Power Adapter Question?

Knubje · 4 Sep 2009 at 15:41

Hi All,

Didn't really know where to post this so stuck it in general hardware.

I have a PSU that only has 1 *6pin PCI-E power cable for powering my GFX card.

I have a new 4890 to install now and it needs 2*6pin connectors. I have acquired from OcUK an adapter that converts 2*4pin Drive power connectors to a single 6pin output. Therefore solving my problems with powering my new card.

The question lies here:

Where the adapter forms the 6pin output, it has a hole in the bottom middle pin socket with no metal casing in.

I have a friend who has one of these adapters and he is also missing the metalic "inner case" from the bottom middle pin.

Is there a reason for this, will they still work?

I only ask because when I checked the 6pin connector that comes straight out of my PSU, all the individual pins that make up the 6pin have a metallic case inside them...

Am I just being a newb?

PermaBanned · 4 Sep 2009 at 15:51

I didn't even think an adapter would work, since the single 6-pin connector can only provide so much power. If it could just be doubled like that then why have two in the first place?

Knubje · 4 Sep 2009 at 15:55

Superewza said:
I didn't even think an adapter would work, since the single 6-pin connector can only provide so much power. If it could just be doubled like that then why have two in the first place?

I'm not sure but I think you're mis-understanding the adapter:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-018-AK

It takes two of the standard 4pin power connectors for hard drives/Media Drives and converts them both into one single 6pin output.

Using a converter on two spare 4pins and using my existing 6pin will give me two 6pin connectors, which I can power my new card with!

I just wonder why the adapter is missing a metal "inner metal connecter" on the bottom middle pin?

mrk · 4 Sep 2009 at 15:59

Molex connectors carry 5v, 7v and 12v lines, the missing pin is normal I guess otherwise you'd be overjuicing

mollymoo · 4 Sep 2009 at 17:34

I have the same adapter and yes it is missing so I would assume it is right as it works just fine :cool:

JonJ678 · 4 Sep 2009 at 18:45

Check that the psu can cope with this. If it's a multiple rail design (likely) then you may find that it can output a decent ampage on the 6 pin line but much less on the 4 pin lines. They're only meant to run a couple of hard drives, so the psu manufacturer could quite reasonably specify that it can't output loads of power through the 4 pin cables.

The rule of thumb I work to is that if the psu doesn't have the right cables, assume it isn't designed to run what you're asking it to and don't use the adapters. With single rail it doesn't matter, but single rail supplies tend to have more than one pci-e cable.

Just a word of caution really, check the available amps on the molex line before you do this.

edit: oh, yeah. missing pin doesn't matter, its 3 12V wires and 3 0V wires anyway