Well, I wasnt expecting this!!

[nubreed000]

I have ThermalTakes 420W PSU...but the main connector to the motherboard is too small...I can still get it plugged in...but will it work properly or will that create problems?

 

[canislupy]

There are adapters out there to go from 20-to-24. Do some searching...

http://www.xpcgear.com/20to24pinatx.html

etc, etc... google is your friend

http://www.google.com/search?q...;rls=org.mozilla:en-US

personally, not knowing or having any experience with this myself, I would NOT run this board w/ only a 20 pin power connector unless the manual specifically stated I could.

 

[nubreed000]

Thats the thing...it doesn't say anything in the manual! Like fuck, couldn't they just keep it to 20-pin? Now I gotta look for a frickin 20-24pin converter...ugh

 

[Boonesmi]

i would be hesitant to use a converter. ive heard mixed reports from people using them on server boards (which have had the 24pin connector for awhile now)

the reason asus switched is because of the additional power requirements. so personally i would either get a new powersupply, or get a mobo that doesnt require a 24pin plug

 

[canislupy]

I believe there is some talk about using the converter in one of the A8N-SLI threads, might want to check it out there.

 

[bap4201]

I completely agree with boonesmi. I have an ocz 520 watt and the 12v rail has a 24pin plug. It comes w/ an adapter to go from 24 to 20 pin. But I would not go from 20 to 24. Get a better psu.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I'm running the A8N-SLI just fine with the 20pin connector plugged into the 24pin socket. You leave the 4 pins nearest the VGA card open. The four pins you leave open are redundant (extra) leads for the three power rails 3.3v, 5v and 12v and a ground. I have tested with the EZplug , plugged and unplugged with 1 VGA card and no problems. I would definately use the EZplug if running in SLI mode.

I would say, the quality of the PS and the #amps on the 12v rail are the important things to look for in a PS for this board. I picked the Antec true control 550 because in runs 30amps on the 12v, and has adjustable rails, and is rock solid stable. And because of previous great experiences with Antec PS's
I have built many many systems and have always used Antec. I got a call yesterday from a friend I built a computer for 3yrs ago with a 480 true blue. His computer had shut down, he checked things out and the PS fans were completely clogged up with cat hair. He vaccumed it out, turned it back on rebooted and no problems. A lesser PS would have fried half the stuff in his system. He bitch'd 3yrs ago when I made him buy an $85 PS, but yesterday he was a happy camper and thanked me repeatedly for making him buy the Antec.

 

[Tommunist]

glad I saw this thread - I was unaware that some boards were switching over. Thanks all.

 

[NarcoticHobo]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
I'm running the A8N-SLI just fine with the 20pin connector plugged into the 24pin socket. You leave the 4 pins nearest the VGA card open. The four pins you leave open are redundant (extra) leads for the three power rails 3.3v, 5v and 12v and a ground. I have tested with the EZplug , plugged and unplugged with 1 VGA card and no problems. I would definately use the EZplug if running in SLI mode.

I would say, the quality of the PS and the #amps on the 12v rail are the important things to look for in a PS for this board. I picked the Antec true control 550 because in runs 30amps on the 12v, and has adjustable rails, and is rock solid stable. And because of previous great experiences with Antec PS's
I have built many many systems and have always used Antec. I got a call yesterday from a friend I built a computer for 3yrs ago with a 480 true blue. His computer had shut down, he checked things out and the PS fans were completely clogged up with cat hair. He vaccumed it out, turned it back on rebooted and no problems. A lesser PS would have fried half the stuff in his system. He bitch'd 3yrs ago when I made him buy an $85 PS, but yesterday he was a happy camper and thanked me repeatedly for making him buy the Antec.

So as long as you are in single VGA card mode with a good power supply 20 pin should be fine to plug straight into the 24 pin connection?

I have an ultra x-connect 500W and my vid card is a 6800GT, so should I be alright?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: NarcoticHobo

So as long as you are in single VGA card mode with a good power supply 20 pin should be fine to plug straight into the 24 pin connection?

I have an ultra x-connect 500W and my vid card is a 6800GT, so should I be alright?

You can run the board in single or dual mode with a quality 20pin PS.

However I can't recomend the Xconnect! Search the forums here. Search for Skybums posts, his A8N system crashed and took out $2000 worth of stuff. Another guy posted that he took the PS out of the box and ball bearings or solder was loose in the box. And there are more.

The Xconnect is a very cool looking PS and the modular design is nice. But there are reports that it is a repackaged "chromed" generic PS. And there are way too many reports of failure for a newly released PS.

Wattage ratings for PS's are deceptive (like stereo wattage rating)
Its easy and cheap to make high watt output
To make high watt output, with fast and stable power rails, and proper saftey features is more expensive

*edit*
I must add that I have never used the Xconnect, I am basing my opinion on what I have read.
And I have read several posts from people using them successfully. But personally I wouldn't risk the investment necessary for an SLI rig on this PS.

 

[NarcoticHobo]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: NarcoticHobo

So as long as you are in single VGA card mode with a good power supply 20 pin should be fine to plug straight into the 24 pin connection?

I have an ultra x-connect 500W and my vid card is a 6800GT, so should I be alright?

You can run the board in single or dual mode with a quality 20pin PS.

However I can't recomend the Xconnect! Search the forums here. Search for Skybums posts, his A8N system crashed and took out $2000 worth of stuff. Another guy posted that he took the PS out of the box and ball bearings or solder was loose in the box. And there are more.

The Xconnect is a very cool looking PS and the modular design is nice. But there are reports that it is a repackaged "chromed" generic PS. And there are way too many reports of failure for a newly released PS.

Wattage ratings for PS's are deceptive (like stereo wattage rating)
Its easy and cheap to make high watt output
To make high watt output, with fast and stable power rails, and proper saftey features is more expensive

I have read all of those threads which have made me a bit uncomfortable, but as someone said earlier about a lot of people reporting problems with MSI boards, i think it is because a lot of people bought these supplies. They were cheap compared to OCZ and are high quality with cool features.

After reading several more technical reviews, where the power supply rails were monitored for deviations and its output was tested I can say it seems to be a high quality PSU even compared to the OCZ.