Asus Radeon R9 290: How to connect PSU?

[Loopler]

I'm just doing my first new build and coming across a number of issues that I'm struggling to resolve/confirm. The latest is just being sure (before I dare switch any power on....) that the PSU is connected properly to the R9 290.

With the graphics card there was very limited (and generic, not specific to the model) instructions. So without previous experience, I'm not certain on the correct way to connect the power cables (I've watched a couple of unboxing vids on youtube, but they didn't help).

Within the box there was a 6 pin power connector, leading to an 8 pin power connector leading to a 6 pin connector. On the graphics card itself, there are 2 connections - an 8 pin and a 6 pin. Do I connect both (I think not) and if not, does it matter whether I connect the 8 pin or the 6 pin? For the moment, I've connected just the 8 pin, but I was just watching a youtube video that warned against using 6 pin to 8 pin cables (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaTpiFh8Ivg - about 3 minutes in)

Here's a photo of the 8 pin plugged in and the 6 pin connection (empty) beside.

 

[Dunlop0078]

You need both the 6pin and an 8pin plugged into the card. What power supply do you have? Does it not have a 6pin and an 8pin pcie express connector? If it doesn't and you have to use that adapter then your power supply probably is not powerful enough for a 290.

 

[Loopler]

The PSU is a "EVGA Supernova 850 G2" - so I presume no issues there.

There is a "VGA" cable which has an 8 pin connector and a 6 pin connector and a 2 pin connector (presumably the 6+2 is just a split 8 pin connector) - so I guess finding a cable that connects to both is not a problem - it was just knowing what to do (and you've just told me - thanks )

 

[Loopler]

Sorry - just going onto the second part of your answer - the graphics card is plugged into a PCIe slot on the motherboard - where does a PCIe come into it on the power supply?

 

[Dunlop0078]

Yes DO NOT use the adapter thats for psu's that dont have the necessary cables yours does. Just plug an 8pin (or the 6+2pin) into the 8pin slot on the card, then either use a 6pin or another 6+2pin to plug into the 6pin connector on the card.

 

[Dunlop0078]

Sorry - just going onto the second part of your answer - the graphics card is plugged into a PCIe slot on the motherboard - where does a PCIe come into it on the power supply?

This is a pcie express cable: http://sgcdn.startech.com/005329/media/products/gallery_large/LP4PCIEX8ADP.B.jpg

The slot you plug the card into is the pcie x16 slot.

 

[Loopler]

Great thanks - I've changed it over.

I was slightly wrong about the cable configuration (which I suspect you realised 😉 ) and it was as you said - a 6+2 pin connector and a 6 pin connector (the 8 pin connector was the PSU side).

This "building your own rig" lark is far more of a minefield than I appreciated! Thanks for your assistance