How many PSU connecters do I need?

[Leander_1]

I'm going to build a gaming pc but I don't know how many sata, molex and pci-e 6+2 connecters I need for this build:

Aftermarket cpu cooler (scythe mugen 4)
4x case fans (2x corsair af120 quiet and 2x standard nzxt s340 fans)
2x GPU's

 

[apk24]

The number of connectors you need will depend on your specific components.

You'll obviously need the basics:
24pin ATX connector
4 pin/8 pin CPU connector (4 vs 8 dependent on your motherboard)

Then you'll need the peripheral connectors. This is where it gets complicated. Depending on your video card of choice, each one could require 1 or 2 PCIe 6 or 8 pin connectors. Then you have to look at how many fan headers your motherboard has, is it enough for your cpu cooler plus all your fans? If not then you'll need SATA to fan or Molex to fan adapters or a fan hub (which will probably take SATA power but could also be Molex or PCIe). Then you'll need 1 SATA connector for each drive you have (assuming you are using SATA or SAS drives). Just count it all up and that's how muich you need.

Overall though, the number of connectors isn't something you generally need to worry about. If your PSU is from a reputable manufacturer and of good quality See this list It probably has the appropriate connectors to connect the average build that would require that much power.

So if you figure out, using PCPartPicker or http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator how much power your system needs and pick a PSU that meets those requirements, you have nothing to worry about.

If you still don't trust that just count up the number of power plugs on your selected components and see if they all have connectors from the PSU.


Unrelated, dual-gpu builds are generally inadvisable except in certain edge cases (e.g. no better single GPU available or high core-count computing applications, etc). What's your plan for this build?

 

[Leander_1]

The number of connectors you need will depend on your specific components.

You'll obviously need the basics:
24pin ATX connector
4 pin/8 pin CPU connector (4 vs 8 dependent on your motherboard)

Then you'll need the peripheral connectors. This is where it gets complicated. Depending on your video card of choice, each one could require 1 or 2 PCIe 6 or 8 pin connectors. Then you have to look at how many fan headers your motherboard has, is it enough for your cpu cooler plus all your fans? If not then you'll need SATA to fan or Molex to fan adapters or a fan hub (which will probably take SATA power but could also be Molex or PCIe). Then you'll need 1 SATA connector for each drive you have (assuming you are using SATA or SAS drives). Just count it all up and that's how muich you need.

Overall though, the number of connectors isn't something you generally need to worry about. If your PSU is from a reputable manufacturer and of good quality See this list It probably has the appropriate connectors to connect the average build that would require that much power.

So if you figure out, using PCPartPicker or http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator how much power your system needs and pick a PSU that meets those requirements, you have nothing to worry about.

Is the Seasonic M12II Evo 620W a good PSU?

 

[apk24]

Is the Seasonic M12II Evo 620W a good PSU?

Seasonic M12II is a great PSU.

 

[apk24]

What system are you building with a 620W PSU and a dual GPU setup?

I feel like there is something wrong with your component selection methodology.

Edit: On checking, 620W should be enough to cover dual GTX 1080s and a non OC Intel CPU so if that's what you're running, it should be fine. If not, you might have to revise something. Because if you're going dual GPU and it isn't 1080s or 1070s, you're losing out performance. Or, if you're trying to run an overclockable build, you're gonna have problems with that PSU

 

[Leander_1]

The number of connectors you need will depend on your specific components.

You'll obviously need the basics:
24pin ATX connector
4 pin/8 pin CPU connector (4 vs 8 dependent on your motherboard)

Then you'll need the peripheral connectors. This is where it gets complicated. Depending on your video card of choice, each one could require 1 or 2 PCIe 6 or 8 pin connectors. Then you have to look at how many fan headers your motherboard has, is it enough for your cpu cooler plus all your fans? If not then you'll need SATA to fan or Molex to fan adapters or a fan hub (which will probably take SATA power but could also be Molex or PCIe). Then you'll need 1 SATA connector for each drive you have (assuming you are using SATA or SAS drives). Just count it all up and that's how muich you need.

Overall though, the number of connectors isn't something you generally need to worry about. If your PSU is from a reputable manufacturer and of good quality See this list It probably has the appropriate connectors to connect the average build that would require that much power.

So if you figure out, using PCPartPicker or http://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator how much power your system needs and pick a PSU that meets those requirements, you have nothing to worry about.

If you still don't trust that just count up the number of power plugs on your selected components and see if they all have connectors from the PSU.


Unrelated, dual-gpu builds are generally inadvisable except in certain edge cases (e.g. no better single GPU available or high core-count computing applications, etc). What's your plan for this build?

