PSU with PCI Express

[adqttr]

hey,
I know this is probably either a easy question or a very newbie question, but i read somewhere something about having to have a certain thing on your power supply to use pci express. is this true? anyone who knows please help me out. thanks

 

[vhx]

No. If your video card does need it most cards will come packaged with a Y converter.

 

[A Tree]

PCI-Express cards do require a 6 pin power connector. Vhx is right though, most cards will have a Y cable so you can use a 4-pin molex connector to power it instead.

 

[adqttr]

so if this is the case should i go out of my way to get a power supply with the pci express cable or not? thanks for your help.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Odds are, if the PSU doesn't have the PCI-e connectors, unless it's a server PSU (servers don't tend to have high end PCI-e graphincs cards) then the PSU may not be adequate to run the card.

Example: An Enhance 500W PSU has two PCI-e connectors. A 400W has one. A 300W has none.

Now add to that the "Y" splitter. Resistance added by the extra connector and the extra length of cable.

My suggestion: If your video card needs enough power to have the 6-pin connector on it, get a power supply that's adequate enough to at least have the connector coming off of it.

 

[adqttr]

I have an ultra x connect the first version which i really like because you can customise the cables. do you think that i should get a new one or stick with that one? and the video card i am looking at on newegg doesnt show a y cable in the pictures.

 

[Pens1566]

Originally posted by: A Tree
PCI-Express cards do require a 6 pin power connector. Vhx is right though, most cards will have a Y cable so you can use a 4-pin molex connector to power it instead.

Not all PCI Express cards need/have the 6pin connector. Some get all the power they need from the slot.

 

[dBTelos]

The first Ultra X-Connect doesn't have PCI-E cables? What is the wattage on it?

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: dBTelos
The first Ultra X-Connect doesn't have PCI-E cables? What is the wattage on it?

Remember: The X-Connect has been around a long, long time. The original didn't have PCI-e or SATA! 400 or 500W.

Make sure your new video card even needs a 6-pin power cable. Like Pens said, not all cards need the AUX power. If it doesn't, don't sweat it. If it does, get another PSU. I wouldn't want to encourage someone to use a Molex to 6-pin adapter on a modular power supply.

 

[adqttr]

I cant really tell wether or not i need the 6 pin connector so this is the video card i am getting can someone please let me know wether or not i need the connector? thanks for your help.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130017

 

[jonnyGURU]

It's about time you linked us to your video card!

That card does not need additional power from a PCI-e power connector.

 

[adqttr]

what about this card does it need a connector? and what do you think of the card?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125025

 

[adqttr]

bump...

 

[jonnyGURU]

I'd hate to hit you with an "if you have to ask" kind of statement... but the pictures of the card are right there taken from four different angles!

No. There's no power connector on that card.

And it's a good card. I've always liked the Silent Pipe series. I actually had a pair of the6600GT Zalman edition cards. Amazed me how cool they stayed w/o a fan.

 

[gobucks]

the 7600GT doesn't need a power connector because it is a midrange, lower power part that chews up less than 75W which is the maximum that a PCIe x16 slot can provide. even if you end up buying a card with a power connector, a y-adaptor works just fine. however, i think most PCIe setups require a 24-pin atx 2.0 PSU. I think the x-connect is 24-pin, but it's possible it could be 20. apparently using a 20 pin PSU can cause some instability, but i think it will probably work in a midrange system, since it doesn't use up too much power.