If the stock wire is aluminum then it should be fine to use the aluminum wire to add on. but I have Are you sure its not pre-tinned copper strands?

 

Coming from someone who has done alot of work with electrical wireing doing a bit of remodeling in homes, there realy is almost no decernable difference to copper vs. aluminum wire

both will work

read this and this

 

No matter what material the strands are made of the voltage drop over .5 M is under 1%. That means at 12 volts with a 2 amp load you would lose .083 volts with the AL and .043 volts with CU. The only draw back I see to aluminium is that it typically is stiffer than copper, even when stranded.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSP1

If the stock wire is aluminum then it should be fine to use the aluminum wire to add on. but I have Are you sure its not pre-tinned copper strands?

You're right. Both the wire I bought and the wire in the PSU cables are in fact tinned copper strands. I didn't even know that existed. After scraping at the strands with a blade, I was able to see a copper hue.

New Question: What does this mean? Can I just crimp it? or do I have to solder the crimps?

 

You would be able to just crimp it. If you were looking for the most solid and best connection, you could also solder the crimps.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardheadedMurphy

Coming from someone who has done alot of work with electrical wireing doing a bit of remodeling in homes, there realy is almost no decernable difference to copper vs. aluminum wire

both will work

read this and this

Sweet! Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiHydrogenMonOxide

No matter what material the strands are made of the voltage drop over .5 M is under 1%. That means at 12 volts with a 2 amp load you would lose .083 volts with the AL and .043 volts with CU. The only draw back I see to aluminium is that it typically is stiffer than copper, even when stranded.

Wow. Getting technical. I love it!

I'm going to assume that that the delta voltage drop of 0.04V is no big deal. LOL

 

For future reference, it is recommended that you never crimp the 2 together or you will get galvanic corrosion. I had to remove about 200' of aluminum wiring in my house when I rewired it a couple of years ago to comply with current regulations (and because I didn't want my house to burn down). In a computer it wouldn't be so devastating, but eventually would corrode.

 

I've got one more question guys. It's a bit off topic, but I know you guys will be able to help.

I just noticed the 24pin ATX cable that is supplied with the power supply is 16 gauge. The 24pin I just created is 18 gauge.

1.) Why is the supplied cable 16 gauge? Is it necessary?
2.) Is 16 gauge standard for 24pin?
3.) Can I use the 18 gauge? If so, what drawbacks are there?
4.) What would you do?

EDIT: Created a thread to keep this thread on topic. Your advice on that thread would be greatly appreciated.