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Thread: PSU pin.

  1. #1
    Backordered Member CrossLOPER's Avatar
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    Default PSU pin.

    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?
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    pardon my klatchian Member al Roumi's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrossLOPER View Post
    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.

  3. #3
    Backordered Member CrossLOPER's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    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?
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  4. #4
    Needs more flowers Moderator drone's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    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?
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  5. #5
    Backordered Member CrossLOPER's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    Old: 24, 4 and 2 pin connectors
    New: 24 and 4 pin connectors
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    Needs more flowers Moderator drone's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    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?
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    The very model of a modern Moderator Xiahou's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    Does it look like any of these?
    "Don't believe everything you read online."
    -Abraham Lincoln

  8. #8
    pardon my klatchian Member al Roumi's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    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.
    Last edited by al Roumi; 12-16-2009 at 12:02.

  9. #9
    Backordered Member CrossLOPER's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    Quote Originally Posted by Xiahou View Post
    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.

    Quote Originally Posted by alh_p View Post
    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.
    Last edited by CrossLOPER; 12-16-2009 at 17:04.
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    Quote Originally Posted by alh_p View Post
    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.
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  11. #11
    pardon my klatchian Member al Roumi's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrossLOPER View Post
    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!

  12. #12
    The very model of a modern Moderator Xiahou's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    Quote Originally Posted by alh_p View Post
    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.
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  13. #13
    Backordered Member CrossLOPER's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    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.
    Last edited by CrossLOPER; 12-23-2009 at 19:26.
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    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.

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    Last edited by Tellos Athenaios; 12-23-2009 at 22:56.
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    Backordered Member CrossLOPER's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    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.
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  16. #16
    Backordered Member CrossLOPER's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    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. :(
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  17. #17

    Default Re: PSU pin.

    The extra four pins often unclip from the other twenty. Try that first.
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  18. #18
    Backordered Member CrossLOPER's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    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.
    Last edited by CrossLOPER; 12-31-2009 at 01:16.
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  19. #19

    Default Re: PSU pin.

    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.
    Last edited by caravel; 12-31-2009 at 15:20.
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  20. #20
    Backordered Member CrossLOPER's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

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

    Denied. Again.
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  21. #21

    Default Re: PSU pin.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrossLOPER View Post
    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.
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  22. #22
    Backordered Member CrossLOPER's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    I considered cutting it, but I would rather not do that.
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  23. #23
    pardon my klatchian Member al Roumi's Avatar
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrossLOPER View Post
    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...

  24. #24
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    Default Re: PSU pin.

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