This is my plan:

I5 6600K
2x gigabyte gtx 1060
Asus z170 pro gaming
Scythe mugen 4
16gb ddr4 ram 2400mhz
PSU:?
NZXT s340
2 extra fans: corsair af120 quiet edition
Samsung 750 evo 500gb

 

[Leander_1]

What system are you building with a 620W PSU and a dual GPU setup?

I feel like there is something wrong with your component selection methodology.

what's wrong then?

 

[Leander_1]

What system are you building with a 620W PSU and a dual GPU setup?

I feel like there is something wrong with your component selection methodology.

Edit: On checking, 620W should be enough to cover dual GTX 1080s and a non OC Intel CPU so if that's what you're running, it should be fine. If not, you might have to revise something. Because if you're going dual GPU and it isn't 1080s or 1070s, you're losing out performance. Or, if you're trying to run an overclockable build, you're gonna have problems with that PSU

I'm gonna build an overclockable build with a single gtx 1060, but in the future I maybe want to add an extra gtx 1060. What PSU would you suggest?

 

[apk24]

So I am assuming you are a gamer, and making recommendations from that assumption.

Firstly, 1060s cannot be used in SLI. The only games that will be able to leverage the second 1060 are games that support DX12 and LDA/MDA modes. This is pretty rare. Most of your games will just be able to use one of your 1060s.

Secondly, because of the inadequacies of current dual GPU setups/technologies, dual GPU setups scale horribly. You are almost always better off buying a single card than a dual card setup. In your case, the money you would've spent on dual 1060s can be spent on a GTX 1070 giving you a better and more consistent experience across all of your games.

I would instead recommend a build like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($131.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($78.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.77 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Video Card ($415.95 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.27 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 39.9 CFM 120mm Fans ($25.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1181.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-21 16:21 EST-0500

I couldn't find an M12II on pcpp, but you can substitute that in as the PSU as well. The selected PSU is a very highly reviewed fully modular unit. The SSD coul also be replaced by one of many cheaper alternatives. In real world performance there is no noticeable difference between most mianstream SATA SSDs.

 

[Leander_1]

So I am assuming you are a gamer, and making recommendations from that assumption.

Firstly, 1060s cannot be used in SLI. The only games that will be able to leverage the second 1060 are games that support DX12 and LDA/MDA modes. This is pretty rare. Most of your games will just be able to use one of your 1060s.

Secondly, because of the inadequacies of current dual GPU setups/technologies, dual GPU setups scale horribly. You are almost always better off buying a single card than a dual card setup. In your case, the money you would've spent on dual 1060s can be spent on a GTX 1070 giving you a better and more consistent experience across all of your games.

I would instead recommend a build like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z170 PRO GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($131.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($78.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.77 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Video Card ($415.95 @ B&H)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.27 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition (2-Pack) 39.9 CFM 120mm Fans ($25.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1181.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-11-21 16:21 EST-0500

I couldn't find an M12II on pcpp, but you can substitute that in as the PSU as well. The selected PSU is a very highly reviewed fully modular unit. The SSD coul also be replaced by one of many cheaper alternatives. In real world performance there is no noticeable difference between most mianstream SATA SSDs.

One little thing, the gtx 1070 won't fit in my budget and can I stick to the scythe mugen 4?

 

[apk24]

One little thing, the gtx 1070 won't fit in my budget and can I stick to the scythe mugen 4?

If the 1070 doesn't fit in your budget, the 1060 6GB (or the RX480 8GB) is excellent at playing games at 1080p and can even respectably handle 1440p. Not a bad choice at all. Just remember that two 1060s in a single build isn't something you should really include in your upgrade path. I'm sure that by the time you want to upgrade a better single card will be released (similar to how the 1060 can easily beat the 970).

Mugen 4 should be fine, I only changed it to the NH-D14 because it is within the same price class and well reviewed.

 

[Leander_1]

One little thing, the gtx 1070 won't fit in my budget and can I stick to the scythe mugen 4?

If the 1070 doesn't fit in your budget, the 1060 6GB (or the RX480 8GB) is excellent at playing games at 1080p and can even respectably handle 1440p. Not a bad choice at all. Just remember that two 1060s in a single build isn't something you should really include in your upgrade path. I'm sure that by the time you want to upgrade a better single card will be released (similar to how the 1060 can easily beat the 970).

Mugen 4 should be fine, I only changed it to the NH-D14 because it is within the same price class and well reviewed.

okey man, thanks for all your knowledge and time!