the ultimate "do i need a 24pin PSU ?" thread

[computer]

Originally posted by: theslug
I've read through this entire thread, but I'm still confused about one thing:

Is it generally better to purchase a PSU with a high enough amperage on one 12V rail, or is it better to get a PSU with dual 12V rails as long as enough amps are supplied when necessary?

I might need to purchase a new PSU as I think mine is failing, so would the Antec TruePower II 480W be good? Right now I've got a 20-pin mobo with a 6800GT AGP card, but if I need to replace my PSU, I may as well get one that would be good for the future when I upgrade and go SLI. My main concern is whether this model will provide enough power. If not, what other models are recommended?

I'm bumping this because I've wondered this myself. 2+ 12v lines are cumulative. I don't understand the point of splitting the 12v lines into two. I'd rather have ALL of the current on ONE line, than split into two lines. Since they are indeed both cumulative, then they obviously must come from the "same place", right? So, I don't understand the advantage of this.

There appears to be an error on that Antec page. Note the location of the *. It is not listed next to the +12V2 current, yet below that they state "* +5V, +3.3V, +12V1, 12V2 maximum output 460 Watts max."

 

[kwarkers]

Sorry if this question has already been answered in this topic but i couldn't be stuffed reading all 21 pages.

Say i've just purchased a psu that comes with a 20/24 pin connector. Does this power supply power all 24 pins the same as a psu that has the 24 pin connector. Sorry if that makes no sense, but if you get what i mean please help me!

 

[Puffnstuff]

Some of you folks tickle me. Using a cheap ps is like playing russian roulette. Sometimes you win but all it takes is just once and pop - there goes everything that was hooked up to it. Do you people spend 25k on a new car and use no name oil and filters? Why do you spend big bucks on your pc which is an investment and then try to skimp by using cheapy over rated ps's and wonder why your system is having problems? A quality ps is like having insurance. You hope that you never need it but all it takes is just one incident and everything is gone. Look at the system in my sig and right now it's only drawing 252 watts of power through my apc. That figure is different when I'm booting the system and is less than half of what my ps is rated for. You have to understand that different system configurations load the ps in different ways. Some draw heavily from the 3.3 & 5v lines where others draw off the 12v rail(s). If you want to use a $40 ps to power the 1k+ that you've just invested then be my guest. I'm old enough to have already learned the hard way that it's better to spend more now and get the very best that you can instead of having to come back later and spend even more to cover your mistake. One more thing. Anybody that depends on their pc should also be running a battery backup with AVR which will also add to the stability. If you think that's a bunch of hockey then see what happens when the power goes out during a flash.

 

[computer]

That's for sure. Before I used a UPS, my HD got screwed up many times from the electricity around here snapping off on off on off on several times in a couple of seconds. It was so bad one day that it fried the BIOS on my mobo!! This was with a surge protector too!! I've been using UPS systems now for years and they are MORE than worth it. Now, this screwed up electricity can snap off and on and spike all it wants, and I go on like nothing is happening. I now use a Belkin F6C120-UNV (1200VA 675 watts) and it has AVR. Your PC's PSU is actually running off of filtered power the whole time.

 

[wraith3k]

Originally posted by: computer

Originally posted by: theslug
I've read through this entire thread, but I'm still confused about one thing:

Is it generally better to purchase a PSU with a high enough amperage on one 12V rail, or is it better to get a PSU with dual 12V rails as long as enough amps are supplied when necessary?

I might need to purchase a new PSU as I think mine is failing, so would the Antec TruePower II 480W be good? Right now I've got a 20-pin mobo with a 6800GT AGP card, but if I need to replace my PSU, I may as well get one that would be good for the future when I upgrade and go SLI. My main concern is whether this model will provide enough power. If not, what other models are recommended?

I'm bumping this because I've wondered this myself. 2+ 12v lines are cumulative. I don't understand the point of splitting the 12v lines into two. I'd rather have ALL of the current on ONE line, than split into two lines. Since they are indeed both cumulative, then they obviously must come from the "same place", right? So, I don't understand the advantage of this.

Anyone know the answer to this? Better to just go with dual 12V, or stick with a single rail?

Seems like the industry is moving towards dual but I still see people saying single is better. Which type is better for a pair of cards in SLI?

 

[Puffnstuff]

Splitting the rails keeps the mb isolated from other peripherals aiding in stability. On weaker ps's when the rail sagged it would cause instability to everything on the rail. Dual rails insures that power flows to the mb more consistently. I'm a firm believer in dual rails as long as the amps are adequate. I really wouldn't want one with anything less than 18a on each 12v rail.

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Sorry, this question was probably asked a while back, but there's like twenty something pages. I saw the question about a 24pin motherboard with a 20pin psu, but what about trying to use a 24pin psu with a 20pin motherboard?

 

[Puffnstuff]

Yes you can use one with a 24 to 20 pin adaptor.

 

[wraith3k]

Some PSUs with a 24-pin connector allow the extra 4 pins to snap off so you're only using 20 pins on a 20-pin motherboard. I've also heard of people just plugging the whole 24-pin connector into a 20-pin board and letting the extra 4 pins hang off.

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: SleepWalkerX
Sorry, this question was probably asked a while back, but there's like twenty something pages. I saw the question about a 24pin motherboard with a 20pin psu, but what about trying to use a 24pin psu with a 20pin motherboard?

