PSU pin.

[CrossLOPER]

I was trying to upgrade the power supply on one of my weaker computers and noticed that the PSU in that computer had a small rectangular connector that was not present on the newer PSU. The port on the motherboard resembles the small white port on my GTX260, which is next to the two power connectors.

What does it do, and can I just ignore it?

[al Roumi]

I was trying to upgrade the power supply on one of my weaker computers and noticed that the PSU in that computer had a small rectangular connector that was not present on the newer PSU. The port on the motherboard resembles the small white port on my GTX260, which is next to the two power connectors.

What does it do, and can I just ignore it?

Was the port in the old PSU connected to anything, eg the GTX260 or Mobbo? I may be being thick but I didn't understand wheteher it was or not from your message.

If it wasn't connected up, I'd be surprised if it was an issue.

[CrossLOPER]

I hope this helps.

Old PSU:
Has a little 2-pin connector that attaches to a port on the motherboard next to the main power port. Also has a four-pin connector.

New PSU:
Does not have little connector.

Issue: What is this thing and why can't I find a PSU that has one?

[drone]

What model is your new PSU, and what form-factor is it designed for? Sounds like your old PSU (and therefore motherboard) is a ATX12V 1.X form-factor. If I'm not mistaken, the 4 pin supplies more power to the CPU, so it is probably necessary. How many pins does the new PSU big connector have?

[CrossLOPER]

Old: 24, 4 and 2 pin connectors
New: 24 and 4 pin connectors

[drone]

Ah, my bad. I thought you meant the 4 pin connector was missing. Is there any kind of text near where the 2-pin connector plug on the motherboard? I don't think this is necessary, but it's strange. Do you have a user manual for the mobo?

[Xiahou]

Does it look like any of these?

[al Roumi]

It could be something like a connection for a PSU fan speed sensor or something equally useless.

Edit: If you can connect a suitable power lead from the PSU to your mobbo and you have successfully booted up, my guess it you don't need to worry about it.

[CrossLOPER]

Does it look like any of these?

No. I passed that site while I was looking for answers. I only just now realized how awesome it is. Thanks.

It could be something like a connection for a PSU fan speed sensor or something equally useless.

Edit: If you can connect a suitable power lead from the PSU to your mobbo and you have successfully booted up, my guess it you don't need to worry about it.

You may be right about it being for a sensor! The GTX260 has a similar port and I would imagine someone with a ricer case making use of it. I would just boot it up, but I don't want to risk damage to the computer.

[drone]

It could be something like a connection for a PSU fan speed sensor or something equally useless.

That's what I was thinking. Some kind of control function the motherboard supports for the PSU.

[al Roumi]

No. I passed that site while I was looking for answers. I only just now realized how awesome it is. Thanks.



You may be right about it being for a sensor! The GTX260 has a similar port and I would imagine someone with a ricer case making use of it. I would just boot it up, but I don't want to risk damage to the computer.

Unless you are aware of your motherboard having something special about it -which might need something more from the PSU than a normal power connection (which i've not heard of), I'd feel pretty safe booting up...

Check the spec of your motherboard, or even better, its manual. The manual should have a picture or illustration of the mobbo's ports and connections with a description, that way you'll be able to tell what it does!

[Xiahou]

Check the spec of your motherboard, or even better, its manual. The manual should have a picture or illustration of the mobbo's ports and connections with a description, that way you'll be able to tell what it does!

That's never a bad idea.

But I'm with you in thinking that it's probably a PSU fan connector- and probably not necessary.

[CrossLOPER]

I disconnected the connector from the MB and the PSU overheated causing the computer to initiate emergency measures to prevent damage. Obviously it was important. I'm going to go ahead and connect the newer the PSU and hope that the main fan connector is on the main MB connector. I love experiments.

[Tellos Athenaios]

That pretty much means that it is a (auxiliary) CPU power connector -- it indicates few volts but many amps on the circuitry ....

You may be able to use a 4 pin CPU connector of your new PSU by connecting it only partially. IIRC those connectors simply work like this:

IO|IO
OI|OI

With I being input, O being output, and the | referring to the fact some come in 4 pins (so only half that) and some come in 2 * 4 pins that can be used as single connector of 8 pins.

HEALTH & SAFETY WARNING: If I am wrong, and you go by what I say it is likely you end up short circuiting the CPU. That means you may end up frying your CPU + motherboard (+ optionally your [new] PSU).

DISCLAIMER: It will be all your own fault.

[CrossLOPER]

Whoever designed the PSU decided that the main fan connector had to be separate from the rest of the main MB connector. The 4-pin connector is there, it's just that there is that extra 2 pin connector on the older PSU. I don't know why this was considered useful.

[CrossLOPER]

The main power connector on the MB is a 20 pin connector while the newer PSU has a 24 pin connector. It's a no-go. I don't know why I didn't check this first.

Upgrade suspended. :(

[caravel]

The extra four pins often unclip from the other twenty. Try that first.

[CrossLOPER]

No, the extra pins do not detach. It's fine. If I feel like upgrading, the PSUs for that computer go for $20. Not an issue...

EDIT: OK, newegg has 20+4 pin connectors, so I assume that's what I'm looking for. Whatever. I'll install it and see what happens.

[caravel]

The 24 pin connector can still be plugged into the 20 pin socket. The other four pins overhang. You do not need another PSU. If the four overhanging pins cause an obstruction with other components (e.g. electrolytic caps), you might need a 24 to 20 pin adaptor - but that's usually not necessary. ATX connectors are keyed - if you can get it in, it will work.

Plug the 24 pin connector in like this:


Then plug in the 4 pin connector (2 extra 12 volt lines for the CPU) to it's socket.

[CrossLOPER]

An excellent suggestion, but an electric component is in the way.

Denied. Again.

[caravel]

An excellent suggestion, but an electric component is in the way.

Denied. Again.

Gah, you can actually cut off the lower part of the connector to get it to fit and provide the clearance. Alternatively new PSU.

[CrossLOPER]

I considered cutting it, but I would rather not do that.

[al Roumi]

I disconnected the connector from the MB and the PSU overheated causing the computer to initiate emergency measures to prevent damage. Obviously it was important. I'm going to go ahead and connect the newer the PSU and hope that the main fan connector is on the main MB connector. I love experiments.

Yikes! Sorry - to me it didn't sound like the connector was part of the main mobbo connector.

Sounds like you have been very unlucky with this upgrade. Hope you have avoided damaging your components...

[CrossLOPER]

It was a fun five minutes as I watched the PSU blast hot air out the back of the tower, I must say.