Is using the 8 pin connectors from 2 daisy chains (6+2 and 6) fine for RTX 3080?

[Shimitan]

I'm switching from a GTX 1080 to a RTX 3080 tomorrow. Currently, I am using a single daisy chain of a 6+2 and a 6 pin connector. I have an additional of such daisy chains.

 

Can I simply use the two seperate 6+2 cables for running my 3080, i.e., will it run fine having the extra 6 pin connectors dangling?

 

If this is not feasible, is it fine to run it simply using one of the daisy chains (6+2 and 6 pin)? I heard some say its fine if you don't overclock (which I won't), but I've also heard others say that it could be a fire hazard.

 

And lastly, if none of those options are feasible, do I try to get a daisy chain of 6+2 and 6+2 or 8 and 8 pin connector, or do I get two seperate 8 pin connectors?

 

The card in question is the Asus Tuf Gaming 3080 LHR (non-oc)

[Deeya]

Nowadays most would recommend running two separate cables from PSU to GPU if possible.

[Shimitan]

Just now, Deeya said:

Nowadays most would recommend running two separate cables from PSU to GPU if possible.

Thats also the conclusion I'm drawing, but I need to know if using two 6+2 and 6 pin connectors, using only the 6+2, is even a stable solution until I get my hands on two seperate 8 pin connectors. Like, I read that having two seperate 6+2 pin connectors is fine, but how about when those 6+2 pin connectors are in a daisy chain? Does that change anything?

[Poinkachu]

3 minutes ago, Shimitan said:

Thats also the conclusion I'm drawing, but I need to know if using two 6+2 and 6 pin connectors, using only the 6+2, is even a stable solution until I get my hands on two seperate 8 pin connectors. Like, I read that having two seperate 6+2 pin connectors is fine, but how about when those 6+2 pin connectors are in a daisy chain? Does that change anything?

It's fine leaving the daisy chain part dangling, if you want to be tidy, use zip ties so it doesn't wiggle around.
Just don't tighten too much.

[ZetZet]

5 minutes ago, Deeya said:

Nowadays most would recommend running two separate cables from PSU to GPU if possible.

Can you explain how would it make any difference on a single rail power supply? 

[SkilledRebuilds]

When I used daisy chain 6+2 vs seperate 6+2 the daisy chains had GPU usage drops and higher temps.

Weird AF, fixed instantly by using seperate PCIE power plugs for each input.

2080Ti 300w.

[Deeya]

You will be fine running two separate 6+2 cables from your PSU.

 

Just run two cables, you can disregard the part of the cable dangling off.

 

 

[Shimitan]

6 minutes ago, SkilledRebuilds said:

When I used daisy chain 6+2 vs seperate 6+2 the daisy chains had GPU usage drops and higher temps.

Weird AF, fixed instantly by using seperate PCIE power plugs for each input.

2080Ti 300w.

Sounds weird. I'll make sure to benchmark the card, once it is installed. If it underperforms a lot I will look into getting different cables, but it seems like that solution should be just fine.

[Shimitan]

6 minutes ago, Deeya said:

You will be fine running two separate 6+2 cables from your PSU.

 

Just run two cables, you can disregard the part of the cable dangling off.

 

 

Good to know. I'll benchmark the card and if everything is fine I'm probably sticking to that setup, as a single 8pin connector is $25-30 (sleeved).

[Zando_]

15 minutes ago, ZetZet said:

Can you explain how would it make any difference on a single rail power supply? 

Cables I believe. You're pulling all that power through a single set of cables, if they aren't the proper gauge wire it can cause issues. I believe modern Corsair units (and possibly other companies) use chunkier wire for their cables, so they are fine using the daisy chain connectors. @jonnyGURUwould be able to confirm (or correct me if I'm wrong). 

[Poinkachu]

Pretty sure the question is whether it is fine to leave the daisy chain part dangling.
And whether using 6+2 connector instead of an 8 pin connector is stable.

And pretty sure there is some sort of a "lost-in-translation" happening here. xD

[ZetZet]

23 minutes ago, Zando_ said:

Cables I believe. You're pulling all that power through a single set of cables, if they aren't the proper gauge wire it can cause issues. I believe modern Corsair units (and possibly other companies) use chunkier wire for their cables, so they are fine using the daisy chain connectors. @jonnyGURUwould be able to confirm (or correct me if I'm wrong). 

Strange, it's not like PSU manufacturers don't know how much power two 6+2 pins can draw. You would think they would rate their cables and connectors properly. 

[Zando_]

1 minute ago, ZetZet said:

Strange, it's not like PSU manufacturers don't know how much power two 6+2 pins can draw. You would think they would rate their cables and connectors properly. 

Not really. A lot of the PSUs that'd have issues are older designs, when far fewer people had wattage hungry GPUs. I imagine they weighed "number of people who need PSUs  and have midrange GPUs" vs "number of people who need PSUs, have a high wattage GPU, and can't stand using 2 cables". Then decided the latter wasn't high enough to justify using higher gauge wire and biting into either their margins, or raising the MSRP of the unit (which would hurt the far higher number of people using low wattage cards). I think the GTX 1060 is still the most used card according to Steam's hardware surveys, and that pulls around 130W peak. 

