Powering video card

[Dan Brown]

Hello All-

The new build started tonight with a few parts, the rest come tomorrow. My PSU (XION 600w) comes with 10x4pin peripheral connectors, which are way more than I need. It also comes with 2x6pin PCI-Express connectors.

Specs:  +12V1= 22A, +12V2= 22A, +5=53A, +3.3V=35A

My video card (BFG 7950 256mb OC'ed edition) has the pci-express connector on the card. However, it also comes with an adapter that takes two peripheral connections and combines them into an SLI male plug for the video card. My question is, which connections should I use? These are the requirements of the card:

"A 350W PCI Express compliant system power supply (with 12V current rating of 22A or more) "

Clearly I has the 22A, but I'm right on the edge. Any help you guys could offer on which connections to go with would be appreciated, thanks!  :D

[Nick N]

[quote]Hello All-

The new build started tonight with a few parts, the rest come tomorrow. My PSU (XION 600w) comes with 10x4pin peripheral connectors, which are way more than I need. It also comes with 2x6pin PCI-Express connectors.

Specs:

[Dan Brown]

Nick-

Thanks for the reply. I am new to building my own setup, but I have a decent electric/electronics background and I'm learning all the time. This is the picture of the adapter they included with the VC that I was trying to describe earlier:



I have 10 of the molex connectors, so now you can see why I was considering using that. As far as my build is concerned, this system will never see two video cards, in case you were thinking that might constrain my choice. However, I would like to give as much power as possible to the video card. I am looking at this from a car stereo background.... where it was always better to provide as much power as possible (within handling capability), and just keep the gains down. Not sure if that is somewhat relevant here?

If you think the PCI-Express connection will be enough by itself, I have no problems going with that either. I'm just a noobie trying to figure out the finer details of a build. Thanks again Nick!

[Nick N]

Nick-

Thanks for the reply. I am new to building my own setup, but I have a decent electric/electronics background and I'm learning all the time. This is the picture of the adapter they included with the VC that I was trying to describe earlier:



I have 10 of the molex connectors, so now you can see why I was considering using that. As far as my build is concerned, this system will never see two video cards, in case you were thinking that might constrain my choice. However, I would like to give as much power as possible to the video card. I am looking at this from a car stereo background.... where it was always better to provide as much power as possible (within handling capability), and just keep the gains down. Not sure if that is somewhat relevant here?

If you think the PCI-Express connection will be enough by itself, I have no problems going with that either. I'm just a noobie trying to figure out the finer details of a build. Thanks again Nick!

Thats why I wanted to see a picture

that is not an SLi connector, that is exactly as I was describing... you plug 2 power supply connections into that dong and the other end goes to the card. it is designed for low power multirail PSUs... say 2 - 18A or 2 - 20A

You have 22A and I do suspect the PSU manufacture was not stupid and isolated the PCIe to 12v1 -or- 12v2... I cant look up the PSU right now, but the deal is I do think one will be enough.

If you can ID 12v1 and 12v2 off those PSU lines using the website for the PSU or some type of markings you could hook 2 up as I said instead of the PCIe plug coming off the PSU, it wont hurt anything. It just gives the card access to both rails

[Nick N]

I looked up the PSU Dan. I can not find any documentation about which line is which on that unit.

I must assume they were not complete idiots and made PCIe1 on 12v1 and PCIe2 on 12v2. If they wired that PSU any other way, they were morons.. LOL

I think you will be fine on one PCIe plug, assuming that PSU can keep up with the rest of the system

[Dan Brown]

Nick-

Thanks for the info. I went to XION's site as well, but wasn't too impressed with the documentation. The paper documentation that came with the unit wasn't the best either. I'm thinking I will just use the PCIe plug and call it a day. I just wanted to through the question out there because I wasn't sure.


We'll see how this PSU works out. It was the first purchase of the new build so I did not know a whole lot yet. In hindsight I probably would have ordered a different unit knowing what I know now. However, it was only 110 bucks, and shortly after they offered a 50 dollar rebate to clear them off the shelves, so "bang-for-the-buck" might not turn out too bad.....

THANKS AGAIN for your input. Everything else should be here today and hopefully I can report a running system tonight!

[Dan Morera]

Hey Dan, could you please take a picture of how the power supply was conencted to your video card? I'm going to be doing that same connection soon and I have no electronic experience..........well I don't think the electronics on my 1988 jeep are the same as this  ::)

[Nick N]

Nick-

Thanks for the info. I went to XION's site as well, but wasn't too impressed with the documentation. The paper documentation that came with the unit wasn't the best either. I'm thinking I will just use the PCIe plug and call it a day. I just wanted to through the question out there because I wasn't sure.


We'll see how this PSU works out. It was the first purchase of the new build so I did not know a whole lot yet. In hindsight I probably would have ordered a different unit knowing what I know now. However, it was only 110 bucks, and shortly after they offered a 50 dollar rebate to clear them off the shelves, so "bang-for-the-buck" might not turn out too bad.....

THANKS AGAIN for your input. Everything else should be here today and hopefully I can report a running system tonight!

I think you will be fine

as for cheap PSUs.. you are seeing why I dont like them and refuse to deal with them

On top of the fact that I have no way of knowing if that PSU will deliver the power under full load (they do not post a temp to full load % spec), also because it has multiple rails I am screwed if I run out of juice on 12v1 and dont know which outputs are which. Single rail PSUs allow you to draw power from the entire unit, not just one rail, so no need to deal with more than one plug.


EDIT: An example of a 600watt PSU that is worth every penny because when they say 610watts you get 610watts...

http://www.pcpower.com/products/viewpro ... how=S61EPS


and the support that comes with it...

http://www.pcpower.com/products/assets/S61EPS/specs.pdf

scroll down

For 120.00 bucks, thats GOLD and you can bet your arse it will not fail you or give you ANY power related problems

cheaper PSU's make FS9-FSX stutter and drag. They power the system but as the available amp curve drops under a hot load, the parts slow down

Ask JBaymore about that.

[Dan Brown]

Nick-

Yes I am seeing the effects now, you are right. I may look into that 610w unit you posted, or I may move up to a bigger sized unit.  I would like more room to expand (two video cards maybe, some OC'ing, etc) down the road and still not worry about my peak draw. My dad is a prime candidate to take this one should I upgrade, so that's not really any $ lost as he definitely does not need the specs we do, just something over the crappy dell one he has.


The build starts right now, I will post up tonight and let you know how it's going!