8 pin power cable on 6 pin power connector.

[Crix525]

I recently bought an rx 460 from xfx but I was not aware of the 6 pin power connector. I only have a 8 pin power cable on my psu and I wanna know If I can still use it even with leftover pins. I also use an 8 pin cable for the 4 pin connector on my motherboard and it works just fine, so I have reason to expect as much from this scenario.

 

[RobCrezz]

What PSU? the 8pin pci-e connector is usually a 6+2 pci-e connector, so you just dont use the other two pins.

Just make sure as the 8 pin could also be the CPU power connector, in which case, dont use that.

 

[Crix525]

What PSU? the 8pin pci-e connector is usually a 6+2 pci-e connector, so you just dont use the other two pins.

Just make sure as the 8 pin could also be the CPU power connector, in which case, dont use that.

I would be using an internal powersupply 300W from hp, using a sata power cable and converting it to 8 pin pcie via adapters.

 

[Eximo]

Absolutely not. You do not run GPUs off of Sata power cables. That will lead to a fire.

If you have a GPU that needs an 8-pin connector, then you really need something better then a 300W power supply anyway.

 

[Kurz]

If it doesn't fit don't force it.

 

[Karadjgne]

Connectors are the way they are for a reason. Different connections have different pin settings, for example, an 8pin EPS connector will not be the same as an 8pin pcie connector. The pins are in different order.

NEVER force a connection. If a connection requires force, then you are using the wrong connector. The connectors themselves are keyed in a specific way, some pins are square, some look like a D. Forcing a wrong connector will lead to component damage.

The simplest, safest, correct solution would be to purchase a new psu, I'd suggest a Corsair CX430 as a minimum at a good price. It'll have all the correct connectors for motherboard and gpu without resorting to fire hazards like Sata-pcie adapters.

 

[Crix525]

Absolutely not. You do not run GPUs off of Sata power cables. That will lead to a fire.

If you have a GPU that needs an 8-pin connector, then you really need something better then a 300W power supply anyway.

But the RX 460 is really power efficient. It should only draw atmost 20watts from the power cable, the rest of the power should come straight from the board. And my desktop should draw just a little more than 200Watts with the card installed so im not near the limit.

 

[Eximo]

Typical SATA drive doesn't pull more then 10W, some older drives might peak at close to 30W on spin up, but only very briefly. A GPU requires constant power. Those tiny little pins aren't really rated for it. Of more concern is the poorly made adapters out there that blow up under normal conditions.

Review of the ASUS Strix RX460 showed an even split, and under full load pulling almost 50W out of the connector and slot.

Can't find much on the XFX line-up, but they have a pile of them, so not entirely sure which one you ended up.