A8N-SLI Power issues

[docshadow]

Posting this problem for a friend (mostly because I might have the same problem soon).

Running the new ASUS board with a 3500+ 90nm chip, Corsair low-latency ram (DDR 400), and a 6800 Nvidia card.

550w power supply, so the amount of power available should not be the problem. However the PSU is hooked up to the board using a 20 pin connector, the board has a 24 pin power connector on it. Everything posts fine and starts up with no problems but then it starts having stability issues related to power.

Just checking if anyone else has, or has not, had this problem. Either way, wer're searching for a 20-24 pin adapter now.

 

[bap4201]

i would search for a 24 pin psu.

 

[docshadow]

Yeah, that would be the best idea, but I already have a 500w psu with a 20 pin connector sitting in my case, so if I can save $50 I would like to try. But I'm definetly going to keep the option open of just buying a new one.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I've been using an antec 550watt 20pin PS with this board for 3+ weeks, with zero issues. I think the amps on the 12v rail are more important than 20 vs 24 pins. My Antec has 30a on the 12v. What brand is the PS? And how do you know its power related issues?

 

[FastEddie]

Originally posted by: bap4201
i would search for a 24 pin psu.

Or use a 20-pin ATX to 24-pin BTX adapter. Thermaltake makes one and Newegg carries them--->
Adapter

 

[FastEddie]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
I've been using an antec 550watt 20pin PS with this board for 3+ weeks, with zero issues. I think the amps on the 12v rail are more important than 20 vs 24 pins. My Antec has 30a on the 12v. What brand is the PS? And how do you know its power related issues?

Not all powersupplies are created equal. Some aren't even close to each other in how they perform, even though they have the same watt rating.

 

[JMag]

I just switched from a 24pin Pc Power and Cooling 510W EPS12V to a ThermaleTake 480w 20pin and my mahcine hasn't had nearly the problmes it was...

This thermaltake only has 18amps on the 12v rail too!
Currently I am running a 3000+ @ 2.6ghz, 2 HD's, a DVD, a 6800GT and 1gb of ram and the 12v rail is dipping to abou 11.8 but it doens't have any serious fluctuations or spikes. I am thinking when my 2nd BFG 6800GT comes back from RMA I will have some power issues!

Anyway, my psu was working fine in the previous rig (although I built this current one just after a move, so it is possible I damaged the PSU during the move)

Also, I am not even using the 20 to 24pin adapter (there are 4 exposed female pins on the motherboard power header) However, I did plug a molex into the EZ-Plug

My machine has been able to run for about 3 hours under various loads with no problems yet

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: JMag
I just switched from a 24pin Pc Power and Cooling 510W EPS12V to a ThermaleTake 480w 20pin and my mahcine hasn't had nearly the problmes it was...

This thermaltake only has 18amps on the 12v rail too!
Currently I am running a 3000+ @ 2.6ghz, 2 HD's, a DVD, a 6800GT and 1gb of ram and the 12v rail is dipping to abou 11.8 but it doens't have any serious fluctuations or spikes. I am thinking when my 2nd BFG 6800GT comes back from RMA I will have some power issues!

Anyway, my psu was working fine in the previous rig (although I built this current one just after a move, so it is possible I damaged the PSU during the move)

Also, I am not even using the 20 to 24pin adapter (there are 4 exposed female pins on the motherboard power header) However, I did plug a molex into the EZ-Plug

My machine has been able to run for about 3 hours under various loads with no problems yet

Let us know how that turns out. I plan to be running a 20 pin Enermax to power my upcoming A8N-SLI Deluxe system...

 

[docshadow]

My friend is double checking everything on his board. Hopefully the full problem will be found and fixed.

My own system is going to be running off of a 500w MGE Vigor Max psu. Hopefully it won't have any problems, and hopefully I'll get the thing together by monday or tuesday... whichever day Monarch gets me my processor and fan that were supposed to ship last week.

 

[sal69]

i rune an a8n a 3200+ a gf 6600gt with my old 300watt power supply without any problems.
what are the power related issues you speak of ?

sal

 

[FastEddie]

Originally posted by: sal69
i rune an a8n a 3200+ a gf 6600gt with my old 300watt power supply without any problems.
what are the power related issues you speak of ?

sal

You're one of the few that can run with a 300W psu.

