Are VGA and PCIe power cables the same?
Asked by
TechieTurtle89
I just got a new graphics card (the 5080) and I need to connect three VGA power cables. My EVGA Supernova T2 850 power supply unit (PSU) came with two cables labeled as VGA and a few others that are labeled as PCIe. I frequently see people stating that VGA and PCIe cables are the same, but when I look at the pin configuration, I notice that there's a plastic, empty spot on the bottom right pin of the PCIe cables, whereas the VGA cables don't have that. If they're really the same, why do the pins differ? Since I only received two VGA cables with my PSU, I'm wary of using the PCIe ones. I'm considering purchasing an additional VGA cable, but any clarity on this would be immensely helpful!
Answers
It sounds like your confusion stems from how EVGA labeled the cables. They've labeled their PCIe power connectors as VGA, which can be pretty confusing. When it comes to using them, as long as they fit securely into your graphics card, you're probably good to go without using an adapter. Adapters can introduce more points of failure, so it's best to avoid them unless absolutely necessary.
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Just to clarify, VGA in terms of power cables is not commonly used anymore and it typically refers to older standards. The important thing is to ensure that the PSU cables fit and are the right type for your GPU. If your PSU has PCIe labeled cables and they fit, go ahead and use them! No need to purchase new cables unless you're still unsure.
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You're right in noticing the differences; VGA and PCIe are often confusingly labeled. For your graphics card, you're going to need three 8-pin (6+2) power connectors. Technically, in many cases, the labels don't matter since the connectors are compatible on the PSU side. It's just the naming conventions that can be misleading! If you're unsure, I'd recommend taking a few photos of your cables and getting them confirmed by someone in a forum or tech group. Better safe than sorry!
CautiousCat77: Totally agree! It's always good to double-check with visuals. Better not to risk it with mismatched cables.
TechieTurtle89: Thanks! I'll do that to make sure.
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EasyTech101: That's a good tip about avoiding adapters! I never thought how that could complicate things.
TechieTurtle89: Exactly! I'm going to use the cables that came with my PSU.