GPU with 6 and 8 pin power supply options

[RedLegg]

Hello! Building my first computer, and I'm a little confused about connecting the GPU to power. I recently purchased a MSI R9 280x graphics card. On the top, it has both 6-pin and 8-pin power options. Am I to connect both of these to the PSU, or just one? And just to confirm, it's best to connect this directly to the PSU rather than the motherboard, correct?

I realize this is a pretty basic question, but I don't want to screw it up. Appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

[giantbucket]

yes, BOTH need to be connected, and ONLY to the PSU. most good PSUs of sufficient power will have dual 6+2 pin connectors specifically for this purpose.

 

[hypergon]

The pcie lane (where you put in the GPU to connect it to the board) supplies some power (75w), but to power the card you need both 6pin (another 75w) and the 8pin (150w) coming from the PSU.

 

[RedLegg]

yes, BOTH need to be connected, and ONLY to the PSU. most good PSUs of sufficient power will have dual 6+2 pin connectors specifically for this purpose.

If I may resurrect this...I may have spoken too soon. Upon further inspection, it looks like the 6-pin plug actually splits into 2, 3-pin molex connectors. Should I still connect both of them? I've heard you should avoid this when connecting to a SATA power supply. I've linked 2 pictures below (hopefully, it works)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mjx97cpfp8hy2h8/IMG_0844.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4y3lj6tlkck63wo/IMG_0843.jpg

Again, thanks for your help!

 

[giantbucket]

what connectors are available on your power supply itself? do you have a brand and model of the power supply you can post? that might help speed things along.

 

[RedLegg]

what connectors are available on your power supply itself? do you have a brand and model of the power supply you can post? that might help speed things along.

Sure! And thanks for the reply. It's a Corsair 850w. Here is a link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0029F21LA/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=1387853982&tag=pcpapi-20

It will be delivered tomorrow and I'll be ready to complete my build. Perhaps these cables are just connectors, and I can use 2 of the 6+2 and connect the PSU directly to the GPu?

 

[giantbucket]

ok, here's a good long review with some directions and hints, on what appears to be a damn good power supply:

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/21613-corsair-professional-hx850-850w-power-supply-review.html

and yeah, you'll have two dedicated 6+2 pin cables going form the power supply to the graphics card - and looks like. they've color-coded the connections blue on the power supply itself. you can safely ignore any kinds of extra cables you get with the graphics card. if YOUR power supply is the same as in that hardwarecanucks review, you'll be all set with what's in the Corsair box.

 

[hypergon]

Try to avoid molex adapters, they are made for very old PSUs!

 

[RedLegg]

ok, here's a good long review with some directions and hints, on what appears to be a damn good power supply:

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/21613-corsair-professional-hx850-850w-power-supply-review.html

and yeah, you'll have two dedicated 6+2 pin cables going form the power supply to the graphics card - and looks like. they've color-coded the connections blue on the power supply itself. you can safely ignore any kinds of extra cables you get with the graphics card. if YOUR power supply is the same as in that hardwarecanucks review, you'll be all set with what's in the Corsair box.

Thank you! Really appreciate all your help.