CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)HardwareEasy
A technician is installing a new graphics card into a desktop computer. The graphics card requires external power, and the PSU has a spare 8-pin connector. Which of the following power connectors from the PSU is designed to provide auxiliary power to high-performance graphics cards?
- APCIe power connector
- BSATA power connector
- CEPS12V connector
- DMolex connector
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. PCIe power connector
PCIe power connectors (6-pin or 8-pin) are specifically designed to provide supplemental power to graphics cards that draw more power than can be supplied by the PCIe slot alone.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. SATA power connectors are for storage devices (HDDs/SSDs).
- C. EPS12V connectors are for CPU power.
- D. Molex connectors are for older IDE devices, fans, or some peripherals, not modern graphics cards.
PCIe Power Connector
A 6-pin or 8-pin power connector from a power supply unit (PSU) specifically used to provide additional electrical power to high-performance PCI Express (PCIe) graphics cards.
- Modern graphics cards often require one or more PCIe power connectors.
- A 6-pin connector provides up to 75 watts, an 8-pin up to 150 watts.
- Incorrectly connecting other power connectors can damage components.
Memory trick: PSU's 'C.G.S.M.' - CPU, Graphics, SATA, Molex.