How to Power a GPU with no 8 pin

[Koro_]

I have bought a used gtx 760 just to find out that i have no pci 8 pin connector in my psu. I just want to check if the gpu is working. I tried to plug my 6 pin connector and boot and the fans work and I get image in the pc, but telling me to power off the pc and connect the pci cable. Does that mean that the GPU is working?
I know that there are pci 6 pins to 8 pins connectors, but I just want to check if the GPU is working asap

 

[elbert]

If you got image may only mean its working in AGP mode. Ive installed drivers to only get black screen. It really needs to be test at full resolution to be sure. You should also test it in games to make sure.

 

[Lutfij]

1| It'd be a good idea to pass on the make and model of the GPU as well as your PSU.
2| In fact it's customary to include your full system's specs when posting a thread of troubleshooting nature.
3| If the GPU came with an 8pin connector, it's meant to be powered by an 8 pin PCI-E connector. you can try and source a splitter like this:

but the fact that your PSU is devoid of that connector is an indication that the unit can't power the GPU which can and will damage the GPU eve for a brief moment of use.

 

[geofelt]

If you get an image, the card is likely ok.

But, it will need the extra 75w that a 8 pin connector can give to make it run properly.

If your psu does not have 8 pin power it may be insufficient to do the job.
Make/model of the psu and card would help.

 

[Koro_]

Sorry, im noob here. The PSU is a l375p-00 by dell, kinda bad. The GPU is an Nvidia gtx 760 by asus, factory overclocked. If you need it, my mobo is a dell TP412. Do you recommend that I buy a new PSU, or a 6 to 8 pin cable? I calculated system's power usage and it seems like I can keep using my psu

 

[Vic 40]

Best would be to get a new psu. It's not really the wattage i'm concerned about,but that it is already older and that it has two +12V rails. When powering the gpu via a molex connector solution could you easily try to get too much power from one of those.

 

[elbert]

You probably need a good power supply. One like this should do the trick.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Power Supply: SeaSonic - S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $64.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-05-06 09:41 EDT-0400

 

[geofelt]

My reading says you have a 375w psu with only one 6 pin pcie connector.
Still, it looks like most of the available power can be delivered to +12v where it is needed.
You should be ok with a dual molex to 8 pin pcie adapter cable like this:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA98C3RE1851

 

[Vic 40]

My reading says you have a 375w psu with only one 6 pin pcie connector.
Still, it looks like most of the available power can be delivered to +12v where it is needed.
You should be ok with a dual molex to 8 pin pcie adapter cable like this:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA98C3RE1851

Two +12V rails,you know what is powered by which rail?

 

[geofelt]

My reading says you have a 375w psu with only one 6 pin pcie connector.
Still, it looks like most of the available power can be delivered to +12v where it is needed.
You should be ok with a dual molex to 8 pin pcie adapter cable like this:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA98C3RE1851

Two +12V rails,you know what is powered by which rail?

Multiple UL rails is a safety implementation limiting power distribution.
Virtually all power supplies have only one power generating rail.
Not an issue to worry about.

 

[Vic 40]

I hope you're right in this case.

 

[geofelt]

The main issue with a cheap psu is not that it can't deliver needed power.

It is that it may not have protective circuitry to prevent damage if it fails.
For a Dell psu, I do not know what they protect or do not protect.
I would hope that DELL, a reputable company would not go cheap in that regard.

If the unit has been working without issue to date, I would not be overly worried.

 

[Koro_]

It has been working till now, from 2008, but as this is a secondary PC and I will be overclocking, modding and doing work all day I think I should just upgrade the PSU. Thanks for your answers

 

[Lutfij]

From 2008, you need to account for capacitor degradation. By now it's probably half it's effective power output. You seem to have settled on buying a new PSU which is a good thing.