Wednesday, December 22nd 2010

EVGA Intros Power Boost Gadget to Improve PCI-E Power Stability

by
btarunr
 Discuss (65 Comments)
EVGA released what it claims to be a handy little accessory that can increase PCI-Express slot power, improving overclocking stability of graphics cards installed. Called the EVGA Power Boost, the gadget is a tiny PCB that fits into the power-line notch of any PCI-Express slot (x1 thru x16), and draws in an auxiliary 12V line directly from the power supply unit. The little PCB draws in power from a standard Molex power connector, adding it to the motherboard's 12V line. EVGA also gave out a detailed HD video showing users exactly how to install the device, because inserting it into the wrong part of the PCI-Express slot will fry the motherboard. EVGA is asking $20 for it.

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65 Comments on EVGA Intros Power Boost Gadget to Improve PCI-E Power Stability

#51
pr0n Inspector
voklskier4452They didn't give the board more connectors because they followed power spec. Not that EVGA is totally free of blame in this but IMO they shouldn't be held accountable for nvidia and ati making cards that draw to much power and fry boards.

As for the price I'm sure once you factor in the labor to make these, costs for making them, free shipping, and all the other costs associated with making these adapters they are close to the break even point.
Did evga expect people to use four 4/5/6450s in crossfire?
Posted on Reply
#52
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
Wile EApparently, some ATI cards drew too much from the slots, which was causing problems with the 24pin connector overheating.

I don't know. Doesn't seem to me this has a very big niche to fill.
Wile EOk, so that begs the question: Why didn't they give the board more power connectors for the PCIe slots to begin with? I mean, they had to know 4 heavily OCed cards might overdraw on the slots.

This is one of those things where I see the point, but at the same time, feel we probably shouldn't need to resort to this.

And the price is retarded.
so my comment about helping to compensate for multi railed PSU's has been ignored/discredited? :(
Posted on Reply
#53
W1zzard
voklskier4452They didn't give the board more connectors because they followed power spec. Not that EVGA is totally free of blame in this but IMO they shouldn't be held accountable for nvidia and ati making cards that draw to much power and fry boards.
so evga goes over spec for like every overclocker related feature and is not responsible for slacking on the pci-e power front?

who would you blame if evga sold you an enthusiast board with a bios that has no fsb adjustments ? (we followed the spec). you can buy a new bios for $69.99 to unlock fsb increases.
Posted on Reply
#54
voklskier4452
W1zzardso evga goes over spec for like every overclocker related feature and is not responsible for slacking on the pci-e power front?

who would you blame if evga sold you an enthusiast board with a bios that has no fsb adjustments ? (we followed the spec). you can buy a new bios for $69.99 to unlock fsb increases.
The thing is that this is happening on systems that are not massively overclocked on ln2 or dice. Or even quadfire or tri SLI setups. The cards are so massively over spec that they are melting plastic on the 24pins. If this only happened when you were running some extreme overclocking scenarios I would say EVGA is at fault since that is what this board is designed for.
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#55
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
voklskier4452The thing is that this is happening on systems that are not massively overclocked on ln2 or dice. Or even quadfire or tri SLI setups. The cards are so massively over spec that they are melting plastic on the 24pins. If this only happened when you were running some extreme overclocking scenarios I would say EVGA is at fault since that is what this board is designed for.
It has nothing to do with the cards being over specced. The problem can happen on cards that are within spec as well.

You pop 4 cards in a motherboard that pull 75w a piece though the PCI-E slot and that is 300w through the two 12v wires on the 24-pin connector. I don't believe that connecter was ever specced for that much power, or really any more power than a single PCI-E slot would draw.
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#56
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
newtekie1It has nothing to do with the cards being over specced. The problem can happen on cards that are within spec as well.

You pop 4 cards in a motherboard that pull 75w a piece though the PCI-E slot and that is 300w through the two 12v wires on the 24-pin connector. I don't believe that connecter was ever specced for that much power, or really any more power than a single PCI-E slot would draw.
thats correct. just because a motherboard has 7 PCI-E slots doesnt mean they ever intended you to run 7 video cards, especially not 24/7 like some folders do.


adding in a few extra wires to even the load COULD help, but that doesnt mean i think this little doodad is the way to achieve that.
Posted on Reply
#57
W1zzard
The ATX 24-pin connector has 2x 12V with 16 or 18 AWG. A 5.25" Molex type connector adds one more 16/18 AWG wire.

So the current through the ATX power connector 12V lines is reduced by 33%.
Posted on Reply
#58
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
W1zzardThe ATX 24-pin connector has 2x 12V with 16 or 18 AWG. A 5.25" Molex type connector adds one more 16/18 AWG wire.

So the current through the ATX power connector 12V lines is reduced by 33%.
Exactly, that is actually a pretty big difference. Instead of 150w per wire, it is now 100w per wire. That could easily be the difference between melting the insulation/frying the connector and not.
Posted on Reply
#59
Wile E
Power User
Musselsso my comment about helping to compensate for multi railed PSU's has been ignored/discredited? :(
This has nothing to do with multi rail psus. Multi rail psus do not need any form of compensation.
Posted on Reply
#60
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
Wile EThis has nothing to do with multi rail psus. Multi rail psus do not need any form of compensation.
it could help split the load up.
Posted on Reply
#61
Wile E
Power User
No need. Buy a quality psu, and it doesn't matter at all.
Posted on Reply
#62
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
Wile ENo need. Buy a quality psu, and it doesn't matter at all.
while i agree with wile, i'm just reaching for situations this MIGHT be useful :P
Posted on Reply
#63
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
Musselswhile i agree with wile, i'm just reaching for situations this MIGHT be useful :P
Multi rail PSUs are just single rail PSUs with multiple OCP circuits. So the only thing this device would help would be preventing the OCP circuit connected to the 24-pin from tripping and shutting down the PSU if it was overloaded. Though a lot of PSUs have the 24-pin and molex connectors sharing the same OCP circuit anyway...
Posted on Reply
#64
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
newtekie1Multi rail PSUs are just single rail PSUs with multiple OCP circuits. So the only thing this device would help would be preventing the OCP circuit connected to the 24-pin from tripping and shutting down the PSU if it was overloaded. Though a lot of PSUs have the 24-pin and molex connectors sharing the same OCP circuit anyway...
yeah exactly, it COULD help prevent that exact scenario.

you're right on molex and 24 pin often sharing a rail, but its not always the case.
Posted on Reply
#65
WarEagleAU
Bird of Prey
I dont get this product and it seems unsafe. Put it in wrong and your warranty is voided,,,,,odd.
Posted on Reply
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