Molex to 6-Pin on Gigabyte GT740 2Gb DDR5

[MilosStoic]

So I am going to buy a new GPU, Gigabyte GT740 2Gb DDR5 and it has 6-Pin connector and it only uses 64w, I have generic Chinese PSU with real 400w but it doesn't have 6-Pin connector, so can I safely use Molex to 6-Pin adapter? Because I don't have money for PSU, I was collecting money for GPU maybe 1 year 😛

 

[RobCrezz]

Its a 64w card, so it will probably work using the adaptor, because it can generally get all the power from the pci-slot.

Not "recommended" but will likely work.

 

[Eximo]

Agreed, as long as you have the total output this is relatively safe with a low wattage card. Just make sure to check the quality of the adapter, there are some pretty bad wiring jobs out there.

 

[geofelt]

If the graphics card has a 6 pin power connector, it is because it really needs it.
If your psu does not have a 6 pin connector, it is because it is either very old, or it does not have the 12v amperage to support one.
Older psu had legitimate wattage, but they delivered it on 3.3 and 5,5v, not on 12v where modern cpu and graphics cards need it. Does the data plate on the psu say how many 12v amps it can deliver?

I would be cautious.

See if you can't buy a more modern graphics card that does not need a 6 pin connector.
A GTX750 will be stronger and run on slot power only. Yes, it will be more expensive.

A cheaper and less powerful option might be a GT730(64 bit version) which will also run on slot power only.

 

[RobCrezz]

If the graphics card has a 6 pin power connector, it is because it really needs it.

Not always. Sometimes im sure its put on as a marketing feature (as odd as that sounds for a power connector) - No idea why a GT740 would need a 6 pin pci-e power.

 

[Ra_V_en]

Did you use iGPU previously? If so even that 64W GPU might be a trouble for a noname PSU in long term. Can you specify what CPU you are using and any way to note down amperage over 12V rail from that PSU?
Molex->PCIE adapters are fairly safe as far as GPU is not a power hog and you have at least decent PSU. But when PSU doesn't have one it is a good indicator that it might also have trouble with providing proper current or it's very old 😉

 

[MilosStoic]

I'm not a pro at PSU's but on mine it says something like "12v" on the label on it, also some of my Molex connectors are connected to DVD and HDD and I want the GT740 because it is a good deal, I don't want GT730 because it is too weak, also my PC is not that good, just old Pentium Dual Core and 4Gb RAM and now I'm rolling on Sapphire HD4670 1gb

 

[Ra_V_en]

Your motives are irrelevant, if you want GT740 let it be. Speculation does or does not it should use this additional 6pin is also irrelevant, they might do it just because it was easier to design the PCB or just for marketing.
To put a decent recommendation please provide us a details about Amperage of that 12V rail from PSU if possible to eliminate possible shortage.
Also can you specify which exact model of that GPU you will be buying, we could check specs to find out more details about it.

 

[MilosStoic]

Ra_V_en here, have a look, I uploaded an image on my PSU label, I dont understand what those numbers mean - http://imgur.com/KdPKkqr
Also GPU is Gigabyte GT740 2Gb DDR5 as the title says

 

[RobCrezz]

Ok so that is a garbage tier PSU, putting "400w" on that is basically a lie.

Everything these days uses the 12v rail, and that supplies 144w on the 12v, so its basically a 144w PSU.

Continue at your own risk, but me and pretty much everyone here would suggest you upgrade your PSU - Not saying you have to get a Tier 1 Superflower/Seasonic, but something that can at least supply 300w on the 12v rail (25amps).

 

[MilosStoic]

I don't have money, It was so hard collecting $100 for a new GPU, it took me over 1 year to get them also this PSU runs over 3 years on my Pentium Dual Core E5700 3Ghz, 4Gb RAM and Radeon HD4670 1Gb

 

[madmatt30]

That is quite possibly the worst specced & mis-labelled '400w' psu I have ever seen!!!!

