[SOLVED] Do I need to use both the 8-pin x1 and 6-pin x1?

[MorgenKnas]

I want to buy the GeForce RTX 3060 gaming x 12G and its power connecters are 8-pin x1 / 6-pin x1.
My PSU is the Corsair VS550 which only has x1 8-pin connecter.
According to MSI's website, I only need 170 Watt to power the GPU and as far as I know, the GPU gets 75W from the PCIe 4.0 x16 and 150W from the 8-pin x1 connecter, which adds up to more than enough.

My quiestion is therefore if I can settle with only filling the 8 pin slot, or I absolutely need to fill both the 8 pin and 6 pin slots on the GPU.

 

[dotas1]

Both connectors need to be populated. Your PSU is NOT up to the task of powering a 3060 even if it had the necessary cables. If it's the old model (before 2017) needs to be recycled before it damages something and if it's 2017 and after, it's not made to power a discrete GPU.

 

[Ralston18]

You want and need to have enough power available to meet the high/peak value power demands of the GPU.

Verify that the PCI slot does indeed provide 75 watts.

You also need to consider the power demands of the total build.

Suggested reading - then use the 2 or 3 of the calculators in the following link:

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-psus,4229.html

550 watts may be enough for the total build; no harm in having some extra wattage available though.

 

[MorgenKnas]

Both connectors need to be populated. Your PSU is NOT up to the task of powering a 3060 even if it had the necessary cables. If it's the old model (before 2017) needs to be recycled before it damages something and if it's 2017 and after, it's not made to power a discrete GPU.

Do you have any recommendations of PSU? I'm not quite sure how much Watt I need my new PSU to put out.

 

[geofelt]

Card makers do not put in unnecessary components.
If the card would run properly on a single 8 pin connector, just one would have been included.
Yes, you need to connect both 6 and 8 pin.

On a similar vein, if your psu were capable of powering more than a single 8 pin connector, it would have it.

Lastly, 3000 series cards can have transient high power draws. You need more than average steady state capability.

What's the danger if you try?
If your card demands extra power, the connections are going to be over loaded and can damage the psu, motherboard or graphics card.

Your psu is a cheap unit, considered as tier 5 or 6 on this list:

PSU Tier List [OLD]

Credit to @Starelementpokeand @Energycore for helping out with this long-awaited refresh of the old PSU tier list by Aniallation (who previously went several months without logging in), leaving the old list in need of help. This is simply an update of the list that was flawed in creation by the P...

linustechtips.com

--------------------bottom line----------------------
Time to replace the PSU.
Here is a handy chart for sizing:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

I would buy at least 650w, preferably 750/850w.
You will find that a size up usually costs only a small increment.
The psu will only draw the power demanded of it, regardless of the max capability.

DO NOT buy a cheap psu.

A cheap PSU will be made of substandard components. It may not have all safety and overload protections.
The danger is if it fails under load, it can destroy anything it is connected to.
It will deliver advertised power only at room temperatures, not at higher temperatures found when installed in a case.
The wattage will be delivered on the 3 and 5v rails, not on the 12v rails where modern parts
like the CPU and Graphics cards need it. What power is delivered may fluctuate and cause instability
issues that are hard to diagnose.
The fan will need to spin up higher to cool it, making it noisy.
A cheap PSU can become very expensive.

Do not buy one.

A strong quality psu is a long term investment.
It will be good for many future upgrades.
One way to tell quality is to look at the warranty.
Look for a 7 to 10 year warranty.

Seasonic focus and Corsair rm units are a good place to start.
Yes. you will need to pay more.

 

[dotas1]

I agree 100% with @geofelt here. He is spot on.
For recommendations, I would suggest to advise this tier list:

PSU Tier List rev. 17.0g - Cultists Network

PSU Tier List will help you to choose the best PSU out of hundreds of models on the market. From budget to the highest end Power Supplies.

cultists.network

For gaming rigs tier B and above. Pick one that's in your budget. As geofelt said, don't cheap out on it, expect to spend at least 60-70 dollars, euros, pounds. More than that if you can afford it.

I would have bought a Corsair RMx 750 and call it a day, if I were you.