Pci 6 2 Vs 8 Pin

An oft overlooked notwithstanding critical factor when building a PC is ability consumption. A top-of-the-line graphics carte can place too great a burden on many PSUs and that is something gamers demand to avoid. To help yous meliorate empathize GPU power connectors, we have prepared this guide.

Some low-end and mid-range graphics cards tin simply apply the PCI Express x16 slot as a ability source, only more demanding cards will need to use 6-pin or 8-pin PCI Limited ability connectors.

This can be particularly confusing when using a multi-GPU setup, as with the SLI. In that instance, the power requirement is the sum of ii (or more than) connected graphics cards.

Let's get started!

PCI Express x16 Connector

PCIe Express x16 Connector - GPU Connector

Motherboards come up with the aforementioned PCI Limited x16 slot that tin provide a maximum of 75 watts of power. Some feature multiple PCI Limited x16 slots in social club to connect more GPUs simply, as previously mentioned, this increases the power requirement.

Here are a few examples of GPUs that don't require any external ability: GT 1030, GTX 1050 2GB variant, RX 550, RX 460, and many others. As none of these GPUs have a lot of processing ability, they don't need more than 75 watts of power.

6-Pin Connector

This connector tin supply the GPU with an additional 75 watts of energy. This ways the graphics card will use the PCI Express x16 slot and also describe power directly from the PSU (Power Supply Unit).

Despite the fact that 150 watts are enough for most graphics cards, high-end cards such equally NVIDIA's RTX 3080 crave more than 320 watts and system ability of 750 watts. As 150 watts will be enough for almost mid-range cards, these ordinarily feature the half dozen-pin ability connector.

The terms "PCI Express cables" or "PEG cables" (for PCI Express Graphics) can also exist used to describe 6-pin connectors.

8-Pivot Connector

Although the math might non seem right when compared to the 6-pin connector, the viii-pivot connector tin can deliver 150 watts to a graphics card. If the GPU requires more than 150 watts, information technology will come up with an viii-pin connector or two 6-pin connectors.

Equally always, there are exceptions. The near ability-hungry graphics cards will come up with a half-dozen-pin and an 8-pin connector. For example, NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3060 has both types of connectors. Every bit a outcome, it has a maximum ability consumption of 170 watts.

There are fifty-fifty some infrequent cases where the GPU will have two eight-pivot connectors. By simply adding the numbers together, we get a total of 375 watts, but that is an extreme amount. In improver, you yet demand to ability the CPU (which is another large energy consumer) and the rest of your PC's components.

In fifty-fifty rarer cases, there are enthusiast GPUs that crave three eight-pin connectors. These are usually the manufacturers' highest-end models made to provide the all-time possible cooling and overclocking. An case of such a GPU is the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti LIGHTNING Z.

In whatsoever instance, it's safe to say that your machine will exist properly powered with a good 650 watts PSU. Withal, if you're edifice a gaming rig with an RTX 3080/3090 or if you want to future-proof it (which is most incommunicable), you lot should choose a more powerful PSU. Be conscientious considering with great ability comes a greater chance of overheating.

There is also a rule of thumb that the PSU runs all-time when it's at l% capacity, but that is a different topic that should exist looked at on a case-past-case basis.

12-Pin Connectors

With the release of NVIDIA's RTX 3000 series, we were introduced to 12-pin power connectors. This move was made out of necessity as NVIDIA desperately needed the extra power for their most powerful cards and came up with a rather elegant solution.

A 12-pin connector is roughly the same size as an 8-pin connector, but it can depict a lot more ability. NVIDIA was forthcoming regarding the availability of PSUs with 12-pin connectors, so it released an adapter that allows 2 six-pin connectors to interface with its card'southward 12-pin slot.

Adapters Or Converters For Connectors

At that place are ofttimes compatibility issues when building a PC and power connectors are no dissimilar. Fortunately, computers are made by engineers who like to modify hardware that isn't suited to their needs by default.

A company called Molex pioneered these pivot connectors all the way back in the late 50s and early 60s and it has since go synonymous with the term. Don't be surprised if you hear these beingness referred to every bit Molex Adapters or Molex Converters.

4-Pivot Molex to half dozen-Pin PCI-E Adapter Cablevision

You lot should employ this cablevision if your graphics carte du jour requires a 6-pivot power connector but your PSU doesn't have it. This is usually a sign of a very onetime PSU, so it might be time for an upgrade. If you're determined to keep your existing PSU, know that this sort of adapter sometimes requires one iv-pivot connector, simply information technology will nearly often exist two, which is the recommended pick.

4-Pivot Molex to eight-Pivot PCI-Eastward Power Adapter Cablevision

This cable uses two 4-pin connectors and adapts them to an 8-pin connector. 4-pin to 8-pin is something that will likely exist useful with upper-mid-range and loftier-stop graphics cards.

six-Pivot to eight-Pin PCI-E Adapter Cablevision

If you've recently purchased a top-grade GPU, it will probable require an 8-pin connector, which some PSUs might not have. In that case, the 6-pivot to 8-pin adapter is the solution for you.

2x viii-Pin To 12-Pin PCI-E Adapter Cable

As mentioned earlier, the 12-pin power connector is the latest applied science necessary for NVIDIA'southward 3000 series graphics cards. Considering at that place were relatively few PSUs with a 12-pin power connector on the launch of the 3000 series, NVIDIA included a dual 8-pin to 12-pin adapter with its production.

SATA to vi-Pin PCI-Due east Adapter Cable

This cable converts your SATA connectors to a 6-pivot connector, but this is generally advised against. At that place is a adventure that SATA won't be able to handle the power that your graphics card requires and this is not something that you want to encounter, specially if the cablevision is labeled as "SATA but".

SATA to 8-Pin PCI-E Adapter Cable

SATA tin likewise exist adapted to an 8-pin power connector. In this scenario, at that place will exist two SATA connectors for one 8-pin connector.

Important Note Most Adapters

In most cases, it's best to upgrade your PSU if yous lack connectors, equally older PSUs weren't congenital with current power requirements in mind. If possible, it'southward best to use Molex to Molex for your GPU needs, as they have thicker wires and can transfer more than current. A SATA to Molex adapter could be exposed and atomic number 82 to exhaustion if the GPU draws more than power with a college load or by overclocking.