WTF? 20-pin ATX PSU connector vs 24-pin ATX motherboard connector

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The_Unbeliever

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Hi there

Somebody gave me a mobo, CPU, case, and stuffies to put together.

All went well, but when I want to connect said PSU's 20-pin ATX connector to the motherboard's ATX connector, I found to my dismay that the dang ATX connector have 4 extra pins.

And no, it's not for the 12V connector, there is an extra 4-pin 12V connector on the motherboard. :confused:

Now what? I'm afraid to plug the 20-pin ATX connector into the 24-pin ATX connector unless it will work.... and I don't want to take any chances.

Anybody willing to enlighten me?

The last time I've built a PC was 2 years ago... that's why I'm a bit behind the times... :D

Otherwise the client'll have to order a 24-pin ATX PSU... *sigh*

Don't you just love this sort of thing? Gah... :rolleyes:

/edit : Found that there's a 20 to 24 pin converter, but they recommend 400W PSU... :rolleyes:
 
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You can use the 20 PIN PSU on the 24 PIN mobo, but even some manufactures like DFI advise against it. I have run a couple of 24 PIN boards with a 20 PIN PSU and they been very stable. Almost all the newer boards with PCI-Express slots are 24 PIN now. I would rather get a 24 PIN PSU. Could use the adpater, but I wouldn't.
 
Sorry, I see the problem is the opposite of what I had - a 20-pin motherboard socket and a 24-pin PSU (new) plug with detachable last 4 pins.
 
Ok, to clarify matters :

On the motherboard, there is one 24-pin adapter (for the PSU) and an extra 4 pin adapter (for the 12V connection).

On the PSU, there is only the 20-pin and 4-pin connector, no detachable connectors. Rest of the molex connectors is present (as should be)...

As Dualmeister stated :
You can use the 20 PIN PSU on the 24 PIN mobo, but even some manufactures like DFI advise against it. I have run a couple of 24 PIN boards with a 20 PIN PSU and they been very stable.
Click to expand...

I think I'll wait until Monday, see what's the issue before I attempt such a thing, I want a stable working system, not something that's wonky from day 1, or risk breaking something... Better to do a thing right from the beginning.

Feh.

Besides, it's a Pentium 4 CPU, might overtax the 200W PSU... I've Googled for this thing, and it seems that the new 24-pin standard is for 400W systems...
 
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if it is a 200w psu then dont even bother, you are looking for problems running a moderm p4 off that.

20 pin psu plug does go into a 24pin mb atx plug. You can get away with it if it is a relatively low powered system, dont panic too much. If you have a dual core cpu etc then it is best to use a 24pin psu.

20pin-->24pin convertors dont do much really...the extra 4 pins are meant to supply some more juice to cpu and some other inconsequentials...and that is where a dual rail axt psu comes in...two 12v rails..
so, using the convertor means your single rail 20pin psu has a pretty tough job ahead of it:-)
(note: not all 24pin psu's are dual rail, and not all 20pin psu's are single rail, so put the gun down:-))
 
spellcheck said:
Sorry, I see the problem is the opposite of what I had - a 20-pin motherboard socket and a 24-pin PSU (new) plug with detachable last 4 pins.
Click to expand...

Problem solved then?
 
I have a 20pin connector in my 24pin socket, I read up about it on the net before buying though, and like werner said, if it's a relatively low powered pc ( I have a 3500+ with o/b graphics) it should be just fine, however, if you have a dual core and a power hungry graphics card, you should rather get another psu.

EDIT: Oops, misred the post, only saw that it's a 200W just now. I think you should rather get a new psu. If I recall correctly they aren't too expensive.
 
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You can plug a 24 pin connector into a 20 pin socket - some power supplies even have the extra 4 pins as detachable.

Likewise you can plug a 20 pin connector into a 24 pin socket - some mobos have a 'blocker' that you can stuff in to the extra 4 pin sockets.
 
for P4, you'll need at least a 300w PSU, especially if your gonna run a graphics card and a few hdd in it to. 200W, your pushing ur luck with that.
 
thisgeek said:
You can plug a 24 pin connector into a 20 pin socket - some power supplies even have the extra 4 pins as detachable.

Likewise you can plug a 20 pin connector into a 24 pin socket - some mobos have a 'blocker' that you can stuff in to the extra 4 pin sockets.
Click to expand...


anyone know the make up of the 24-pin on a Gigabyte Odin PSU? want to know if the 4 extra pins are detachable.
http://www.comx-computers.co.za/GE-...upply-Information-Price-Buy-Cheap-p-26319.php

looking to plug it into a 20-pin mobo of the HP Compaq DX2200.

thanks
 
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