Is this PSU connector setup up viable?

BirdKiller

Junior Member
Sep 8, 2009
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I have an Antec 430w PSU that I've been using since 2004. I'm considering upgrading my computer this year with 2 GB more RAM and Radeon 4870 graphics card, but upon reading the specs for the graphics card, I'll have to plug in two PCI-E connectors or 4 Molex connectors (using a converter) to the graphics card directly.

Now here's the problem. the PSU only has 5 Molex connectors with no PCI-E connectors so I'll be left with only one Molex connector to provide power to 2 hard drives and 1 optical drive. I'm wondering whether it's viable for me to turn that single Molex connector into 3 connectors using two Molex splitters to power up those drives and fans.

I checked how much power my PSU should supply with my set up. At 100% load, my system only needs 320w so I think the problem here is only managing the connectors.

4 Molex Connectors -> pair of Molex to PCI-E coverters -> Graphics Card
1 Molex Connector -> Molex splitter -> 1 IDE Hard Drive, One Optical Drive.
1 SATA Connector -> 1 SATA Hard Drive
 

HOOfan 1

Platinum Member
Sep 2, 2007
2,337
15
81
I think you would be better off buying a new PSU.

My guess is that you have an old Turepower with only 20A of 12V power.
 

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
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Yeah you need a newer PSU with more power on the 12v. If it was an earthwatts 430 you'd be fine, but not with that model. Also, you have two IDE HD's and an IDE optical as well? I'd upgrade those too, the HDs at least to a single larger sata model
 

BirdKiller

Junior Member
Sep 8, 2009
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Thanks for the suggestions. I've been reading about the importance of Amperes in 12V rail as well. Unfortnately, my search for the specification of my current PSU has been extremely elusive in the Internet. I'm far away from my computer so I can't check it directly.

Actually, I made a typo, one of my HDD is a SATA drive so I'll only have to use one Molex splitter on that single Molex to power up the optical drive and the IDE drive.