My ASRock RX 6950 XT has three PCIe power inputs. My 850W PSU came with one single-connector PCIe cable and one cable with two connectors. Is it safe to use both ends of the second cable, especially with occasional rendering and possible power spikes?
Can I use a daisy chain cable for a three-connector RX 6950 XT?
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Flick
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Using two separate PCIe cables, with the pigtail filling the third socket, is a reasonable option if the PSU manufacturer supports that configuration. Three separate cables would spread the load across more wiring, but you don't necessarily need to replace the PSU just to avoid using a pigtail.
Check the PSU and GPU manuals for any specific cabling requirements. Make sure all three GPU connectors are fully seated and use only cables supplied for that PSU or confirmed compatible by its manufacturer.
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The 150W figure applies to an 8-pin PCIe power connector, not automatically to the entire cable. A cable with two plugs shares part of its wiring and its PSU-side connection, so its capacity depends on how that particular cable and PSU are built.
Also, you can't assume the card draws exactly 75W from the slot and divides the rest evenly between the plugs. Transient spikes complicate the calculation further. The wattage arithmetic alone doesn't establish whether the setup is safe.
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I'd be cautious about treating good case airflow as protection for an overloaded connector. A poor connection can heat up locally, and airflow doesn't fix that. Check for fully inserted plugs, damaged pins, discoloration, or a hot plastic smell. If you notice any of those, shut the system down and investigate before using it again.
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Flick:
So the fact that the PSU includes a two-plug cable doesn't by itself tell me what load that cable can handle?
Marnix.7c:
Right. The manufacturer's specifications or support team are a better source for that particular cable than a generic wattage estimate.