ATX Power Supply

[EdH]

Please forgive my possibly too ignorant state.

I am trying to see if I can replace a power supply in any of my systems to include one that can power a GPU. None of my current systems have the extra lines form the supply. For example, a Tesla K80 needs to be supplied with at least a single 8-pin connector (if rated high enough) or two 8-pin connectors via an adapter cable.

In my research of power supplies for ATX systems, I'm finding different ones with several 4 pin connectors, but some of those don't appear to include the standard(?) 4-pin 12V for the motherboard. To complicate things, some of my motherboards use the 6(8)-pin connector themselves which leaves none for a GPU.

Can the power supplies with multiple 4-pin connectors be used by placing two 4-pin supply connectors into the 8-pin GPU connector?

Thanks for any help.

[paulunderwood]

Buy a new capable modern efficient PSU

[Viliam Furik]

Originally Posted by EdH

Please forgive my possibly too ignorant state.

I am trying to see if I can replace a power supply in any of my systems to include one that can power a GPU. None of my current systems have the extra lines form the supply. For example, a Tesla K80 needs to be supplied with at least a single 8-pin connector (if rated high enough) or two 8-pin connectors via an adapter cable.

In my research of power supplies for ATX systems, I'm finding different ones with several 4 pin connectors, but some of those don't appear to include the standard(?) 4-pin 12V for the motherboard. To complicate things, some of my motherboards use the 6(8)-pin connector themselves which leaves none for a GPU.

Can the power supplies with multiple 4-pin connectors be used by placing two 4-pin supply connectors into the 8-pin GPU connector?

Thanks for any help.

There are two types of 8-pin connectors...

The first type of 8-pin is 4+4, used for CPU power, plugged into the motherboard. The second type is 6+2, used for mainly the GPUs, but can be used for other compatible devices. AFAIK, the won't even fit into each other, because the pin casings are different -> different arrangement of square ones and square with two adjacent corners cut down.

If you still need help, please, send some pictures.

[tServo]

Originally Posted by EdH

Please forgive my possibly too ignorant state.

I am trying to see if I can replace a power supply in any of my systems to include one that can power a GPU. None of my current systems have the extra lines form the supply. For example, a Tesla K80 needs to be supplied with at least a single 8-pin connector (if rated high enough) or two 8-pin connectors via an adapter cable.

In my research of power supplies for ATX systems, I'm finding different ones with several 4 pin connectors, but some of those don't appear to include the standard(?) 4-pin 12V for the motherboard. To complicate things, some of my motherboards use the 6(8)-pin connector themselves which leaves none for a GPU.

Can the power supplies with multiple 4-pin connectors be used by placing two 4-pin supply connectors into the 8-pin GPU connector?

Thanks for any help.

I looked at the K80 power supply cables available on Ebay at the 8 pin male power end is unique to Tesla. It is NOT the same as a standard PCIE 8 pin.
I think that the cables for the mother board WILL NOT WORK in a GPU and vice versa.
Paul Underwood's post has good advice .William Furtik's is correct.
If you're not careful, you could fry your motherboard and everything on it and/or wreck your GPU.

[EdH]

Originally Posted by paulunderwood

Buy a new capable modern efficient PSU

This is my hope, but the connectors are confusing me.

Originally Posted by Viliam Furik

There are two types of 8-pin connectors...

The first type of 8-pin is 4+4, used for CPU power, plugged into the motherboard. The second type is 6+2, used for mainly the GPUs, but can be used for other compatible devices. AFAIK, the won't even fit into each other, because the pin casings are different -> different arrangement of square ones and square with two adjacent corners cut down.

If you still need help, please, send some pictures.

Thanks! This will help in my studies.

[paulunderwood]

Originally Posted by EdH

This is my hope, but the connectors are confusing me.

Thanks! This will help in my studies.

As has been said, they 8 pin CPU plug is not interchangeable with the GPU ones. If your board uses only 4 pins for the CPU feed then make sure to get a 4+4.

[EdH]

Originally Posted by paulunderwood

As has been said, they 8 pin CPU plug is not interchangeable with the GPU ones. If your board uses only 4 pins for the CPU feed then make sure to get a 4+4.

Thanks! That helps me figure this out.

[EdH]

I believe I have found a supply with connectors to cover all examples. It's 500 watts:

 
Drive/Power Connectors 
Modular - - - - - - Non-Modular 
ATX Connector - - - 20+4-pin 
ATX 12V Connector - 1 x 4+4-pin 
Graphics Connector- 2 x 6-pin, 2 x 6+2-pin 
Molex Connector - - 3 
SATA Connector- - - 6 
 
Power Specifications 
PFC - - - - - - - - Active 
Rating- - - - - - - 80 PLUS Certified 
Energy Efficiency - > 80% Typical

Are there any things I've missed, or not considered and should?

Thanks for all the help!

[chris2be8]

Looking round http://www.hardwarebook.net/ you should be able to find pictures of every type of connector. And details of what they are used for.

Chris

[preda]

I would recommend to get a 850W or at least 750W PSU, Gold 80+, and modular or semi-modular. Maybe read some reviews of the model before buying. The reason is: you have some power headroom (to 850W), and Gold 80+ [semi]modular tend to be higher quality, and generate less heat and noise.

Originally Posted by EdH

I believe I have found a supply with connectors to cover all examples. It's 500 watts:

 
Drive/Power Connectors 
Modular - - - - - - Non-Modular 
ATX Connector - - - 20+4-pin 
ATX 12V Connector - 1 x 4+4-pin 
Graphics Connector- 2 x 6-pin, 2 x 6+2-pin 
Molex Connector - - 3 
SATA Connector- - - 6 
 
Power Specifications 
PFC - - - - - - - - Active 
Rating- - - - - - - 80 PLUS Certified 
Energy Efficiency - > 80% Typical

Are there any things I've missed, or not considered and should?

Thanks for all the help!

[EdH]

Originally Posted by chris2be8

Looking round http://www.hardwarebook.net/ you should be able to find pictures of every type of connector. And details of what they are used for.

Chris

Thanks, but that page does not work for me. Clicking the ATX Power Supply link on the initial page gets a 404 error page and then I can't get back to the original page until I reload my browser.

I did find some images elsewhere and the posts in this thread have really helped.