Video card

[boofhead]

Computer would not work with the old card so bought a new one same type geforce 9800GT. The new one has twice the memory.
Another difference is the size, the new one is smaller, and another difference gives me a possible problem.
It has a power cable to plug into the top of the video card and somewhere on the MB. It is a small black two pin plug, wires are blue and white.
I can find a similar wire plugged into the back of the MB but I know not where it goes. Tough to find out what that socket is all about and to read the output if it is indeed a power outlet.
The card seems to work OK, is recognised. But I do not know if the extra power is required. It could power the fan?
Does anyone have knowledge of this video card, and how to correctly set it up?

[Parapunter]

Same card in this system from which I'm typing this response. I bought the 9800gt because it's passively cooled - no fan = quiet & this is a media pc, so that's a clincher for me.


The connector is for SLI, which is Nvidia's system for connecting two graphics cards together for double the graphics performance I.e. it's aimed at gamers.

In fact I think they've droppped it as an idea recently, so for the purposes of sticking a new card in your box, don't worry about it, unless you specifically want to turbocharge Halo ten or whatever the kids are playing with these days.

[Bushfiva]

The power connector is a 6-pin jobbie. The card can be actively or passively cooled, depending on the manufacturer; the reference design is active cooling.

If the wires are thin, I'm guessing that the two-wire cable is to connect sp-dif from the audio card to the video card if you want to route sp-dif audio to the next A/V component in the system.

[boofhead]

Both those ideas make sense, but the paperwork that came with the card from China says it is a power cord and for "optimum" performance it should be plugged in. Does not say what will happen if not plugged in, nor what the benefits are. And I cannot find an appropriate socket in the MB.
I did not build this PC but bought it from the store. It is a Dell I think. (my daughter is sleeping in the same room as the PC and if I wake her my life is forfeit.)
But as you say it works as it is, so I will probably just leave it.
I hate computers.

[Le Pen]

I Have a similar cable on my video card (8600GT) and it is for the audio for the HDMI port on the card. I think newer ones dont need/have this cable.

The other end is plugged into the motherboard.

Was looking at a GT 240 the other day. Much,much smaller and no other cables.

Love

LP

[Mr Optimistic]

If it is power, it will be off the psu not via the motherboard. Doesn't sound like it is power though, need more than two wires usually and they are pretty thick (same as go to hdd's etc).

The length of modern cards is getting a big issue, the ATI 5 series seem to be smaller and more easy to deal with than Nvidias latest monsters.