EVGA 680i MOBO 4-Pin Power connector (PWR3)

[Hauk]

The manual says it's "Auxiliary power for graphics."

I'm running one 8800GTX which already has two PCI-E power inputs. Do I need power to the 4-pin PWR3 on the mobo as well?

P/N: EVGA 122-CK-NF63-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX

 

[NYHoustonman]

I've been fine without it, although I've never actually tried it WITH it attached...

http://evga.com/community/messageboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34598

 

[Hauk]

Thanks for the link. I tried EVGA but came up empty. You search good.

I'm gonna run without it. Sounds like it will be okay. Funny how there's no solid answer to when you *are* supposed to use it, ie two or even three PCI-E cards. I think I'll bug EVGA for an official answer.

 

[Hauk]

EVGA rocks on customer service. I've had good experiences with them. I just got a call back within 10 minutes of leaving a message to tech support.

They said to use the 4-pin conn in SLI configurations and above (physics+sli). The 4-pin connector provides power to the PCI-E bus but not to the cards. Helps with stability with oc'ing. There's no chance of overvolting a powered card by using the conenctor too.

 

[lopri]

You mean, the molex connector next to memory slots? DEFINITELY CONNECT IT if you're overclocking CPU/memory. From my experience it has little to do with the graphics, but rather memory. But if you have no problem without it, then no worries of course.

 

[HeatMiser]

From what eVGA has said, the 4-pin molex connector provides additional power to the PCIe slots. As SteelSix said, you really only have to use it if you have SLI or run a second PCIe card. Should have nothing to do with cpu/mem, but if you find that your PC is more stable with it plugged in, then by all means plug it in.