Quick question about pcie 5.0 backward compatibility

[Paradigm Gaming]

I have a quick question.

In the process of buying some GPU cables for my EVGA RTX 3080ti FTW Ultra, which uses 3 6+2 connectors, I found this new pcie 5.0 technology. It's stated that it's backward compatible, and there are some 5.0 cables that are 5.0 on one end and pigtail to 3 8 pin connectors (6+2).

All of the information reads that you have to have 3 available 8 pins slots on your PSU to work correctly, and that the pcie 5.0 end goes into your 3090ti / 4000 series card.

My question is this: because it's backward compatible, and because my psu has two 5.0 slots, can I plug the 5.0 end into the PSU and connect the 3 8-pin connectors into my 3080ti? If it's 600W compatible, it's more than enough to cover the wattage draw of a 3080ti, I'm just wondering if it would work.

Thanks!

[Slaughtahouse]

In theory, yes. In practice, how well are you at modifying cables?

 

A single PCIe 5.0 / ATX 3.0 female connector on a PSU or GPU, (in this instance your PSU) could be rated for up to 600w of continuous power.

 

Potentially you could have one cable to split into 3, older PCIe 8 pin connectors for your GPU.

 

That said, I’ve only seen cables from suppliers with 8 pins for PSU side. Not GPU side. Which have specific compatibility to PSU SKUs or vendors.

 

Example: Cable for Corsair PSUs.

https://www.amazon.ca/Fasgear-PCI-Gen-Power-Cable/dp/B0BF4QBYV4

 

What PSU do you have? Just for a sanity check to find a compatible cable, if one exists.

 

If such a cable doesn’t exist, you’ll have to modify it yourself to ensure the 8 pin connectors fit in your GPU.

 

Edit: If your PSU has two, PCIe 5.0 (16pin, 12VHPWR female slots)… don’t you have many, free, 8 pin slots available for your GPU? That PSU must be 1200w+

Edited August 8 by Slaughtahouse