6pin PCI-E to 8pin PCI-E Modification
April 7th, 2008 | This article was viewed 2,328 times so far...
Graphic Cards these days such as the high-end those based on the ATI HD3870X2 requires power from 2x PCI-E power source. As if that wasn’t difficult enough, ATI made it in such a way that one of the power connector has to be an PCI-E connector has to be an 8-pin version in order to enable their Catalyst Control Center’s OVERDRIVE feature for temperature monitoring and overclocking.
To make things worse, quite many power supply units (PSU) don’t come with 8-pin (some call it 6+2 pin) PCI-E connector. So, are you going to have to change your power supply unit to one that has an 8-pin PCI-E just to get that feature?
The good news is - YOU DON’T HAVE TO! Hence the purpose of this article…….
2. This guide applies to ATI’s range of products. The modification shown in this article was tested and worked fine with the ASUS EAH3870X2 1G
3. I cannot guarantee that this guide can be used in the near future. Aww heck, I think by then most PSU would come with 6+2pin PCI-E connectors already.
Update : Modification for the 9800GX2. Conditions above still apply.
How It Started
Early this year, I got my hands on the ASUS EAH3870X2 1G. My old 450w power-supply couldn’t take the load, so I upgraded my power supply unit to the Gigabyte Odin GT 550w version. I was disappointed that it didn’t come with the 8pin PCI-E connector as found in the higher range.
The thought of getting another PSU came to mind but it’s really pointless. Getting a new PCI-E connector that comes with 8pin? Possible but it’s going to take quite some time to order and have it delievered so forget it, off I went to spend more time with Uncle Google.
With a little bit of research and some experiment - VOILA! I managed to DIY my own 8pin PCI-E connector!
How To Do It
Here’s what you need……
Yes, the usual PCI-E cable AND a piece of wire. I got this one by hacking one of my spare partsIt doesn’t matter if the wire you have doesn’t look like what I have, it’ll do the trick as long as there’s contact points from both ends.
Now, here’s what the graphic card power connection point look like. Notice that this one allows you to place 8 pins.
Fit the 6pin PCI-E connector unto the card as depicted in the picture below. Secure it of course.
Next up, just the wire you have to join the 2 other un-used points.
Here’s how it looks like from another angle.
The 9800GX2 mod from Goran
For this to make it work you need: 2 cables as mentioned above by Goldfries.
1.Connect pcie connector so it fits nicely, now you have 2 empty pin’s left.
2. Take the 1st cable put it in the 1st empty pin from above and push it into the 1st pcie empty pin connector (which you already connected) so it touches the source of electricity.(1st line , 1st pin)
3. Take the 2nd cable put it in the last empty pin and push it into the pcie connector (1st line , 2nd pin)
Don’t forget to put some electricity insulate glue around the both wires, just in case if they touch each other, your graphic card won’t blow up.
Hope it works, mine worksif wanted I can make it with pictures
It’s better to use the 6pin adapter which comes with graphic card, As you don’t wan’t to mess the power supply
And Now It’s Done
Yup, just fire up the machine and there you’ll see the option for OVERDRIVE enabled.
I hope you like this guide.
It’s a sure way to gain access to ATI Catalyst Control Center’s Overdrive feature without the hassle of getting new PCI-E connectors or changing of power supply unit.
UPDATE
This mod also works for The nVidia GTX280 cards.I’ve personally tested it.
so far no problem with me. sp1 ofcoz :p but like u say, i got some trouble...
April 7th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Wow, Cool way…Been looking for ways to enable Overdrive for my 2900XT…+ In Malaysia i don’t think they have 6 pin to 8 pin pcie converter..Thanks a lot..
April 8th, 2008 at 1:10 am
for some reason , i cant control the overdrive though
anyways to clock the card with this method?
btw nice modification sharing too !
April 10th, 2008 at 4:16 am
@lacus - yeah, i went around asking for the 8pin thing at few shops. Couldn’t fine any.
@chris - that’s how I did it. I couldn’t overclock, nor monitor the settings, nor use overdrive. After some long research, and risk-taking experiement, I found out this could get it to work.
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:15 am
where do u get that wire? I’ve no idea where to find it, i need it at least 2 for both my HD2900xt.
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:25 am
What wire? That yellow one? It’s just like any other wire, I got mine by hacking one of my spare stuff.
Like I said, it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t look like what I used. Just make sure the points are connected.
May 12th, 2008 at 2:40 am
Does it work on 9800gx2? I don’t know in which 2 pins should i put it, on the total right 2 ones, or on the left ones, does it matter?
Thanks
May 12th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Theoretically this should work, because all PCI-E 6+2 pins on the newer PSUs are the same.
If you’re un-certain how to use it. the 6pin would have a fixed range of socket where it can fit on. so you shouldn’t have any problem figuring out where the 2 goes.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:24 am
I dont understand… I mean from a logical point of view…
What is the purpose of those extra 2 pins? The video card manufacturer could just have closed those 2 pins on the board…
Am i missing something?
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I have no idea either.
On my side, i thought some power needs to flow through it in order to get it fully powered or something. It’s just really funny to see that end up it worked just by connecting those pins with a wire.
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Well my 9800gx2 required a little bit different type of connecting, the 2 empty pin’s are both minus type, so I made some modification and now it’s working
For this to make it work you need: 2 cables as mentioned above by Goldfries.
1.Connect pcie connector so it fits nicely, now you have 2 empty pin’s left.
