Building first PC problems - power switch

[Bob W]

Some supplies have a 24 pin connector and the four pins on one end is removable (slides off the main block) to allow it to be used on motherboards that have a 20 pin and separate four pin power connectors.

[Conquest10]

I know what you're saying but if I plug a 20 pin connector into it, there are 4 empty slots left (its a 24).

[Conquest10]

This is what the main connector looks like:

[Tonny]

Go to Fry's buy one extended conn for MB and hook from HD conn. to MB.

[budz]

I know what you're saying but if I plug a 20 pin connector into it, there are 4 empty slots left (its a 24).

go to fry's electronics or compusa to purchase a 20 pin to 24 pin power supply adapter for your power supply.

here's a example of one:
http://www.xoxide.com/20-to-24-pin-adapter.html

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=334644&pfp=srch1

[Conquest10]

What do you guys think of this: (its ugly but pretty cheap)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1178028&CatId=0

Will there be a problem in using the 20-24 pin adapter and using the 4 that seperate also?

[Faustus]

I don't like to skimp on the PSU but if you need cheap I'd suggest something more like this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811147020

[Conquest10]

Thanks. I am clueless when it comes to this stuff (as you can see by this thread).

Will there be a problem with using a 20-24 pin adapter while also using the 4 pin connector that seperates from it?

[redwudz]

If you don't have your PS plugged into that 4-pin CPU power connector, then the computer probably won't start up as it would have no CPU power.

I would just get another case, but if you wanted to use that one, you would need the proper P4 compatible power supply. That is if it would bolt into the existing PS space. Some brands of computers use non-standard size power supplies.

The 24 pin ATX PS connector was used mostly for server motherboards. But now a lot of 64bit computers use them also. The four extra pins might be the same as the separate 4-pin connector, but I would never chance trying to adapt it.

[Conquest10]

OK, wait. So don't use the extra 4 pins into that? So what can I plug into them?

[budz]

OK, wait. So don't use the extra 4 pins into that? So what can I plug into them?

My suggestion would be to get a new computer case because that would solve your problems. Antec has many cases to choose from which I've used with all of the computers I've built/build. Antec cases come with a power supply with the newer 24 pin connector which can be converted to a 20 pin by just using a screwdriver to remove the extra 4 pin. Antec power supplies also have a separate 4 pin connector that you would use on a mobo that has the 4 pin connection.

So if your mobo has a 20 pin connector then it would need a power supply with a 20 pin connector. If it's a power supply that has a 24 pin connector just remove the extra 4 pin . But if it also needs the 4 pin connector then you would use the separate 4 pin connector that comes from the power supply. Not the extra 4 pin that you removed from 24 pin connector.

My two ASUS mobos for my Pentium 4 computers use the separate 4 pin connector along with the standard 20 pin connector that is connected to the mobo. I removed the extra 4 pin connector because my mobos have the 20 pin. Hope you're not confused. Just my 2 cents!

[Conquest10]

My motherboard actually has a 24 pin connector as well as a seperate 4 pin connector. What is this called? This sucks looking up cases and not knowing whether or not it'll work. So far I have only found this one with a picture of a 24 and 4 pin connections.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129166

[budz]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129140

I've built pc's using the above case. All of ANTEC's power supplies come with the 24 pin connector so your mobo is fine with that. The power supplies also come with a SEPARATE 4 PIN connector that you will plug into your mobo where the 4 pin connector is.

[budz]

This case is also a good one to consider.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155

I also have a ANTEC LANBOY ALUMINUM CASE but it doesn't come with a power supply. If you have a COMPUSA or FRY'S near by you could buy a ANTEC TRUE POWER II 430 watt power supply to go along with the ANTEC LANBOY case.

[budz]

Here's a picture of a ANTEC POWER SUPPLY CONNECTORS:

[Conquest10]

So all Antec cases have the connectors? Thanks. I will look into that case.

I hate the fact that for the third largest city in the US, shopping for computer equipment is damn near impossible to do. To get to the closest Fry's is a road trip. There are none in the city. CompUSA here is a joke. They have plenty of iPods (and they advertise this fact all over the store as well as outside on the sidewalk) but if they have anything else, the workers have no clue whether they do or not.

[redwudz]

It's sometimes a little vague in the PS advertising, but in general if it says it's Intel P4 compatible, it would have the extra (extended) 4 pin PS connector. This setup is pretty much the norm for any recent power supply. AMD motherboards often use the same 4 pin PS connector also. If you have an old PS, it's probably time to replace it anyway.

[Conquest10]

Thanks all for the help. I ended up buying this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155

Its really nice. I can see why its a $100. Its not as quiet as the people on there made it out to be. About the same as my other computers but is much, much cooler (both in looks and in temperature).

[budz]

Good to hear you decided to get the ANTEC SONATA case! You won't be disappointed with ANTEC computer cases.

[Faustus]

Sonata is very nice indeed.

[crazy14muzic]

gotta love those cases. i have one regret buying one with the front door. as an owner of audigy 2 platinum, it has the 5 1/4 bay interface. i took the door off before it was broken off. i didnt think about it when i bought it, but now its said and done.