8 pin connector on the HD2900XT?? What do I use?

[n3v3rmindoc]

I just bought the Sapphire HD2900 XT with 512 memory from newegg.com. I can't wait to put it in my computer, only I see a problem and I am not sure what to do about it.

I see that the card requires (1) 6 pin pci-e connection and an additional 8 pin connection. I have an OCZ GameExtreme 850 watt PSU and it has (2) 6 pin pci-e connectiors, but only (1) 8 pin connector and that one is being used by the motherboard. I have a Gigabyte N650SLI-DS4 mobo and it requires that 8 pin be plugged into it.

So how do I use the video card if it requires an 8 pin connector and I don't have one avaiable to use? The card came with no adapters.

Thanks,

 

[F1N3ST]

It doesnt require it, it can also be used with 2 6 pins.

 

[nitromullet]

From what I understand, you can simply plug in the dual 6-pin connectors and the card will work fine, however, the Overdrive OC functionality will be disabled in the Control Panel.

That being said, chances are you would want to have the Overdrive option available to you on your brand new $400 video card... I've been looking into this as well, and I've found this $8 adapter which looks like it would do the trick: http://www.performance-pcs.com...=186&products_id=21721

A word of caution though... I am not PSU expert, but the new GameExtreme 850 has been retro-fit with four 6-pin PCIe connectors, each of which should be able to supply 75W of power... So, your PSU should have no problems delivering the 225W of total power required for an 8pin + 6pin configuration.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: n3v3rmindoc
I just bought the Sapphire HD2900 XT with 512 memory from newegg.com. I can't wait to put it in my computer, only I see a problem and I am not sure what to do about it.

I see that the card requires (1) 6 pin pci-e connection and an additional 8 pin connection. I have an OCZ GameExtreme 850 watt PSU and it has (2) 6 pin pci-e connectiors, but only (1) 8 pin connector and that one is being used by the motherboard. I have a Gigabyte N650SLI-DS4 mobo and it requires that 8 pin be plugged into it.

So how do I use the video card if it requires an 8 pin connector and I don't have one avaiable to use? The card came with no adapters.

Thanks,

read the install instructions that came with your 2900xt ... it shows you which 2 pins to leave uncovered as you plug in both your 6-pin PCIe connectors ... one six pin fits as normal, the other fits into the 8-pin socket and leaves 2 pins uncovered

i have the same PS as you do and a Visiontek 2900XT

 

[Overgloc]

Can you overclock without the 8pin Apoppin?

 

[apoppin]

evidently you can ground one of the two pins and bypass the check so as to enable Overdrive

i haven't tried it ... i am finishing benching my GTS tonight ... when i take it out, i don't want to put it back in - except to stay more permanently
... i am pretty much waiting on the LC bench to finish DL'ing ... i have tested and run everything else and it is time for a final set of numbers under more 'strict' testing conditions [Reboot Vista and WAIT till it 'settles down' ... HD activity stops ... no programs running, defragged a couple of times, run a bench 5 times and note but disregard the first one; take an average of the best 3 of 4 runs] ... it doesn't really take a lot of time AFTER you are completely set up for it

BUT, i almost never OC my GPUs ... except to test ... they run too hot imo to keep up an OC for years or many months and i would feel bad for the person who buys it from me IF i OC'd ... that said, IF i keep the XT, i will buy an adapter and OC it ... i am not one to stick a ground wire into a connector hole to bypass something.

 

[floor]

could someone recommend a good place to get a 8 pin pci-e adapter to use on a 2900xt ?

 

[apoppin]

look up 4 posts ^

 

[VERTIGGO]

use 2 6 pins, and ground the 2 pins that are left in between. The 8 pin connectors are only different in that the front 2 are ground wires. You need at least one 6 pin to run the card in 2d mode (it goes in the back of the 8 hole plug, two 6 pins for normal operation, and the 2 pins in between grounded to overclock.

 

[floor]

can that 6 pin to 8 pin adapter handle the wattage of a 8 pin? if i understand it correctly the 6 pin delivers 75 watts and the 8 pin is supposed to give out 150 watts.
i remember seeing an adapter a while ago of two "molex" to 8 pin pci-e connector, but i can't remember where i saw it.

 

[VERTIGGO]

I just edited my post^

The two extra pins are both ground wires, so yes the adapter should be fine, as there are still only 3 12V lines and 5 ground on the 8 pin.

The adapter you saw was probably because molex only has one 12V line each, (the other is 5V) so they had 3 partial plugs leading to the single PCI-E plug. Also, the 8 pin adapters they've been selling are mostly motherboard models. The PCI-E 8 pin is a new thing (just introduced?) and is reversed with different shaped plugs.