Possible to use a molex to 4-pin adaptor to power motherboard?

[weirdichi]

I'm upgrading my brother's computer.

New Mobo: 945GC-M4
Power Supply: Vantec 350N

The motherboard needs a 24-pin connector. The PS only has a 20-pin connector. I don't want to get it only to find out that it converts the connection to the 2nd ATX power connection (which doesn't fit alongside the 20-pin connector like in my other computer). Will the adapter below work?

*EDIT*
It's an old Dell Dimension 3000. It was either upgrade the DDR RAM, which was around $60 for 1GB, or get a new motherboard and use the 2GB DDR2 RAM I had laying around. All it has is a slow HDD, new mobo, 2GB DDR3 RAM, and a CDROM.

I didn't realize there were so many small things that I had to reconfigure. The HDD was mounted on the inside of the front panel, so the IDE cable couldn't reach the CDROM and the HDD. I duct taped the HDD to a plastic DVD case, then duct taped that to the CDROM, and then ran one cable through both of them to the only IDE port on the motherboard. Yes, it's ghetto.

My friend's work place just threw out some old PSU's, so I'll see if those are still usable and have 24-pin connectors. The main priority is cheap as possible. It is after all, an internet and email machine with youtube videos. The question is, would it better to get a 20-pin to 24-pin adapter or just plug in the current 20-pin connector to the motherboard?

 

[BoomerD]

Not sure about that particular adapter, but I know these work for MOST motherboards:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=2909

 

[SparkyJJO]

NO

Unless you want to blow out your motherboard.

The extra 4 pins on the 24pin are one ground, one 3.3V, one 5V, and one 12V. That adapter is two grounds and two 12V. You'll short the PSU and/or blow up the motherboard. That adapter is to use on the separate 4 pin CPU power connector only.

Usually, you can run a 24pin board with just the 20 pin power supply. So do that first. 9 times out of 10, it works fine. Usually only higher end boards will really need the 24 pin (and that board isn't a high end board).

But that power supply is old (any 20 pin power supply is old). You may want to upgrade that next.

 

[weirdichi]

NO

Unless you want to blow out your motherboard.

The extra 4 pins on the 24pin are one ground, one 3.3V, one 5V, and one 12V. That adapter is two grounds and two 12V. You'll short the PSU and/or blow up the motherboard. That adapter is to use on the separate 4 pin CPU power connector only.

Usually, you can run a 24pin board with just the 20 pin power supply. So do that first. 9 times out of 10, it works fine. Usually only higher end boards will really need the 24 pin (and that board isn't a high end board).

But that power supply is old (any 20 pin power supply is old). You may want to upgrade that next.

It's going to be used as an internet and word processing machine. Does it absolutely need a new PS with 24-pin connector? What would be the best option, get a new PS, get the 20-pin to 24-pin adapter above, or just use the 20-pin connector on the old PS?

 

[BoomerD]

It's going to be used as an internet and word processing machine. Does it absolutely need a new PS with 24-pin connector? What would be the best option, get a new PS, get the 20-pin to 24-pin adapter above, or just use the 20-pin connector on the old PS?

BEST option would be a new PSU. No question about it.

What are the specs of the current hardware?

Since it's not for hardcore gaming, you can probably get by with an inexpensive quality PSU.

This one is probably overkill for the demand of the PC, but it's a GOOD PSU, and not terribly expensive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371033

(keep your old power supply cord...they don't include one)

 

[SparkyJJO]

Yeah best option is a 24 pin PSU, BUT odds are the 20 pin would be ok (and that's cheapest too of course). I ran an Athlon 64 socket 939 rig on a 20 pin for the longest time.

 

[Gillbot]

Yeah best option is a 24 pin PSU, BUT odds are the 20 pin would be ok (and that's cheapest too of course). I ran an Athlon 64 socket 939 rig on a 20 pin for the longest time.

This ^

I have yet to run across a board that wouldn't power up using a 20 pin ATX on a 24 pin connector motherboard, though they may be out there.

Try it, the less adapters you use the better.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Never had an issue running 20 pin, you can always buy a 20 to 24 adapter though.

 

[weirdichi]

BEST option would be a new PSU. No question about it.

What are the specs of the current hardware?

Since it's not for hardcore gaming, you can probably get by with an inexpensive quality PSU.

This one is probably overkill for the demand of the PC, but it's a GOOD PSU, and not terribly expensive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371033

(keep your old power supply cord...they don't include one)

It's an old Dell Dimension 3000. It was either upgrade the DDR RAM, which was around $60 for 1GB, or get a new motherboard and use the 2GB DDR2 RAM I had laying around. All it has is a slow HDD, new mobo, 2GB DDR3 RAM, and a CDROM.

I didn't realize there were so many small things that I had to reconfigure. The HDD was mounted on the inside of the front panel, so the IDE cable couldn't reach the CDROM and the HDD. I duct taped the HDD to a plastic DVD case, then duct taped that to the CDROM, and then ran one cable through both of them to the only IDE port on the motherboard. Yes, it's ghetto.

My friend's work place just threw out some old PSU's, so I'll see if those are still usable and have 24-pin connectors. The main priority is cheap as possible. It is after all, an internet and email machine with youtube videos. The question is, would it better to get a 20-pin to 24-pin adapter or just plug in the current 20-pin connector to the motherboard?

 

[dawp]

how old? Dell used to use a proprietary pin out on the power supplies and if you replace either the PSU or motherboard, you might blow the board. From my quick research online, it looks like it is a standard pinout on the 3000. Just something to be aware of.

 

[jacktesterson]

This is better in my opinion. I've used countless times.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-077-_-Product

BEST option would be a new PSU. No question about it.

What are the specs of the current hardware?

Since it's not for hardcore gaming, you can probably get by with an inexpensive quality PSU.

This one is probably overkill for the demand of the PC, but it's a GOOD PSU, and not terribly expensive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371033

(keep your old power supply cord...they don't include one)

 

[BoomerD]

This is better in my opinion. I've used countless times.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-077-_-Product

I won't argue that...Seasonic is a good brand.

Is it better? Maybe...but certainly just as good.

 

[RavenSEAL]

For a system like that, you can probably even get away with a cheap CoolMax PSU...400W unit should do the trick.

 

[VirtualLarry]

For a system like that, you can probably even get away with a cheap CoolMax PSU...400W unit should do the trick.

Recommending CoolMax really isn't cool.

 

[Modelworks]

If you flip over the motherboard you will often find that the extra 4 pins that are missing from your 20 pin connector are already soldered to the same pins on the 20 pin side. The spec uses multiple wires because they are needed to carry the current. Having to bend one really thick wire would make assembly harder. All those multiple wires are soldered into one connection on both ends. 20 pin should work fine on 24 pin motherboard