GTX 280 8-pin power connector?

[LintMan]

I just got my new EVGA GTX 280 card and discovered that it requires a 6-pin and an 8-pin PCIe power connector.

My SeaSonic S12 650W PS has two 6-pin PCIe connectors, and an 8-pin connector I thought was PCIe, but it doesn't quite fit in the spot on the board. Looking it up http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817151028, it seems that the 8-pin connector is a "CPU power connector" but it isn't used on my system, and it seems almost identical to the 8-pin adapter provided with the GTX280.

The adapter uses two 6-pin connectors to make the 8-pin one, and then they provide a separate adapter that takes two 4-pin molex to make one 6-pin for the other spot on the card. But the documentation gives grave warnings about using these adapters long-term.

I've been very happy with the SeaSonic PS - it's a good beefy supply and it's not that old. I find it hard to believe it couldn't handle the GTX280 when it was fine with my overclocked 8800GTX and it's an nvidia SLI-rated PS.

From my quick look around, it seems like there aren't a lot os PS's out there with 8-pin PCIe power connectors, and the few I saw seem to be "6+2" ones.

I'm wondering if the grave warnings are directed more at systems with wimpier PS's and if I might be able to keep using the current config, or find a single 6-to-"6+2"/8-pin PCIe power connector adapter that would let me use my other 6-pin connector as normal and skip the molex rigamarole. Bad idea or just not possible?

If I have to get a new PS, any recommendations for a good, quiet, under $120 one?

Edit: I found two sites that sell adapters:
http://www.frozencpu.com/produ...-E2_Adapter_Cable.html
http://www.performance-pcs.com...1445076fdba6f0d0d17f97
So really the question is whether this is a good/safe idea or not. Is there such heavy draw on the 8-pin that the SeaSonic's 6-pin connector won't be able to handle it?

Thanks,
-Bryon

 

[bryanW1995]

that psu will handle your 280 with no problems whatsoever.

 

[apoppin]

i run my 850 OCZ - all with 6-pin connectors - with a 280GTX and an alligator clip to connect the uncovered pins to ground

:Q

And .. [there is more] .. i also run my 4870x2 with the same alligator clip AND a 4870 for Crossfire x3 .. i used to run TWO alligator clips in a similar fashion for 2900xt CF
... so yeah, i think you are OK

 

[LintMan]

Thanks, guys!

 

[CP5670]

The adapter uses two 6-pin connectors to make the 8-pin one, and then they provide a separate adapter that takes two 4-pin molex to make one 6-pin for the other spot on the card. But the documentation gives grave warnings about using these adapters long-term.

Those adapters work fine if they are the dual 6-pin variety. You can ignore their "warnings" if your PSU is otherwise high quality (which it is in your case), as they are little more than an attempt to discourage people from using weak power supplies. Don't use the EPS 8-pin connector meant for the CPU though, which has a different pinout and will probably ruin your card.