Geforce 7800GT, shall i plug 2 power connectors?

[kapeedmaro]

Hi, i just got a new gainward ultra/3400pcx Geforce 7800GT and i have a dumb doubt.
Shall i plug two power connectors to the card or just one. Card info isnt clear enough,
System Requirements say 1 unused hard disk power connector and Easy Installation say connect two power cable. Does it matter at all?
Thx for support

 

[frankmcg]

Exactly the question I've asked on another thread! I've been struggling for days with my 7800GT and have been wondering if it's a power issue explaining its underperformance (only 5000 in 3dmark05 vs the norm of 7000+).

However, I've connected mine with a dedicated 6 pin supply from the PSU (ATX2 standard I think) and had been wondering if I might have more luck/performance if I went with the 2 molex connectors instead.

Am keenly awaiting a response from someone in the know!

 

[fbrdphreak]

Good question actually: 1 PCI-E connector vs 2 molex

I'd imagine the 1 PCI-E is enough....

 

[grimlykindo]

I just used the adaptor plug that came with the card and connected it to a standard 4-pin molex. no problems here.

I'm not sure what you mean by "two" connectors - Just make sure your 7800gt is on its own connector and not splitting power to a harddrive or fan etc.

The 7800gt actually uses a surprising small amount of power. My PSU came with a wattage meter and at full load it runs 27w lower than when I had my X800XL.

 

[frankmcg]

We're talking about the 6 pin splitter that comes with the cards (maybe not all of them though). It plugs into the 7800GT and has connectors to plug in 2 molex 4 pin connectors so theoretically you could double up the power it's receiving.

Re your comment on it not needing much power - unfortunately not what I wanted to hear oddly! See the thread called "7800GT Overclocking results" if you want to see my tale of woe trying to get my card performing right. A lack of power was one of the suggestions I was thinking about but seems like you're ruling that one out.

Short summary for those really bored and able to help:
Running a Leadtek 7800GT, A64 3500+, Asus A8N SLI latest drivers on card/mobo etc. Scoring around 5000 on 3dmark vs 6500+ which I had expected to get and can't figure out why.

 

[aatf510]

It is recommeded (well actually stated "required" by eVGA) to use two molex because the six pin PCI-E power can drain more power than one molex can handle.
However, I THINK you can get away with one molex because 7800GT should use quite a bit less power than the 6800GT, x800xt pe etc. which all shipped with one molex on the card.