[SOLVED] Can I safely power my new GPU like this?

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Liamxy

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Nov 28, 2012
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It's a dell 300w PSU
i5 2400
6GB Ram

The gpu I am putting in is a GTX950 2gb, however it requires a 6 pin power connector. Upon googling it seems the gtx950 can be sufficiently powered through just the PCIE port, but I don't have a PCI 6 PIN from the PSU.

Can I use a Sata power to 6 pin safely to power the gpu?

My theory is that as the card wont really go above 75w usage that it wont overload the max W the sata power can handle.

I have spent all my money on the PC so I am trying to avoid buying a new PSU, but if my theory is correct I can avoid that! I won't be overclocking at all.

Thanks
 
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USAFRet
Amazon user reviews are worth exactly what you paid for them.

For more info, read through here:

Article - [psucultists] PSU tier list rev. 14.8 (Final Update Jul '21)

PSU Tier List 4.0 rev. 14.8 (outdated) Last Update: 12-07-2021 Legend : Gray - EoL/obsolete and/or otherwise not recommended for purchase. Green - small form-factor (gold and blue colors are disregarded due to scarcity of SFX PSUs) Gold - best units in the tier (includes requirements for blue...
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Liamxy said:
Okay thank you for your answer. Is there no way that because the GTX950 draws up to 75W (which is what PCIE can provide) then there may only be a few watt overflow to the sata power. Let me know if I'm wrong about this
Click to expand...
If your PSU does not have the proper cable and power for your GPU, you need a new PSU.
Being a prebuilt Dell, this may be a problem.

But you CANNOT run that thing from a SATA power connection. It does NOT provide the required wattage.
 
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USAFRet said:
If your PSU does not have the proper cable and power for your GPU, you need a new PSU.
Being a prebuilt Dell, this may be a problem.

But you CANNOT run that thing from a SATA power connection. It does NOT provide the required wattage.
Click to expand...
Okay thank you, I'll buy a new PSU soon so I can use the card safely. Cheers
 
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make sure to get one that fits your DELL case if that's what it's in, sometimes they use weird cases and psus
 
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Amazon user reviews are worth exactly what you paid for them.

For more info, read through here:

Article - [psucultists] PSU tier list rev. 14.8 (Final Update Jul '21)

PSU Tier List 4.0 rev. 14.8 (outdated) Last Update: 12-07-2021 Legend : Gray - EoL/obsolete and/or otherwise not recommended for purchase. Green - small form-factor (gold and blue colors are disregarded due to scarcity of SFX PSUs) Gold - best units in the tier (includes requirements for blue...
forums.tomshardware.com forums.tomshardware.com
 
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Solution
Liamxy said:
It's a dell 300w PSU
i5 2400
6GB Ram

The gpu I am putting in is a GTX950 2gb, however it requires a 6 pin power connector. Upon googling it seems the gtx950 can be sufficiently powered through just the PCIE port, but I don't have a PCI 6 PIN from the PSU.

Can I use a Sata power to 6 pin safely to power the gpu?

My theory is that as the card wont really go above 75w usage that it wont overload the max W the sata power can handle.

I have spent all my money on the PC so I am trying to avoid buying a new PSU, but if my theory is correct I can avoid that! I won't be overclocking at all.

Thanks
Click to expand...

The reply's you got here are incorrect you can use the Sata 6 pin connector to power your graphic card that what its for.

reference point to note
( https://www.u-buy.com.au/catalog/pr...-6-pin-to-sata-power-cable-sata-to-6-pin-pcie )

  • PCI EXPRESS VIDEO CARD POWER CABLE adapter connects a PCIe video card to a power supply with a spare SATA power connection
  • PSU UPGRADE SAVER power cable provides an option for a power supply without a PCIe connection as a GPU power cable
  • 6 PIN PCIe to 15 PIN SATA female to male cable provides a convenient solution for low power video graphics card that can be powered from a single SATA power connection
  • STURDY GRAPHICS CARD SATA to 6 pin power cable has a male SATA connector with keyed rails; An integrated latch on the female PCIe power cable connector prevent accidental disconnections
  • VIDEO GRAPHICS CARD compatible with graphics cards such as the EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti / GeForce GTX 750 Ti / GeForce 1070 Ti for a PCIe to SATA power connection
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The really question is does your Power supply unit have the right amp and watt rating to drive your computer system.

I say you need to look for Power Supply Unit that matches your motherboard as it should never match the Graphic card or be PSU that is not supported by your motherboard having the wrong type will destroy your motherboard and cook your CPU if not straight away over short time,

Under powered power supply and you will have constant start up issues and BIOS memory losses during rest periods.

So get my advice is take picture of your motherboard and casing get your model number together and go see a computer store person ensure they under stand that the psu has to match your motherboard and casing.

as you have not mention your mother board type that i assuming you have something like Z170 - Z270 type if so you need PSU unit in the range of 500 watts to 650 Watts no more no less, with 3 pairs of sata and 6 pin plug they should come with 8 pin that you can remove the last 2 to turn it into a 6 pin for the Graphic's.

Depending on your casing design most PSU are universal they just swap out and in but if its not roomy to be able to connect cables to your motherboard etc than i would be ditching the casing for another.
 
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westvest123 said:
The reply's you got here are incorrect you can use the Sata 6 pin connector to power your graphic card that what its for.
Click to expand...

Are you being intentionally obtuse, or are you really just that uninformed? Both are really not acceptable, but for different reasons.

