Newbie PCI-Express power connector question...

[erikiksaz]

My friend gave me his old system to toy around with temporarily. He had a PCI-E video card on it--an ATI X800 I think. Anyways, there's this supplemental 6 pin PCI-E connector that was connected to the video card.

One end was the 6 pin connector, the other end split into a male molex and a female molex. The male molex was connected to one of the power supply's female molex connectors.

But, I was looking around on newegg when I noticed that most of the connectors they sell have 2 male molex connectors on the adapter.

Do newer video cards need the power from 2 molex connectors, in comparison to older video cards only needing power from 1 connector?

...the reason why I'm asking is because a used 9600gso I just bought is not sending out a signal when I'm using the one molex -> pci-e connector... I'm hoping it's the power issue and not a dead video card.

 

[brblx]

as long as the video card sees power there the card should work. the only thing a single molex converter might strain is wiring, and i doubt a 9600gso is going to pull enough current to cause significant voltage drop. certainly not when there's no load.

 

[erikiksaz]

Well it looks like I've got myself a paperweight then. Essh.

But...say I had the power plug from newegg with 2 male molex connectors, am I supposed to connect both of those to separate PSU female molex connectors?

 

[brblx]

yes, ideally you'd put them on different strands from the psu, not on daisy chained molexes, to make sure the load goes through doubled up wiring.