6-pin to 8-pin pci express adaptor - will it work?

[mulligan2k]

hi guys, just bought a radeon 6990 to replace my 6950 only to find that the new card needs 2x 8-pin power cables whereas my old card used the 6-pin power cables

 

can i just use an adaptor like this or will i have issues with the wattage not being enough?

 

are there any other adaptors i can use off other cables i might have on my psu?

[Hum]

says,

• Connect your power supply to newer 8-pin video cards

So, Yes -- it will work.

 

I see this customer review on the Amazon page:

 

using this to power a 8 pin graphics card from 6 pin connection apparently only gives u half the wattage u need so it may not work under high load. these supple 75 watts i think and 8 pin should get 150watts

 

[mulligan2k]

says,

• Connect your power supply to newer 8-pin video cards

So, Yes -- it will work.

 

i read that too, but my worry is it that the 6-pin cables are only rated for 75watt but the 8-pin are for 150watt. reading up a bit more im concerned will potential unstability / fire(!) if the card tries to pull 150watt through the 75watt rated cables

[Hum]

I know you won't like the advice, but I would really upgrade your motherboard or PSU, to the proper 8-pin. :/

[mulligan2k]

I know you won't like the advice, but I would really upgrade your motherboard or PSU, to the proper 8-pin. :/

Yep that's what I was thinking too :(

[cork1958]

I know you won't like the advice, but I would really upgrade your motherboard or PSU, to the proper 8-pin. :/

 

Exactly!!

[Raa]

You can do this, but I strongly advise you to run it at full power while monitoring the heat on the leads for a few minutes.

If they heat up too much - you'll need real 8 pinners.

 

I've done this before with a high success rate. I had one case that ended up in a melted cable, but it was also not a great PSU either.

[mulligan2k]

UPDATE

 

after untangling and unclip some wires from my psu (bought the computer from pcspecialist a few years back so unused cables were tied back) i've discover that my psu has both the 6 pin pci-e power cables and the 6+2 pci-e cables!

 

saves me having to by a new power unit unless i want to crossfire the card in the future