Usually not. Most graphics cards ship without PCIe power cables, because those come with your power supply. Some cards include an adapter, such as the 12-pin to dual 8-pin adapter Nvidia bundled with its RTX 3000 series Founders Edition cards. Check that your PSU has the right connectors before you buy.
- Power cables usually come with the PSU, not the graphics card.
- Some cards include an adapter for newer connectors.
- The PCIe slot supplies up to 75W, and cables supply the rest.
- Weaker cards can run from the slot alone.
Why the Cables Come With the PSU
PCIe power cables are part of the power supply, so a modular or fixed PSU already includes them. The graphics card just has the sockets. That’s why it’s worth checking your PSU’s cable list before you order a card, especially with a newer, more power-hungry model. Different board makers can also fit different connectors, as covered in who makes GPUs and builds the finished cards.
How Much Power Does Each Connector Provide?
The motherboard’s PCIe x16 slot supplies up to 75W to the card. Each cable adds to that, according to the ATX spec figures listed in CGDirector’s GPU power cable guide.
| Cable setup | Total power for the card |
|---|---|
| PCIe slot only | 75W |
| Slot plus one 6-pin | 150W |
| Slot plus one 8-pin | 225W |
| Slot plus 6-pin plus 8-pin | 300W |
| Slot plus two 8-pin | 375W |
| Slot plus three 8-pin | 525W |
| Slot plus one 12-pin | 675W |
There are four connector types in current use: 6-pin, 6+2-pin, 8-pin, and 12-pin. The 6+2 is an 8-pin split in two, so it also works as a 6-pin. Mid-range cards usually need one 8-pin or two 6-pin, and high-end models often need two or three 8-pin connectors.
Tip: use a separate cable for each connector when you can. A single daisy-chained cable (a pigtail) feeding a 400W card would push roughly 27 amps through one set of wires, which leans hard on PSU quality.
Do All Graphics Cards Need Extra Power?
No. Some cards run from the slot’s 75W alone. They’re less powerful, and CGDirector names the AMD Radeon RX 6400 as the strongest of these at the time it was written. If your card has no power sockets, you don’t need to run any cables.
Not sure what your card is, or how much it draws? Start by finding what GPU you have, then check the maker’s spec page, such as Nvidia’s or AMD’s.
What Happens If the Card Isn’t Powered
A card that isn’t getting enough power can fail to appear properly in Windows. If you’ve plugged everything in and your card still seems missing, see why a GPU can be missing from Task Manager. You’ll usually find the power sockets on the top or end of the card, which you can spot with our guide to where the GPU sits in your PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need extra cables for a new graphics card?
Only if the card has power sockets. Use the PCIe power cables from your PSU. You only need the ones that match the sockets on the card.
Can I plug the wrong cable into my GPU?
Not easily. PSU cables are keyed or clipped so they only fit the right socket, and CPU and GPU cables can’t be swapped.
Do graphics cards come with video cables?
Usually not either. Most ship without HDMI or DisplayPort cables, so plan to buy one that matches your monitor.
How many power cables does my GPU need?
It depends on the model, from none up to three 8-pin connectors or one 12-pin. Check the sockets on the card and the maker’s spec sheet.