The issues = BSOD's, not being aboe to save bios changes, memory errors (caused by lack of power), rebooting or freezing when dmi pool data is being detected, rebooting or freezing when drives and components are being detected in the loading of the os. etc...

 

[jose]

FastEddie,

Where does it say that the 20 to 24pin is a BTX adapter ??

The link on newegg says, "server mb adapter"..

That would lead me to believe that a 24pin EPS power supply would work w/ the new NF4 24pin motherboards.

Regards,
Jose

 

[alien42]

Originally posted by: JMag
I just switched from a 24pin Pc Power and Cooling 510W EPS12V to a ThermaleTake 480w 20pin and my mahcine hasn't had nearly the problmes it was...

This thermaltake only has 18amps on the 12v rail too!
Currently I am running a 3000+ @ 2.6ghz, 2 HD's, a DVD, a 6800GT and 1gb of ram and the 12v rail is dipping to abou 11.8 but it doens't have any serious fluctuations or spikes. I am thinking when my 2nd BFG 6800GT comes back from RMA I will have some power issues!

Anyway, my psu was working fine in the previous rig (although I built this current one just after a move, so it is possible I damaged the PSU during the move)

Also, I am not even using the 20 to 24pin adapter (there are 4 exposed female pins on the motherboard power header) However, I did plug a molex into the EZ-Plug

My machine has been able to run for about 3 hours under various loads with no problems yet

what problems were you having with the pcp&c 510?

 

[FastEddie]

Originally posted by: jose
FastEddie,

Where does it say that the 20 to 24pin is a BTX adapter ??

The link on newegg says, "server mb adapter"..

That would lead me to believe that a 24pin EPS power supply would work w/ the new NF4 24pin motherboards.

Regards,
Jose

Most server boards are 24-pin. What Newegg is selling is a Thermaltake 20 to 24-pin addapter. It works with the new NF4 24-pin socket wiring (was using one with an Antec True480 that's being rma'ed).

Yes, the EPS 24-pin psu will work with the NF4 24-pin sockets. Most of the 24-pin psu's are server class rated, with higher warranties than the standard one or two years, and more stable rail voltages.

 

[bluslice]

i want to get things straight. you can plug a 20pin PSU power connecter into the asus a8n-sli that is 24 pins. so we can leave 4 pins exposed? I hope this is the case because I just bought a 500W x-connect that's 20pins. It seems from ppl's replies that as long as I have enough wattage & amps that it will be able to run. From what I read, it seems that you guys have some low amp PSU's. My x-connect is rated 34a on a 12v rail. this should be good for SLI setup =)

 

[FastEddie]

Yes, a 20-pin regular atx psu will work. X-Connect makes a 24-pin connector, available with some of their psu, and sold seperately.

Why X-Connect psu though?

 

[bluslice]

because it performs very well, looks cool, it's modular and has UV reactive cables but also because it got it for $50

 

[Insomniak]

For the price I guess it's not too bad, but since it's still a Powmax PSU, I don't trust em.

 

[FastEddie]

Originally posted by: Insomniak
For the price I guess it's not too bad, but since it's still a Powmax PSU, I don't trust em.

Nor do I. Very unreliable psu's.

 

[kaborka]

Originally posted by: FastEddie
Yes, the EPS 24-pin psu will work with the NF4 24-pin sockets. Most of the 24-pin psu's are server class rated, with higher warranties than the standard one or two years, and more stable rail voltages.

I am concerned about this issue, too. I understood that the new ATX 12V 2.0 standard was differerent from the ATX EPS standard. The "24-pin PSU" page at Directron has this warning:

What is EPS12V? EPS12V is a special, non-ATX standard adopted by the Server System Infrastructure (SSI) group to provide a more powerful and stable environment for critical server-based systems and applications. EPS12V equipment is not compatible with standard ATX or ATX12V PCs found in homes and offices. Power supplies built to the EPS12V standard include a 24-pin motherboard power connector and an 8-pin +12V connector. (Source: Antec) [emphasis added]

I bought a FPS 550-60PLN PSU off that page, before I noticed that warning. Yet, the pinout on the 24-pin connector on the PSU is identical to the pinout in the A8N given in the mobo manual. Does anyone have any hard references on this issue? [I don't mean to hijack this thread, but it seems on-topic given the heading]

Edit: I found a good discussion at a thread on Hardforum.

