Power Supply -> 10-Pin connector, what is it used for?

[Super_Stinger]

Hi all!

I have an upcoming lan party and Im using a combination of second hand and new parts to build a cheap new PC.

I have a powerful AMD/ATI Graphics card that Id like to test/Use, but it requires a 6-pin and an 8-pin input from the Power supply. However, the power supply only has one 8-pin connector, which is used by the motherboard ( I have a large amount of 6-pin connectors, so they are fine ). I have noticed that there was a 10-pin connector being unused, im not sure what these are for and im wondering if i could still use this connector, even if two of the pins are hanging off the end. If not, what adapters should I buy/look for either the 10-pin/6-pin or molex connectors

 

[06yfz450ridr]

hmm 10 pin? cant say i know what that could even be your best bet is to just grab a good 2 molex to 6/8pin. i have heard people using just two 6 pins even though they had a 6 and an 8 and it works but you may run into power issues and I wouldnt recommend it in the middle of a lan party

 

[rhysiam]

You're actually on pretty dangerous ground here. Even if you can find cables that fit, you can't just assume that your powersupply is up to the job. The problem is that cheap powersupplies will often fail if they're loaded up too high (which is exactly what a high end graphics card will do) and... bigger problem... when they fail will often do so catastrophically and can destroy any (even all) equipment they're connected to.

I'm happy to help here, but you need to back up a bit.

What's the make and model of the power supply, graphics card and CPU? That way we can tell if you're safe to proceed.

 

[Super_Stinger]

You're actually on pretty dangerous ground here. Even if you can find cables that fit, you can't just assume that your powersupply is up to the job. The problem is that cheap powersupplies will often fail if they're loaded up too high (which is exactly what a high end graphics card will do) and... bigger problem... when they fail will often do so catastrophically and can destroy any (even all) equipment they're connected to.

I'm happy to help here, but you need to back up a bit.

What's the make and model of the power supply, graphics card and CPU? That way we can tell if you're safe to proceed.

PSU: Dell Kilowatt H1000E-01
GPU: ATI Radeon 4870 HD x2
CPU: Pentium 4 Quad Core ( I think, not sure of model )

The PSU has worked thus far in an previous PC and Ive never run into problems with it ( Besides it abnormal slightly larger size, damn you dell! ). Let me know if you need more info.

 

[rhysiam]

Wow, did you get that out of an old server or workstation? Either way, I'm guessing it came from a high end box and I'd be very surprised if Dell put a junk PSU in there. You're likely okay. Plus, if it is actually 1KW, you'll be running nowhere near full load.

I'd take 06yfz450ridr's advice above then. But just have a look at how many 12V rails there are and try to distribute the load evenly across the rails (I'm assuming there are several?).

Each 6 pin PCIe will provide 75W
Each 8 pin PCIe will provide 150W
The motherboard will provide (up to) a further 75W to the video card + whatever the CPU draws, which shouldn't be more than 140W at absolute most.

 

[Super_Stinger]

Wow, did you get that out of an old server or workstation? Either way, I'm guessing it came from a high end box and I'd be very surprised if Dell put a junk PSU in there. You're likely okay. Plus, if it is actually 1KW, you'll be running nowhere near full load.

I'd take 06yfz450ridr's advice above then. But just have a look at how many 12V rails there are and try to distribute the load evenly across the rails (I'm assuming there are several?).

Each 6 pin PCIe will provide 75W
Each 8 pin PCIe will provide 150W
The motherboard will provide (up to) a further 75W to the video card + whatever the CPU draws, which shouldn't be more than 140W at absolute most.

Ahaha, thanks for the quick replies! Both of you!
I think Ill do a bit of extra research.

Many Thanks,
Super_Stinger

 

[Super_Stinger]

Just one more thing, the Dell PSU has more than one 4-pin 12V connectors, can I use two of these for the motherboard instead of the 8-pin? ( Allows the 8-pin to be free for the GPU )

 

[06yfz450ridr]

Just one more thing, the Dell PSU has more than one 4-pin 12V connectors, can I use two of these for the motherboard instead of the 8-pin? ( Allows the 8-pin to be free for the GPU )

8 pin cpu power connector is a different shape and also has and extra 12v, the gpu 8 pin has 2 grounds on the last top and bottom pins. ( I tried that once since I had a extension cable for that part)