So I would have 1 8pin straight from the PSU to the GPU and  2 8-pins daisy chained to the gpu. Does the daisy chaining somehow draw more power than the single 8 pin?

Off hand this seems like a bad idea. There is a reason they're doing 3X8pin. If they could use 2X8pin they would.

You're basically making 2 outputs feed 3 inputs beyond the output's capacity. This can results in melting cables, fires, damaged hardware, etc.

Yeah, I saw that post from ASUS on reddit and that's actually what sparked the idea that I may be able to get a FTW3 instead of an XC3 ultra. From my understanding though, the ASUS cards aren't using power from the PCIe slot whereas EVGA are(I think). If I can split(I guess this is the correct term instead of daisy chain), I will get a FTW3 and then buy a new psu in a month or two. Someone said on reddit that the split actually draws more power from the psu, though not exactly double, so it may be possible if that random guy on the internet is correct, which he most certainly may not be. 
 
That being said, the ftw3 drawing 450 seems like a different deal compared to the ASUS cards, so maybe I should just stick with an XC3 Ultra.

That does make a lot of sense.

kevinc313

StayThePath
Yeah, I saw that post from ASUS on reddit and that's actually what sparked the idea that I may be able to get a FTW3 instead of an XC3 ultra. From my understanding though, the ASUS cards aren't using power from the PCIe slot whereas EVGA are(I think). If I can split(I guess this is the correct term instead of daisy chain), I will get a FTW3 and then buy a new psu in a month or two. Someone said on reddit that the split actually draws more power from the psu, though not exactly double, so it may be possible if that random guy on the internet is correct, which he most certainly may not be. 
 
That being said, the ftw3 drawing 450 seems like a different deal compared to the ASUS cards, so maybe I should just stick with an XC3 Ultra.

StayThePath
That does make a lot of sense.

DSP1
As I said, someone who understands electronics would be better able to explain but my laymans understanding is the if you split from one output on the PSU to 2 inputs on the card you will potentially overload the one output on the PSU as you are attempting to draw twice the power it was designed to provide.

It's really just an issue of heating the connectors a bit more than would be preferred and voltage drop across the cable (minor).  You could probably run them all off one cable and (maybe) be just fine, but I personally like having the most overkill practical.
 
Also, I just don't believe that the ASUS cards don't draw from the pcie, seems highly unlikely.

Voltage drop to the card would be an issue. It might not even function. Heating up from the output at the PSU as it tried to deliver the necessary voltage but the card would not be receiving the full voltage necessary to operate.
Again just laymans logic.

StayThePath
Yeah, I saw that post from ASUS on reddit and that's actually what sparked the idea that I may be able to get a FTW3 instead of an XC3 ultra. From my understanding though, the ASUS cards aren't using power from the PCIe slot whereas EVGA are(I think). If I can split(I guess this is the correct term instead of daisy chain), I will get a FTW3 and then buy a new psu in a month or two. Someone said on reddit that the split actually draws more power from the psu, though not exactly double, so it may be possible if that random guy on the internet is correct, which he most certainly may not be. 
 
That being said, the ftw3 drawing 450 seems like a different deal compared to the ASUS cards, so maybe I should just stick with an XC3 Ultra.

 
Best practice is to use separate cables for Each 8-pin .... this became the recommendation of PSU Mfg with the 20 series cards
 
That said - Ask your PSU Mfg if they recommend it .... you risk damaging the PSU socket - even if it "works"
 
Stability could be affected 
 
 
 

DSP1
Voltage drop to the card would be an issue. It might not even function. Heating up from the output at the PSU as it tried to deliver the necessary voltage but the card would not be receiving the full voltage necessary to operate.
Again just laymans logic.

The voltage drop is overblown. I'm NOT recommending anyone do it though.

Cool GTX

StayThePath
Yeah, I saw that post from ASUS on reddit and that's actually what sparked the idea that I may be able to get a FTW3 instead of an XC3 ultra. From my understanding though, the ASUS cards aren't using power from the PCIe slot whereas EVGA are(I think). If I can split(I guess this is the correct term instead of daisy chain), I will get a FTW3 and then buy a new psu in a month or two. Someone said on reddit that the split actually draws more power from the psu, though not exactly double, so it may be possible if that random guy on the internet is correct, which he most certainly may not be. 
 
That being said, the ftw3 drawing 450 seems like a different deal compared to the ASUS cards, so maybe I should just stick with an XC3 Ultra.

