Rearranged PCI-E cables, PSU draws less power from the socket now!

[Jon]

My specs are in my signature. My PSU has 2xPCI-E 6 pin connectors. I had both of these connected to graphics card #1. Then I used the 4pin molex connectors with adapters to power the second card. So apparently, my PSU has 4 12v rails. I've read that I could potentially overload one rail by eg powering a gpu off just the molex's if they happen to be on the same rail...

So... I plugged 1xPCI-E into each card and then used the 4 pin molex adapters, again one in each card. Big deal eh? Well, I have one of those gadget things that shows you how many watts your drawing from the wall socket.

I tested playing 4 rounds of BF3 on the same map, same server, same no of players.

With 2xPCI-E 1st card, 2xMolex 2nd card: 490-510 watts.
With 1xPCI-E and 1 Molex in each : 390-410 watts.

I've tested this several times because I don't see how thats possible?!? So, have I 1:- Invented a new cleaner form of electric. 2:- With 2xPCI-E in 1 card the 12v rail it was on was struggling so much it was drawing an extra 100w. Or 3:- something critical is about to fail in a really bad way if I don't return both pci-e to card 1?

I'm pleased, yet really worried. I've checked the connections about 10 times... I've had no stability problems either method.

[49cent_taco]

Vote: #1 New cleaner form of electric

[dukenukemz]

What is your performance in game with the one pulling 500 watts is it better than the one pulling 400 watts?

[Jon]

Originally Posted by 49cent_taco

Vote: #1 New cleaner form of electric

I'm willing to sell it... for say $1,000,000... I'm just not sure what I'm going to post it in. Or if in fact it can exist outside my computer case.

Originally Posted by dukenukemz

What is your performance in game with the one pulling 500 watts is it better than the one pulling 400 watts?

Nope, performance is identical. I get on average 80fps playing BF3. It hits the limit of my monitor 120fps when I'm inside a building.