Asus HD6850 Power Dilemma

[holymit]

Hey guys, I'm outright baffled by my issue and was wondering if i could get some feedback ASAP.

The Problem: I have recently bought a second HD6850 (Asus) to crossfire with my HIS HD6850 in my system, the HIS doesn't seem to max out most of my games without FPS drop. All was well until i realised that the Asus HD6850 has dual PCI-E 6pin ports on the side of it. My PSU has only two PCI-E cables one is a standard 6pin and the other is a 6+2pin. (The 6pin is currently in use by the HIS) I also don't have enough 4pin ports to enable me to use an adapter for the extra point.

Full Specs:
- Case: Antec 300 Gaming Case
- Power Supply: OCZ ZS 650w PSU
- CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz @ 4.40GHz Sandybridge CPU
- Motherboard: Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard ** B3 REVISION **
- Cooler: Corsair A50 CPU Cooler
- RAM: 12GB 1600MHz (2x4, 2x2)
- Hard Drive: 1.5TB HDD
- Graphics Card: HIS HD6850, Asus HD6850

Is the extra PCI-E port for overclocking? (Which i won't need to do for a while i imagine) Or is it required for the card to run at all.
Would be much appreciated on any feedback, i'm hoping i don't need to replace my card or my psu.

 

[gary1]

Hey guys, I'm outright baffled by my issue and was wondering if i could get some feedback ASAP.

The Problem: I have recently bought a second HD6850 (Asus) to crossfire with my HIS HD6850 in my system, the HIS doesn't seem to max out most of my games without FPS drop. All was well until i realised that the Asus HD6850 has dual PCI-E 6pin ports on the side of it. My PSU has only two PCI-E cables one is a standard 6pin and the other is a 6+2pin. (The 6pin is currently in use by the HIS) I also don't have enough 4pin ports to enable me to use an adapter for the extra point.

Full Specs:
- Case: Antec 300 Gaming Case
- Power Supply: OCZ ZS 650w PSU
- CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz @ 4.40GHz Sandybridge CPU
- Motherboard: Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard ** B3 REVISION **
- Cooler: Corsair A50 CPU Cooler
- RAM: 12GB 1600MHz (2x4, 2x2)
- Hard Drive: 1.5TB HDD
- Graphics Card: HIS HD6850, Asus HD6850

Is the extra PCI-E port for overclocking? (Which i won't need to do for a while i imagine) Or is it required for the card to run at all.
Would be much appreciated on any feedback, i'm hoping i don't need to replace my card or my psu.

You need to plug in all power connectors or you're going to have problems.

 

[holymit]

My PSU only came with two PCI-E cables and a single 4pin (Which powers the fans)

Any suggestions on running a crossfire?

 

[esrever]

you need to buy a molex to 6pin adapter.

 

[gary1]

you need to buy a molex to 6pin adapter.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...onnector.jpg/250px-Molex_female_connector.jpg

He said his molex is used up. I would just suggest a new PSU man..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

 

[togo1500]

I know they sell splitters for pcie power connectors, perhaps they sell converters from 4 pin or sata power connectors

 

[esrever]

Thats a strange psu configuration. I guess he does need a new one. Im surprised a psu like that can power 2 6850.

 

[togo1500]

how on earth did you max out your molex 4pins. too many fans?

 

[dish_moose]

^
quote"I also don't have enough 4pin ports to enable me to use an adapter for the extra point. "
Well I'm thinking the best way is to bite the bullet and go for a new PSU.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Splitter-Cable-Molex-Lead/dp/B000ITL4KI/ref=pd_bxgy_ce_img_b
Other wise you are looking at 2 of these and one of the type in the pic above.
I say new PSU.
-Bruce

 

[holymit]

What about a SATA adapter? PS, Bruce i already have one PCI-E port. So really i'd just need to split a 4pin once and use that.

 

[holymit]

I have 1 4pin molar for the case fans, but in theory couldn't it power my HIS card if i use a splitter/coverter? (Note: I've been banned from spending any more money on my PC, so a new psu it out of the option)

 

[purple stain]

I think it's a design flaw actually.Since they use the same design for the 6870 they just didn't remove it.Really their is no difference between the designs with the 6870 and the 6850 from Asus just the GPU.The 6850 will work fine with just one 6 pin.It is wired for power though so if you wanted to you could use two 6pins.

See here...

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/Radeon_HD_6850_Direct_Cu/4.html

You can see where they had it wired already just the connector is missing.



That review is from one of the first models so my guess is that they wanted to save some money so they just included it anyway.Very simple adjustment like that saves them tons.

 

[purple stain]

After looking at a few other 6850's it seems every company has it wired they just didn't include the connector.

 

[holymit]

I'm gonna give this a go, much appreciated

(If i don't reply within the next couple of days it either worked or exploded)