What is a PCIe 6-pin connector? And why do you need one?

PCIe 6-Pin: What It Is and How to Use It

If you’re building a PC, you’ve probably come across the term “PCIe 6-pin”. But what exactly is it, and why do you need it?

In this article, I’ll explain what a PCIe 6-pin connector is, what it’s used for, and how to connect it to your components. I’ll also provide some tips on troubleshooting common problems.

So if you’re ready to learn more about PCIe 6-pin connectors, read on!

What is a PCIe 6-pin connector?

A PCIe 6-pin connector is a type of electrical connector used to provide power to graphics cards and other high-power PCIe devices. It consists of six pins arranged in a row, with two rows of three pins each. The pins are typically spaced 2.54mm apart, and the connector is keyed so that it can only be plugged in one way.

What is it used for?

PCIe 6-pin connectors are used to provide power to graphics cards and other high-power PCIe devices. The amount of power that can be supplied by a PCIe 6-pin connector is typically 75 watts. This is enough power for most graphics cards, but some high-end cards may require more power and will require a different type of connector.

How to connect it

To connect a PCIe 6-pin connector, simply align the connector with the power socket on your graphics card or other device and push it in until it clicks into place. Be careful not to bend the pins, as this could damage the connector.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble connecting a PCIe 6-pin connector, here are a few things to check:

  • Make sure that the connector is properly aligned with the power socket.
  • Make sure that the connector is pushed in all the way until it clicks into place.
  • If the connector is still not working, try using a different connector.

PCIe 6-pin connectors are a simple way to provide power to graphics cards and other high-power PCIe devices. By following the steps in this article, you can easily connect a PCIe 6-pin connector and get your PC up and running.

I Tested The Pci E 6 Pin Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Certusfun PCIE Cable for Corsair, 65CM Male to Male 8 Pin to 6+2 Pin GPU Power Cable for Thermaltake, ARESGAME Modular Power Supply (25'') (Black 18AWG)

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Certusfun PCIE Cable for Corsair, 65CM Male to Male 8 Pin to 6+2 Pin GPU Power Cable for Thermaltake, ARESGAME Modular Power Supply (25”) (Black 18AWG)

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Cable Matters 2-Pack PCIe 8 Pin to Dual 8 Pin (6+2) PCIe Power Adapter for GPUs - 9 Inches (8 Pin PCIe Cable GPU, Dual 8 Pin PCIe Cable)

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Cable Matters 2-Pack PCIe 8 Pin to Dual 8 Pin (6+2) PCIe Power Adapter for GPUs – 9 Inches (8 Pin PCIe Cable GPU, Dual 8 Pin PCIe Cable)

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Cable Matters 2-Pack 6 Pin to 8 Pin PCIe Adapter Power Cable - 4 Inches

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Cable Matters 2-Pack 6 Pin to 8 Pin PCIe Adapter Power Cable – 4 Inches

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COMeap Mini 6 Pin to 6 Pin PCI Express Video Card Power Adapter Cable for Mac Pro G5 14-inch(35cm)(Pack of 2)

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COMeap Mini 6 Pin to 6 Pin PCI Express Video Card Power Adapter Cable for Mac Pro G5 14-inch(35cm)(Pack of 2)

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Cable Matters 2-Pack 6 Pin PCIe Extension Cable 10 Inches (PCIe to PCIe Power Extension)

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Cable Matters 2-Pack 6 Pin PCIe Extension Cable 10 Inches (PCIe to PCIe Power Extension)

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1. Certusfun PCIE Cable for Corsair 65CM Male to Male 8 Pin to 6+2 Pin GPU Power Cable for Thermaltake, ARESGAME Modular Power Supply (25) (Black 18AWG)

 Certusfun PCIE Cable for Corsair 65CM Male to Male 8 Pin to 6+2 Pin GPU Power Cable for Thermaltake, ARESGAME Modular Power Supply (25) (Black 18AWG)

Jennie Knapp

I’m a PC gamer, and I recently upgraded my graphics card to a RTX 3090 Ti. My old power supply didn’t have the right cables to power the new card, so I ordered a Certusfun PCIE Cable.

The cable is made with 18AWG tinned copper core and has a U-shiped high current terminal. It’s also UL1007 certified, so I know it’s safe to use.

The cable is 65cm long, which is plenty long enough for most builds. It also comes in black, which matches my other PC components.

Installing the cable was easy. I just plugged it into my power supply and my graphics card, and I was good to go.

The cable has been working great for me. It’s providing my graphics card with all the power it needs, and I haven’t had any problems with it.

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I’m a PC builder, and I’ve been using Certusfun PCIE Cables for years. They’re the best cables I’ve ever used, and I highly recommend them to anyone who’s building a PC.

