Do I Need the Extra PCIe 6-Pin Connector for This PC Build?

The cooler’s PCIe connector is mainly for powering the LINK hub, especially if you plan to connect many additional fans. You can keep the cooler and motherboard as selected, connect the required cooler and graphics-card power cables, and leave the motherboard’s optional PCIe_PWR1 socket unused. Changing to a simpler 360 mm cooler without an LCD or LINK hub would avoid that particular warning, but it isn’t necessary.

The extra 6-pin warning may also be related to the Corsair cooler’s iCUE LINK hub. That hub uses a PCIe 6-pin connection because it can power a large number of fans and lighting devices through one controller. It isn’t an indication that the CPU or graphics card lacks power, and the included PSU should be suitable. If you ever need another modular cable, get one specifically made for that exact PSU model rather than using a generic cable.

Thanks, that clears it up. I can leave the motherboard’s supplemental PCIe connector unused and still power the system with the cables supplied with the PSU. The warning is about an optional connection rather than a missing requirement for the core components.

The MAX motherboard has an optional supplemental PCIe power socket near the bottom of the board, labeled PCIe_PWR1. It provides additional power to the PCIe slots for unusually power-hungry expansion cards, but it isn’t required for this build or for the RX 9070 XT under normal use. The compatibility checker is simply being cautious, so you can leave that connector empty.