What kind of adapter is this? (looks just like a PCIe power adapter)

[CZroe]

When visiting my little nephew four states away, I decided to leave him with one of my 8800GT cards when it was clear that both of the 7800GT cards he was using needed to be RMAed (factory OC too aggressive; crashing games). Because the 7800GT cards were some of the few that used 4-pin peripheral connectors instead of PCIe power connectors, I needed to find a PCIe power adapter before leaving... the older PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 510 he was using was no longer "perfect" for him. Unfortunately, he lives out in the middle of nowhere and finding a PCIe power adapter during my visit proved useless. I did, however, end up with a strange adapter that I'd like to get some info on.

One of the shops I visited in the nearest town didn't know what I was talking about. I described it as "the 'Y-Cable' included with many high-end PCI Express video cards that you probably don't use due to the connector being included on most power supplies." and I followed that up with a desciption of the actual connectors.

I asked to see his video card selections so that I could point one out in the list of contents, but just then he produced two identical adapters exactly like I described: Two four pin Molex/AMP peripheral connectors adapted to one black six pin connector. It was still in a little bag exactly like the extras included in high-end video cards, so I bought it for $9 and ran back to finish the job. Unfortunately, one pin was keyed and didn't fit (square pin for non-square hole). Argh!

I ended up just having to leave the kid my own PSU (modular Antec Neo HE) and buy one on my way back home (the PSP&C TC510 wouldn't cut it). But I still wonder what that connector is. What is it for? Should I keep it around for future use? Is it a Xeon version of the 4-pin 12v connector introduced with ATX+12V? This page, though insightful, did not clear it up any.

On my way back home, I found $10AR Cooler Master 500w PSUs at Microcenter that would have been PERFECT for him. It's just so frustrating that I have everything I need for HIM here in GA (including the PCIe adapters originally included with the card) while he's got my PSU in WV! *grumble grumble*

 

[AmberClad]

What exactly were the pins? It wasn't this by any chance, was it?

[square] [non-square] [non-square]
[non-square] [square] [square]

Anyways, without seeing a picture or knowing the exact layout, I'm guessing it's a cable for a modular PSU. I know several that have 6-hole ports on the PSU, like the Enermax Liberty and some Tt PSU.

 

[CZroe]

No, it's definitely not a modular PSU cable. I'm holding it right next to the PCIe Y-adapter that came with the video card. It's exactly the same electrical pin out. The only difference is that the middle pin on the clip side is square instead of non-square.

 

[AmberClad]

Well I don't know...what you seem to be describing - a plug that is the same as a PCIe except for having a square slot for the pin closest to the slot - sounds exactly like a cable that fits some modular PSU.

Some examples:
Corsair HX-series (it won't be this one though)
Enermax Liberty
Tt Toughpower (the black ones, not the reds)
Antec NeoHE

I just feel like the various PSU makers aren't stupid enough to use a PSU modular port that could be mistaken for an industry standard port that's already used for some other purpose.

 

[CZroe]

Well, I compared it to my remaining modular PSU cable from the Neo HE and it is the same connector, even if it's not a modular PSU cable: Three-inch long Y-cable with two white four-pin peripheral connector recepticles and one 6-pin modular power supply connector. Only the 12v and ground pins are used, making the top clip-side all ground and the bottom side 12v pins (middle pin unused-just like my BFG8800GTOC's PCIe Y-cable adapters).

Perhaps some video card maker used those on their card because they still accept standard PCIe power cables and adapters just fine and they saved some money on their freebie adapters. It makes me mad that I could've just forced it if their crappy satellite Internet connection was working for me to verify the pinout.