I'm in the process of upgrading my graphics card from a GTX 1070 TI FTW2 to a 9060 XT 16 GB. The old card required two 8-pin power connectors, but the 9060 XT only needs one. Should I disconnect the extra VGA power cable from the PSU before I plug in the new card and power on my system?
3 Answers
Congrats on the upgrade! You should definitely disconnect the extra VGA power cable. It's not a huge risk to leave it plugged in, but for safety and to keep things tidy, it’s best to only connect what you’re actually using. That's how a modular PSU is meant to work.
But if the cable's not plugged into anything, won't it just have a floating voltage? It seems harmless enough.
If you look closely, check if your 9060 XT uses an express connector instead of the standard 8-pin. Some upgrades can come with slight variations, so it's good to double-check before plugging anything in.
You can leave the extra cable plugged in if you want to, just be sure to tuck it away safely so it doesn’t touch anything. I do this all the time to keep my setup clean, and if you ever need it again, it’s right there.
Yeah, but isn’t it better to just unplug it for a cleaner look in the case?
I get that, but having it means you’re ready for future upgrades without having to find a spare cable.
That's not quite right. The cable doesn't form a complete circuit unless it's connected, so it's safe to leave it disconnected.