Different kind of PCI-e power connectors

[T0my]

Hi there,

I was hoping you could solve a dispute for me. I have someone claiming that there are different kind of GPU power-connectors other than the standard 6-pin and 8-pin. He claims that some 6-pin or 8-pin powerconnectors are not compatible with sertain graphicscards. I have a hard time believing that the pin-layout would be different depending on the PSU-manufacturer.
Can someone with lots of experience in this field please confirm weather I am right or wrong. For example, can the powerconnectors in a Nvidia GTX280 be different from the connectors in a Nvidia GTX480.

Thanx
Tommy

 

[ihog]

I have someone claiming that there are different kind of GPU power-connectors other than the standard 6-pin and 8-pin.

No, there isn't.

 

[Brantyn Gerik]

No, pci power is fairly universal. it's the power supplies 12v rail amperage that would be a limiting factor (like if it only outputs 32 amp, the max it can power is like a 270x and not a 290x, even if it has the right wattage.

 

[T0my]

Hi,

thank you for the quick replies. OK, lets assume the rails arent sufficient to power the powerhungry GTX480, would this cause the computer not to boot at all? Or would the problems with a inferior PSU occur when the GPU is under 100% load?

 

[Brantyn Gerik]

It would likely cause system crashes.

 

[RaiCoss]

Well there are gen 1 and gen 2 (they basically moved the square from the middle to the left with the top centre pin for some reason) of the 6 pin, but that's about it

 

[T0my]

Ok, Gen1 and Gen2. How many PSUs were made that use gen1?

 

[slycube]

Just upgrade the PSU to 500W PSU or upgrade the entire build to get improved performance everywhere. My guess is if you were using GTX280 your other hardware is quite out of date.

 

[Veloxer]

First, I've worked with graphics for years and never heard about different versions of PCI-e power connectors, the things that change about them are specified on the PSU (max amps, wether it's or not modular...) and not on the cable itself.

Second, if a PSU hasn't got enough power to handle the graphics, the reaction may vary depending on the PSU, the video and what you're running. For example, if your PSU isn't enough just for a few watts, your system may reboot when you force it through a stress test. This is because the 12v rail's voltage drops to a value that can't keep on some of the other parts (for example the CPU) and the system just reboots (it may freeze if it's the hard disk, but as they don't need so much power it's a bit strange for this to happen). If the PSU is a bit more short of watts than what the video card needs, it may reboot the system when gaming or shut down if it's a highly demanding game, benchmark or stress test. Generally, if it shuts down, it's the PSU that detects the high demand as a short circuit, and cuts the power off for self-protection. If your PSU doesn't even have the power to handle the video card at idle, it will shut down before even reaching the BIOS, because it's when the video card checks it has all the power connectos plugged and their voltages.

BTW, sometimes generic PSUs can handle mid-range video cards without problems. Mine, for example, is a generic NogaNet that says it handles 550w. It barely came with a SATA connector, four 4-pin MOLEX, the 4-pin 12v ATX (CPU) connector and the 24-pin for the motherboard. I opened the PSU and checked it had some voltage and impedance protections, and PFC transistors. Strangely it had them all, so I manually soldered two "homemade" 6-pin 12v PCI-e connectors and now I'm pretty happy gaming with my HD7770. Sometimes you just don't need to buy a new PSU, there are other easier ways if you're a bit out of money .

 

[ganjaker]

the answer is no.all 6 pin 6+2(6/8) and 8 pin connectors are the same no mather if its from the psu or adapter or whatever.this goes for the same for gpu's.Maybe some certain cards that no1 heard the pin hole is a bit different tho I don't see it.