430W 20 Pin Antec PSU, in a 24 pin mobo

[CK1]

I have just been helping a friend build his PC using some of my old bits, including an Antec 430W True Power PSU.

This PSU has a 20 pin power connector to the mobo, however the board that he just bought was the Asus P5B Deluxe wit 24 pins. The only was to insert the plug was to the bottom 20 of the 24 pins and the PC seems to have powered up and is working without the top 4 pins having power.

Can anyone please explain if this will be a problem? I am not sure which part of the system takes its power from the top 4 pins of the 24 pins on the mobo. If necessary he'll get a new PSU, but would like to know in advance what this is for.

Thanks

[jimborae]

Probably wont be a problem, but if overclocking it my show signs of instability. Depends on how stable the rails are but being an Antec they're probably good.

[PieEater]

From about.com

"PCI Express requires a 75 watt power requirement that was not capable with the older 20-pin connector. To handle this, 4 additional pins were added to the connector to supply the addition power through 12V rails. "

Some boards give you a 4 Pin MOLEX socket near the PCI-E slots to get over this problem which hopefully your friend has otherwise he might have problems with the graphics card.

[TiG]

Its the new standard power setup for the new boards. I wouldn't risk my machine by not providing it with the right power. Seriously suggest to your mate to get a new power supply with the new standard (ATX 12V/EPS 12V)

TiG

[frazered]

or use a 20pin to 24pin converter

i have one, found it on ebay and it is fine, when it was in my main pc i had no problems overclocking or any power issues

now it is in my htpc

[jimbouk]

One on Scan: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=153575

[CK1]

Thanks for the help guys.

He has an 8800GTS 320MB but this is powered by two molex connectors going into the PCI-E power connector at the end of the card.

So if he gets the 20 to 24 pin converter that solve avoid any future issues?

[PieEater]

A quick google on these converters shows mixed results, so if he's not having any problems at the moment then go on the "if it aint broke ...." principle. If he is having stability problems then I guess trying the converter would be cheaper than replacing the PSU, but that might be what you have to do in the end.

[nvening]

You dont need an adapter, if the psu was designed to take the 430w over 20 pins then it will be able to do so just fine. The other 4 pins would only be needed for more powerful PSUs however 24pin has become pretty standard.

Simply put it in the bottom of the slot (learnt this from scott mueller so i would say its pretty good info )