[SOLVED] Why does my GPU have 2 pins merged?

[pippirippi]

This is an old GPU, geforce 6 series. It's a PCI card, not PCIexpress. The pins in the picture are the first set of pins from the left, near the output ports, front side. The card seems to work fine, without issues. As far as I know it's always been like that but I'd like to know why 2 pins are merged?

I've searched the pinout and I've found this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_Component_Interconnect#Connector_pinout
If I'm correct, pins 5-6 are both +5V pins so I guess they're the same thing as they both are used to provide voltage. But why are they merged like that?

 

[jay32267]

I think they most likely wouldn't have to be merged....but it doesn't matter if they are.
I really don't see any benefit to merging them. Both are 5 volts......and probably come from the same node on the PSU.

 

[boju]

Are you sure you're talking about Geforce 6? Found it odd there would have been a PCI only model but according to Nvidia, only AGP / PCIe models exist.

GeForce 6 Tech Specs|NVIDIA

NVIDIA

www.nvidia.com

Not sure about the pin arrangement but if ya going to search info on it, it might be worth double checking which slot type you're actually using.

 

[hotaru.hino]

https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-S-Video-Graphics-512-P1-N402-LR/dp/B001V9LQC0

There was a GeForce 6200 that had a PCI version, but I think that was the only PCI card in that generation.

I can't think of any good reason why it's merged. I could think of some reasons, but no good enough reason that makes any practical sense.

 

[boju]

I see. Must be that then i guess. Funny, Amazon directs me to AU site which is normal, but that 6200 lists for $606 lol.

 

[pippirippi]

Are you sure you're talking about Geforce 6? Found it odd there would have been a PCI only model but according to Nvidia, only AGP / PCIe models exist.

Yep it's a 6200 256MB PCI card as correctly suggested by @hotaru.hino (I've just checked the label). Perhaps there is a bit of confusion with the 600 series? This card is very old. It was probably one of the first gen cards after AGP but before PCIe.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Yep it's a 6200 256MB PCI card as correctly suggested by @hotaru.hino (I've just checked the label). Perhaps there is a bit of confusion with the 600 series? This card is very old. It was probably one of the first gen cards after AGP but before PCIe.

Nah, it's just that PCI cards became extremely rare after AGP was a thing. But funny thing, they made PCI cards all the way up to the HD 5450 and GT 710.

 

[pippirippi]

Was PCI the standard before AGP? I thought it was the other way around: AGP->PCI->PCIe.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Was PCI the standard before AGP? I thought it was the other way around: AGP->PCI->PCIe.

Yes, PCI was before AGP.

Fun fact, AGP is really a dedicated PCI bus. Standard PCI slots share a single bus.

 

[boju]

That's why i was wondering about the sIots. I know GF6 is old but PCI is ancient, surprised it was still used.

 

[animekenji]

Are you sure you're talking about Geforce 6? Found it odd there would have been a PCI only model but according to Nvidia, only AGP / PCIe models exist.

GeForce 6 Tech Specs|NVIDIA

NVIDIA

www.nvidia.com

Not sure about the pin arrangement but if ya going to search info on it, it might be worth double checking which slot type you're actually using.

GeForce 6200 PCI

https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-S-Video-Graphics-512-P1-N402-LR/dp/B001V9LQC0

 

[boju]

GeForce 6200 PCI

https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-S-Video-Graphics-512-P1-N402-LR/dp/B001V9LQC0

It's already been clarified but thanks for rubbing it in 😊