PCIe power adapter question

[AStar617]

I scored an X850XT PE off eBay for $60 shipped However, it's going into a slot-modded Dell PowerEdge SC420, so I will need a power adapter to drive it.

Most of the adapters I've seen are this type:

http://i12.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/87/e7/e8f9_1.JPG

However, there's a seller offering this single-molex type (whole listing linked so you can see their description):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280118896138

Is anyone running one of these currently? I would prefer to tie up only 1 4-pin molex, but not at the expense of the stability (or safety) of the box.

Thanks in advance. :beer:

 

[AStar617]

bump for the night crew

 

[VERTIGGO]

That second one probably won't power the card. PCI-E requires 3 12V (the yellows) and 3 ground (blacks). That second picture only has 2 of each, so regardless of how many molexes it does or doesn't have, it won't supply all of the cards lines. You could mod it if you're good with solder or whatnot, but you need to make sure that all 3 of the 12V lines and all 3 grounds are connected to the right voltage. Just branch off one ground wire into two and one of the 12V wires into two as well, so you have six total. The molexes all come from one rail (in most cases), and one plug can supply plenty of current.

Molex is 5V on one side, 12V on the other, and the two middle ones are ground wires.

 

[AStar617]

Thx for the reply.

Look at this closeup though -- http://www.highpowersupply.com/accessories/PCIX2.jpg

I don't believe it's two of each, it actually appears to be nothing in the first molex pin, 1 black ground wire in the 2nd, *2* black ground wires in the 3rd, and *3* yellow 12v wires in the 4th. These all break out to the appropriate locations in the 6-pin PCIe end.

Given the closeup image, it appears they have done exactly what you suggested by "branching off" with a soldering iron, and it should work because there's sufficient amperage on the one rail, right?

Thx again

 

[AStar617]

midday bump...

 

[VERTIGGO]

just got home, and it looks like you're right. And as long as your PSU can handle the power draw, having one molex adapter should have no ill effect on the graphics card, as long as you have 3 12V pins and 3 ground. Good luck with your system at any rate.

 

[AStar617]

Thanks. I already know that the slotmodded SC420 is limited only to ATI cards for compatibility reasons, but I have done some research and determined that the x850xt pe has worked successfully in it, from specific testimony of others. :beer: