Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
allow a card to detect whether an 8-pin connector, a 6-pin connector, or no connector is
attached.
Figure 18.34
PCI Express 8-pin (2×4) auxiliary 150W power supply connector.
Table 18.23 PCI Express 8-Pin (2×4) Auxiliary 150W Power Connector Pinout (Graphics Card Sock-
et)
Becauseofboththephysicaldesignaswellastheuseofthesensesignals,the6-pinpower
supply connector plug is backward compatible with the 8-pin graphics card socket. This
meansthatifyourgraphicscardhasan8-pinsocketbutyourpowersupplyhasonly6-pin
connectors available, you can plug the 6-pin connector into the 8-pin socket using an off-
setarrangement,asshownin
Figure18.35
.Theconnectorsarekeyedsuchthattheyshould
only plug in the correct way, but be careful because they can be forced together in an in-
correct fashion, which can potentially damage the card.
Figure 18.35
Plugging a 6-pin power supply connector into an 8-pin graphics card power socket.
