Question Dangerous to power GPU without motherboard?

[ytkilian]

Hi guys,
I am talking to someone to sell me a GTX 960 for 50€, but I'd like to test if the card powers on before buying it.
Since I cannot carry my computer with me in the city, I was wondering if it would be possible/ safe to just take my PSU with me and see if the GPU fans start spinning.

It would only be for a few seconds, to see if it works.

Basically what I want to do, is to take my PSU with me, plug it into the GPU and power the PSU with a hair clipper or such.

Is it safe or can it damage the GPU? The PSU is a "be quiet! Pure Power 11 500w".

 

[Metal Messiah.]

The fellow who is selling you the card, doesn't have a PC/system ? Without inserting the GPU on the motherboard's PCI-E slot, I doubt you can fully power up the card. I won't advice doing this, even though it might be sometimes possible.

 

[ElectrO_90]

Basically what I want to do, is to take my PSU with me, plug it into the GPU and power the PSU with a hair clipper or such.

Is it safe or can it damage the GPU? The PSU is a "be quiet! Pure Power 11 500w".

Won't work
You need a PC or External GPU holder and a laptop

 

[Satan-IR]

As said above, not going to work to 100% ascertain whether the card is functioning properly. Spinning fans alone wouldn't prove the card is working.

On a relatively different note, if the person is indicating that he wants to sell you the card without testing it, honestly, that is kind of dodgy. Unless you know and trust the seller.