Differences

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--- ubuntu:gpu:gpu_power_cable_guide [2023/06/05 11:17] – peter
+++ ubuntu:gpu:gpu_power_cable_guide [2023/06/25 09:38] (current) – peter
@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 Many GPUs are power-hungry and have different power connectors.
+  * These power connectors are usually: 6-pin, 6+2-pin, 8-pin, and 12-pin.
+----
+===== Recommendation =====
+Always use two separate cables whenever possible!!!
+  * A splitter cable can still be used, but only make use of one of the ends into each connector of the GPU.
+{{:ubuntu:gpu:gpu_-_pcie_-_power_connections.png?600|}}
+<WRAP alert>
+**ALERT:**  Do **NOT** use splitter cables to power graphic cards.
+  * See alert below.
+  * **Always use two separate cables whenever possible!!!**.
+    * A splitter cable can still be used, but only make use of one of the ends into each connector of the GPU.
+</WRAP>
+----
 ===== GPU Power Cable Guide — Total Power Provided =====
@@ Line 18: / Line 42: @@
 ----
-===== Motherboard Power =====
+===== Motherboard Power (PCIe x16 Slot) =====
 The motherboard provides up to 75W of power to the GPU through the PCI Express x16 slot.
@@ Line 49: / Line 73: @@
 </WRAP>
+<WRAP alert>
+**ALERT:**  Do **NOT** use splitter cables to power graphic cards.
+  * See alert below.
+  * **Always use two separate cables whenever possible!!!**.
+    * A splitter cable can still be used, but only make use of one of the ends into each connector of the GPU.
+</WRAP>
 ----
@@ Line 84: / Line 117: @@
   * Sometime double or even triple 8-pin set-ups.
-A double 8-pin connector will provide 150W + 150W = 300W.
+A double 8-pin connector will provide 150W+150W = 300W.
-A triple 8-pin connector will provide 150W + 150W + 150W = 450W.
+A triple 8-pin connector will provide 150W+150W+150W = 450W.
@@ Line 103: / Line 136: @@
   * It all depends on the overall quality of the power supply in question and the cable being used.
-  * The 150W is from the ATX spec for PSUs; which does not set limits; **Specs are not limits**.
+  * The 150W is from the ATX spec for PSUs; which is followed by virtually all consumer desktop hardware; but not all!
+A single PCIe 8-pin cable and connectors maximum current rating is 12.5A, which is 150W (+12V x 12.5A); Watts = Volts x Amps.
+  * If the wires get too much power, they can melt; or worse, catch fire.
   * The actual power a cable will and can carry depends on quite a bit more.
   * This is why it is usually a bad idea to use splitter cables to power graphic cards.
     * If you have a 400W graphics card, and you are powering it with a splitter; you are sending a whopping 27 Amps down a single set of wires.
     * That is just asking for trouble as you are leaning very heavily on the quality of your PSU.
-    * **Always use two separate cables whenever possible!!!**
+    * **Always use separate cables whenever possible!!!**
+      * A splitter cable can still be used, but only make use of one of the ends into each connector of the GPU.
 </WRAP>
@@ Line 118: / Line 156: @@
 NVIDIA introduced the usage of a 12-pin Power Connector on newer RTX 3000 series GPUs.
-These cables provide a whopping 600W.
+These cables provide a whopping 600W of power.
 <WRAP info>