Can I somehow power a MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G with a 450w PSU?

[Maartenb]

I foolishly bought my first graphics card, a GTX 970 Gaming Edition without checking if my PSU could handle it. It turns out my PSU only has 1 6pin cable to power it. I searched some forums for a solution and it came down to buying either a new PSU or a molex to PCIe adapter cable.

Do I risk frying anything if I use a molex to PCIe adapter cable? If so, what PSU do you reccomend?

PSU: SHA450-12EUP http://www.sharkoon.com/?q=en/content/sha450-12eup
GPU: MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G https://www.alternate.nl/MSI/GTX-970-Gaming-4G-Grafische-kaart/html/product/1158971?
Proccesor: AMD A8-6600K APU with Radeon HD Graphics 3.90 GHz

 

[JackNaylorPE]

1. The cable isn't the only problem. The PSU is iffy quality

2/ Nvidia wants a 500 watter

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2311121/power-supply-requirements-nvidia-gpus.html
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-970/specifications

970 Thermal and Power Specs:
98 C = Maximum GPU Tempurature (in C)
145 W = Graphics Card Power (W)
500 W = Minimum System Power Requirement (W)
2x 6-pins = Supplementary Power Connector

2. I doubt it can deliver 450 watts

3. Molex cable adapters are iffy propositions. Each 6 pin cable is rated for 75 watts

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_970_Gaming/25.html

Your card can pull 192 - 213 (say 200) watts. if we assume the allowable 75 watts comes thru the PCIE slot, that means you need 125 watts from cables. How you gonna get 125 watts thru the existing 6 pin cable ? Bad idea... very bad idea.

Get yourself a Seasonic S12 520 ($53) / 620 ($64) watter, XFX Core Edition 650 ($60) or an EVGA GS 550 ($60) / 650 ($80)

 

[Maartenb]

1. The cable isn't the only problem. The PSU is iffy quality

2/ Nvidia wants a 500 watter

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2311121/power-supply-requirements-nvidia-gpus.html
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-970/specifications

970 Thermal and Power Specs:
98 C = Maximum GPU Tempurature (in C)
145 W = Graphics Card Power (W)
500 W = Minimum System Power Requirement (W)
2x 6-pins = Supplementary Power Connector

2. I doubt it can deliver 450 watts

3. Molex cable adapters are iffy propositions. Each 6 pin cable is rated for 75 watts

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_970_Gaming/25.html

Your card can pull 192 - 213 (say 200) watts. if we assume the allowable 75 watts comes thru the PCIE slot, that means you need 125 watts from cables. How you gonna get 125 watts thru the existing 6 pin cable ? Bad idea... very bad idea.

Get yourself a Seasonic S12 520 ($53) / 620 ($64) watter, XFX Core Edition 650 ($60) or an EVGA GS 550 ($60) / 650 ($80)

Allright I'll have a look, thanks for your help!

 

[killer pc g15]

this PSU can only handle 360watt on the 12V line that powers ur gpu and cpu.
the gtx970 uses around 150watt MAX and this is well controlled with a power limiter.
I dont know the rest of ur system but if it isnt VERY power hungry its could be fine.
But if you dont have the psu jet I recommend spending a little bit more and get a 550watt just to be safe.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

this PSU can only handle 360watt on the 12V line that powers ur gpu and cpu.
the gtx970 uses around 150watt MAX and this is well controlled with a power limiter.
.

That 150 is low by 30 / 40% or so ... The reference 970 pulls 20% more than that and the MSI pulls 192 watts in gaming (Metro LL) and 213 max load.... and that's just at stock settings
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_970_Gaming/25.html

Add about 12% on top of that overclocked.

 

[Maartenb]

I ordered the Seasonic S12II-520 V2 that should be a sufficient PSU right?
Anyway it will arrive tomorrow so I'll let you know if it all functions well.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Excellent choice....

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=185

can use cards with two 8 pin connectors, two 6 pins or and 8 + 6

8 pin EPS12V (550mm) 1
6+2 pin PCIe (590mm) 1
6 pin PCIe (590mm) 1

 

[Maartenb]

Well everything works! The GTX 970 was a bit of a squeeze in my mini tower but now I can finally play The Wither 3!! 😀
Also the Seasonic S12II-520 V2 works perfectly so thanks for the suggestion.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

W3 is frakin gorgeous. I don't get the time to play many games (1 or 2 a year), but this one has been fun to look at.