First, please forgive me if this question is out of place. I realize it's not specifically about EVGA hardware, but I really want to protect my GPU, and all of you here are about the most knowledgeable people when it comes to matters of this nature.
 
I recently purchased an EVGA 980, but I've realized before installing it that my three monitor setup that I'm running off a 680 will be impossible on the 980 without running at least one of the displays over DisplayPort (One of my monitors luckily supports DisplayPort, so I can connect without an adapter). I've been looking into DisplayPort and seeing nothing but negative issues with people trying to run off of one. A deeper examination reveals that there is a high potential that some of these issues are caused by inappropriate, non-compliant cables causing actual physical to GPUs.
 
On the VESA official site, they indicate that DisplayPort cables used for standard external DisplayPort connections should not have pin 20 (POWER).
 

The reason power isn’t included in standard cables is because both source and sink devices are designed to provide power. Captive, attached cables often include the power wire. If it is desired, for example, that a particular source device utilize the power available from the mating sink device, then that Source device could include an attached or dedicated cable that carries the DisplayPort power signal. Same could be applied to a sink device.

 
In other locations, it's suggested that a DisplayPort cable that actually has a pin 20 live can cause damage to your hardware:
 

Certain cables advertised as being VESA 1.1a compliant may contain a construction issue that may result in the DisplayPort power pins at either end of the cable shorting together. VESA 1.1a compliant cables must isolate the DisplayPort power pins at either end of the cable.

 
There are posts on several forums across the web showing that numerous supposed "compliant" DisplayPort cables actually have a live pin 20. Indeed, the most recent DisplayPort cable I purchase has pin 20 intact! Further examination of VESA's official list of complaint cables doesn't much help in selecting the appropriate cable. Not only is the list rather short, but many of the items on that list are hard to locate. Or even worse, many reviews of these supposedly complaint cables on Amazon or NewEgg reveal that the cables shipped have a live pin 20, making this list rather useless! I'm having a rather huge headache trying to figure out the best way to deal with this issue. I don't want to damage a brand new GPU, but if I want to run three monitors I'm going to have to connect one via DisplayPort.
 
How can I select a safe option when it comes to choosing a DisplayPort cable that won't cause physical damage to my GPU via live pin 20? Thanks much in advance.

Sadly, googling 19 pin displayport cable only affords me a bevy of HDMI adapters, as well as numerous forum posts. I would snap up that cable you linked from Amazon (and thank you for it!) but sadly I am not in the UK and I cannot find the same cable available from Amazon's US site.
 
I would not hazard trying to extract the 20 pin at all myself, as I certainly do lack the experience to do so.
 
This is starting to drive me insane! I never would have thought finding an appropriate cable would be so difficult, or that so many inappropriate cables would be out there.

I personally don't have any DP experience, but I usually get my Cables from http://www.monoprice.com/Product/?pg_no2=1&c_id=102&cp_id=10246&cs_id=1024601&p_id=10582&sortby=&period=&rating=&seq=1&format=4#description  and haven't had any problems.

http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?t=33998432 (this review is about the issue and the belkins the odd thing is some say it doesn't gave pin 20 some says it does)
 
http://www.amazon.com/Bel...ds=Belkin+F2CD000b10-E
 
http://www.accellcables.com/collections/cables/products/ultraav-displayport-to-displayport-version-1-2-cable
 
I use the accellcables and don't seem to have a problem though I have no clue about the 20th pin. 
 
I can't find a lot of the web but I think you may be worrying about nothing. But now you have me worried as well. Ill monitor this thread see what people say.

"Hello,

Thank you for contacting Accell. Accell's DisplayPort cables do not have Pin20 connected or active as per the DisplayPort specifications. Please let us know if you have any other questions.



Best Regards,

Alexander Wong

Accell
3400 Gateway Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538
510.438.9288

http://www.accellcables.com/"

I had never heard of this problem prior to seeing this post.  My two monitors don't have Displayport recepticles and I purchased two, DP to HDMI cables, which seem to work just fine.  If your monitors have HDMI ports, use one of the adaptor cables.

Interesting. Thank you for sharing.

Viper97

tetranitrocubane
 

Certain cables advertised as being VESA 1.1a compliant may contain a construction issue that may result in the DisplayPort power pins at either end of the cable shorting together. VESA 1.1a compliant cables must isolate the DisplayPort power pins at either end of the cable.

 
How can I select a safe option when it comes to choosing a DisplayPort cable that won't cause physical damage to my GPU via live pin 20? Thanks much in advance.

The 900 series cards are Displayport 1.2 not 1.1a.  I'm not sure they are backward compatible (probably but I have not researched this), meanwhile I just ordered my cable and it will be in tomorrow.  I don't expect problems.

Any Issues with the cable you ordered?
Was it from Amazon?
Looking at: Cable Matters Gold Plated DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable 10 Feet - 4K Resolution Ready

I've searched pretty agressively for a 19 pin displayport cable, and it doesn't seem like the really exist. Wish someone would make some, otherwise I'll just have to tolerate risk of damage or not using the displayport.

pepibihHow about the DP cable that comes with asus SWIFT? Ok to use?

There's a couple of us on this forum that are using the DP cable that comes with the ASUS PB278Q monitors without problems. IF yours is the same cable (BizLink Tech. E164571-KS  AWM Style 20279) you'll probably be o.k.

Very interesting.
 
Is there not an official statement concerning this issue ?
 
Three Days ago, I purchased 2 DP --> HDMI adapters. 
SKU # CAD000042
 
Currently using one of  them but have not noticed any issues.
 
Let's hope for a quick resolution so we can all breathe again.
 
 
Cheers !!!
 
 

audiomurphy
Very interesting.
 
Is there not an official statement concerning this issue ?
 
Three Days ago, I purchased 2 DP --> HDMI adapters. 
SKU # CAD000042
 
Currently using one of  them but have not noticed any issues.
 
Let's hope for a quick resolution so we can all breathe again.
 
 
Cheers !!!

Continue breathing - the only concern is DP cables. When it changes to HDMI, then there's no pin 20 to be concerned about.