a technician is installing a new high-end video adapter card into an expansion slot on a motherboard. what may be needed to operate this video adapter card?
To operate a new high-end video adapter card installed in a motherboard expansion slot, additional PCIe power connectors from the power supply – often two 8‑pin connectors – may be needed.
Direct Answer (Exam Style)
In the context of the common multiple-choice versions of this question, the correct choice is:
- Two 8‑pin power connectors ✅
High-end graphics cards frequently require more power than the PCIe slot on the motherboard can provide, so they use one or more dedicated 6‑pin or 8‑pin PCIe power plugs from the power supply.
Why These Extra Power Connectors Are Needed
Modern high-end GPUs draw a lot of power, especially for gaming, 3D rendering, or AI workloads.
- The PCIe slot itself can only supply a limited amount of power.
- To go beyond that limit, the card has one or more auxiliary power sockets , typically:
- 1× 8‑pin
- 1× 8‑pin + 1× 6‑pin
- 2× 8‑pin, or similar combinations on very powerful cards.
So when installing such a card, the technician must ensure the PSU:
- Has enough wattage overall.
- Has the required PCIe power leads (e.g., two 8‑pin).
Why the Other Options Are Usually Wrong
This question often comes in a set of four options like:
- PCI expansion slot
- PCIe x8 expansion slot
- Two 8‑pin power connectors ✅
- 24‑pin ATX power connector
Here’s the logic:
- PCI expansion slot
- Old standard, not used for modern high-end GPUs.
- PCIe x8 expansion slot
- High-end GPUs normally use PCIe x16 , not x8, and the slot alone doesn’t address power needs.
- 24‑pin ATX power connector
- Powers the motherboard itself, not specifically the video card.
- Two 8‑pin power connectors
- Directly tied to operating a high-end video card that needs extra power.
Mini Story: The Tech’s “Why Won’t It Boot?” Moment
A technician installs a shiny new high-end GPU into the PCIe x16 slot, screws it in, connects the monitor, and hits the power button.
- Fans spin on the case.
- The GPU’s fans twitch, then stop.
- No display, no POST beep.
After a moment of confusion, the tech notices the two empty 8‑pin sockets on top of the card. They grab the PCIe power cables from the PSU, plug both in, power on again—and this time the GPU lights up, fans spin normally, and the system boots with video output. That’s exactly the scenario this exam question is hinting at.
HTML Table: Key Points
| Option / Item | Role in the System | Why it’s not the best answer (or is) |
|---|---|---|
| PCI expansion slot | Legacy slot for old add-in cards | Not used by modern high-end video cards. | [7]
| PCIe x8 expansion slot | Modern high-speed slot, but narrower than x16 | High-end GPUs typically expect PCIe x16; slot alone doesn’t solve power needs. | [7]
| Two 8‑pin power connectors | Dedicated PCIe power from PSU to GPU | Often required to supply enough power for a high-end video adapter card. | [7]
| 24‑pin ATX power connector | Main motherboard power feed | Needed for the board, but not specifically “to operate this video adapter card.” | [7]
TL;DR
A technician installing a new high-end video adapter card may need to connect two 8‑pin PCIe power connectors from the power supply so the card has enough power to operate correctly.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.