P4 power plug, needed??

[oshta]

I have just bought a PC with a abit MAX2, and although it is a socket A mobo it uses the 12V "P4" (ata2) power plug

- only thing is, i dont have a PSU with a p4 plug and i need to use this pc

- im guessing it needs the p4 plug thing, but if it got unpluged while the pc was on (eg, i rig up a dodgy link using a bit of a 20pin atx plug and it fell out at some point) would it fry/toast the mobo???

- thanks, daniel

[Rythmic]

OK - the extra 12V lines are for extra current. The recommended way to use on old power supply is use an adaptor to convert two molex's to the 12V P4 plug. This is of course providing your old psu can provide the needed current at 12V

If you use tap the lines from the main ATX connector, you stand the chance that the wires cannot cope with the current, and will melt/burn.

Most motherboards now have protection against you turning on the board without the 12V connector, and will not boot. Don't know if they carry on this protection after boot. It's possible that if they don't and your connection falls out, you burn out the 12V lines from the ATX connector/ melt the connector/ melt burn the ATX wires. (Have seen a computer like this "post melt").

Protect your investment and get a half decent power supply is my advice. A CWT/Meridian from scan will only cost you ~30UKP.

[oshta]

yeah, ok thanks (dam)

- i guess i'll have to rob the PSU out of this PC (only one i have with the p4 hookup and order a new PSU tonight


thanks anyway, daniel

[oshta]

- well, i robing the PSU from the other pc, including cutting the case to get it our with out taking off the CPU H/S (which is though-bolted, so it would have been a mobo out job)

- fired it up, etc etc, messed about a bit, then put the PSU back (for my dad to use the other pc)

- then i read the mobo manual

[quote]
This mobo can use the additional "p4" power conection, but some PSUs dont have it, so you do NOT NEED to use it :wall bash:


daniel

[Rythmic]

OK - I wasn't counting on a motherboard with a power connector it didn't need!

[SilentDeath]

SocketA mobos still use the 5v rail for cpu, they could use 12v if they wanted but afaik none do... so you really dont need it...

[oshta]

yeah, well i expected it to need it, whats tho point in having it if it isnt???

- it has a little cluster of Fets and Caps around it, so it must switch it down so the voltages it needs, ie 5v

- and, seening as it sayed it doesnt need it (i've not tryed without yet) i guess it must just be to aid stupitliy (sp) during cver clocking etc ???


ah well, we live and learn

[Shogun]

stabilty

[BUFF]

boards like the ABIT & DFI nForce2 ones draw heavily on 12V - if you want stability & overclocking then it is highly recommmended to use the 12V plug too but not essential for use at stock.

[oshta]

boards like the ABIT & DFI nForce2 ones draw heavily on 12V - if you want stability & overclocking then it is highly recommmended to use the 12V plug too but not essential for use at stock.

Its the Abit Max 2, i'll have to ge tone of tho's molex->P4 addapter things

[Shogun]

If you can find any old generic or dead psu with one of these connectors just cut it off and make your own connector. Ive got a spare lead which can be made up if you pay for postage?

[BUFF]

I don't know if the ABIT VIA board draw as heavily from the 12V as the nForce 2 ones do.
Best place to ask is probably http://forum.abit-usa.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=3 or the forum at amdmb.com