Consider purchasing a brand new 8-pin PCIe cable or converting your two current 6-pin cables into one 8-pin connection.
Consider purchasing a brand new 8-pin PCIe cable or converting your two current 6-pin cables into one 8-pin connection.
I'm considering whether to purchase a new PCIe cable for my PSU with an 8-pin port or to modify the two existing 6-pin connectors into a single 8-pin setup. I have a Dell Precision T3610, which features a proprietary PSU with one 8-pin PCIe power connector. Originally, it came with a cable that splits this into two 6-pin PCIe plugs. My experience also includes the Quadro K4000, which has a single 6-pin port.
For the upcoming RTX 2060 upgrade, most models come with an 8-pin PCIe power connector. I'm unsure if it's better to buy a third-party adapter that provides an 8-pin plug or attempt a conversion myself. My main concern is the reliability and safety of using a cable designed for this purpose. Some sources suggest third-party options, but they often aim to split the connection into two 8-pin plugs, which could pose a fire risk. Although this specific issue shouldn't be a major concern since I'll only use one plug at a time, it raises doubts about the cable's durability and safety.
I explored a few alternatives: a standard 8-pin adapter from Amazon, or a cable that converts two 6-pin connectors into one 8-pin. While these are common, I'm uncertain about their performance, especially regarding power delivery and physical build quality. Many of the available options tried to convert a single 6-pin connector into an 8-pin one, but their reliability remains unclear.
One option that caught my attention is:
https://www.amazon.com/COMeap-Power-Adap...07HCYDK5K/
Another possibility is using a different cable that transforms two 6-pin connectors into an 8-pin, though I have no confidence in its safety or compatibility with my PSU's pin configuration.
What should I choose? I'm leaning toward converting the two 6-pin plugs to a single 8-pin, assuming the adapter functions correctly and doesn't compromise performance. However, this would require more cable clutter inside my case, and I'm worried about whether the third-party solution adequately supports my system's requirements.
Obtain a fresh power supply.
The ones currently used in OEM units are only "sufficient" for their design needs.
They offer limited flexibility when it comes to upgrading to parts that require more power.
The standard power supply might not even support your new card's requirements.
My recommendation is clear: swap it out for a more powerful model with 8-pin connectors, provided by the manufacturer.
And invest in the highest-quality power supply you can manage.
This is the only place where cutting costs shouldn't be an option.
the actual power consumption of the PSU remains consistent.
most of these standard OEM setups are equipped with 200-350w.
many RTX 2060 makers suggest a lower limit of at least 500w.
this higher requirement usually indicates a more advanced build.
685 Watts was the exact specification I wanted, excluding the usual 425 Watt PSU. Unfortunately, those are exclusive and don’t offer a choice. I could purchase a more powerful unit, but all would share the same port layout. For this setup, there are just four PSU choices: 425, 685, 825, and 1300 Watts. Each has the identical number of ports, connected through the daughterboard’s ports, while the PSU only connects via an edge connector.
I really wouldn't bother with this project. Just take what's still usable and put it in a new case with a retail PSU and motherboard. Even using the cheapest trusted options would give you a better setup than these.
The PSU, case, and motherboard are exclusive components, featuring Xeon CPUs and ECC RAM. It's outdated, with a 2013 CPU model and DDR3 memory. I've only recently swapped out the SAS drive for a regular SATA one. Almost nothing can be salvaged to reassemble it into a current standard PC, particularly a modern one.
Except, the daughter board suggests it employs typical 24-pin and 8-pin connectors. I believe a standard power supply would suffice if it can be accommodated within the case.
It doesn't seem to be the case, there are no SATA connectors on that daughterboard.
The 24 pin ATX-style connector cable splits into a 24-pin, three SATA, and one mini-SATA power plug designed for laptop-style slim optical drives:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81xHVAtwF7L.jpg
Dell is well known for its unique PSUs and motherboards; although the connectors fit physically, they have different pin configurations in the past, which can cause problems if used with standard components. I wouldn't want to take that risk.
Using the existing 685 Watt PSU seems safe.
Its dimensions are also listed as "10 x 3 x 3 inches," though I'm not sure this matches any modern PSU standards—ATX or SFX probably don't fit, at least not clearly.
it doesn't have to be necessary.
i still wouldn't bother with this project.
just use your newer drive for extra storage or whatever you need.
create a new budget system that works much better, runs more efficiently, looks better (if that matters), and can be upgraded over time.
All you have is this one unit, it doesn’t fit the standard PSU, and I don’t have the funds to set up a completely different setup. This machine already serves as a backup since my main system is not fully ready. I just need to improve its performance for gaming. Also, this is corporate-grade equipment, unlike typical consumer hardware. The design of the PSU is meant to allow quick replacement in about ten seconds without opening the case—because if it breaks, you’ll have to buy new parts rather than just purchasing them once. I can’t install a regular PSU without major modifications, and I don’t want to reuse any components except the drives in another system. I’m not able to afford a new build.