so I'm planning on buying the EVGA GTX 960 SSC 4GB Version for my girlfriend, but I noticed her PC, even though having a sufficient PSU with 450 W and the GPU suggesting 400W or more her PSU is so old that it only has one 6 Pin PCI-e power connector. I know since her build is pretty old her CPU and probably even the RAM are gonna bottleneck the GPU pretty hard, but at least she'd be able to play The Witcher 2 and 3 until she buys the parts for a new computer.
Now I wonder... the Graphics Card comes with a 2x 6 Pin to 8 Pin adapter. Can I use a 2x Molex to 6 Pin adapter and connect that and the 6 Pin connector from the GPU to the 2x 6 Pin to 8 Pin connector to get it to work? Is there a better solution for this that I haven't considered?
Thank you for any answer. I will buy the Graphics Card today and post the result when I have tested the solution I have in mind... just want to check if the people who, contrary to me, actually know something about this would approve.
I would use the 2 pin to molex connector that comes with most GPUs. What brand of PSU is it btw? Depending on age and quality of the PSU your total power production could be lower than what it is rated for.
It's a pretty old chieftec PSU, but I'm pretty sure it provides enough power. It ran a 9800 GT before which is said to run at 105 W, but since it's mostly on maximum power for any modern game I'd say it uses more than that, so it should be able to run the 960, which is supposed to run at 120 W, although EVGA says a maximum of 160 is possible.
I'm a little worried about the psu because it's not 80+, but I'd buy a new one if it dies.
You can just plug the 6 pin into the 8 pin, it will work. The reference 960 only has a 6 pin, Evga is known for putting in bigger power connections for MOAR OVERCLOCKS but the 960 will run perfectly fine with a 6 pin. Just plug the 6 pin into the 8 pin.
GTX 960 reference, observe that the reference only has a 6 pin
And I think the EVGA model is overclocked by default, do I need to clock it down/can I clock it down if I only connect the 6 pin power connector? Especially because I don't want to fry the PSU.
I think the Palit gtx 960 4gb only needs a 6pin connector, have you considered that? Its probably a bit weaker, but if the rest of the pc is as outdated as you say she probably wont notice the difference. You can probably try the adapter thing, I never did something like that, but if you can avoid using that you should. If you actually try just plugging in the 6pin power into the 8pin connector maybe download msi afterburner and lower the power limit.
The connector will only fit one way but no, all the connections are the same. But you may want to drop the overclock slightly (maybe to the speed of the SC) because from what I've seen the SSC can pull more than the 150W a 6 pin + PCI-E connector can provide. Other than that there isn't much else to say.
I believe you can buy adapters but remember that power supplies lose efficiency as they age. It likely won't produce 450 watts now. I want you to understand that if you decide to continue with this PSU by using an adapter the PSU may die from the extra stress in the next month or year if it works at all and that when they go, they like to kill other components as well.
Rosewill makes adapters for 6 to 8 Pin PCI-2/3 Express Cards, I saw them when I was trying to Register my PSU. So I am sure other people offer them. I would take Logans advice about buying ebay adapters for power, check the pins before you plug them in.
Ok, only connecting the 6 pin connector it tells me to power down and connect the PCIE power connector... I guess it doesn't want to run without the second detection pin from the 8 pin power connector. I'll get the adapter and try again
REPLACE THAT TICKING TIME BOMB WITH A BETTER PSU. If your current psu doesn't have the required adapter for the graphics card its a sign to upgrade. I recommend the EVGA 500B if you are on a budget.
the extra 2 pins on the 8pin are ground pins you just need to take some electrical wire and connect it to any 2 black wires on your psu. even combining with the grounds on the 6 pin will work.
Thank you all for the help. I bought a Corsair VS 550W PSU and connected everything and it works pretty well so far. We're gonna replace the other old parts over time until she has a brand new PC.
