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9point6 ,

If your GPU has two power connectors you should always use two runs from the PSU.

You only have to ask yourself why they would bother with the second connector if it was okay to just attach a little extension to the end of a single cable.

Some cards may run fine with this setup, but you’re going to be increasing fire risk by potentially running more amps down a wire than is safe to.

weker01 ,

You only need to ask yourself why the PSU manufacturer would bother including the second connector on the same cable if it wasn’t ok to use it.

If you use a third party extension/splitter that would be another story but it doesn’t look that way in the diagram.

SoJB ,

If the GPU has two power inputs, you don’t do the “don’t do” diagram. Period.

Like other commenters have input, there are specific situations where you’re probably fine.

If you have to ask, just fix your wiring to one of the green check configs.

This is literally how house fires start.

Fizz OP ,
@Fizz@lemmy.nz avatar

Crap I was hoping someone wouldn’t say this. Rewiring its going to be a mission.

weker01 ,

Only if you buy a shitty PSU. Quality ones have lots of protection circuits so worst case the PC would randomly shut down in high load situations.

Even then if the manufacturer put two connectors on the end of the cable they made sure to put large enough conductors to handle at least the max load of the connectors specifications. Again if it’s not a shitty no name brand. Probably with a good safety factor as well.

It’s not like 300-400W is that much energy in the grand scheme of things, so thicker wires wouldn’t even be expensive.

RiQuY ,

Is this a thing with new GPUs? I’ve always connected my GPUs with 1 cable there was no option for 2. I currently have a RX5700 XT.

DeprecatedCompatV2 ,

I changed it when it kept crashing on me. Then I bought a new power supply and the crashing stopped. That’s what I get for ordering the 7/7/7nm/'700xt from XFX…

Edit: they should be on separate rails, so it’s not a bad idea, especially if you’re having stability issues.

HK65 ,

I have a 7900 XTX, having upgraded from a 5700 XT, yeah it’s a thing, and it is also a much chonkier boi. Weighs like 2.5 kilos, barely fits my case.

Romkslrqusz ,

The concern is that really running too much current / many amps through too thin of a cable risks melting the cable, which can in turn cause a short and fry things.

For a cable meeting the minimum specification, for one 8-Pin PCI connector it would be rated to handle about 12A / 150W. L

Your card can draw up to 300W. If your second PCI power connector is a “pigtail” off of the first, then the first run of cable is taking about 25A at full load.

If the cables are thick and overbuilt, that’s bot really an issue. If the cables are thinner and have a lower current rating, they could melt.

Best practice is to split the connections across the power supply’s available ports.

RegalPotoo ,
@RegalPotoo@lemmy.world avatar

A well built power supply will have a current limit on the connector to prevent the cable melting problem, but that means if you have a card that needs 200w, but only power it via 1 connector you are going to run into problems

fuckwit_mcbumcrumble ,

12hpwr/6+6 will do 600 watts using a lot less copper than what you’ll find in 4 8 pin pcie cables.

The ATX standard allows for a 5% voltage drop. This shitty 2.1 star rated extension cable uses 18 gauge wire which is typically the worst you’ll see in a cable. Using this calculator 30 amps on an 18 gauge 3 foot cable leaves you with 0.1v of drop which is within spec. And there’s 3 +12v wires in every 8 pin cable. You’ll be fine.

rem26_art ,
@rem26_art@fedia.io avatar

When I bought my last PSU and GPU it also came with a diagram like this, so that's how I plugged in the cables. I guess its better to balance the power draw for the GPU over both the GPU ports on the PSU, rather than try to pull it all through one cable.

The annoying thing for me was that my PSU (a Seasonic) didn't come with single GPU power cables, and only came with the ones with 2 ends, so they're a little ugly just hanging there.

fuckwit_mcbumcrumble ,

As long as you’re not overclocking you’ll be fine. If you can share a cable for 2 3 8 pin gpus then why wouldn’t you be able to do the same for 2?

If you’re trying to overclock the snot out of it then you should theoretically get better performance out of two cables.

Sanctus ,
@Sanctus@lemmy.world avatar

Its been years I ain’t checkin’ that shit. I’ll make sure to forget this for the new build.

Omega_Jimes ,

The manufacturer is concerned that they will be pulling a ton of power from both connectors. Sometimes the second connector is just for ancillary power silly or balancing, in this instance they are saying that they’re planning on your card pulling as much power as possible.

You might find that in heavy situations, or on hot days, your power supply overcurrent will trip out and your system will crash. If you have the second connector, I’d connect it, and if you’re worried about having a plug dangle around just tie it back with a tywrap or some electrical tape so it’s nice and clean.

Rentlar ,

Yes. I too did this once with a friend’s build, scratching my head why performance was terrible and power usage didn’t go above 250W.

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