I'm wondering if my RTX 3080 will work properly if I only connect two PCIe power cables instead of three. Is it okay to just use two, or do I really need to plug in all three cables? What might happen if I don't use all of them?
3 Answers
Each 8-pin connector can deliver up to 150W, but the RTX 3080 is rated for about 320W. With just two connectors, you'd limit it to around 300W, which can lead to instability. You could technically run it with two cables if one of them has a pigtail splitting into two connectors, but for best performance, you should really aim for all three.
Using only two PCIe power cables might cause some issues. Your RTX 3080 is a power-hungry card, and not plugging in all three could mean it doesn’t get enough power. It might either fail to start or crash when it tries to draw more power than the two cables provide. It’s generally a good idea to use all three to ensure stability during gaming.
Most graphics cards, including the 3080, won’t even POST (Power-On Self-Test) without connecting all the necessary power connectors. So, if you're planning to use your card for gaming or intensive tasks, I’d recommend connecting all three cables for reliability.
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