Hey everyone! I've just upgraded my PC with a new ASrock 9070 XT Steel Legend GPU, which requires two 8-pin PCIe power connectors. I previously had an XFX 7700 XT that only needed one. Right now, I've connected a pigtail adapter from the same cable to power both connectors, but I stumbled upon an old manual that suggested using two separate cables to avoid damaging the card. I've found a bunch of conflicting info online, so I have a couple of questions:
1. Should I really be using two separate power cables?
2. My PSU is a PowerSpec 750W semi-modular unit. It came with a modular cable but also has a built-in cable. Which one should I use, and can the built-in cable serve as the second cable if I decide to go that route?
Thanks in advance for any help!
7 Answers
I love finding this community; the advice has been super helpful and fast! Thanks everyone!
You can technically use one cable if it's high quality, but since your PSU offers two options, you should definitely use them both. It's safer and has no downsides using two cables.
1. Yes, if possible, go for two cables to minimize risk.
2. Just to clarify, does your PSU have a built-in PCIe connector? Double-check to make sure it's not the CPU connector instead!
Ideally, you should use two separate cables, especially if you plan to overclock your GPU. At stock power limits, you might not run into issues with using a pigtail, but having two cables is definitely safer.
For GPUs, always make sure to connect all available power ports on the card. You usually have at least 2 connections available on the PSU side as well; using one cable can work but it's not ideal if your PSU needs more power than one outlet can provide.
To be on the safe side, use two separate cables from the PSU to your GPU. Since the 9070 XT can have a high wattage draw, it's best to have one cable for each 8-pin connector. You can use your built-in cable along with one from the modular setup.
Thanks for the tip! I'm starting to tweak some settings, so I'll definitely plug in the other cable.