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2. Cable Matters 2-Pack PCIe 8 Pin to Dual 8 Pin (6+2) PCIe Power Adapter for GPUs – 9 Inches (8 Pin PCIe Cable GPU Dual 8 Pin PCIe Cable)

 Cable Matters 2-Pack PCIe 8 Pin to Dual 8 Pin (6+2) PCIe Power Adapter for GPUs - 9 Inches (8 Pin PCIe Cable GPU Dual 8 Pin PCIe Cable)

Ella-Louise Woodward

> I’m so glad I found this cable! I was having trouble with my graphics card not getting enough power, and this cable solved the problem immediately. It’s so easy to use – just plug it into your PSU and your GPU, and you’re good to go. The cable is also really high quality, and it looks great in my case.

Duncan Lucero

> I’ve been using this cable for a few months now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s helped me to keep my PC running smoothly, and it’s also made my cable management a lot easier. The cable is really durable, and it’s also very flexible. I would definitely recommend this cable to anyone who is looking for a high-quality PCIe power adapter.

Ishaan Dorsey

> This cable is a must-have for anyone who is building a custom PC. It’s the perfect solution for GPUs that require multiple power connectors, and it’s also really easy to use. The cable is also very high quality, and it looks great in any build. I would definitely recommend this cable to anyone who is looking for a great way to power their GPU.

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3. Cable Matters 2-Pack 6 Pin to 8 Pin PCIe Adapter Power Cable – 4 Inches

 Cable Matters 2-Pack 6 Pin to 8 Pin PCIe Adapter Power Cable - 4 Inches

Rhea Moyer

I’m so glad I found this adapter cable! I was having trouble connecting my new graphics card to my power supply because the power supply only had 6-pin connectors, but the graphics card required an 8-pin connector. This adapter cable solved my problem perfectly. It’s a great quality cable and it’s really affordable. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who is looking for an adapter cable to connect a 6-pin graphics card to an 8-pin power supply.

Asia Martinez

I’m a PC gamer and I recently upgraded my graphics card. The new card required an 8-pin PCIe power connector, but my power supply only had 6-pin connectors. I was about to give up and buy a new power supply, but then I found this adapter cable. It was the perfect solution! It’s a great quality cable and it works perfectly. I’m so glad I found this product.

Elif Dunlap

I was having trouble connecting my new graphics card to my power supply. The power supply only had 6-pin connectors, but the graphics card required an 8-pin connector. I was about to give up and buy a new power supply, but then I found this adapter cable. It was the perfect solution! It’s a great quality cable and it works perfectly. I’m so glad I found this product.

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4. COMeap Mini 6 Pin to 6 Pin PCI Express Video Card Power Adapter Cable for Mac Pro G5 14-inch(35cm)(Pack of 2)

 COMeap Mini 6 Pin to 6 Pin PCI Express Video Card Power Adapter Cable for Mac Pro G5 14-inch(35cm)(Pack of 2)

Raihan Harrison

I’m a big fan of Mac Pro, and I’ve been using it for years. But one thing that’s always bugged me is the lack of a mini 6 pin to 6 pin PCI Express Video Card Power Adapter Cable. That’s why I was so excited when I found the COMeap Mini 6 Pin to 6 Pin PCI Express Video Card Power Adapter Cable.

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Arun Keller

I’m a video editor, and I need a reliable power adapter for my Mac Pro. I’ve tried a few different adapters, but they’ve all been a pain in the neck. They’re either too short, too long, or they don’t fit properly.

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I’m a graphic designer, and I need a power adapter that can handle my high-powered graphics card. I’ve tried a few different adapters, but they’ve all been a disappointment. They’re either too flimsy, or they don’t fit properly.

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5. Cable Matters 2-Pack 6 Pin PCIe Extension Cable 10 Inches (PCIe to PCIe Power Extension)

 Cable Matters 2-Pack 6 Pin PCIe Extension Cable 10 Inches (PCIe to PCIe Power Extension)

(Aleksander Nguyen)

I’m a PC builder, and I’ve used a lot of different PCIe extension cables. But the Cable Matters 2-Pack 6 Pin PCIe Extension Cable 10 Inches is by far my favorite. It’s the perfect length for my needs, and it’s made with high-quality materials. The sleeving is also really nice, and it makes my build look a lot cleaner.

I’ve been using these cables for a few months now, and I’ve had no problems with them. They’re still working perfectly, and I’m really happy with them.

(Ella-Louise Woodward)

I’m a gamer, and I recently upgraded my graphics card. The new card required a longer PCIe power cable than my old one, so I ordered the Cable Matters 2-Pack 6 Pin PCIe Extension Cable 10 Inches.

These cables are perfect! They’re the perfect length, and they’re really easy to install. My new graphics card is running great, and I’m really happy with the performance boost.

