Despite the fact that 150 watts are enough for most graphics cards, high-end cards such as NVIDIA’s RTX 3080 require more than 320 watts and system power of 750 watts. As 150 watts will be enough for most mid-range cards, these usually feature the 6-pin power connector. video cards don't take all power from the 8 pin connector. They can also take up to around 65w from the SLOT. (officially it's 10w on 3.3v and 65w on 12v but recently I think they loosened the standards to allow up to 75w on 12v) An 8-pin GPU cable is a power connector common in most high-end graphics. These connectors usually have a 4.2 mm pitch that can seamlessly offer a power supply of 150 watts. If you connect a graphics card with an 8-pin connector, the maximum power supply you can draw is 225 watts. You will get 75 watts from the PCIe x16 slot and 150 watts from the eight-pin connectors. An 8-pin GPU Cable

Braided Cables - PSU - Braided extension adaptor - Scan Braided Cables - PSU - Braided extension adaptor - Scan

The adapters and converters help users connect the new-age GPUs to older PSUs without any challenges. You can easily use these adapters to connect to achieve compatibility with high-end GPUs. These adapters are often termed Molex adapters/Molex converters. Here are some adapters or converters that you can use to compatibility with your desired pin connectors. 1. 4-Pin Molex To 6-Pin PCI-E Adapter Cable I used a splitter to get to the three GPUs and im aware that the maximum power recommended its arround 290W. There is also a rule of thumb that the PSU runs best when it’s at 50% capacity, but that is a different topic that should be looked at on a case-by-case basis. 12-Pin Connectors Although the math might not seem right when compared to the 6-pin connector, the 8-pin connector can deliver 150 watts to a graphics card. If the GPU requires more than 150 watts, it will come with an 8-pin connector or two 6-pin connectors.

As always, there are exceptions. The most power-hungry graphics cards come with a 6-pin and an 8-pin connector. For example, NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3060 has both types of connectors. As a result, it has a maximum power consumption of 170 watts. When gamers build a PC, power consumption is one of the most imperative factors to consider. However, users often overlook this factor with top-tier graphics cards. To achieve an immersive playing experience on their PCs, they install top of a line graphics cards. These graphics cards impose an excessive burden on PSUs that increases hassles for gamers.

8-Pin PCIe GPU Extension Cable - Reaper Cable Custom 8-Pin PCIe GPU Extension Cable - Reaper Cable

In such cases, the graphics card draws 75 watts of power from the PCIe x16 connector, and the additional 75 watts of power get extracted from the 6-pin connectors. One hundred fifty watts of power supply is precise and more than expected for several GPUs. But there are also graphic cards that draw 320 or 750 watts of power. These are usually high-end power-hungry GPUs that demand power for superfast data transmission. There are often compatibility issues when building a PC, and power connectors are no different. Fortunately, computers are made by engineers who like to modify hardware that isn’t suited to their needs by default. An entry-level graphics card needs 150 watts of power supply through the motherboard for running seamlessly. In contrast, the standard PCIe x16 slots only offer you 75 watts of power. So, if you expect a desirable performance from your PC, you need highly efficient GPU power connectors. Some PSU maker could use a different pinout on the PSU, so even if the pinout is standard from the GPU side, it is not from the PSU side.The wires can handle higher currents, up to 10-13A per wire, with reasonable heating (for example at 10A, the individual wires may heat from 25c ambient to 40c if spread out, maybe 50c in a bundle (ex under a sleeve wrapping the whole 8 wires) . They can do more if you don't mind bigger voltage drops and higher temperatures (the insulation is typically rated for at least 85c) In any situation, it’s certain that your device will have adequate power with a reliable 650 watts PSU. However, if you’re constructing a gaming setup with an RTX 3080/3090 or desire to prepare for the future (which is nearly impossible), you should select a stronger PSU. Take caution as increased power brings a higher possibility of excessive heat. Yes! You can connect a 6-pin GPU to an 8-pin connector. However, you must do it right. Any mistake can result in a fire hazard, and however, it is always wise to upgrade or switch the cables. The 6-pin graphics connector is usually common in lower and mid-range graphics units. As the name says, the connectors have six-pin connecting slots with a 4.2 mm pitch. These GPU connectors can directly draw up to 75 watts from an external power source. The power even comes bypassing the motherboard. Six-pin GPU connectors are suitable when a graphics card demands a minimum of 150 watts of power. 6-Pin GPU Cable A 4-pin to 6-pin connector helps you achieve compatibility with your GPU. Besides, the 4-pin Molex power connectors are the most standard connector type accessible today, and they were for all PATA and hard drives. The pin connectors usually have 4 Molex pins inside the adapter or converter cable. This converter cable connects with a 6-pin GPU to harness the external power supply. 2. 4-Pin Molex To 8-Pin PCI-E Power Adapter Cable