Let's be clear. The SATA connectors being used for graphics cards are NOT what they are "for". They are "for" powering storage devices AND other devices that are specifically designed to be used with the SATA power connectors.

The auxiliary PCIe/PEG connectors, in 6, 6+2 and 8 pin flavors (And soon, apparently, also 12 pin) are what you use for graphics cards and those are definitely not "SATA" connectors. Completely, and entirely different things, just for clarity, because some other poor schmuck WILL come along later, see your comment and take it as gospel when it is clearly and irrefutably incorrect.

AND, if your PSU doesn't HAVE the necessary PCIe/PEG connector, then it is NOT adequate for use with a graphics card that requires one no matter what the box listed capacity or "watts" are. If a PSU was capable of supporting a specific type of connection, then it would COME with it. Period.
 
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USAFRet said:
Just curious....Can you give us a definitive number on the wattage available from the SATA power connection?

Yes, cables like the one you list are sold.
But many things are 'sold' that are not a good idea.
Click to expand...

Sorry you must be uninformed i use sata connectors plenty of time's with graphic cards they are well and capable of running graphic cards infact they problably better than the 4 and 6pin cable assigned themselves,

Material: Aluminum alloy Shell + Copper cable
Color: Black
Product Size: 15x14x8.5cm/5.9"x5.5"x3.3"
Fan diameter: 12cm/4.7"
Cable Length: About140cm/55.1"
Output Line Length: About 50cm/19.7."
Power supply standard: ATX 12V
Interface: 1x24P+1x8P+1x(6+6P)+1x2P+ 2x(14Pin+2SATA)
Input Voltage: 115~230V (Manually switching voltage)
Output Voltage: 12V 16A
Peak Power: 600W
Rated power: 400W
Efficiency: ≥80%
 
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Westvest, if you cannot answer USAFRet's query here to his satisfaction, I will remove that last post within 24 hours. Suggesting to people that SATA to PCIE adapters are preferred is dangerous advice and I am not willing to risk the PCs of users who come across this advice. The evidence you provide will need to be documented, with detailed data, not your say-so.
 
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westvest123 said:
Sorry you must be uninformed i use sata connectors plenty of time's with graphic cards they are well and capable of running graphic cards infact they problably better than the 4 and 6pin cable assigned themselves,
Click to expand...
I'm not as nice as these guys, so I'm going to just say it right out front and put it on notice. Either PUT UP the evidence that you suggest exists, or we'll remove the post AND issue a warning for intentionally providing false and misleading information that is likely to result in the potential for harm or at the very least, problems, with users systems who come along and see your post.

In point of fact, it's pure BS. Plain and simple. You say it's not? Fine. Show us the evidence. Show us ONE example of ANY power supply oriented electronics engineer or specialist/reviewer, that is known and reputable, saying that what you are indicating is factual. Because I'm telling you that you are full of crap and I think you know it as well as we do. I'm calling foul/troll, and that angers me because it means you are less than thoughtless when it comes to the other members of our community or anybody who might happen to drive by.

I on the other hand, will be happy to provide the evidence to the contrary, which is clearly out there for anybody to see.

  • 6-pin PCI-e Power cable is rated for 75 watts/13 amps, the same amount given by the PCI-e lane on the motherboard.
  • Molex is rated for 132 watts/11 amps.
  • SATA is rated for 54 watts/4.5 amps. - Do not convert from SATA to Molex/6-pin, this will cause an overdraw and could result in a fire.
https://www.reddit.com/r/EtherMining/wiki/hardware/risers


auPJ0wI.png


Source:

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#sata

By comparison, the PCIe 6 pin connector MUST be capable of providing up to 75w of power, while the 6+2 or 8 pin must be capable of handling 150w. Both of which are significantly more than the 54w the SATA connector and associated wiring is rated and designed to be capable of handling.


Plus, the bottom line is, ANY power supply that is CAPABLE enough that the manufacturer believes it to be able to support the use of a specific connector, WOULD ALREADY INCLUDE that connector with the unit. The fact that it is absent tells you ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW about whether or not that unit is capable and reliable for that type of connection or not. Manufacturers don't leave off connectors because they just don't like them, or because saving fifty cents worth of wire and plastic is going to drastically improve their margins. They leave them off because they know the unit is not capable enough or safe, to be used with that kind of power draw. Trying to do it through a circuit that was never intended for that use simply increases the risk, exponentially.
 
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FoxVoxDK said:
Well, this thread was terrifying. Can we, uh, you know, REMOVE the blatantly unsafe and ridiculous earlier statement? D:



Yikes.
Click to expand...

As a general policy, I like to give the accused one last attempt to demonstrate that they were confused or mistaken! I think some of the comments around that post suffice for the moment, but if a moderator feels more strongly, I will not object!
 
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westvest123 said:
Sorry you must be uninformed i use sata connectors plenty of time's with graphic cards they are well and capable of running graphic cards infact they problably better than the 4 and 6pin cable assigned themselves,

Material: Aluminum alloy Shell + Copper cable
Color: Black
Product Size: 15x14x8.5cm/5.9"x5.5"x3.3"
Fan diameter: 12cm/4.7"
Cable Length: About140cm/55.1"
Output Line Length: About 50cm/19.7."
Power supply standard: ATX 12V
Interface: 1x24P+1x8P+1x(6+6P)+1x2P+ 2x(14Pin+2SATA)
Input Voltage: 115~230V (Manually switching voltage)
Output Voltage: 12V 16A
Peak Power: 600W
Rated power: 400W
Efficiency: ≥80%
Click to expand...


I can't help myself

VlArQpi.png
 
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