My friend owns a Sapphire Pure 7800XT graphics card and uses an RM850 White edition power supply. They've been dealing with frequent crashes while gaming, which used to be fixed by undervolting, but that hasn't worked recently due to software resetting the settings. I noticed their GPU is currently connected through one PCIe port on the PSU using an 8-pin connector, with an additional 6+2 pin connector coming from that same cable. They're planning to upgrade to a Sapphire Pure 9070 and I'm wondering if they should use a second PCIe cable from the PSU along with the one already connected. If so, should they plug only the 8-pin connectors into the GPU and leave the 6+2 pins disconnected?
4 Answers
You definitely need to utilize all PCIe power slots on the GPU to ensure it runs smoothly. Not using all of them could lead to instability, especially under heavy load, so connecting another cable would be the right approach!
Definitely check the event viewer for any kernel power errors; it can give clues about what's going wrong. These kinds of checks can help you pinpoint the issue instead of just guessing. Plus, ensure that the setup meets the power requirements for the new GPU as well.
Honestly, problems like this can stem from a failing PSU. If all connections aren't done right, it might overheat and lead to shutdowns. I've had a similar experience where one cable wasn't enough and eventually it melted! Upgrading the GPU won't help if the PSU can't handle it all. Switching to two cables might be essential here.
Using both connectors from one cable is typically fine, but if you can run two separate cables directly from the PSU to the GPU, that could help alleviate any power stress. It's worthwhile to try this setup, it might resolve the crashing issue you're encountering. Just make sure any additional power connections on your motherboard are also secured, as those can impact stability too.
That makes sense! I was thinking the same about needing more power connections. Plus, it could reduce any risks of overheating.
Yeah, better safe than sorry. Crashes can be super annoying if not addressed early on.