If GeForce GTX 460 has a 160 W TDP could'nt the PCI Express 2.0 supply the 75 W and one 6-pin give another 75 W be enought. Ok si 75 + 75 does'nt give 160 W but if the GPU is supplyed only with one 6-pin should'nt that be enough for most of peak in games ?
Try it out. Worst that can happen is you lose your power supply. If you haven't bought the power supply yet, go for a bigger one. If your system starts blue screening a lot or randomly shutting down, I would go ahead and get a bigger one. Power supplies can be tricky. What works for one person may not work for another. Also if the GPU has 2 6 pin connectors make sure both of them are connected. If need be you can get a special adapter that changes two molex connectors into one 6 pin.
If the card has two 6-pin connectors, then you NEED to power both of them for the card to work. You can find adapters if your PSU doesn't have any extra 6-pins.
I doubt what you propose will work. Its not just voltage/wattage is amperage as well. True the PCIe slot supplies 75W but is no near enough for the 460. The PSU is made to supply the Wattage but because of certain constraints cant produce all the necessary amperage through the thin trace leads on a mother board, thus the need for the 2, 6 pin connectors. that can supply all the necessary wattage/amperage. Keep in mind some boards also have an AUX 12V connector in 4, 6, or 8 pin that also adds power through the trace leads. I really don't think you can find a PSU that would fit in a 5.25 that could produce enough power for your needs.Wouldn't it just be easier to get a PSU that can deliver the power that the 460 demands? doing it your way is like lowering the river instead of raising the draw bridge! it would achieve the same goal but the effort and expense wouldn't be worth it!
