I'm looking for some advice regarding my new Corsair HX1000i power supply and its dual 8-pin PCIe cables that are pigtailed. I've come across information suggesting that I might need to invest in four single connector cables instead. Some people say it's fine to use the pigtailed ones, while others strongly disagree. I came across this article on the Corsair website that has some insights, but I'm still unsure. Here's the link to it for reference: [Corsair Article](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/explorer/diy-builder/power-supply-units/individual-8-pin-vs-pigtail-connectors-for-gpus/?srsltid=AfmBOoovp0tKrhlhqikZi_xY_hs_gOIv35ndUt8EXTwCHBdJp7chGoy_). Also, here's a diagram from MSI about power cable management: [MSI Diagram](https://download.msi.com/archive/mnu_exe/vga/Power-cable-installation-guide-1-to-4-dongle.pdf).
3 Answers
Not all cables are created equal, but Corsair cables should be reliable for this. According to the Corsair article you shared, using two pigtailed cables to power the RTX 5090 should be adequate. Since the RTX 5090 requires four 8-pin connectors, each supplying up to 150W, it's designed to handle the power demands, especially with quality cables like Corsair's. You should be fine!
Honestly, I think it's unnecessary to stress about the cables if your PSU already has a 12VHPWR cable that connects directly to the GPU. You should use that for the best and safest performance. You have all the gear needed, so just plug it in!
Ah, I see. The PSU came with a 12V-2x6 pin cable, but I didn't realize it would suffice. Thanks for that tip!
Seriously though, you're investing in a high-end 5090 and stressing over some cable costs? If you really feel it’s worth it to switch to single cables for peace of mind and safety, go for it. But Corsair products are pretty reliable as it is; I wouldn’t lose sleep over $20. Just make sure you’re using quality stuff.
That's a fair point. I just don't want to risk it if it really matters in the long run!
That's what I thought too! Just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something. Thanks for confirming!