G+_Shooter_FPV (Shooter_FP Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 Using a second power supply in a computer... My work computer is an older HP 6200 Desktop, and I wanted to upgrade the video card with one that uses the 6-pin power connector. Problem is, the power supply in the HP is not only weak (320W), but it doesn't use the standard 20/24-pin power connector that is typical with just about every motherboard. So I can't upgrade the power supply. I do have 2 spare molex connectors on the stock PS, and I could get an adapter, but I don't think I'd have enough power on the stock PS to power it safely. Last night for a few hours I read up on using a second power supply to power other components in a system - for me being just the video card. I see both sides of the spectrum: either it's too dangerous, or you can short out the green/black wires on the second power supply to make it work. So I figured I get thoughts from you all to see how good/bad this is. Being it's a work computer I'm not going to shell out my own money for a video card that could work in it... I have an old Radeon R7-250 that I'd like to use. So what do you all think??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Travis Hershberger Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 If it's a work computer and they don't see the need to upgrade it, then I wouldn't touch it in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Telford Dorr Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 Do you have / can you borrow a Kill-a-watt meter? Measure the current power consumption and see how close to the 320 watt limit you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Shooter_FPV (Shooter_FP Posted October 26, 2017 Author Share Posted October 26, 2017 Travis Hershberger Well, it's the computer I use, and the stock video really stinks, so I'd like to use the Radeon card in it. I run AutoCAD at times, and some photo/video editing as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Shooter_FPV (Shooter_FP Posted October 26, 2017 Author Share Posted October 26, 2017 Telford Dorr Unfortunately I don't. I can see if someone has one somewhere. The system is a Core i5 with 16GB RAM and a 1TB hard drive, with a basic DVD ROM drive. Even with that I would think I'd be close to 320, even without the Radeon card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Chris Skinner Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 Get the power supply you want/need and get an adapter like this. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAHMULC/ref=asc_df_B01NAHMULC5233750/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B01NAHMULC&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167122786755&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6999521129406158730&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012348&hvtargid=pla-305793765349. Much safer amazon.com - Amazon.com: AYA 12" (12 Inch) ATX Main 24-Pin to 6-Pin PCI-E PSU Power Adapter Cable 18AWG for HP Z220/Z230 Workstation: Home Audio & Theater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Vazrik Marcarian Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 Adding second power supply might cause electricall problems. Check with HP, ask them if they have stronger power supply that will work with this mother board. HP and Dell use non standard connection. So if you buy generic power supply, white box, make sure connectors have right voltages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 I'd think you would be fine. I've used external power adapter with internal drives. They also make ATX power switches that plug into the 20/24 pin plug - or you could 3D print your own. However.... Maybe it would be better to just use and adapter to go from a standard ATX power supply to the proprietary plug on the motherboard. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KRCJSY4/ref=asc_df_B01KRCJSY45234545/ Or https://www.ebay.com/i/272410313892 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Shooter_FPV (Shooter_FP Posted October 26, 2017 Author Share Posted October 26, 2017 Ben Reese Chris Skinner Chris' idea should work, that's the type of connector that my system has. It's beyond me why HP would go proprietary. For about the same price I could go with the Add2PSU, but I think the adapter cable may be a better idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Shooter_FPV (Shooter_FP Posted October 26, 2017 Author Share Posted October 26, 2017 This is the power connector in the system... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John Sullivan Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 How old is "older"? The "edge connector" (the multi-fingered connector that plugs into the motherboard) has changed many times over the years (AGP, PCIe...) Does the Radeon card that you mentioned match the type of video socket on the motherboard? Have you checked the manual to see what type of video socket it is? Even if the card plugs in, that does not mean it's compatible. However, if everything matches, and the only thing holding you back is the extra power needed, I would definitely try using a second power supply to power only the video card's extra power connector. en.wikipedia.org - Video card - Wikipedia scroll down to "Motherboard interfaces" near the bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Mike B Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Buy a nvidia 1050 ti that doesn’t require a 6 pin connector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 I meant to share this before... Here's an adapter to go from ATX to the 6-pin HP plug. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XW7RWNH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Shooter_FPV (Shooter_FP Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 Mike B Being that it's my work computer, I'm not going to buy anything for it, I'm just going to use what I have... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Shooter_FPV (Shooter_FP Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 Ben Reese Someone else posted a link to something similar. In the reviews of the other one, a lot of people said they had to change the wiring order of the 6-pin connector, and even sort of "offset" the other white connector. Right now I have the second power supply running with the green/black wires on the 24-pin jumpered and wrapped with tape. I make sure to shut my computer down at night, just in case. I'll do this until I think about what I want to do, either the connector you linked to, or the Add2PSU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Mike B Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Seems a little iffy to kludge a power supply on a work computer. I hope you’re working from home, otherwise the organisation may have concerns about the safety of the machine in their premises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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