[ZetZet]

13 minutes ago, Zando_ said:

Not really. A lot of the PSUs that'd have issues are older designs, when far fewer people had wattage hungry GPUs. I imagine they weighed "number of people who need PSUs  and have midrange GPUs" vs "number of people who need PSUs, have a high wattage GPU, and can't stand using 2 cables". Then decided the latter wasn't high enough to justify using higher gauge wire and biting into either their margins, or raising the MSRP of the unit (which would hurt the far higher number of people using low wattage cards). I think the GTX 1060 is still the most used card according to Steam's hardware surveys, and that pulls around 130W peak. 

But then 1060 only has one 6 pin. One 8 pin if it's an overclocked manufacturer card. Doesn't make sense to make a double cable and not properly rate it... But I guess dumber things have happened. 

[IkeaGnome]

28 minutes ago, ZetZet said:

But then 1060 only has one 6 pin. One 8 pin if it's an overclocked manufacturer card. Doesn't make sense to make a double cable and not properly rate it... But I guess dumber things have happened. 

Even my old 2070 could safely run off a pigtail. Those are rated for roughly 320W IIRC. Someone in the PSU section would know better.

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/asus-geforce-rtx-2070-strix-oc/29.html

It's only very recent cards or older high end cards that are going above what a pigtail can/should handle and causing issues with them. 

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/amd-radeon-rx-6950-xt-reference-design/35.html

[Guest]

1 hour ago, ZetZet said:

Strange, it's not like PSU manufacturers don't know how much power two 6+2 pins can draw. You would think they would rate their cables and connectors properly. 

Most of the people telling people that you shouldn't use pigtails is full of shit.

 

They're looking at the PCI-SIG spec for the 8-pin connector at the GPU, which is 150W, and then assuming that this is a mechanical spec for the connector and it applies to the 8-pin on the PSU.

 

The problem with the Seasonic cables is because they use really cheap connectors and terminals and 18g wire.  But even then the difference is minimal.

 

I made a video this week showing how the voltages are not very different using different cables and configurations:  

 

 

I just finished doing another video that I need to edit tomorrow that takes all of these same cables and I run 3DMark Time Spy with a 3070 and found almost no difference in my scores regardless of the cable configuration.  I'll upload that one probably tomorrow night.

 

 

[Guest]

2 hours ago, SkilledRebuilds said:

When I used daisy chain 6+2 vs seperate 6+2 the daisy chains had GPU usage drops and higher temps.

Weird AF, fixed instantly by using seperate PCIE power plugs for each input.

2080Ti 300w.

What PSU?

2 hours ago, Shimitan said:

I'm switching from a GTX 1080 to a RTX 3080 tomorrow. Currently, I am using a single daisy chain of a 6+2 and a 6 pin connector. I have an additional of such daisy chains.

 

Can I simply use the two seperate 6+2 cables for running my 3080, i.e., will it run fine having the extra 6 pin connectors dangling?

 

If this is not feasible, is it fine to run it simply using one of the daisy chains (6+2 and 6 pin)? I heard some say its fine if you don't overclock (which I won't), but I've also heard others say that it could be a fire hazard.

 

And lastly, if none of those options are feasible, do I try to get a daisy chain of 6+2 and 6+2 or 8 and 8 pin connector, or do I get two seperate 8 pin connectors?

 

The card in question is the Asus Tuf Gaming 3080 LHR (non-oc)

What PSU?

[Shimitan]

10 hours ago, jonnyGURU said:

What PSU?

What PSU?

evga G2 650 W 80+ Gold

Edit: I ordered a Seasonic Focus GX 850. It seems that 650w should be enough (judging from max TDP of my system, which will be 589w), but I'm worried it might void the warranty on the 3080, as it is not recommended by Asus. It also future proofs if I'm ever getting new CPU or I decide to OC.

[Guest]

10 hours ago, Shimitan said:

evga G2 650 W 80+ Gold

Edit: I ordered a Seasonic Focus GX 850. It seems that 650w should be enough (judging from max TDP of my system, which will be 589w), but I'm worried it might void the warranty on the 3080, as it is not recommended by Asus. It also future proofs if I'm ever getting new CPU or I decide to OC.

Ah yes...  EVGA and Seasonic.  The two companies that use the shittiest cables/connectors (well.. EVGA has improved because they've learned.  But the G2 is quite old).

 

Yeah.  Don't use the pigtails.

 

[Shimitan]

18 hours ago, jonnyGURU said:

Ah yes...  EVGA and Seasonic.  The two companies that use the shittiest cables/connectors (well.. EVGA has improved because they've learned.  But the G2 is quite old).

 

Yeah.  Don't use the pigtails.

 

Would you recommend buying aftermarket cables? I just installed the PSU, and I have to agree, the cables feel shitty, especially when compared to my G2 cables. The reason why I am asking is because, in the user manual of the Seasonic, it says NOT to buy aftermarket cables. Is this simply something 'to cover their own asses', or are there actual concerns when using aftermarket cables?

 

And if you would recommend it, are there any particular brands to look for when buying aftermarket cables? (you seem quite knowledgable when it comes to PSUs)