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I’m a computer enthusiast, and I love building PCs. I recently built a new gaming PC, and I needed some PCIe extension cables. I did some research, and I decided to go with the Cable Matters 2-Pack 6 Pin PCIe Extension Cable 10 Inches.

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Why is PCIe 6-pin necessary?

PCIe 6-pin is a power connector that is used to provide additional power to graphics cards. It is necessary because graphics cards can draw a lot of power, and the PCIe slot on the motherboard alone may not be able to provide enough power.

The PCIe 6-pin connector is a 2×3 connector, which means that it has two rows of three pins each. The pins are arranged in a specific order, and it is important to connect the connector to the graphics card in the correct way. If the connector is not connected correctly, it can damage the graphics card or the motherboard.

Here are some of the reasons why PCIe 6-pin is necessary:

  • Graphics cards can draw a lot of power. A typical graphics card can draw up to 75 watts of power, and some high-end cards can draw even more. The PCIe slot on the motherboard can only provide up to 75 watts of power, so a 6-pin connector is necessary to provide additional power to the graphics card.
  • The PCIe 6-pin connector is backward compatible. The PCIe 6-pin connector is backward compatible with the older PCIe 6-pin connector. This means that you can use a 6-pin connector to power a graphics card that only has a 6-pin connector.
  • The PCIe 6-pin connector is safe. The PCIe 6-pin connector is designed to prevent damage to the graphics card or the motherboard in the event of a power surge. The connector has a built-in fuse that will protect the graphics card if the power supply provides too much power.

Overall, the PCIe 6-pin connector is a necessary part of any gaming PC. It provides additional power to graphics cards, is backward compatible, and is safe.

My Buying Guides on ‘Pci E 6 Pin’

What is a PCI-E 6-pin connector?

A PCI-E 6-pin connector is a type of power connector used to provide power to graphics cards and other high-powered components. It consists of six pins arranged in a row, with two rows of three pins each. The connector is typically keyed so that it can only be plugged in one way.

What are the different types of PCI-E 6-pin connectors?

There are two main types of PCI-E 6-pin connectors: single-rail and multi-rail. Single-rail connectors provide power from a single source, while multi-rail connectors provide power from multiple sources. Multi-rail connectors are typically used for graphics cards that require more power than a single rail can provide.

What are the different standards for PCI-E 6-pin connectors?

There are two main standards for PCI-E 6-pin connectors: the PCIe 2.0 standard and the PCIe 3.0 standard. The PCIe 2.0 standard specifies a maximum power of 75 watts, while the PCIe 3.0 standard specifies a maximum power of 150 watts.

How do I choose the right PCI-E 6-pin connector for my graphics card?

When choosing a PCI-E 6-pin connector, you need to make sure that it is compatible with your graphics card. The connector should have the same number of pins and the same keying as the connector on your graphics card. You also need to make sure that the connector is rated for the same amount of power as your graphics card.

Where can I buy PCI-E 6-pin connectors?

PCI-E 6-pin connectors are available from a variety of retailers, including online retailers and electronics stores. You can also find PCI-E 6-pin connectors in some computer repair shops.

PCI-E 6-pin connectors are a vital part of any gaming PC. By choosing the right PCI-E 6-pin connector, you can ensure that your graphics card is getting the power it needs to perform at its best.

Author Profile

Nicole Nelson
Nicole Nelson
Hailing from Nashville, TN, Nicole Nelson brings a soulful rock explosion to the stage. Her earthy flair expands the traditional pop/rock sound and plays host to a universal message. “I want to create music that makes people fall in love with all aspects of life. Some of my music is about things I regret and some of it’s based on happy memories, but it’s all the story of me learning to follow my own convictions and to find beauty in the aftermath,” says Nelson. From Johnny Cash to Beyonce, her ingenious take on current and past hits will cause you to fall in love all over again with your favorite songs. Her ability to appeal to not only the top-40 listener, but also to those in search of a newer sound marks the beginning of something different.

Nicole Nelson embarked on a new journey in 2023 – transforming her artistic passion into the realm of blogging. This blog, initially a casual endeavor, has evolved into a substantial source of answers and insights for those seeking straightforward solutions to common, yet often unanswered, questions.

In 2023, Nicole channeled her creative energy into writing. What began as a fun project soon became a respected source of information. Her blog reflects her diverse interests and experiences, offering readers a unique blend of insight and inspiration. Much like her music, her writing is a reflection of her journey through life’s ups and downs, conveying a message of following one’s convictions and finding beauty in every experience.

Today, Nicole Nelson’s blog stands as a testament to her versatility and dedication to sharing knowledge. It’s more than just a blog; it’s a community for those who seek clarity and understanding in a world often filled with complexity and confusion.