfx card requires 8 pin connections is cos it draws more power, a 6 pin connection only provides 75W where as the 8 pin provides more, using an adapter it will fit but it wont be providing the extra power, as such your gfx may become unstable under load as they wont be receiving the required power
Click to expand...

I looked around in the case and I have 4 6 pin connectors and 1 4 pin connector spare.

Is there an adapter for 2 6 pin to 1 8 pin connector?
surely that'd be enough power...

Really don't want to shell out for a whole new power supply just for 1 missing cable if I can avoid it.
 
A 6pin pci-e cable is only qualified to deliver 75w, whereas the 8pin will deliver 150w. I'm at a loss as to how a 6pin to 8pin would manage an extra 75w???

I would just wait until the cards are officially released. It may turn out to need only 2x6pin or may not be worth the extra over a 6950? Who knows?
 
sturmtruppe said:
A 6pin pci-e cable is only qualified to deliver 75w, whereas the 8pin will deliver 150w. I'm at a loss as to how a 6pin to 8pin would manage an extra 75w???

I would just wait until the cards are officially released. It may turn out to need only 2x6pin or may not be worth the extra over a 6950? Who knows?
Click to expand...

So, what you're saying is that even though I have an absolute wealth of spare 6 pin connectors and a 4 pin connector I'm completely screwed for any gfx card that needs an 8 pin connector, and that there's no adapter in the world that will solve my problem? :(
 
The PCI-E slot itself delivers 150W, a 6 pin connector 75, and 8 pin 150, hence if a gfx card needs more than 300W it has to have at least one 8 pin connector, if it needs more than 375W it needs 2 8 pin connectors, as above, you can use a 6 to 8 pin adapter to make it fit and it would prob be ok for desktop/light usage but under load youre likely to encounter power issues as no adaptor can magically dbl the power it is receiving
There are 2x6 pin to 8 pin connectors and in fact some cards ship with them so you may be in luck
 
Thanks :)

I can't find 2x 6 to 8 pin adapters anywhere though, OCuk don't seem to sell them.
I know people arent allowed to post links but can anyone provide me with a good search term that'll bring them up?
 
Had a quick google, cant see any either, though theres plenty of 2 x molex to 8 pin so thats an option for you, as I say I know some cards do ship with the connector so thats another possibilty
 
Youre missing the point though, a simple 6pin to 8pin adapter doesnt solve the problem of it not providing enough power, it just makes it fit, but under load its likely to become unstable due to not receiving enough power
 
I've run 1900XTX, 2900XTs, 8800GTX and 4870s/4890s of the converters either 6>8pin or molex > 8pin and never had any problems, all of those cards were quite power hungry and ran from lower spec PSUs, all been OCed to limits as well and never had any problem.

I won't be arguing as I can't test now but I'm pretty sure that 6pin cable can deliver more than 75w. Maybe 75 is just max 'safe' rated or something for the cable.

Having a quick look at my PSU I see both 6pin and 8pin PCI-Es getting sticked into 6 PIN connector on PSU ? Maybe the only difference is cables and the whole thing is marketing gimmnick to make more money ?

Isn't molex supposed to give only 12V? How can you get 2x moles to 8pin PCIE ?
 
Just google "2 x molex to 8 pin connector"
Phoenix dont confuse volts and wattage, everythign in PSU comes off either 12V rail 5V rail or 3.3V rail, theyre the only values a PSU has
 
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