12V motherboard connectors

[boatillo]

These are new to me as the last system I built was an AthlonXP 2000+

Basically none of the s939 boards out have good placement of this connector (imo) and I was wondering IS it something that actually needs to be plugged in for the system to operate smoothly? What is its function above and beyond the 20pin?

 

[CALIKUSH]

yes the 12v is required to boot. I was also surprised to see it there when I got my a64 system. I had upgraded from an xp chipset and was having trouble getting my system to boot. I thought the 12v was a pentium 4 only feature.

Basically it provides more power to the chip itself. This is what Intel had to do with the P4 architecture, AMD followed suite when designing the K8 core.

 

[boatillo]

bleh no wonder most boards have them so close to the socket Some could really get in the way of my zalman 7000 hsf.

I saw a pic of a testboard DFI made...it was beautiful, laid out so nice, AND both the 20pin and 12v connectors were right on the edge of the upper right corner. Not to mention AGP instead of pci-e. But I've heard they aren't going to be releasing it....sux

 

[Peter]

Yes of course if it's there, you need to connect it. Board designers are now placing it where it suits the CPU voltage regulation the best - so the place you find odd might actually be the perfect place for it.

 

[boatillo]

Like the Abit 939 board where the 20pin & 12v would be like 0.5" from my rear case fan smart placement, those need cooling much more than my hsf

 

[Peter]

That's the perils of DIY builds ... you need to pick components that suit each other well. So technically that's your "fault".

 

[boatillo]

Ooooo just got an email from DFI techie, he said they *think* there will be a DFI socket 939 board with NF3 and AGP slot being released, but no idea when...

Looks like I'm gonna have to wait and wait and wait some more for the perfect 939 board