Hey everyone! I'm pretty new to PC building, but I'm upgrading my setup instead of buying a whole new computer. I've had my CyberPowerPC for about five years, and my GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is on its last legs, so I recently got an RTX 5060 TI as its replacement. I found out that the 2070 SUPER uses a 2x8 pin setup and draws about 215W, while the 5060 TI only needs 1x8 pin and 180W. I wanted to know if I can just use the same power cable for my new GPU, considering the 5060 TI uses fewer pins but still needs sufficient juice.
Also, I'm looking to add some SSD storage to my PC. I have a Gigabyte B450M DS3H WiFi motherboard, and I saw it supports the WD_BLACK SN850X WDS400T2X0E SSD, but not the heatsink version (WDS400T2XHE). However, it lists other SSDs both with and without heatsinks. Would you recommend going for the heatsink version, or should I stick with something else like the Samsung 990 EVO for my Steam library?
2 Answers
You can definitely use the same PCIe cables for your new GPU! An 8-pin connector is designed to handle up to 225W combined from the PCIe slot and the cable, so you're in the clear. As for the SSD, just remember that the compatibility list is what the manufacturer has tested. Any M.2 PCIe drive should work as long as it fits, regardless of whether it’s on the list or not!
Just a heads up, don’t mix power cables from different power supplies, even if they’re from the same brand. It’s a risky move since pinouts aren't standardized and could cause major issues if you get it wrong! But yeah, the cables should be rated for the GPU you’re using; just make sure to double-check that.
Thanks for that advice! Good to know about the cables. So what's your take on the heatsink version of the SSD? Should I just go with that or stick to my original plan?