• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Little build questions

C

Craig234

Lifer
Posting as I run into them. I'm starting to want to connect case cables to MB.

First up: a cable is labeled HD audio, what's that for? Ignore it? I expect to use USB or card for audio out.

Edit: found where to connect that.

Not sure how or if I'd use it, but it'd s plugged in.
 
Last edited:
Next cable: there are two similar looking connectors on the MB to pick from, circled.

Which? They're both labelled USB3.

ry%3D480


ry%3D480


ry%3D480
 
OK thanks. Weird how there are two cables to the one connector.

What do I plug the short cable 4-pin power connector from the case to on the PS?
 
Maybe CPU power, but you probably have an 8-pin for that. You might be looking at the pci-express power cord. It should have a mark on it.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, make sure that you identify the connector before you go willy-nilly plugging things into the PSU.

I built a PC for a (now late) friend's daughter, and she was having bluescreens, so she took it apart, and thought that the floppy power cable lead off of the PSU had become unplugged, so she shoved it onto a free USB header on the mobo. Let's just say, that mobo had a bad day when it was plugged back in. 😛
 
Any idea what these 2 are?

No label.

There are 3 little prongs in them.

I don't see anything on the MB that looks like a match.

ry%3D480
 
The only marking on the power cable looking one is either MOT or MQT, and the wires are numbered 1-4.

Googling around suggests that the 4-pin MQT connector is for some sort of additional fan and can be ignored.
 
There's a little 2 pin connector label "POWER SW". The only thing close seems to be the 'panel' prongs, a row of 4 prongs above 5 prongs, with one labelled "PWRBTN#" with the pins below and to the right labeled ground - so not sure if that's the one or which side of the 2 pins to put on the PWRBTN# pin.
 
There's a 2-pin connector "HDD LED" and 2 of the panel prongs are "HDD LED+" and "HDD LED -". However, the cable is not labeled which is + and - and the wires have no indication, both black, though one has a bunch of tiny numbers. Same issue with 2-pin RESET connector not indicating which is + and -.
 
Last edited:
Craig234 said:
Any idea what these 2 are?

No label.

There are 3 little prongs in them.

I don't see anything on the MB that looks like a match.

ry%3D480
Click to expand...

Those look like fan connectors.

Craig234 said:
There's a 2-pin connector "HDD LED" and 2 of the panel prongs are "HDD LED+" and "HDD LED -". However, the cable is not labeled which is + and - and the wires have no indication, both black, though one has a bunch of tiny numbers. Same issue with 2-pin RESET connector not indicating which is + and -.
Click to expand...

Both wires are black, and no +/-? Is there a little triangle on the plastic connector itself? You may have to look closely. That also indicates the + wire.

Consult the motherboard manual for the positioning of all the front panel cables. You won't likely damage anything by plugging in things the wrong way, but it will be less headache if later the PC won't turn on and you have to rule out likely causes.
 
Last edited:
That four-pin connector is a molex connector, and should be connected to the PSU. The two three-pin connectors, are fan header (socket) connectors, that you plug fans into. You may have a fan-controller built into the case. Is there a Low/Med/High switch somewhere, on the top or front of the case?
 
VirtualLarry said:
That four-pin connector is a molex connector, and should be connected to the PSU. The two three-pin connectors, are fan header (socket) connectors, that you plug fans into. You may have a fan-controller built into the case. Is there a Low/Med/High switch somewhere, on the top or front of the case?
Click to expand...

Googling more, it looks like that Molex connector is for the case fans and should be plugged in to the PSU - I think.

So, just ignore the two 3-prong cables because they're for extra fans I don't have?
 
Crono said:
Those look like fan connectors.

Both wires are black, and no +/-? Is there a little triangle on the plastic connector itself? You may have to look closely. That also indicates the + wire.

Consult the motherboard manual for the positioning of all the front panel cables. You won't likely damage anything by plugging in things the wrong way, but it will be less headache if later the PC won't turn on and you have to rule out likely causes.
Click to expand...

Thanks, those triangles were the answer. They are so subtle you could look right at them with a flashlight and magnifying glass and not see them - but they're there. So glad the manual doesn't bother to explain that clearly if at all. Is it agreed the "POWER SW" cable goes to the "PWRBTN#" motherboard jumper?
 
Wow, except those two 3-prong and assuming the PS is a match, the case cables are now hooked up. I hope that USB cable really could randomly go to either connector it fit on the MB. On to the graphics card and disks...
 
One thing about doing this is seeing parts I've pickup up and forgotten about. Found two spare DVD writers, a 200GB, 320GB, two 1tb, and two other HD's I didn't even check the size of so far. Now to find the one I'm actually using, the 5TB.
 
I have 3 slots for the graphics card to pick from - toward the middle of the MB to the edge on the top next to the PS. Are any better? I'm guessing further from the PS is better?
 
Top pci-express slot is usually the best. I don't see what board you have, but some chipsets share bandwith or run lower speed on the lower slots.

And why no SSD for this one?
 
Ketchup said:
Top pci-express slot is usually the best. I don't see what board you have, but some chipsets share bandwith or run lower speed on the lower slots.

And why no SSD for this one?
Click to expand...

Googling found that "PCI1" slot is best.

I do have an SSD - deciding whether to put it under the MB in the 'discrete slot' or a normal drive bay. And getting cables.
 
The MB manual says to hook up a 3-pin 'power LED' cable but I don't see one.

There's also an "ATX 12V" 8 pin connector on the MB I guess I should plug in from the PS. Looking for two 8 pin PS cable connectors to go to the graphics card...
 
Er, PCIE2 for graphics - but having a hard time fitting the card in the case.

Edit: fixed, had to remove a drive bay.
 
Last edited:
For the graphics card, I found a cable with two 8-pin connectors on one end - do I put these two (in white) into the two 8-pin slots on the graphics card (red)?

Or does it want two cables to the PS? Edit: I hooked it up with that one cable.

ry%3D480
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top