PCIe 1x to 16x Riser Question.. RX470 EVGA 1600 G2

[Yuna517]

Hi All - Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere.. I tried looking.

Can I power the GPUs directly from the PSU using the VGA 8 PIN cable that came with the PSU?
Then I would just need a PCIe extender (ribbon? USB?) from 1x to 16x and done, correct? Do people that use powered risers, do so because their PSU doesn't have this capability?
Also why do some use SATA connections instead of the 8 pin VGA directly? I don't see why to do that given my setup..?
Also what is the purpose of USB risers instead of just PCIe (ribbon?) risers, the transfer rate? Isn't PCIe sufficient enough for the RX470?

Any links would be helpful, there are so many different risers..
Sorry for the barrage of confusion..

Thanks.

[Yuna517]

can i not just get something like this and then use the direct line from the PSU VGA cable 8 pin to the GPU for power? Am I missing something?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCI-E-Express-1X-To-16X-Slot-Riser-Card-Extender-Extension-Ribbon-Flex-Adapter-/272645590649?hash=item3f7af18e79:g:7hIAAOSwKfVXKuQX

edit:clarity

[Vann]

PCI-E video cards draw power from both the VGA power connector and the PCI-E bus. Some cards will draw more power from the PCI-E bus than others. Powered PCI-E risers are used to make sure the card gets enough power, without overloading the PCI-E slot. Good risers also have a voltage regulator that ensures the card isn't getting too much power. Just using a ribbon cable to connect the card to a 1x PCI-E slot isn't recommended as it will draw too much power from a slot that isn't designed for it and also overload the thin wires in the cable. The powered risers that use a 6-pin VGA power connector like this one

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071XPXLBP

are safer than using a SATA or Molex connector since they can deliver more power and spread the load over more wires.

[Yuna517]

thanks, got it

my GPU is the 8 pin model of the RX470 though.. have the respective link?

appreciate it

[Vann]

Your PSU should also have 6-pin VGA power cables. Both types have 3 12v pins. You connect the 8-pin to the VGA card and the 6-pin to the riser. There are also 8-pin to 6+2 splitter adapters you can use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LVZBJML

[Yuna517]

thanks, i checked and you are right.
there are 8 pin to 8 pin cables and there are also 8pin to 8pin with an additional 6pin as you said.
ok..
your URL was broken, i assume you meant https://www.amazon.com/Fixable-Powered-Express-Adapter-Version/dp/B071XPXLBP

so if i got that riser, i would not use the SATA to 6pin connector/cable on the left of the image right..?
just 8 pin from PSU to 8 pin of GPU and the additional 6pin goes into the riser.. correct?

[Vann]

Yes, the SATA to 6-pin adapter is only used if you don't have a 6-pin power connector available.

[Yuna517]

thanks!! i'm all clear now.
time to price hunt.. $12/per seems a little steep but OTOH i also don't want to cheap out on voltage regulation which could potentially lead to other issues..

[Apneal]

http://www.parallelminer.com/product/ithoo-usb3-0-pci-express-1x-to-16x-extender-riser-card-adapter-w-24-cable/

Here ya go. They also accept cryptos which is nice. While you're there check out this guy on sale:
http://www.parallelminer.com/product/hp-1200-watt-power-supply-kit-for-gpu-mining-platinum-94-zec-dash-eth/
Thats a DAMN good deal for the PSU+Breakout board + 8 16AWG 6 to 8 pin cables!

Get that an an EVGA Gold 650W and you're... golden.

Not affiliated, just became a fan of this company when their support guys helped me over the phone like pros