Will 6 pin connector work in 8 pin socket

[Joshwatt98]

I am getting a new graphics card , this new GPU has an 8 pin connector fitting however my psu only has a 6 pin connector I would like to know if it compatible with it or not please ? The grqphics card is an msi rx 480 gaming x Thanks

 

[Themastererr]

No you need to have the extra two pins connected as they are grounds.

You can buy an adapter that converts it. No worries.

 

[alexoiu]

I suggest getting a cable 6 to 8 pin. Something like https://www.amazon.com/JacobsParts-6-pin-8-pin-Express-Converter/dp/B00JLTCMFC/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1480784093&sr=1-1&keywords=6+pin+to+8+pin+pcie

 

[sumedh bamane]

is the two ground pins very important?

 

[alexoiu]

Usually cards don't work if the 2 pins are not connected.

 

[4745454b]

If your PSU doesn't have the 8pin plug it's generally a bad idea to force it. What PSU do you have? What does the rest of your system have?

 

[Themastererr]

Ya they're important. I'm pretty sure one is ground and the other is signal. Without that signal it won't boot.

Look it up. Maybe you could get away with it but why bother? Just buy an adapter

 

[4745454b]

Just buy an adapter

Which forces a higher draw on the 12V rail and can fry the PSU? Not a good idea.

 

[Themastererr]

Just buy an adapter

Which forces a higher draw on the 12V rail and can fry the PSU? Not a good idea.

Not sure what you're trying to imply. MSI included a 6 pin to 8 pin with my 980. I don't think they would have included it if it wasn't safe.

 

[TJ Hooker]

Just buy an adapter

Which forces a higher draw on the 12V rail and can fry the PSU? Not a good idea.

Not sure what you're trying to imply. MSI included a 6 pin to 8 pin with my 980. I don't think they would have included it if it wasn't safe.

Yeah, but MSI doesn't know or care what PSU you have.

The idea is that if your PSU doesn't have an 8 pin connector, it probably isn't the type of PSU you want to be running the kind of cards that require 8 pin connectors on.

 

[DSzymborski]

Just buy an adapter

Which forces a higher draw on the 12V rail and can fry the PSU? Not a good idea.

Not sure what you're trying to imply. MSI included a 6 pin to 8 pin with my 980. I don't think they would have included it if it wasn't safe.

Some older but quality PSUs may only have a 6-pin but be perfectly competent. Many are not. You can't recommend adapter usage without any information as to what the PSU is.

 

[Themastererr]

Just buy an adapter

Which forces a higher draw on the 12V rail and can fry the PSU? Not a good idea.

Not sure what you're trying to imply. MSI included a 6 pin to 8 pin with my 980. I don't think they would have included it if it wasn't safe.

Yeah, but MSI doesn't know or care what PSU you have.

The idea is that if your PSU doesn't have an 8 pin connector, it probably isn't the type of PSU you want to be running the kind of cards that require 8 pin connectors on.

I gotcha. Makes sense.

 

[4745454b]

^ Correct. And with the large amount of sub standard PSUs that are out there I wouldn't just say use the adapter. It might work, but using one to force the PSU to do something the manufacturers didn't want it to do just seems like a bad idea. Considering a bad PSU might send out harmful voltage spikes as it dies it could destroy your entire setup. Or the fuse in the PSU will pop and everything else is fine. But without knowing what PSU is being used I generally just tell people there is a risk in using adapters and you are better off just upgrading the PSU.

It's odd to see a PSU with only a 6 pin these days. They generally come with a 6+2pin setup now. If it is 6 pin only that tells me it's either low quality, or an older unit that should be retired. (or it's a newer low wattage PSU.)