8 pin supplemental power on motherboard?

[Ze Mad Doktor]

I am setting up this dual xeon system at the moment. It has a 24pin ATX but also supports the regular 20 pin. In addition, there is an 8pin supplemental plug. Now the PSU I have only has a 4 pin supplemental plug. I see that the shapes on the plug match up so can I use the 4 pin in place of the 8 pin?

There doesn't seem to be any difference between them other than double the amount of +12v and gnd wires/pins

I would like to at least get Windows installed tonight but I am not prepared to power on until I have an answer to this. I'm hoping I don't have to fetch a new PSU for it.

 

[mechBgon]

Consult the motherboard's owners' manual to see what is required to operate it without letting the magic smoke out. But if it were me, I would use an EPS power supply, not try to skate by with something else. Antec has an EPS version of their TruePower 2.0 550W if you need one to look at.

 

[Ze Mad Doktor]

i think this would be a no. Damn Intel and their BS. Why the heck do they need to add another 4 pins that are nothing but redundant.

I knew there were reasons my last Intel system was a Celeron 300A

 

[Ze Mad Doktor]

I don't think it will work, at least I am not willing to find out. I think I am gonna go get another PSU tomorrow or just grab a double 4 pin molex - 8pin supp. power. converter.

I am sure if I get one of the specific "SSI" PSU's I'm gonna have to give an arm to pay for it.

The thing that irritates me is that there is no reason why it shouldn't be fine with the 4 pin one. It provides +12v on what would be pins 5&6 of the 8pin connecter and GND on what would be pins 1&2. All the 8 pin is really just two of the 4pins side by side. But if there is already two +12v connections why can't it just draw what it needs off them instead of having to change power specs again and add another 4 pins.

 

[uOpt]

I think but don't quote me on this you will be fine with just plugging in the 4-pin. Probably depends on the board.

 

[DaFinn]

SSI specs require a dedicated voltage rail for both CPUs, to ensure they get the juice they need under heavy load. Normally with a quality high power PSU you'll be just fine using a converter.

 

[Ze Mad Doktor]

DaFinn that is the answer I was looking for. I can buy a little converter but I wasn't sure if that would be acceptable. It's a lot better to buy some little converter than a new PSU when I've got like 4 of them around here.

Thanks all