trying to find FEMALE(!) PCIe to MALE molex adapter...

joemamasan

Junior Member
Jan 30, 2006
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i have a 6800GT AGP card that requires a molex power line to itself
i recently got a Seasonic S12 600W PSU which is very good
but the only dedicated graphics connectors are for PCIe cards
i have looked all over the internet trying to find an adapter, but they are all for molex to PCIe
if anyone has ever seen anything like this, or might know how i can wire a Molex plug from the wires going to the PCIe plug, id appreciate hearing about it

Thanks!
 

joemamasan

Junior Member
Jan 30, 2006
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because i only have 2 molex lines
the AGP card needs a line with nothing else on it
so now i am running 2 HDs and 2 DVD drives off one molex cable
not that ideal with all this PCI-e connectors laying around :eek:
 

Bobthelost

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
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Originally posted by: joemamasan
because i only have 2 molex lines
the AGP card needs a line with nothing else on it


Please tell me when you got told that little gem. It's almost certainly bullshit.
 

joemamasan

Junior Member
Jan 30, 2006
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from the manual that comes with the graphics card lol
also read it in several reviews
you think its better to have a bunch of other stuff on your gfx power line lol?
 

Bobthelost

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
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Where does the power for the PCIe connector come from exactly? Oh, yeah, the same bit as the molex power line!

The reason you have dual rail PSUs is because the current draw can be so high as to cause the wire to overheat. Now, the 600W provides 18A per 12V rail. That's the same as 216W. Assuming your GPU draws 100W at peak load (it probably doesn't) and you get no power at all from the motherboard (which you do) that still means that you can still power 2 HDs, 2 DVDs and a microwave from the same wire.

It's all being supplied by the same part of the PSU.
 

joemamasan

Junior Member
Jan 30, 2006
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yea its cool man
i am just trying to follow the manufacturers directions is all
the PCIe plug is supposed to provide 150W power...thought it might help with stability
looks like no adapter is available tho...would prolly have to do some custom wiring
 

Bobthelost

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
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It won't make a jot of difference to stability, although following the manufacurer's specs is always a good idea.

It won't affect the stability as the PCIe and the Molex 12v are both generated by the same circuit in the PSU (I think the s12 have a single 12v PSU) so the only difference you'd get by using a seperate line would be a slightly lower impedance in the wire (as the molex cable will have more juice running through it and thus higher temps, and thus higher resistance/impedance). This effect is more or less negligable, especially when you take into account the voltage drops and increased contact impedance of a home brew system.

The reason the manufactuer states that is that for lower rated PSUs the wires are rated to source less power, that way Nvida don't get blamed for problems due to poor design of PSUs.
 

CZroe

Lifer
Jun 24, 2001
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Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Originally posted by: joemamasan
because i only have 2 molex lines
the AGP card needs a line with nothing else on it


Please tell me when you got told that little gem. It's almost certainly bullshit.

The connectors are rated for 6a total. Specs say no more than three conenctors so as not to exceed the amperage limits on the wiring. If you plug your video card into one and a couple hard drives into the other, you exceed the amperage and the wires heat up. Resistance goes up and current output drops. It's common knowledge that this is why video cards can not have other devices off the same line and this is exactly why the new PCI Express connector exists. Have you ever seen a PSU manufacturer ship a PSU with a PCI Express power splitter? :D That's why.

Anyway, even though they shouldn't, I'm sure that PCI Express power splitters exist just like AUX +12v adapters and pseudo-SATA converters (With no 3.3v line). The OP should buy one of these for the female PCIe connector with some pin extractors to make the cable he desires. Of course, this is only if he thinks his setup will be unstable with Molex converters and such. I'd split one Molex chain to power all my devices even if I exceed three connectors (Only peak HDD and CD-ROM draws can reach 6a) then convert the other to power my PCIe card. Should work like a charm.

From Performance-PCs.com:
PCIXPRESS-EXT12 PCI Express Extention Cable - 12 Inches - Sleeved $12.50

Product Details: If your PSU PCI Express cable is just a bit short in that larger tower or server case, then this is the solution you have been...

PCIEXPRESS-WYE PCI Express Wye Cable (For SLI Applications) - Sleeved $15.00

Product Details: So you just bought an expensive PCI Express Power Supply but, now you want to go for that all out performance and build an SLI...

PCIEXPRESS-6 Power Cable for PCI Express 6" - Sleeved $9.95

Product Details: Now you can use your current non-PCI Express Power Supply with that new motherboard that supports a PCI Express Video card....

Some of those would be a great start. Also, they have pin extractors, pins, wire and Molex/AMP connectors for sale (DIY projects).

I would get the extention cable, extract the pins from the male PCIe connector and connect them to a Molex/AMP connector.
 

Fullmetal Chocobo

Moderator<br>Distributed Computing
Moderator
May 13, 2003
13,704
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Solder it! I've got the 8-pin power connector on the secondary PSU powering 3 fans, and the 24pin connector on the secondary PSU powering two fans, and two CC lights. :) All it takes is some soldering, and some spare cables to rip apart for parts.
 

Greka

Member
Mar 5, 2006
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i have same prob, i have pci-e dedicated 6pin line, wich is using 19A (what u need for PCI-E) but my video cards are 4pin... i need to use my special lines for my video card.. so what cables would i use for that? make own? how do i know wich line is what? hmm... i ma puzled

just so you know:

PW is modular antec 500 wat.

it have 12v lines for other devises wich is shared and its 17A lines(sared)
also it have 6 pin line wich is separete not shared lines with 19A power.

that is why i need adapter
 

Greka

Member
Mar 5, 2006
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ok here it is, for that guys who want to make own cables, here is a picture of a adapter that comes with video card. by looking at that pic i see that 2x 12v lines are connected to one 12v molex line (yelow) http://www.systemcooling.com/images/rev...c/PowerColor_X800GTO16/contents_lg.jpg

cant sugest anything yet, but i will do more research. be aware some psu's may burn.. make sure you do more research before making cables.. i have sent question to my PSU maker.. Antec.. hope they reply