 

[RobCrezz]

I don't have money, It was so hard collecting $100 for a new GPU, it took me over 1 year to get them also this PSU runs over 3 years on my Pentium Dual Core E5700 3Ghz, 4Gb RAM and Radeon HD4670 1Gb

Thats unfortunate. By all means try it if you dare, but I cannot recommend it.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Ok so that is a garbage tier PSU, putting "400w" on that is basically a lie.

Everything these days uses the 12v rail, and that supplies 144w on the 12v, so its basically a 144w PSU.

Continue at your own risk, but me and pretty much everyone here would suggest you upgrade your PSU - Not saying you have to get a Tier 1 Superflower/Seasonic, but something that can at least supply 300w on the 12v rail (25amps).

Not necessarily garbage, but very old. It could be a PSU from 2001 for all we know. But probably garbage.

 

[RobCrezz]

That is quite possibly the worst specced & mis-labelled '400w' psu I have ever seen!!!!

Ok so that is a garbage tier PSU, putting "400w" on that is basically a lie.

Everything these days uses the 12v rail, and that supplies 144w on the 12v, so its basically a 144w PSU.

Continue at your own risk, but me and pretty much everyone here would suggest you upgrade your PSU - Not saying you have to get a Tier 1 Superflower/Seasonic, but something that can at least supply 300w on the 12v rail (25amps).

Not necessarily garbage, but very old. It could be a PSU from 2001 for all we know. But probably garbage.

Probably both!

 

[SkyNetRising]

HD 4670 power consumption is 59W.
GT 740 power consumption is 64W.

I agree - that PSU is a garbage and would not recommend it to anyone.
But if it can run HD4670 then it can run GT740 also.

 

[Ra_V_en]

Ra_V_en here, have a look, I uploaded an image on my PSU label, I dont understand what those numbers mean - http://imgur.com/KdPKkqr
Also GPU is Gigabyte GT740 2Gb DDR5 as the title says

As for the GPU you have chosen, there is 2 models of such:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5093#ov
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5344#ov

Both do require additional 6 pin connector.

There is also DDR3 version which doesn't:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5116#ov

Despite both models are rated at 64W TDP you can clearly see the GDDR5 OC versions are clocked a bit higher so in the end it might hit a bit higher power draw (would need some confirmation from a review tho)
With an OC badge and additional power connector Gigabyte is giving an opportunity to go with custom OC and in that conditions PCIE slot power requirements might not be enough to keep it stable, i believe that was the main idea - so not a pure marketing stuff.

So that's about the cards.

Now the PSU.... guys above thrown a bag of hammers already.... and I knew they will as soon as you send some specs.
Most people just see 400W rating and they think it's all good, as you can see the reality might be very different.
The most important numbers here are 12V*12A which gives a whooping 144W.

Now you said you have E5700 CPU:
http://ark.intel.com/pl/products/42801/Intel-Pentium-Processor-E5700-2M-Cache-3_00-GHz-800-MHz-FSB

Quick look on specs and you see it tops out at 65W. Give another ~ 30W on possibly a budget mobo and only for those 2 itself you need ~100W.

I'm quite surprised you have HD 4670... from those numbers it looks that at peak CPU+GPU usage a instability is be a must since it's already overloading the PSU!
If you had some crashes/freezes etc then you know why... and if you didn't then sooner or latter it's very likely you will, even on that old setup with old GPU.

You were stashing each cent for that GPU and now would like to risk a system failure?
There is few decent PSUs for your needs starting with like 25$.... think about it.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

The GT 740 should be slightly above the HD4670 in power requirements from what I see. Depending on the clock rate, one may surpass or fall behind the other.

He's looking realistically at a 150W system under full load. 65W CPU and GPU for 130W. Rest of system, actually more than 150W on the 12V rail. I'm guessing his system just has never been under any real stress, which is why he has never encountered issues.

He'd be smart to replace his PSU.