PCI-e power adapted to power other things?

I've done some searching, but all I find are ways of adapting other things to provide PCI-e power to graphics cards when the PSI doesn't have dedicated lines for this.

I'm building a Hackintosh that won't need any graphics card because it's doing my home automation, iTunes, Plex and file serving. So it has lots of drives, but I won't use it to play games.

Is it possible to repurpose the PCI-e power from the PSU to run fans, card readers, and the like? Without custom building a transformer, that is.

DifferentComputers said:

I've done some searching, but all I find are ways of adapting other things to provide PCI-e power to graphics cards when the PSI doesn't have dedicated lines for this.

I'm building a Hackintosh that won't need any graphics card because it's doing my home automation, iTunes, Plex and file serving. So it has lots of drives, but I won't use it to play games.

Is it possible to repurpose the PCI-e power from the PSU to run fans, card readers, and the like? Without custom building a transformer, that is.

Click to expand...

Yes however PCIe power (the power cables intended to attach to your GPU) is 12VDC and Ground. So if the device(s) that you want to power only use 12VDC then you all you need to make up is an adapter cable (or purchase same).

For planning power distribution on a custom system, you really need to create a device power map and study your PSU to determine if the PSU has the ability to supply your needs. Also, you should invest in the tools that will allow you to build the required cables as needed. You can also repurpose some cables by solder splicing things together.

So while 2.5" hard drives only require 5VDC and ground, 3.5" hard drives also need 12VDC. And some devices need 3.3 VDC (the orange wire).

Building custom power cables does take a bit if practice and skill. You may want to find a technical aid to help with the project.

Good modding,
neil