4+4 cpu connector

[PCJake]

I've got a Corsair 750TX power supply, and it has one 4+4 cpu connector. Right now I only use 4 pins on my GA-EP35-DS3L motherboard. At one point I had unplugged this connector from the motherboard, and when I plugged it back in the computer would only run for a short time (differing lengths, depending on how long I waited). I switched to the other 4 pins and it worked fine.

Does this mean I have one bad connector, or does one simply supply more power than the other? I've got a 790i FTW motherboard on the way, and that calls for all 8 pins.

If it is a bad connector, is there an adapter or solution that won't require me to buy a new power supply?

Thanks!

 

[faxon]

did you try shorting the P1 connector's green line with one of the grounds using a piece of wire or a paperclip or something, and measuring the voltages on those lines using a multimeter? one of them should have 2 12v rails and 2 grounds, but im not sure what the other 4 pins they added are. probably just another 2 12v rails though.

ed: yea looks like its just 4 lines of 12v current with 4 grounds instead of 2/2 like with the original Pentium 4/ATX12v connector

 

[PCJake]

Originally posted by: faxon
did you try shorting the P1 connector's green line with one of the grounds using a piece of wire or a paperclip or something, and measuring the voltages on those lines using a multimeter? one of them should have 2 12v rails and 2 grounds, but im not sure what the other 4 pins they added are. probably just another 2 12v rails though.

ed: yea looks like its just 4 lines of 12v current with 4 grounds instead of 2/2 like with the original Pentium 4/ATX12v connector

Heh, I'm bad with power supply lingo, do you mean that only 4 of the pins supply power and the other four serve as grounds? So you think that I don't have a bad connector, I just had the wrong one plugged in?

 

[Aluvus]

The two sets of 4 are shaped differently, so it is possible that you simply had a poor connection. Electrically, they carry the same set of voltages.

 

[PCJake]

Originally posted by: Aluvus
The two sets of 4 are shaped differently, so it is possible that you simply had a poor connection. Electrically, they carry the same set of voltages.

So I suppose the only way to find out will be to try it on the 790i mobo. Unless I were to "short the P1 connector's green line with one of the grounds using a piece of wire or a paperclip or something, and measure the voltages on those lines using a multimeter," but...I've never done that and I don't like the sound of purposely shorting out a power supply...

I just don't want to end up melting something because only half of the connector works.

 

[faxon]

all shorting the green line with a black ground does is simulate the signal you send to the PSU when you press the power on switch on your case. you're completing the exact same electrical circuit when you put the wire/paperclip in as when you press the button, you just simplify the process so you can do it without powering on a computer in the process. just make sure you dont touch the clip in the process (not that it is a threat anyway) and you should be fine. the method i told you is a tried and true method for testing an ATX power supply, and is listed in every single technical manual and instruction textbook i own. just remember to unplug the PSU from the wall first, and make sure it has a switch you can use as an on/off switch on it somewhere.