 

[bluslice]

Originally posted by: Insomniak
For the price I guess it's not too bad, but since it's still a Powmax PSU, I don't trust em.

the x-connect price is around $100 retail before rebates. the crappy powmax psu's you're talking about go for $30 for a 580W. You get what you pay for, but in my case I'm getting more than what I paid for. You should read the numerous reviews on the x-connect.

 

[FastEddie]

Originally posted by: kaborka
I am concerned about this issue, too. I understood that the new ATX 12V 2.0 standard was differerent from the ATX EPS standard. The "24-pin PSU" page at Directron has this warning:

What is EPS12V? EPS12V is a special, non-ATX standard adopted by the Server System Infrastructure (SSI) group to provide a more powerful and stable environment for critical server-based systems and applications. EPS12V equipment is not compatible with standard ATX or ATX12V PCs found in homes and offices. Power supplies built to the EPS12V standard include a 24-pin motherboard power connector and an 8-pin +12V connector. (Source: Antec) [emphasis added]

I bought a FPS 550-60PLN PSU off that page, before I noticed that warning. Yet, the pinout on the 24-pin connector on the PSU is identical to the pinout in the A8N given in the mobo manual. Does anyone have any hard references on this issue? [I don't mean to hijack this thread, but it seems on-topic given the heading]

The warning is telling you it's not compatible to standard ATX 12V 2.0 Standard (20-pin atx) because you can't very well plug a 24-pin psu into the standard 20-pin connector. NF4 is using that server class 24-pin pinout for power. The additional 8-pin +12v is used in some of the intel boards, and I believe one of the Tyan AMD Dually boards. When I bought the ThermalTake adapter, it also came with that 8-pin connector---which I did't have to use.

You'll be just fine with the FPS 550-60PLN PSU.


bluslice, All the X-Connect is a modular style psu----that's what you are paying for. The real reviews on the X-Connect use cautionary language for those considering using them. They are not reliable!

 

[jose]

FastEddie,

That's good news, thanks. I think I'll get the Antec 550EPS for $113 which has 36A on the +12V rail. I think this is probably the best deal right now.

Regards,
Jose

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: bluslice

Originally posted by: Insomniak
For the price I guess it's not too bad, but since it's still a Powmax PSU, I don't trust em.

the x-connect price is around $100 retail before rebates. the crappy powmax psu's you're talking about go for $30 for a 580W. You get what you pay for, but in my case I'm getting more than what I paid for. You should read the numerous reviews on the x-connect.

I've read many reviews on the X-connect. By and large, they seem to perform fine, but there are several issues which concern me:

1) They are made by Powmax, who creates notoriously bad products.
2) They use very small heatsinks and transformers within the PSU. This does not bode well for PSU longevity nor proper exhausting of heat.
3) I have seen many reports around the net of people frying their system on this exact PSU. Now, PSUs going bad is not that uncommon, but said PSU killing a system at the same time is. This leads me to believe these PSUs have inadequate overload protection, and I'm not willing to put my system at this extra risk.


All that said, yes, the Xconnect PSUs are performing well in reviews for the most part. However, due to these other considerations, I do not feel the Xconnect is better than an OCZ, Enermax, or Antec power supply. If you feel differently, fine, but don't say you didn't have alternate input.

 

[bluslice]

after all this bad talk about the x-connect, i decided to check some other forums and reviews and I've found that people's systems frying is a big concern in some reviews. The voltage across the 12v, 5v and 3.3v rails were all over by a small percentage in real world tests. This is ok at first but over time this can lead to the frying of components. i'm sure there's a small percentage of x-connects out there that have readings way above the specified voltage and cause immediate overloading of systems out there. So in light of recent findings, i think i'm gonna sell off my x-connect and buy another psu.

After all the reading i've done, i've decided to ask you guys to help me with picking gone =) my requirements are needing to support a SLI system with OC'ing. So this means i'll need some serious juice, so 500-600W. i would like dual 12v rails if possible and 2 pci-e power cables included. i gotta run, so if anyone has psu's in mind that fit ANY of the requirements, post a reply =)