I'm working with a specific setup, and I need some help figuring out the power connections. I've got an ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 XT OC edition GPU that requires three 8-pin connectors. My motherboard can handle two 8-pin connectors, and I'm using a CPU (the 7800X3D) that also requires an 8-pin connector. My PSU has only three 8-pin PCIe slots, and I'm a bit confused about how to distribute the power correctly. I've heard you can daisy chain some cables, but is that safe for both my GPU and motherboard, considering the strain it might put on the cable? I can't change my GPU, motherboard, or PSU at this point, so what are my options? Thanks!
4 Answers
There are a couple of solutions you can try: One option is to grab a 12VHPWR to three 8-pin adapter, which allows you to fully utilize the 12VHPWR port from your PSU. The second option is that your CPU typically needs just one EPS cable connected, so you can spare the other two ports for the GPU. Daisy chaining should be fine for a GPU in the 300-340W range.
That’s a solid point! Which solution would you say is the most effective in your opinion?
Using one cable for your motherboard's CPU connector is totally fine. Just make sure to run two separate cables for your graphics card. It’s important not to mix up the CPU and GPU connections; doing so could damage your PC. Fortunately, they are keyed differently, so if it doesn’t fit easily, don’t force it!
You might want to consider using a 12VHPWR-to-two 8-pin adapter for the GPU, along with a dedicated PCIe power cable. This can help simplify the connections and ensure you have enough power allocated to each component.
Or alternatively, you can use two 6+2 PCIe daisy chain cables for your GPU—it’s perfectly safe to daisy chain one of them.
Exactly! And remember that some cables can be tricky, especially the Molex ones—they can be a struggle to connect.