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Help with power connections.

357 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  ericeod
Okay, I just plugged in a bunch of components in my new computer. What I'm left with is a bunch of fan connectors and a 4 pin connector which I assume is supposed to connect to the motherboard? Do I need this 4 pin connector? The motherboard is the one in my specs.

Also, what is the "pwr fan" connection on the motherboard supposed to be connected with? I already have the cpu fan connected in the "cpu fan" connector, but can't find what the other connection is supposed to do.
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Anyone? I just read that the "pwr fan" connector is supposed to regulate the psu's fan speed. I guess mine doesn't need one?
does the 4 pin look like this:
http://www.supernotebook.com/images/...or-200x142.gif

that goes to your motherboard

if it looks like this:
http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/data...power_conn.jpg

that goes to a floppy drive, and sometimes to fans

this one is called the "molex" and it powers the CD rom driver, and some times goes to the motherboard:

http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/data...power_conn.jpg

since you sound new (sorry if you are not or feel insulted, I mean no offence) this is a very useful guide:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...en-US:eek:fficial
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Don't worry, I am new to building so I'm not insulted. The connector looks like the first image you showed, but I'm asking if I need to use it because I know I might not need to use all of the connections. I already have one 8-pin connected (I think it's 8pin), and I think both are supposed to power the cpu right?

What about the pwr fan connector? Rep to you btw.

EDIT: Wow, that guide is really useful. I wish I would've found it earlier.
Quote:


Originally Posted by jbok
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Don't worry, I am new to building so I'm not insulted. The connector looks like the first image you showed, but I'm asking if I need to use it because I know I might not need to use all of the connections. I already have one 8-pin connected (I think it's 8pin), and I think both are supposed to power the cpu right?

What about the pwr fan connector? Rep to you btw.

EDIT: Wow, that guide is really useful. I wish I would've found it earlier.

My PSU has a 3 pin connector that is identical to your CPU fan connector. This connector connects to the motherboard "pwr fan" allowing the motherboard to control fan speed. That is all it is there for. Your PSU fan might be hard wired to the main power so it is probably on full speed all the time.

Yes the 8 pin provides additional power to the CPU.
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I probably sound annoying, but that would mean that I don't have to use the 4 pin 12v connector? I'm thinking the 8pin is just a newer standard.
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Quote:


Originally Posted by jbok
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I probably sound annoying, but that would mean that I don't have to use the 4 pin 12v connector? I'm thinking the 8pin is just a newer standard.

You're absolutely right
8-pin ATX12V is newer than the old 4-pin ATX12V (also just called ATX12V), and is usually for PSU's with multiple rails
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There is the 4 pin that is used in conjunction with the 20 pin (20+4) provides more power to the motherboard elsewere. Keep it plugged in too. But the original 4 pin CPU has been replaced with the 8 pin.
Thanks for everyone's help. I think I'm finally done with the installation after 2 weeks of working on and off for 20 minutes at a time (it's so tedious messing with all the wires and nothing seemed to hook up readily the first time. That and i wasn't motivated because I didn't have a videocard).
Just a little advice on your board, set the memory timing to manual. Auto seems to cause errors and crashed. Also check out the sticky in the intel motherboard section. There is an entire threaded dedicated to your board.
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