Building a new PC - This is annoying

[Des]

After my MSI Board developed a blister last month https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/321562-Is-my-motherboard-Caput
I decided sooner rather than later to begin building my new system.
I have purchased a Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H Motherboard and an AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition AM3 CPU.
Crucial DDR3 8500 Memory and a new 250GB WD SATA HDD for booting. I figure I am all set, will reuse my Coolmaster tower, 550 watt power supply, DVD burners, etc. Purchased all this from Tiger (free shipping!)

Everything arrived yesterday; I began the process of assembly only to find that the MB requires an 8 pin ESP connection and my Coolmaster PS only has a 4 pin ATX connection When did they change up this crap?
I have read that you can use the 4pin connection in the 8 pin socket and that it works; I have also read that this is not a good idea. There are adapters to convert the 4 pins to 8, but I don't see a true advantage there either.

After workI'm going to Microcenter to pick up a OCZ Technology 700W StealthXStream ATX Power Supply. I'm figuring it has more than I need, plus is crossfire ready in case I decide to utilize that technology. For now it looks like the stock graphics will do.

What a PIA though! My fault for not digging deeper in my research. I know todays devices are very power hungry but why start changing connections! Worse why change connectors with out listing things as a new standard? Or at least in a clear way?

Just my ranting! Thanks for listening

--dES

[redwudz]

They went to the eight pin CPU power connector a year or two ago. The wires themselves weren't the problem, it was the Molex connectors. They could get loose and overheat and melt the plastic Molex connector. Spreading the power over more pins was the easy solution. I use a four>eight pin adapter in one PC, mainly to extend the lead, but the four pin one worked fine. The problem would more likely show up if you were to unplug and replug the connector many times.

They did the same thing with the ATX motherboard power connector when they added four more pins. They are just duplicates of the other pins. It may be that some newer power supplies have separate rails for the added wires, I don't know.

Some SLI or other high power video cards also have several duplicated connections to prevent connector overheating.

[Des]

Thanks for the reply Redwudz. I guess it makes sense to 'refine' the connection process. I think my real frustration is the lack of info regarding compatibility. I've pretty much sold myself on buying a new power supply; probably not a bad idea as the Coolmaster one is probably 2 years old and is the PS that was on the now deceased MSI board. I will relegate it as a back up. What I liked best about it is that it was super quiet. Looks like the OCZ is quiet too.

--dES

[classfour]

Des: A new power supply is an excellent idea on a new build - it rules out one of the more common problem causing components.

I had one power supply that fried motherboards - tested okay, then would spike and frie the board, argh.

[Des]

Good point, classfour. I think that in the back of my mind I know this to be true, but up until today I have been in denial of it (read as cheap).


--dES

[wulf109]

The 8-pin connector is probably necessary if you want to overclock. When I set up my i-7 system I used a 4-to-8 pin adaptor,and I overclocked to 3.6Ghz. When I switched to a 4-pin the overclock failed and was restored by restoring the 4-8 pin connector,I've since changed to an 8 pin PS.