The correct way to power a Graphics card

[james1988]

Hi All,

I would just like to clarify something. After purchasing a new power supply recently, I was told that if your power supply comes with 2 cables for the GPU power connectors that you are supposed to use one for the one plug on your card and a seperate cable for the 2nd plug on your card.

To clarify, I have a MSI GTX 970 that needs a 6 pin and an 8pin power connector from the PSU and my new PSU is the Corsair RM650W which comes with 2 modular GPU power connectors with 2 heads each for a total of 4x 6/8pin connectors.

I always thought that if you only have one card you should only use the one cable from the PSU and tuck the other one away in case of SLI but the technician said it is best to spread out the power delivery between 2 seperate cables.

Can anyone confirm if this is true and if it does indeed increase stability.

If it makes a difference, I am running the card overclocked at the moment (who isnt?)

Thanks!

 

[Eximo]

That is very much dependent on the design of the power supply in question.

With your supply there is only a single 12V rail. So there is no difference how you hook up the 12V power cables.

 

[Automatiic]

Yes, it is dependent on the design of the PSU but as a general rule of thumb, do it regardless because it can't hurt and can only help.