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Difficulty: MediumExpansion Cards and Power Supplies

A desktop technician is upgrading a workstation by installing a dedicated PCIe x16 graphics card with a peak draw of 220 W220\text{ W} and a PCIe x4 multi-port capture card rated at 20 W20\text{ W}. The host CPU requires 105 W105\text{ W}, while remaining peripherals consume 45 W45\text{ W}. Which of the following technical precautions and installation requirements must be met to ensure hardware compatibility and stable power delivery? (Select TWO.)

  1. Auxiliary power to the graphics card must be supplied using dedicated PCIe power cables rather than EPS12V cables.Answer
  2. B
    The power supply unit capacity should be selected matching the exact combined component TDP total of 390 W390\text{ W} without additional power overhead.
  3. The total sustained output on the +12V rail must accommodate peak system draw plus a safety headroom margin.Answer
  4. D
    The PCIe x4 capture card requires a dedicated PCIe x4 slot and cannot physically or electrically function in a PCIe x16 slot.

Answer

The technician must ensure auxiliary power to the graphics card uses dedicated PCIe power cables (not EPS12V) and verify that the power supply's +12V rail provides adequate capacity including a safety headroom margin.
Dedicated high-draw graphics cards require auxiliary PCIe power cables, as EPS12V connectors carry a different pinout intended for CPU sockets. Additionally, PSUs must be selected with sufficient +12V output capacity and safety headroom above the aggregate peak consumption to guarantee stable operations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate component power demands and continuous headroom requirements
Total peak consumption is 220 W+20 W+105 W+45 W=390 W220\text{ W} + 20\text{ W} + 105\text{ W} + 45\text{ W} = 390\text{ W}. A power supply must provide continuous capacity above this value (typically 20%–30% overhead margin) primarily on the +12V rail.
Calculated total power draws require extra headroom to account for transient power spikes and capacitor degradation.
2
Identify correct PSU cable connectors for auxiliary card power
Use 6-pin or 8-pin (6+2 pin) PCIe power cables for the dedicated GPU.
Connecting EPS12V cables into GPU ports damages hardware due to reversed power and ground pin layout.
3
Verify PCIe slot backward/forward compatibility rules
PCIe x4 cards fit and function normally in PCIe x4, x8, or x16 slots.
PCIe standards explicitly support up-plugging smaller cards into larger physical slots.

Key Concept

Power supply sizing considerations (+12V headroom margin, cable connector identification) and PCIe expansion slot physical/electrical compatibility.
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Topics

Expansion Cards and Power Supplies

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