2. Take the 1st cable put it in the 1st empty pin from above and push it into the 1st pcie empty pin connector (which you already connected) so it touches the source of electricity.(1st line , 1st pin)
3. Take the 2nd cable put it in the last empty pin and push it into the pcie connector (1st line , 2nd pin)
Don’t forget to put some electricity insulate glue around the both wires, just in case if they touch each other, your graphic card won’t blow up.
Hope it works, mine works
if wanted I can make it with pictures
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Nice one Goran, I’ll put it on the article.
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Thanks m8, I added u on msn btw
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Alright! Added on article.
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Thanks m8, hope it will help someone, as I know in which position was I when I bought power supply with 1010W and 4x 6pin cables
Was crazy.
And if you can add :
It’s better to use the 6pin adapter which comes with graphic card, As you don’t wan’t to mess the power supply
May 24th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Could you post pictures please for the GX2 mod that Goran did? He mentions:
“1.Connect pcie connector so it fits nicely, now you have 2 empty pin’s left.”
For this, I assume connecting to the far left as Goldfries has done.
“2. Take the 1st cable put it in the 1st empty pin from above and push it into the 1st pcie empty pin connector (which you already connected) so it touches the source of electricity.(1st line , 1st pin)”
This is where my real confusion begins. Goldfries used two cables total, but Goran’s instructions seem to utilize three, but he mentions only needing two.
Also, my PCIE connector has no empty pin connector as he states I should already have connected. They are all filled.. first line is yellow, yellow, yellow, second line is black, brown, black.
“3. Take the 2nd cable put it in the last empty pin and push it into the pcie connector (1st line , 2nd pin)”
Here, I assume the last empty pin is the lower pin and I need to somehow join the connection on the 1st line, 2nd pin, with the wire/connector that is already there?
Thanks in advance…
May 24th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Hi U have maybe msn, I’ll explain you there? and after with the help of Goldfries we will put it here I assume
May 24th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Hi, Ash here.
As stated, your instructions are terribly confusing. Could you please post a diagram perhaps?
-Ash
May 27th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Hello there. I got my 9800GX2 a few days ago, and you bet I’ve been dying to to try it out… However my power lacks the 8-pin connector. English is not my native language and I don’t want to fry my gpu for some misunderstanding, so I, too, would love to see some pics.
My Y! id is same as the name above, should work for MSN too, if some of you would be kind enough to help a fellow nerd.
May 27th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Hello,
I made the picture and it’s on following link.
http://www.diabolicservers.com/modification.jpg
So 1. You need 2 wires mentioned above (same as Goldfries used)
As mentioned the 1st wire is number 1,
the 2nd wire is number 2.
Put the wire n1 into empty pin number 1, the second number one is on the 6pin adapter, I know that there is no place to put it inside, so you need to stick it between 2 exiting wires on the 6pin adapter, don’t worry you will find the solution to stick it in.
You need to do the same with wire n2, but look at the picture in which pin’s wire n2 should go in.
Please don’t mess your graphic card, isolate the both wires ( n1, n2) , if they touch themself (if they are not isolated) they will burn your graphic card, if you isolate them, there is no fear of making it wrong.
I trully hope that this will help you, if you don’t understand something, feel free to ask.
regards,
Goran
May 28th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Ok, I got it perfectly now, thanks for helping.
But, you have done this and it really works? Doesn’t that connect the ground (or minus) sockets on the gpu to the +12v sockets on the PCI-E -powerline? ^^”
May 28th, 2008 at 1:36 am
yes both empty pins are minus on 9800gx2, don’t worry mine is working, anyway i heard that even if you mess up, graphic card has protection, happy gaming
May 28th, 2008 at 1:39 am
Oh yes, besides I noticed that I actually looked at the connector upside down, d’oh..! Anyway, I think I’ll try it out now, thank you again.
May 28th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Always welcome, post if it’s working!
May 28th, 2008 at 2:44 am
It works like a charm!
I’m off to set up my new system~
May 28th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Hi Goran,
Thanks for your email, sorry I didn’t respond, I was too busy working on my Mac Pro! Lol… so I just went and did the wiring that Goldie did and it works for me so far.
The only issue I have now is after about an hour, my Mac Pro (2007) freezes and then reboots. In windows, I get the following error: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/912310
I don’t know if this is related to a heating issue or a sound driver issue. Well, this is taking things off topic, lol.. anyway, as I said.. I got it working with Goldie’s method, I don’t know if yours will be of better benefit?
Thanks again for your help Goran!
July 1st, 2008 at 1:12 pm
interesting… heard about the conversion but never saw any pictures on net about it…
July 1st, 2008 at 4:06 pm
@Radwreck
Hello m8, Sorry that I didn’t respond, I’m doing some game server business -.-’
Well for windows server 2003, I really don’t understand why are you using such a graphic card on the windows server OS. Well mine is working perfectly on windows xp 64bit.
I also had windows vista, its not reccomanded to use it with nvidia chipset. Because when you wan’t to play the drivers aren’t made so good, gives you error and kicks you out of the game.
Also which power supply do you have, 9800gx2 requires 200W.
Also to avoid connecting your graphic card like this, you can buy thermaltake 750W or 850W as they have 8pin connectors.
Cheers
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
@Goran
This articles is for those who doesn’t have PSU with 8pins but wish to use the card at max performance. So, changing a PSU is not an option.
July 4th, 2008 at 4:54 am
I need to make a 6 pin connector for my new HD 4850, I don’t suppose there’s a guide for that?
July 4th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
why do you even have to make one?
Cards these days come with cables with 6pin PCI-E converter - it has a 6pin PCIE connector on one end and a (or 2) molex connector on the other end, basically converts one of your PSU molex to a 6pin PCIE-E converter.