There's a place listed at Pricewatch (CINCH USA) that has them, P.N. A01K6. But the jerks won't even let you on their home page without Cookies, and I don't play that game. Search Pricewatch for 20-pin 24-pin ATX adapter and they're second on the page.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Yes it's true that some 24 pin plugs, like the ones used by enermax, have what's called a 20+4 plug where the extra 4 plugs will unsnap from the main 20 pin unit.

 

[LED]

You'll need a Pure 24Pin PSU for the DFI Lanparty Ultra if you want support!

 

[Dumac]

Is this a good PSU?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189004

 

[Puffnstuff]

No.

 

[Rubycon]

Will an EPS (24pin server) PS work on a board with said connector?

 

[joker790]

Sticky!


Signature:
[spam link deleted]

 

[aboothman]

Ok help me out here.

I have an opteron 144. I am hoping to OC the crap out of it, but I have an older board (Asus A8V deluxe) I am hoping this board will
let me OC well, but I am preparing for the idea of selling it and buying an Epox 9NPA+ Ultra. I would then get a good PCI-E vid card
since I have a crap card and want to go dual DVI anyway.

Next is the PSU. I currently have an Enermax 465 something something with a single rail, and 34 or so Amps on the 12v. Good PSU for my P4.
What I am wondering, is will I be able to use this PSU with my opteron setup? Full setup is in my sig, but it is not real power hungry, even with a
7800GT or X1800XL.

I would really prefer not to buy s new PSU. But if I do, any recommendations for a killer PSU around or under $100 would be great. Modular are cool,
but the OCZ don't have a fan in the rear and that annoys me. Thanks.

 

[jasonlclei]

This discussion is quite interesting...

Just a little doubt here. I have a Athlon x2 3800+ and ATI x700 pro with 1 gb ram running off a 20 pin Ultra X-connect 500W PSU. I have the 20-24 adapter connected to my mobo though. Does this setup sound acceptable or do I have to get a new PSU?

Also, somebody from page 1 mentioned that the 20-24 pin adapter is unnecessary and takes alot of power. Does that mean I can just throw out my adapter?

 

[imported_ceefka]

Splitting a 12v line halves the amperes on each line, so you go from 1 x 30A to 2 x 15A. I think that's what a 20-24 adapter does. If your motherboard allows a 20 pin connector just go with that and let the motherboard divide the 12v line. Seems to me your PSU is adequate.

 

[Macattak1]

Greetings,

With out reading all these posts...

I built several identical systems. 2 gigs ram (two sticks), 150 mb Satas, 6600 GT Pci-E, Antec cases and power (ultra quiet cases), PWS was 380 watts a believe with only 20 pin connectors.

In short, I could not get any system to properly post/boot with two mem sticks in, period. I tried two different brands of Ram and high quality Corsair and who ever the #1 mfg is, I forget.

I worked with the memory support people from both companies and they both said it was a ram timing but they could never get it to post either. I used Gigabyte MBs, whose service was horrible by the way. Finally, I bought one extention or expansion plug, what ever you would call it and pluged it into the PWS 20 pin and then into the MB 24 pin and only then was I able to get any of the systems to boot and run with 2 mem sticks in.

It was very strange as I worke with one of the engeneers at my company who gave me the schematics of the power supply and those extra 4 pins dont really look like they do much...

BTW, that was about 15 months ago so that is why it sounds so fuzzy. As I recall, I even posted on this site about the problems as well as MR Ram or Dr Ram's site which I think is Corsairs site? Never got any real help, but that was a long time before people started to run into this issue.

Peace

 

[Macattak1]

Here is my original post on this issue...

No Post

 

[mondobyte]

I am attempting to build a micro ATX Athlon 64 system ...

Which PSU would you recommend from the following for a micro ATX SFX PSU: (or do you have a better suggestion?)

http://coolmaxusa.com/productDetailsPow...tures&subcategory=80mm&category=single

http://www.home2000.net/client/fspgroupusacom/proddetail.asp?linenumber=205

I am considering the FSP because it had dual 12v rails ... I am using a mobo with onboard sound, ether, video so I have no need additional video card(s) and because I already own two FSP 700 PSU's that perform with absolute quiet perfection. My mobo also needs a 24 pin connection. I like the fact that the FSP has Active PFC.

Comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mondo

 

[TanisHalfElven]

hi. i got a x800gt and the PSU i got was 20 pin. my setup works now but i can't find out how muich power my x800gt needs. will this badly affect my card or is it ok since its working.

 

[OSX]

I am also looking to build a new system. It's a budget gaming type of machine.

Motherboard- ASRock Dual939-SATAII
Processor- A64 3200+ Socket 939
Vid Card- 6600 GT
RAM- Corsair Value PC3200

The PSU is a 20 Pin V-Power 400 Watt.

 

[glencore]

Hi im also doinf more or less the same as OSX,

MOBO: MSI K8N Dianmond
CPU: A64 3200+ S939
GFX: XFX 6600GT
RAM: Dual 512 Corsair PC3200 (400MHz)

My PSU is a 400Mhz 20 Pin COLORSit 400W (Model 400u) ATX 12V Version 1.3 P4

Will this be okay, also if it is, there seems to be only one way I can connect the Main power supply, doing so leaves the left 4 Pins open ont he folowing pic.

http://pclab.pl/zdjecia/artykuly/pila/sli/msi-k8n-diamond/plyta-gora.jpg

is this okay and will it be enough to power it? I presume 400W should be enough!

Please Please Please help

Thank you,
Glencore