Damaeus wrote:
In news:alt.comp.periphs.videocards.nvidia, Paul
posted on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:19:16 -0500 the following:

OK, now we can move onto the next topic.

Your power supply.
[...]
Depending on the age of the power supply, and the remaining warranty,
you can also visually inspect the inside of the power supply. There
are four screws that hold the top on. One screw will be covered with
a "warranty void" sticker, preventing the screw from being removed.
If there is no warranty time remaining, then removing all the screws and
taking off the top plate, won't matter with respect to warranty.

Well, the power supply will still be well within its warranty. I just
bought it in July of 2012 to replace one that did go bad. I got an
850-watt Thermaltake SP-850AH3CCB. I wanted a good one.

Now here's a question. The lead from the power supply has two plugs on it
for those who have two video cards. I only have one video card (while I
lust for two). I have the FIRST connector connected to the card, while
the one on the end is not connected to anything. Does this sound right?

Damaeus

I can't tell from the cables, exactly how that unit works. I get
the impression the PCI Express cables are 1:1. I don't see
a modular cable connector on one end and two PCI Express
on the other end of the same cable.

http://www.thermaltake.com/products-...?id=C_00001830

With some of the cabling, you have to be careful not to mix up
ATX12V 2x4 connector, with a PCI Express. I haven't compared the
shapes of the plastic shells on the connectors, to see if the
keying is different. Molex shrouds have weird shapes, to encourage
only the correct cables can mate.

In any case, if the power cables were wired in parallel

Modular --------+---------+
End | |
PCI-E PCI-E
#1 #2

it should not matter which one or both are connected. As long
as pin amperages have not been violated, wire is proper gauge,
the cable can take anything.

I've seen some adapter cables, that go from a couple 1x4 connectors,
to a PCI-E 2x3, that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole. Sometimes,
you can tell just from the picture, that there isn't due attention
to details.

PCI Express come in 2x3 and 2x4, on the video card end. On the
power supply end, they make 2x4 connectors, where a 2x1 section
detaches, to make a 2x3 connector. That would be one way to verify
you're working with a PCI Express cable.

The ATX12V comes in a couple formats. Some supplies have separate
2x2 and 2x4 connectors. Some, use a 2x4 that a 2x2 section detaches
to make a 2x2 to fit to the motherboard, and a left-over 2x2
you don't use for anything.

Sample pictures are available here, if you need things to point at
in a posting.

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psucon...onnectors.html

For example, this is a PCI-Express 2x4 with detachable 2x1.

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psucon...plus2index.jpg

Paul