pc upgraded...but

[FrostedMonkeyFlakes]

just upgraded my hdd, ram, OS, and installed a video card (Radeon HD 6790). CPU is still a bit on the weak side of things: Athlon II x2 245 2.9ghz, I was on a budget so it'll do for a while. Here comes the "but"

In my rush to get new components I totally spaced on a new PSU...I've got a 480w 20pin non pci-e power supply in the tower, so I'm missing those last 4 pins for the mobo that are meant for powering the PCI-E slot. I hooked up the video card anyway and used the 4 pin x2 to 6 pin adapter that came with the card to power it. It seemed to work but I got paranoid and took the card out and went back to integrated graphics and ordered a proper PSU from Newegg that with luck I'll have Friday, but It's shipping today from Jersey to Missouri so I'm thinking it's probably going to end up being Monday. *sigh*

So , here's the question. Is it safe to run the card on the 20 pin or should I wait for the new power supply before pushing the card at all?

[Corky-D]

You mean the 4 pin connector on the actual mainboard? Since when has that been for the PCI-E?

If you turned it on and it worked then there shouldn't be any problem. It wouldn't work with enough juice anyway.

Well, if it still worked after drawing power, like when running a game, then yeah.

[SnoopyChicken]

Meh, why risk it. It's only a few days.

[Oolaph]

At A few seconds ago, SnoopyChicken wrote: Meh, why risk it. It's only a few days.

This. There's no need to risk anything if the issue will be resolved in a few days.

[Bit]

I'm not sure whether you'll be able to run it without those extra 4 pins, but it's always best to err on the side of caution.

Hopefully your new power supply will have better output on the 12v rail as well. Not to mention, the difference between a stock and mid-tier power supply is the difference between having a shiny new brick after a power surge or having a fully functional computer.

Here's a good power supply connector resource if you have any trouble:
http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html

[FrostedMonkeyFlakes]

At 2 minutes ago, Corky-D wrote: You mean the 4 pin connector on the actual mainboard? Since when has that been for the PCI-E?

If you turned it on and it worked then there shouldn't be any problem. It wouldn't work with enough juice anyway.

Well, if it still worked after drawing power, like when running a game, then yeah.

most newer power supplies have a 20+4 pin power cable for the motherboard and everything I've read says that those last 4 are meant to deliver extra juice to the pci-e slot. I shouldn't be worried, so far as i know you can't burn out a component by not giving it enough power, but still.