Powering Radeon R9 280X Vapor-X

[Abyss_of_Sorrow]

Hey guys. I posted a thread the other day about my power supply dying out on me. I ordered a new power supply that was recommended by a user on this forum. Its the EVGA Supernova 650 G2. I have a Radeon R9 280X graphics card. The card seems to require two 8 pin VGA cables for power. The power supply I have doesn't have a single VGA cable that has two 8 pins on it. It comes with two 6-Pin+ 8-Pin PCI-E VGA cables (its also fully modular).

I'm not quite positive how to plug up the power supply to the graphics card. Will I need to use both of the cables and just use the 6+2 Pin part of both of them into the graphics card? Or am I overlooking something. This is a link to my build for more information. Thank you.

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Abyss_of_Sorrow/saved/#view=sXFqqs

 

[jimmysmitty]

You will need to use both 6+2 pin PCIe connectors. Those are the standard cables that come with most PSUs these days since some GPUs need a single 6, some need a single 8, some need a 8 and 6 and some need two 6 or two 8. It is easier to have that setup (6+2) rather than a bunch of 6 or 8. Plus helps to keep the cables neat and tidy.

Plug them both in and it should power up fine. I have the same GPU (well the HD7970GHz Vapor-X) and had to plug a 6+2 into each 8pin port.

 

[Abyss_of_Sorrow]

You will need to use both 6+2 pin PCIe connectors. Those are the standard cables that come with most PSUs these days since some GPUs need a single 6, some need a single 8, some need a 8 and 6 and some need two 6 or two 8. It is easier to have that setup (6+2) rather than a bunch of 6 or 8. Plus helps to keep the cables neat and tidy.

Plug them both in and it should power up fine. I have the same GPU (well the HD7970GHz Vapor-X) and had to plug a 6+2 into each 8pin port.

Alright. So just as a confirmation it won't hurt anything to use two different PCI-E cables in one graphics card?

 

[jimmysmitty]

No in fact you would need to as most PCIe cables only have 1 6+2. So yes use two different 6+2 cables for the GPU.

 

[Abyss_of_Sorrow]

No in fact you would need to as most PCIe cables only have 1 6+2. So yes use two different 6+2 cables for the GPU.

I got everything hooked up and the computer powered on again. But the computer would not post. After a lot of testing, I determined that the graphics card is preventing posting. I removed it and the computer is working again. I reset CMOS and that did nothing to help. I'm completely clueless as to what to do now. Its gotten me quiet a bit upset and I have no idea what I can do to remedy it. I don't know if the graphics card died with the PSU (but the fans and lights on the graphics card are all working steadily), or if something happened to my motherboard. With the graphics card out the computer seems to be running normally again. Just don't know where to go from here.

 

[jimmysmitty]

Make sure it looks like that when connected.

And it sounds like the GPU might have been taken out with the PSU. It can happen and does happen often.

 

[Abyss_of_Sorrow]

Make sure it looks like that when connected.

And it sounds like the GPU might have been taken out with the PSU. It can happen and does happen often.

Looks just like that, but it has a constant 3 green lights on at all times. Lights and fans still work as well. I'm going to attempt to borrow a friend's graphics card and see if it works in my system, just in case its the PCI-E x16 slot on the motherboard.

 

[jimmysmitty]

It turns out the lights are for the status of the power phase so those wont help us.

Using a friends GPU can help. If it works then we know its your GPU. If it does not then your board, I doubt the board though since you can get it to POST without the GPU.

 

[Abyss_of_Sorrow]

Well I just tested and returned his graphics card to him. My computer booted right up after installing his, and it was even a different brand. He was going to test mine in his system but the card would not fit in the drive bay. I'm guessing that there is nothing else really left to do at this point but replace the graphics card huh?

 

[jimmysmitty]

If his works while yours does not that would signify to me that the GPU you have has gone bad which is unfortunate. But you could look at it as a good reason to upgrade.

