Why do most HD 6850s have to power inputs, while mine only has one?

[plutoniumman]

Hi all
I bought an HD 6850 a while ago and love it. I was looking into getting a second one to get a crossfire setup going. I noticed that all the other HD 6850 cards have two pci-e power inputs, while mine only has one. What’s the deal?

I thought the number was like a blueprint for manufacturers, and that the main circuitry is supposed to be the same for all the cards of the same model number. ei HD 6850 should be the same exact card no matter who makes it, except a few minor things, like different heat sink, etc. Does it not work this way?

And finally... Since mine has only one power input, does that mean my card can’t perform as well as one with two?

 

[voyagerfan99]

What brand of card do you have? Do you have a link to the item description? That'll help more.

 

[plutoniumman]

I have the HD 6850 from Diamond. Here’s link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103122

It looks different than what I have but the specs and everything else all seem to match. If it matters, my card is enclosed in a black cage-like box. The heat sync is different too.

 

[voyagerfan99]

Hmm. I'm going to take a stab and say it's a lower end, less pwerful 6850 and that is why it only has one plug.

 

[ktec]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0505&cm_re=radeon_6850-_-14-150-505-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1348&cm_re=radeon_6850-_-14-161-348-_-Product

those 2 also have 1 power connector. those were the 1st 2 I looked at

 

[Aastii]

You are probably thinking of the 6870, which does indeed have 2 PCIe 6 pin power connectors. The 6850 however, has only one