Does my video card need additional power??

[gizmo1990]

I've got a gigabyte gv-n96tsl-1gi which I've been using with a 300w sfx psu. Included with the video card I got a 6 pin plug connector with two 4 pin molex psu plugs coming of it. I took this to mean that I should connect the connector to the single 6 pin plug on the card and plug the 2 molex plugs into my psus connectors..? So far so good it's been working fine.

However, I've just gone and brought a new 450w psu which should give me more head room. One of the connectors running off the psu is specifically marked as a pci-e 6 pin power connector and in fact there's 2 of them coming off the same lead. One has another small lead with an extra 2 pins to enable it to become a 8 pin connector.

Anyway my question is... how should I be connecting my video card up with this new psu!? I've checked its manual and basically it doesn't mention anything about additional power connectors? Should I even be adding extra power to the card? And if so should I be using 2 connectors or just one? Indeed if it's 2 how will I do that? Should I be looking to purchase a 6 pin to 2x6 pin adaptor or something!?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Meaker]

Just plug in as many 6 pin cables to the card as there are connectors.

This should be done for all cards.

Leaving empty power connectors on card will lead to one of two things:

1. Card uses safety clocks at all times and is really pants.

2. Card refuses to work

If you are talking about using an 8 pin in a 6 pin socket then the 2 extra pins are just ground, its mostly just cable ratings.

An 8 pin cable is rated for 150W, a 6 pin cable is rated for 75W.

However a computer only draws as much power as it needs.

EG:

A good quality 800W PSU and a good quality 600W PSU will hapily feed a computer consuming 400W, the PSU rating itself just needs to be greater than the actual draw. It is recommended to stay around 80-90% of the PSU when your computer is running furmark and a CPU stress test at the same time.

This:

A) Gives some breathing room as your computer will never use more power than this.

B) Makes sure your PSU is operating at its max efficientcy range.

 

[sir-les-mp]

With your new PSU all you require to attach to your video card is one of the 6 pin PCI-E power cables.
If your video card has a socket for a 6 pin PCI-E cable then it requires it to run properly.

 

[Cycrow]

if the card has an extra slot for power, then u really need to plug one in.

the 6pin from the psu will be fine.
some cards require 8 pin (more power) which is what the extra 2 pins are for from the psu. But if you card only has a 6pin slot, you can saftly ignore the extra 2 pins.