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Is it ok to run GPU from 2 different 12v rails

Soldato
Joined
18 Jun 2005
Posts
3,434
A bit of a strange question this. My PSU has 4 rails dedicated for GPU's...say 12V5,6,7,8. And each gpu modular connector on my psu corresponds to 1 of said rails. Each of the 4 pci-e cables I have has a 6pin and 6+2pin on it. So when running a GTX480 for instance you only need 1 cable and therefore it would seem you just use 1 rail.

Now here is my question. I've just bought a silverstone PP04 short cable adaptor kit to make things neater. It also comes supplied with 4 pci-e cables. Each one only has a 6+2pin connector. So to power a GTX480, I would need to use 2 cables. For instance, I would plug the 6+2pin into the modular connector on the PSU for 12V5, and the 6pin cable into 12V6. Is it safe to spread the load for a single GPU across 2 rails. I would obviously be doing the same for the 2nd gpu.

Also, I was looking at the NZXT individually prepbraided pci-e cables too. The NZXT 8pin cable is in fact just a 6pin male extension to 6+2pin female convertor. I was hoping it was a 6+2pin male to 6+2pin female. So I was wondering if it safe to plug the 6pin male end of this NZXT cable into the 6pin female end of the PSU's 6+2pin cable and just ignore the +2 part and hope it all comes out ok on the other 6+2pin end which plugs into the gpu. So 6+2pin psu cable ---> 6pin NZXT extension ---> converted to 6+2pin NZXT plugged into gpu.
 
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Thanks. I think I read on jonnyguru the strider will join rails anyway if it needs more power. However it's good to know spreading the load purposefully accorss 4 rails won't cause any issues.
 
Thanks for the replies. I also asked over on Jonnyguru and it turns out the Stider 1500w had one big ass 12v rail in reality. So it doesn't matter much what I do. Silverstone claim the short extension cables I bought fit any strider series. Which is what I expected.
 
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