Graphics Card Power issue

Robert ninja

My PSU is "be quiet! SYSTEM POWER 7 700W" and my graphics card is a "GeForce GTX 660 Ti".

Here's the problem, it's saying I need to power the graphics card. It was to my understanding that PCI E 2/3 slots on the motherboard (which is a MSI Z87-G43 btw) don't need additional power - but whatever, I decided to power it up. Unfortunately, I have no PCI E cables to put into the 2 ports it has. There's 2 6-pin sockets in it (the video card).

I got some PCI E connectors with the graphics card that have white ends that I assumed connect to the Molex plugs from my PSU, but even if they do, I only have 3 Molex plugs, the rest are SATA - and these PCI E connectors I got with the graphics card eat up 2 molex each, meaning I'd need 4... only have 3. Just one off, so annoying.

I have no idea what to do, and I really don't even know if I'm talking out of my ass right now since I'm new to all this.

For clarity, the white things at the end of the PCI E connectors I got with the graphics card only have 3 pins, while Molex have 4 holes. I have no idea if I should or shouldn't be connecting these things up.

What do?

Hank Scorpio

You need to give the card power from the psu. My gtx 460 for example needs 2 molex to pci-e connections for it to work properly

I'm not sure about the cables themselves or what to do with your setup, I'm sure someone will advise soon enough

Robert ninja

But I only have 3 Molex and the two MOLEX TO PCI E connectors eat up 2 Molex each. Am I screwed? How am I supposed to get another Molex?

I was thinking maybe a SATA to Molex connector? Will that give me the one extra Molex I need?

Hank Scorpio

Don't know bud as I said previously. Give it a few hours and someone will reply with a solution. I'd imagine you just need a simple molex adapter

zenno

It's probably one of these you need, sata to 6 pin molex ? Others here will have more info soon, don't connect anything up unless you are sure.

Robert ninja

That image you posted zenno. The 6 pin connector on the left looks like thing I got with the graphics card, while the connector on the right is SATA, correct? I have a few free sata ports as well as plugs.

If what you posted is all I need, I'll check the computer store in the morning and see if they have any of this stuff.

zenno

Robert ninja wrote: »

That image you posted zenno. The 6 pin connector on the left looks like thing I got with the graphics card, while the connector on the right is SATA, correct? I have a few free sata ports as well as plugs.

If what you posted is all I need, I'll check the computer store in the morning and see if they have any of this stuff.

This could work if you have the right voltage from the sata to 6-pin molex to the card, but don't do anything until this is verified by a professional here on boards that knows better as they will need to figure if there will be enough power to get to the card direct without any problems. Yes the connection on the right is SATA.

You won't have to wait long, someone will be with you i'm sure shortly to help you with this properly.

Mountjoy Mugger

You need an extra adapter cable, probably. Something like this

BloodBath

That psu has 4 x 8 pin gpu power connections which should have removeable 2 pin sections on them. It can power 2 high end cards.

Robert ninja

The only cables I see that are like what you describe, BloodBath, are blue-coloured cables labled 'VGA 1" and "VGA 2", a pair each. They do look like they could fit the video card.

dwighet

Robert ninja wrote: »

The only cables I see that are like what you describe, BloodBath, are blue-coloured cables labled 'VGA 1" and "VGA 2", a pair each. They do look like they could fit the video card.

there the ones mate...Bang one in and she will fire up....

Robert ninja

Great, will I put VGA 1 and then VGA 2, or double VGA 1?

BloodBath

I assume vga 1 and 2 have 2 x 8 pin connections each. One cable will do with both connections.

Robert ninja

You did it lads! It's working fine so far now : )

Man this PC building is stressful stuff, and speaking of which - I have another problem that I need help bit but don't wanna spam the forum with my noob threads.

I connected the 2TB hard drive but it's never being detected. I have those L-shaped cables hooking it up as well as SATA cable for power, just like my SSD. It detects the SSD fine but I can't really start downloading or transferring data to this build until I have proper storage.

Here's what happens: on boot a red light appears next to the power LED. I hear 2 beeps, a short pause and then 2 more beeps, then nothing and the red LED stops. No error messages and the HDD doesn't appear in 'my computer' on Windows 7. I tried a different port for the cables, took the hard drive out and examined it... and from what I can tell there's nothing wrong with the Hard Drive from a visial check - despite being noob it's one piece of hardware I'm familiar with seeing. Any clues?

BloodBath

Go to start.

Right click computer.

Go to manage.

Go to disk management.

See if you can see the drive in there.

Format the drive with default settings.

Robert ninja

That totally worked, thanks man. I think I'm all ready to use my new PC to the fullest. I'll post here again if I run into any more problems.