20 to 24 pin converters

[Hulkster316]

Just installed a new motherboard going great till i tried to plug it in
Are the 20 pin to 24 pin psu converters any good ? Would only use it for a couple of months at most just cant stretch to a new psu just bought a new motherboard

[Nox]

nope - you're better off not using one believe it or not. Which motherboard is it you have? Most will work with a 20pin psu (if its an nf4 anyway) but will be against manufacturers advice. Check your manufacturers forums too, you will get a lot more specific info there.

On the DFI that I had, I think it was something to do with the place the current is drawn from and that it could potentially smoke your memory sticks (literally) if it had been set to above the safe limit by overvolting. Something not responding correctly to the voltage fluctuations as it would sap from the wrong rail (those 4 pins are drawn from a different rail, or atleast should be) So if you do go ahead, don't overvolt at all!!! And this is all from 6 month ago memory, so its probably out of date/wrong so check for yourself

Nox

[Zad]

It seems that the extra 4 pins provide power purely for the graphics card. Some of the beefy video cards have their own 6 pin power connector rather than draw power through the PCI/motherboard bus. Scan sell little adaptor/converters that you plug 2*4-way Molex connectors in and then plug into the video card.

[Hans Voralberg]

U sure that's a good idea. Im no tech guy but this seems to go against the logic, u convert the big to small not the other way around.

[Hulkster316]

Its the ASUS premium mb , my xfx 7800gt already has that 6 pin adaptor that you plug 2 molex connectors into so surely that must be enough power if thats what the extra pins are for ?

[OmarSantiago]

ATX specifications were modified a while back to cope with the the move to 12v voltage regulators for the CPU and in recognition of the fact that more components are using 12v. You may have noticed a lot of new PSUs boast about having spilt 12v rails (it's required where the current draw is expected to exceed 18A). Basically, the specs were upgraded to allow for greater +12v VDC current.

The 4 extra pins are there to support the 75w PCI - Express requirements and to replace the old 'AUX' connector you used to find on some PSUs. A year or two back this would only be used for workstation class boards but with increased power requirements for PCI-E, SLI and the new generation of CPUs most mainstream boards are approching workstation class. Boards like the A8N SLI Premium need quite a few power connectors because they can be loaded with some heavy-draw components and having multiple points of delivery for the power means there's no single point of failure or stress on the motherboard.

I guess it's up to you if you want to run with a 20-pin. Some boards like Asus are well-engineered and will happily run with a 20-pin header if the total system draw is fairly low and you have a good PSU. But you have a good chunk of change invested in your other components and making sure they get enough clean power should be your priority.

[Hulkster316]

Thanks all great advice as usual , get the impression the converter isnt really the route to go then. Looks like im gonna have too stretch to a new psu then dont really wanna put my spanking new 7800gt at risk . Oh well wheres that visa gone

[fullfat]

get a native 24pin psu mate, it will cause less headaches in the longrun. motherboard manufacturers wont touch the board if anything goes wrong if youve been using a non approved psu with an adapter