8 PIN PCI-E Connection needed for graphics card?

sastusbulbas · 27 May 2008 at 12:55

Hello,

My HIS 3850 arrived today, I was under the impression it used a 6 Pin PCI-E connection, but it has an 8 Pin PCI-E connection.

It states 450w or higher power supply with 150w 2x4 Pin PCI-E connector recommended?

I have a Hiper Type R 580w modular with a 6 Pin PCI-E connector?

Any recommendations? Do I need a new PSU or will an adaptor suffice, what to get and where to buy?

Ta,
Steve.

PS The card comes with a seemingly pointless two molex to 6 Pin PCI-E adaptor?

Trunks9486 · 27 May 2008 at 13:06

My HD3850 needs 6 Pins...

Anyway there are converters, you should be able to obtain some from you PSU manufacturer or the graphics card manufacturer.

Tuvoc · 27 May 2008 at 13:53

My HIS 3870 is only 6-pin as well.. that's very odd
Yes I think there are converters you can buy

MajorMaccas · 27 May 2008 at 16:35

There is no 8 pin PCI-E standard, nor a 4 pin, PCI-E has only ever been 6 pin, or dual-6 pin on high end cards.

sastusbulbas · 27 May 2008 at 20:18

OK update,

Seems the 6 pin fitting one way was correct

Drivers did not want to work, none were recognised by Windows, though I loaded anyway expecting to fix that later. Exept, the screen booted up blank after the windows logo?

Back to safe mode. Reload on last good settings and go to the ATI website for latest drivers.

Except these were not recognised or recommended by Windows nor able to find suitable ATI drivers/hardware?

SO, downloaded an update driver and an AGP hotfix driver to the computer for later, reloaded the HIS/ATI supplied driver disc, ignored all the warnings and DID NOT reboot at the end of installation.

Then tried the latest update driver from earlier, which didn't work.

Then tried the Hotfix which though not recognised by windows, loaded and seems to work, no little yellow warnings in the device manager.

Fingers crossed.

PS I am using an old Hiper Type R 480w supply with two molex to a six Pin PCI-E for now.

Still may consider a new PSU with dedicated 8 pin connector though? Could be useful for a later build if I put as much suitable kit in this for transfer later to a better machine?

Steve

sastusbulbas · 28 May 2008 at 23:41

Hmmm,

My computer has crashed twice (well rebooted) since installing this card?

Once while my partner was online, and the second while I was playing C&C 3?

Also noted some black blocking appear and disappear on the toolbar during start up?

Does this sound like driver or stability problems or just beginners poor luck and lack of knowledge?

Steve

Trunks9486 · 29 May 2008 at 09:08

You couyld try to return it for a new one... I am assuming its been less than 25 days since you bought it.

sastusbulbas · 29 May 2008 at 20:31

Hi,

I played a couple of levels of C&C 3 last night with everything on medium at 1680 resolution, playable but could be faster, my old games like C&C Yuri's Revenge are actually slower?

Still not sure if my Hiper 580w type R is powerful enough (The HIS cadr box states 150w?)? I am using its 6 pin PCI-E into the HIS 3850 8 Pin PCI-E connection.

When the computer crashed the second time with me using it, it was during C&C 3 with everything on high, and monitor setting at 1680 (I think, the highest)?

Could having settings too high have caused the PC to re boot? or an inadequate PSU.

The most annoying thing is the driver support? Seems pathetic for a card to be sold which cannot be used with its supplied drivers.

fobose · 29 May 2008 at 22:32

My Corsair HX520 came with a PCI-E 6+2 pin connector. Also I emailed corsair about an additonal PCI-E cable, and they sent me a PCI-E 6 pin plus a 6+2pin on the same cable too. Not sure if any graphics cards require a 6pin + 6+2 pin cable though lol?