Can I connect GPU to this PSU?

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  1. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
       #1

    Can I connect GPU to this PSU?


    Hello,
    so I am buying a new GPU to upgrade my system. Since the new GPU is more power demanding than the previous one, it requires a 6-pin connection from the PSU in addition to the power provided by the PCI-E slot. I just checked and my PSU only seems to have a couple of 4-pin connectors (I will attach a few images so you can see what I'm talking about). Will I be able to connect the GPU in some way? Perhaps with an adaptor? Any help would be much appreciated.

    Thanks in advance
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Can I connect GPU to this PSU?-20180712_125851.jpg   Can I connect GPU to this PSU?-20180712_130542.jpg  
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  2. Posts : 1,099
    Win 10 pro Upgraded from 8.1
       #2

    Looks like you need to upgrade your PSU This looks to be a very old one and probably doesn't support power to Graphics card I don't see any connector in that bundle that will do the job. Also you'll probably need a 650 Watt or higher PSU to support that Graphic card.
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  3. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Clintlgm said:
    Looks like you need to upgrade your PSU This looks to be a very old one and probably doesn't support power to Graphics card I don't see any connector in that bundle that will do the job. Also you'll probably need a 650 Watt or higher PSU to support that Graphic card.
    My PSU does have enough power to support the GPU, it draws 120W max and has a recommended PSU output of 400W while my PSU is 450 Watts.

    Wouldn't something like this work?
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  4. Posts : 1,099
    Win 10 pro Upgraded from 8.1
       #4

    Yes it would be borderline since your PSU supplies power to all other devices and your motherboard hard drive sound card etc. if it had the proper connections for a video card some are 6 pins and some are 8 pin. some PSU will have two 4 pins that interlock to create an 8 pin power supply that actually fits and supplies the correct volts and amps for your Video card. I don't see either of these connectors in the two pictures you supplied us.
    Video card PSU connector picture - Google Search
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  5. Posts : 809
    Win10
       #5

    Aggserp4 said:
    My PSU does have enough power to support the GPU, it draws 120W max and has a recommended PSU output of 400W while my PSU is 450 Watts.

    Wouldn't something like this work?
    Theoretically a molex->PCIe adapter could work. However, you have to look at the power output of the individual voltage rails on the PSU (usually printed on a sticker on the PSU)- the total power output is not a useful number, especially for older units.

    Current CPUs and GPUs pull almost all their power off of the 12V rail. Old CPUs pulled almost all their power off the 5V or 3.3V rails.

    A modern 400W PSU may output 30A at 12V but an old 400W PSU may only output 15A at 12V.
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  6. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #6

    What's the new GPU?

    Can you provide a picture of the label on the PSU that gives its specs?

    Some vendors (like eVGA) list required available current at +12V. That's a better spec than the total power of the PSU. A poor "600W" PSU may have a lower current rating at +12V than a good 400W one.
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  7. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    bobkn said:
    What's the new GPU?

    Can you provide a picture of the label on the PSU that gives its specs?

    Some vendors (like eVGA) list required available current at +12V. That's a better spec than the total power of the PSU. A poor "600W" PSU may have a lower current rating at +12V than a good 400W one.
    Not close to my computer right now but I'll try to post an image when I get the chance.
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  8. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    PolarNettles said:
    Theoretically a molex->PCIe adapter could work. However, you have to look at the power output of the individual voltage rails on the PSU (usually printed on a sticker on the PSU)- the total power output is not a useful number, especially for older units.

    Current CPUs and GPUs pull almost all their power off of the 12V rail. Old CPUs pulled almost all their power off the 5V or 3.3V rails.

    A modern 400W PSU may output 30A at 12V but an old 400W PSU may only output 15A at 12V.
    Also what would happen if the PSU did not output enough current for the GPU? For example 20A instead of 30? Would the GPU still function? Could it get damaged?

    (Sorry for the double post)
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  9. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #9

    Aggserp4 said:
    Also what would happen if the PSU did not output enough current for the GPU? For example 20A instead of 30? Would the GPU still function? Could it get damaged?

    (Sorry for the double post)
    I don't know. If the PSU's protection circuitry fails, I imagine that you could take out the PSU, which could take the GPU, CPU, and motherboard with it. In other words, it's not worth the risk.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 671
    Win 10 21H1 (OS Build 19043.1151)
       #10


    @Aggserp4
    I agree with Clintlgm,
    that it would be in your best interest to upgrade the PSU.
    PSU calculators are notorious for grossly overestimating wattage.
    With that said.
    Here is a basic configuration,
    without a GPU included in the calculations.

    Can I connect GPU to this PSU?-power-supply-calculator.png

    Having wattage headroom is also something to consider.
    I always go with 100-150 watts of headroom.
    The system calculations shown above, may utilize 289 watts at full load.
    The recommended PSU is a 400 watt unit.
    This is a headroom of 111 watts.
    This calculation also didn't include a GPU into it's calculation.
    Adding another 150 watts, for an entry level GPU.
    Would bring the recommended PSU up to a 550 watt unit.
    It's always better to have more wattage then not enough.

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