 

[Abyss_of_Sorrow]

If his works while yours does not that would signify to me that the GPU you have has gone bad which is unfortunate. But you could look at it as a good reason to upgrade.

Would you happen to have any recommendations as far as upgrades go that won't be too much on my PSU? Thanks so much for all the help by the way.

 

[jimmysmitty]

It depends on what you prefer. If you prefer AMD then a R9 390/390X would be decent but pushing that PSU a bit. If you want NVidia then you can go to the GTX 970/980. Also depends on how much you want to spend.

 

[Abyss_of_Sorrow]

It depends on what you prefer. If you prefer AMD then a R9 390/390X would be decent but pushing that PSU a bit. If you want NVidia then you can go to the GTX 970/980. Also depends on how much you want to spend.

As far as brands go I don't mind too much as long as it performs well. I was happy with how the R9 280X was working, but if I can go at least slightly above it I definitely won't mind. I was hoping to not have to spend more (or much more) than $250 on a new one.

 

[Abyss_of_Sorrow]

After looking at the graphics cards you have suggested I have definitely decided that the R9 390x and the GTX 980 are a lot more than I can pay right now. I am looking between the R9 390 and the GTX 970 though. I see some pros and cons of both cards, but which one do you guys think would work better with my system specifically in mind?

 

[jimmysmitty]

Well the R9 390 will have the advantage of 4GB of full VRAM, the 970 is 3.5GB + 512MB. What games do you play?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-amd-radeon-r9-390-8gb-review

For the most part they are very evenly matched. If you do the 390 I would do the Asus or Sapphire card. If you do the 970 I would do Asus or EVGA.

 

[Abyss_of_Sorrow]

Well the R9 390 will have the advantage of 4GB of full VRAM, the 970 is 3.5GB + 512MB. What games do you play?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-amd-radeon-r9-390-8gb-review

For the most part they are very evenly matched. If you do the 390 I would do the Asus or Sapphire card. If you do the 970 I would do Asus or EVGA.

I play a lot of MMORPGs like Guild Wars 2 and Tera. Tera being the most graphically intensive game I have at the moment. I was just getting into PC gaming good when I had this issue. I would prefer the choice of the two being the most reliable, and the least likely to overwork my power supply. Would this make the better choice the 970?

 

[madmatt30]

On temps, power draw , efficiency - the 970 by a fair bit mate.

 

[jimmysmitty]

Well the R9 390 will have the advantage of 4GB of full VRAM, the 970 is 3.5GB + 512MB. What games do you play?

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-amd-radeon-r9-390-8gb-review

For the most part they are very evenly matched. If you do the 390 I would do the Asus or Sapphire card. If you do the 970 I would do Asus or EVGA.

I play a lot of MMORPGs like Guild Wars 2 and Tera. Tera being the most graphically intensive game I have at the moment. I was just getting into PC gaming good when I had this issue. I would prefer the choice of the two being the most reliable, and the least likely to overwork my power supply. Would this make the better choice the 970?

I need to correct myself, the R9 390 has 8GB of VRAM not 4GB. Keep forgetting it is a R9 290 8GB not normal.

That said, in terms of the PSU I would go for the GTX 970 before the R9 390 for that. It will use less power and the GPUs trade blows a lot. The biggest problem is though, no one ever uses MMOs to review a game and I think they should as MMOs present a very different performance number.

But since your R9 280X was working for you a GTX 970 will be a big jump, enough that you will be happy.

Personally I would go with this one :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121899

I have always had good luck with Asus.

If not then a EVGA would be a great option as well. Those two are probably the best manufactures for nVidia GPUs.

 

[Abyss_of_Sorrow]

Alright. I'm going to do my best to confirm that my card is dead and not eligible for a cheap RMA, and if not I will definitely be replacing it with a GTX 970. Thank you both for the help. And thank you especially jimmysmitty as you have been helping me over the course of days now.