ASUS GTX 970 Strix is 1x8pin, reduced performance if 1x6pin connected?

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atmos929

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Apr 21, 2010
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I just bought an ASUS GTX970 Strix, it comes with a 8 pin connector and my PSU only has a 6 pin connector.

So, doing some research, I found that they are backwards compatible, I can connect the 6 pin from PSU into the 8 pin in the GPU, only missing 2 ground pins which one of them is a detect pin that actually tells the GPU which one is connected (6 or 8), so that It knows how much power is available (either 75W or 150W), theoretically.

So, if the GPU supports both, but needs to know which one is connected... Can I expect reduced performance?... I am thinking that maybe the GPU detects less power available and maybe caps the performance in someway for protection.

System boots fine. I am doing an incremental upgrade of my system, and I am just wondering whether my CPU is a bottleneck or if there might be reduced performance. (I might get new CPU, Mobo and RAM by xmas :))

I was going to buy 8pin adapters (from 1 molex, and another adapter 6pin to 8pin) but then I thought that I might be getting into more trouble "telling the GPU" to draw more power than the PSU may be able to provide.

So, back to the question at hand... do you think the GPU will have reduced performance due to the 6pin connector?

On a side note, I'm also trying to overclock my AMD Phenom II 965BE from 3.4 stock to 4.0 but I've only been able to get 3.8 stable (temps are ~50°C)... I've read lots of forums, and probably the PSU is the one at fault... it only has 4 pin EPS after all. Buying a new PSU sounds like a better option if I want to overclock too.

Current system:
PSU: some very cheapo Cooler Master 550W
MoBo: Gigabyte GA-MA790FX-DQ6
CPU: AMD Phenom II 965 Black Edition
GPU: ASUS GTX 970 Strix
Cooler: CM Hyper 212 evo

PS. I already ordered a Seasonic M12II-750 Bronze ATX 750W Modular Power Supply :)... but it might take 2 weeks to arrive.
 
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Running the card without the given number of PCI connectors is NOT recommended.
The card wont recieve the power its rated for, which and impact the card, and the stability of the system. Though the system may work, any load could cause it to crash.

The processor is also a large bottleneck. A 965@4GHz can support a 760, at best. You are likely having issues with stability due to your motherboard.
 
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''The processor is also a large bottleneck. A 965@4GHz can support a 760, at best''

is there a link you can post to confirm this ???

and as long as his board puts 75w to the pci-e slot and the power supply is hooked up correctly and can support the cards requirements then whats the issue ?? his board shows to be a 8+2 vrm so that's the same as most 990fx boards so whats the prob there ??
 
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@junkeymonkey: There is no adapter... I just connected the 6pin from PSU to the 8pin in the GPU.

@Gam3r01: yeah, I was wondering how much it could support... but why are you saying the overclock stability issues have to do with the MoBo?
 
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In my case, my M5A97 LE R2.0 lacks VRM heatsinks on the board, so those heat up and cause instability.
The processor is getting enough power, and the temps are in the low 40s, but the motherboard has hit its limit of what it can do.

Same sort of thing goes for you, each motherboard and CPU batch handle things differently, the motherboard either has components overheating, isnt supplying enough power, or simply lost the silicon lottery.
 
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I'm pretty sure my PSU sucks... only 1 pcie 1x6, and 1 4pin EPS... which is why I didn't go for the adapters alternative.

So, anyway... my initial question comes from here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-specifications-atx-reference,3061-12.html

They even show that the female pcie 8pin is designed to be connected to a male pcie 6pin...
"the card would “sense” that it had only 150W available instead of 225W and, depending on the design, it could either shut down or operate in a reduced functionality mode."

I modified wattage values to match my case :). And the words to mark here are "depending on the design"... the card could have some robust implementation based on sensing the available power based on the connector detected and limit the performance;... or could have no check at all, assume it always have all power available and cause unstability...

Maybe my question could land on a simpler one... "Should I keep the GPU connected in the 6pin until my new PSU arrives?" 😛... I'm kinda leaning towards no. I just uninstalled it and put my old 5850 back :).
 
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or use recommended compatible parts I find that's the best road to travel down

cooler master is not known for psu's for higher end rigs and may fail to deliver
it may be fine but if I could I would go for a more respectable psu look at the reviews of these 2 units there ok but theres a heck of a lot better out there to put trust in [opinion]

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Power-Plus-550-W-Power-Supply-Review/969/9

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=386

a light office or house hold computer maybe for pulling a gaming rig not so...
'and seing that it did not come with a 8- pin wired in I don't think it was ment to pull that kinda card
 
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Alright! Hopefully the new power supply solves your problems.
 
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