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Got a PNY 9800 GT today. I'm wondering, though, how do I know my power supply is giving juice to the card via the six-pin supplemental power connection. It looks like everything is connected as it should be -- connector from the power supply snapped snugly into place -- but how can I be sure power is flowing into the card?
You'll likely know if it's not getting enough juice. If the mobo doesn't make a bunch of beeps and maybe a warning message during post, then the nvidia driver package should send a warning message when Windows loads.
Stick a voltmeter into the connector with the power turned on (make sure you disconnect it from the card first). Red lead to what you're going to read and the black lead to ground. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be AC or DC voltage but most multi-meters have a setting for both. Check each pin until you find your 6V. If you don't see 6V, you're not getting power to it.
You'll likely know if it's not getting enough juice. If the mobo doesn't make a bunch of beeps and maybe a warning message during post, then the nvidia driver package should send a warning message when Windows loads.
If using a multimeter, it should measure 12 volts. The yellow (or colored) wires are positive and the black wires are ground.
Many higher end Nvidia GPUs will make an obnoxious beeping noise if the supplemental power connector is not plugged in when the system is first turned on; others will issue a message via the OS saying that performance has been reduced due to lack of power connection.
What makes you think that the cable might not be providing power?
Last edited by juggler; 01-03-2009 at 03:14 PM..
Reason: clarification on wire colors
What makes you think that the cable might not be providing power?
I'm not getting the performance I think i should be getting, and now I know why. My machine only has a 250 watt PSU. I honestly didn't know major manufacturers such as HP had the gaul to sell POS PSU's. I just assumed, given its a core 2 duo with a PCI-E slot and was advertised as a "media center" or something of the sort, and all that jazz, they wouldn't give me a bargain bin PSU like some guy sells in the machines in the back of his van at tech shows.
They'll usually install a supply big enough for it's configuration, not big enough for future upgrades, common practice to save money.
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