USB 3.0 PCI-e Card Power

[AnonMac50]

Hi all, I have an Early 2008 Mac Pro (MacPro3,1). I installed a USB 3.0 PCI-e card, but it needs to be powered by a SATA connection. I do not know how to power it up. Most places online seem to mention using the power from the second optical drive, but I have 2 optical drives in my Mac Pro. Is there any other way to use SATA power? I have still have one empty hard drive bay, but I'm not sure if I can use that. I'm also hoping I wouldn't need to, because I was planning to install another hard drive in the near future.
Thanks...

 

[mooblie]

You could always use two power cable adapters:
1. a Molex splitter, behind one of your optical drives:

and then 2. a Molex to SATA extender to your USB card (make sure it's long enough):

 

[ActionableMango]

If you are still in the return period, I'd suggest returning it and getting a card that doesn't need supplemental power to be attached. There are many cards like this that work with MacOS, including very nice cards and also relatively cheap options. See link in my signature.

That seems better to me than spending more money trying to get that card to work, and also much cleaner than ending up with cables all over the inside.

 

[AnonMac50]

If you are still in the return period, I'd suggest returning it and getting a card that doesn't need supplemental power to be attached. There are many cards like this that work with MacOS, including very nice cards and also relatively cheap options. See link in my signature.

That seems better to me than spending more money trying to get that card to work, and also much cleaner than ending up with cables all over the inside.

I'll see if there are any locally. That seems like a good idea.

You could always use two power cable adapters:
1. a Molex splitter, behind one of your optical drives:

and then 2. a Molex to SATA extender to your USB card (make sure it's long enough):

Otherwise I'll do this. This might be easier to find actually.

I'll see what I can find after the weekend and update you guys. Thanks!