 
Best practice is to use separate cables for Each 8-pin .... this became the recommendation of PSU Mfg with the 20 series cards
 
That said - Ask your PSU Mfg if they recommend it .... you risk damaging the PSU socket - even if it "works"
 
Stability could be affected 
 
 
 

Indeed. Like I said previously they didn't make it a 3X8pin just for fun. There is a reason they want the load divided like that. It costs more to add the 3rd 8pin meaning it's not something they would do without a reason.

Even if the cable is rated for 250w the PSU may not be able to supply that to 250w to the cable adequately. When electricity goes wrong it turns into heat which can damage components or start fires in extreme cases.

I'm not an electrical engineer, but my father is one, so it's something I grew up around. I can imagine his answer to the question, and it would be along the lines of what myself and Cool GTX are saying. 

Even if they say you can I would not personally. Even if it can work safely, it's still less than optimal. 

You didn't tell us the power supply make and model.  That will make a huge difference in answer.
 
IF it is a quality PSU with decent gauge wires and no bottom-barrel garbage pins, it should be absolutely no problem. I am skeptical that the FTW3 really needs 3x8-pins in the first place, and that it has 3x8-pins for marketing reasons, but that is yet to be proven.
 
For example, Seasonic is rating Prime, Focus, and Core models of its PSUs' 2x8-pin connectors for 540 watts (270 watts per 8-pin); so without a doubt that would be enough to connect to a 3x8-pin plug.  It HIGHLY depends on the quality of the PSU, quality of the connectors, and the gauge and temperature rating of the wires.  If you have a Seasonic Prime, Focus, or Core PSU (like I do), I would say absolutely, without a question GO FOR IT!  No worries there at all.  On the other hand, if you have a $50 PSU without any clear specifications or manufacturer's blessing, don't do it.
 
A video about 2x8-pin vs 3x8-pin marketing:
 

 
 

It would vary a lot from the quality of the cables, But presuming you have a single rail PSU think of it quite simply in terms of supply.
1 cable delivers as much as is requested but there is a limit to what that cable can hold, rated may be x but it could carry more.

• 6-pin: this power connector can provide up to 75 watts
• 8-pin: this power connector can provide up to 150 watts

But this can safely carry more if the wire is lower AWG then it can safely carry more.
 
This site aimed at miners suggests 288W per 8pin
https://www.gpuminingresources.com/p/psu-cables.html
 
DISCLAIMER - There are reasons that the maximums are listed at 75 and 150 watts, there are far to many variables and each manufacturer of every component is different, for your own safety use a separate cable for each socket. Remember you are not buying an inexpensive part so don't cheap out on the most important aspect of running it.
 
Personally as a point of reference:-
I have a Seasonic Focus Plus 850W PSU
I have a GTX 1080 TI FTW3 Elite edition GPU
I'm using an EVGA Powerlink
I'm supplying the card from a single cable and have been since I've installed it.
 
The Base 1080 ti is rated max 250W
I cannot and will not guarantee you could too and I would not recommend doing it.
 

Duplicate of this same topic:
https://forums.evga.com/If-I-have-only-2-8pin-pcie-outs-on-my-PSU-can-I-daisy-chain-to-get-the-3rd-8pin-on-a-FTW3-m3080090.aspx
 
Please read that topic.
 
The answer to your question HIGHLY depends on your current PSU make and model.  Tell us about your PSU.

I don't know much about psu but will these work I have these PSU
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M2UINT6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Wait, is using a Split connector safe for this kind of card?

rain2_usa

Narune

rain2_usa
Mine has 2 8-pin on the PSU itself but each cable has 2 connectors.  Double check if your extra cables (assuming you have a modular PSU based on you saying "socket") have 2 on a single PCI-e cable and make sure you have enough wattage and 80 plus certification. 

Yes, each cable has two 6+2-pin connectors! I never noticed this, so I should be good, right?
 
This is my PSU btw:

 
I read through your PSU specs and you are definitely good to go on wattage, 80 plus gold certification, and connectors.  I wouldn't worry about the PSU aspects of it as it's still under warranty from what I can gather.  

Is using those split connectors safe?

fergusonll

nolaes619
I don't know much about psu but will these work I have these PSU
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M2UINT6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I have that same psu, there's plenty of pcie cables to run 3 separate cables. 

Narune
Wait, is using a Split connector safe for this kind of card?

It has always been recommended to run separate cables.


 

How are you running three separate cables when the PSU only has two 8-pin sockets? Where is that third cable gonna go?