Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots

[masteraleks1]

I am planning to by a eATX board like a EVGA Z68 FTW, above the PCIE connectors there is 4 pin molex connector see img. My questions is this if I only want to SLI do I have to use it? or is it a must? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[ko888]

I am planning to by a eATX board like a EVGA Z68 FTW, above the PCIE connectors there is 4 pin molex connector see img. My questions is this if I only want to SLI do I have to use it? or is it a must? Thanks in advance for your help.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81FdcIGMMFL._AA1200_.jpg

What reason do you have for avoiding its use?

 

[masteraleks1]

location is horrible, you have to put in extra cable in the middle of the board witch will make wiring look bad . I need to know if it is only required for tri sli and if I can get away with out plugging anything in it with regular sli?

 

[ko888]

It's not that difficult to hide the cable. It should be a part of proper cable management.

It depends on how the graphics cards' power circuit is designed to obtain its power. You can always try it without it plugged in. If you run into problems you can always connect it up.

The graphics cards are usually designed to draw most of their power from the PCI Express Supplementary power connectors from the power supply unit. A maximum of 75 watts is allowed to be drawn through each of the PCI Express x16 slots to be used by the PCIe device if required.

 

[masteraleks1]

Thing is I don't want it to be a requirement. I was hoping for someone who owns a EATX board to also pitch in. If all I will have on this board is 2x 580GTXs do I need to use that 4pin molex connector above the PCIe slots? Preferably someone that knows for sure, if I end up going with one of these boards I don't want to fry my hardware or the board. Thanks

 

[masteraleks1]

anyone?

 

[masteraleks1]

OK incase some one will be googling this in the future you do not have to use this connector if you have a good PSU and if you are not planning to run more then 2 cards for tri SLI and a physics cards a s a third option it is recomended you use this connector.