Using 6 pin instead of 8 for GTX 960?

[capita]

I have installed this GTX 960 on my old system that has only one 6 pin connector.
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Dual-Link-Graphics-02G-P4-2966-KR/dp/B00SC6HAS4

This card has 8 pin while standard 960 has 6 pin. The PSU in my old system is quality cooler master 500W. So I am wondering if 6 pin can be enough? If not, can I underclock the card to stock speeds to solve the problem?

The card comes with two 6-pin to one 8-pin converter. I tried that but it gave me error saying I should downgrade to PCI-E or something. So I connected 6pin to 8pin directly which works. But I haven't launched any games yet.


Another option is to buy a 4-Pin Molex to 6-Pin PCI-E adaptor. That will cover the 2nd 6-pin connector of the 2x6 into 1x8 converter.

I am not looking to change the PSU as the whole point of getting 960 was for this old system. So my last option will be to get a different card for this system. But before I do that, I wanna test this one a bit without any damage.

Thanks!

 

[sz0ty0l4]

Sometimes you'll get error saying you hven't connected all the pci-e connectors, but sometimes it works.In theory it could work to downclock and draw less power but it's not intended and could undervoltage the gpu.

To be honest I do not suggest to use a good graphics card like the 960 like this. You should upgrade your PSU to be able to power normally your gpu.

 

[renz496]

to be honest i never seen such molex. (2 x6 pin PCI-E to 1x 8 pin PCI-E).

So I connected 6pin to 8pin directly which works. But I haven't launched any games yet.

so that's mean you're connecting the 6 pin directly to the card?

Another option is to buy a 4-Pin Molex to 6-Pin PCI-E adaptor.

instead of that buy 4 pin to 8 pin PCI-E molex. i think that will be much simpler that way.

 

[capita]

Sometimes you'll get error saying you hven't connected all the pci-e connectors, but sometimes it works.In theory it could work to downclock and draw less power but it's not intended and could undervoltage the gpu.

To be honest I do not suggest to use a good graphics card like the 960 like this. You should upgrade your PSU to be able to power normally your gpu.

Of course thats the easy solution. But I am not looking for spending more money on my old system. Otherwise I also have to upgrade CPU and MOBO cuz the MOBO is mini-ATX and I had to remove 2 SATA cables to make room for the card's tail.

I bought the this low power consumption card specifically so it could run in this system & I wouldn't have to change the PSU.

 

[capita]

to be honest i never seen such molex. (2 x6 pin PCI-E to 1x 8 pin PCI-E).

So I connected 6pin to 8pin directly which works. But I haven't launched any games yet.

so that's mean you're connecting the 6 pin directly to the card?

Another option is to buy a 4-Pin Molex to 6-Pin PCI-E adaptor.

instead of that buy 4 pin to 8 pin PCI-E molex. i think that will be much simpler that way.

So 4 pin molex has enough power to supply 8-pin card?

 

[bishopi5]

yes, aslong as its 4 pin to 8 pin you will be fine

 

[capita]

But wouldn't power from 6 pin + 4 pin molex to 8 pin will be better than just 4 pin molex? The card comes with 2x 6 pins to 8 pin converter. I can connect one of its 6 pin to my PSU 6 pin and another to my 4 pin molex using another conveter.

Also I wanna know if I underclock it to stock speeds, then the 6 pin will be sufficient? Since the reference card only requires one 6 pin connecter.

 

[capita]

to be honest i never seen such molex. (2 x6 pin PCI-E to 1x 8 pin PCI-E).

So I connected 6pin to 8pin directly which works. But I haven't launched any games yet.

so that's mean you're connecting the 6 pin directly to the card?

.

Sorry I missed this question.

Yes I have directly connected PSU's 6 pin connecter to GPU's 8 pin and it seems to be working for now. Played some battlefield.

 

[renz496]

Probably you can ask EVGA direclty if using 6 pin that way are recommended or not. If you want to use molex look for 2x 4 pin to 8 pin pcie molex.

 

[Jdphipps]

I have the EVGA GTX 960 FTW and I plugged one 6 pin into the two 6pins to one 8 pin and it works fine.