Connecting a Molex adapter to a GPU requires checking compatibility and ensuring proper voltage and signal matching.
Connecting a Molex adapter to a GPU requires checking compatibility and ensuring proper voltage and signal matching.
Hello to anyone interested, I've just completed assembling a budget PC for a friend. It includes an RTX 2060 and an Intel i5 10400F. To get it running, I reused an M RED 700W 80+ bronze PSU that I previously used in my own build before upgrading. It had supported a 2070 graphics card and the i5 10600K, so I assumed it would handle the new parts well – it did. The issue arose when I lost or misplaced all the GPU cables from this particular PSU, and I realized that these cables aren't standard. After searching online, I found no compatible options, so I decided to use a double Molex to 8-pin PCIe adapter. I was warned against this approach, so I double-checked the cable labels before connecting. Once the GPU was plugged in, I noticed it felt unusually hot on the PSU side while the adapter side remained cool. To avoid any fire risk for my friend, I opted to use two different Molex cables from separate 6-pin connectors on the PSU, aiming to isolate power and reduce heat. After stressing the card again, the cables stayed cool to the touch, and I didn’t see any stuttering, artifacts, or performance drops. I even undervolted the GPU slightly for safety. My concern is whether this setup was safe enough. I feel confident, but I’d appreciate advice from more experienced builders since this is my first experience with such an adapter. Thanks for reading and for your thoughts!
I'm not completely confident about this situation since I haven't faced anything like it before. I'd suggest seeking advice from someone more experienced, though it seems to be okay overall. In 2060, the card is 160W and the 75W comes from the PCIe slot, meaning you're drawing around 85W through Molex power or roughly 42.5W via each cable. That's only about a third of what Molex can handle (assuming that's accurate), and it's only at full power. The GPU won't always run at full capacity, especially if you're undervolting. Still, I think you should be fine, but I haven't worked with many Molex adapters before. My opinion is just a guess.
Never attempt this. This guarantees failure and disaster. Molex is only truly rated for 75w. Because you're using a daisy chain cable, you're drawing from the same wire. The molex to pcie adapters are poorly made and prone to melting. Using two different cables is better but still not advisable. It's not surprising given what happened. As for these mred psu's, they all look like Aigo, Sharkoon, etc. rebadges—your specific one seems unsafe. You were lucky it worked on your rig. I’d replace it with a proper unit right away.
I don't favor the Molex suggestion, but if you must use an adapter, go for SATA instead of Molex. However, this is for an RTX 2060, not a GTX 1660 or GTX 1060. It's significantly more expensive than those mid-range GPUs that usually come with pre-built PCs and can't be swapped out because of proprietary PSU sizes or compatibility issues. So, just purchase a reasonably affordable used but reliable PSU, like a Corsair CV450.
Thanks for the feedback. From what I understand about the power draw and the PSU's features, I believe it should work fine. Using two separate 6-pin ports on the PSU was the best choice. After putting a lot of strain on the card, I haven’t noticed any problems. For those who suggested changing the PSU, it clearly wasn’t an option—the build was already in a kind of "scrapyard" state. Haha!
Initially I assumed it was another generic Chinese reskinned company, but it turns out MRed is a French tech firm. I discovered they're genuine and have positive feedback everywhere.
Absolutely understand why connections aren’t standard. The variations like 8 pins on one card, 2x6 on another, and a single 12-pin on another are unusual. It makes sense that GPU adapters would be used instead of a fixed design. Why not just stick to the norm?
The original reasoning likely stems from proprietary market factors. Buying a new PSU is often preferable over a cheap cable. While there are many options for established brands, smaller local manufacturers made it hard to choose the right cable. The adapter worked adequately overall. My friend has been using the PC without problems for weeks. To reduce heat buildup, try splitting power usage as much as possible and use multiple GPU ports on the PSU side.