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Graphics: Quick Hardware Question

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6 replies

by var1016

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Hello, yes, me again!

My main computer has a GeForce 8400 GS graphics card. Since I am going to practise - or acquire - some skills, I intend to rebuild my old computer with some more modern parts. So I have bought a GeForce 8600GT card with the idea of replacing the 8400 and using that in the second machine. Unfortunately I cannot fit the 8600 card, all because of a tiny plastic plug (one black and one white wire - there is a differnet plug at the other end) This fits the 8400 card but not the 8600 - the latter has two bare pins that I suppose might be for the black & white wires, but how can I tell?

So:
- What is the purpose of these wires?
- can adaptors be obtained to make the connection?

As always any comments will be most gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

Paul

6 replies

by technogeek-1995

I would think the black and white wires are for power. I think I have wires like that for a fan. You should be able to get a replacement cord at your local IT store.

by var1016

Yes, that's what I thought; on the new board the two pins (if they are for these wires!) are marked + and -. There is no marking on the original board and unlike the new one I cannot see on the board where the ground rail is. My fan wires are red, blue and black, although I note that new CPU fans have red, black, blue, and yellow wires.

All the best,

Paul

by technogeek-1995

My fan was for a custom gaming computer. My fan came with 3 adapters, I only needed one.
(Use the "HELPFUL" button if this worked, I would like to know.)

by var1016

I gave you a thumbs-up anyway as you only had one!

I decided to plug in the graphics card anyway leaving the black and white wires unconnected to see what would happen. The fan on the card worked, but the graphics were pathetic!

I need to know what the convention is: is black positive or negative - I have a feeling that the American convention is for black to be live/positive but I am not certain

Paul

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