Possible problems with new system.

[Hal Emmerich]

I've just built a system, first of all here are the specs:

OCZ Stealth Xtream 500W PSU
Arctic Cooling AC-FRZ-7P Freezer 7 Pro
Sony DRU-V200S 20X DVD±RW DL & DVD-RAM Serial ATA
Antec 300 Three Hundred Case
Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Motherboard
Western Digital 640GB Hard Drive SATA300 7200rpm 32MB Cache Caviar Black
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
ASUS HD 4850 512MB DDR3 Dual DVI HDCP HDTV out PCI-E Graphics Card
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800Mhz/PC2-6400 GOLD XTC Memory Kit CL5(5-5-5-18)

Right, so with that out of the way.. here's the problem.

With the Antec's PSU slot being at the bottom, the 12V 4-pin plug from the PSU doesn't reach the socket on the motherboard. I know of that problem, so when I turn on the CPU won't start, fair enough.

I turned the system on anyways to test fans etc. All the fans work except for the graphics card. It shows 2 red LED's on the card and the fan doesn't move, even though I've got the 6-pin plug plugged into it. I did some research and the two LED's mean that it's in temperature monitoring mode and that the power isn't working.

My question/problem is.. despite not having the 12v plugged in, shouldn't the graphics card work, even though said 12v is not plugged in?

It's my first system btw.

 

[Dangman]

My question/problem is.. despite not having the 12v plugged in, shouldn't the graphics card work, even though said 12v is not plugged in?

Umm, most video cards today draw power from the +12V rail. In addition, the 12V Pin plug is neccessary for the CPU to get it's power and therefore allow the video card to draw power from the 24Pin connector. So plug it in!

EDIT: Better explanation:
The motherboard needs to be told how much power to provide the video card. In addition, it needs to be told how to use the video card correctly. And the motherboard needs the CPU to do all of that. Therefore, you need the 12V P4 connector plugged in order to use your video card.

So plug it in! Loop the 4Pin underneath the video card if you have to (near the small gap at the end of the video card port

 

[Hal Emmerich]

Umm, most video cards today draw power from the +12V rail. In addition, the 12V Pin plug is neccessary for the CPU to get it's power and therefore allow the video card to draw power from the 24Pin connector. So plug it in!

but i want to be alternative and not plug it in

nah, thanks a lot. just with it being my first build i was a bit nervous that the graphics card was broke but as it takes it from the same rail that's alright. just had me confused with all the other fans working.

thank you.

 

[Dangman]

but i want to be alternative and not plug it in
.

There is no alternative, You MUST plug in the +12V P4 connector. Otherwise you risk potential damage.

 

[engiNURD]

You can buy an extension cable for that P4 plug, btw.