Question about dual 12V rails (Power Supply)

Grandmaster_Z · 10-20-2005, 02:26 PM

Ok, so I have a question. I have a PS with dual 12v rails. The 12V connector on my motherboard is 4 pins (which is standard on all ATX boards, I think). The other power connector is 24 pins. Ok, So, the 12V connector on my Power supply has 8 pins, and the regular power connector has 24 pins, so that matches up. But the 12V connector has 8 pins, which im assuming is the dual rails (4 each). However, since my mobo's 12V connector only has 4 pins, I can only use 4 pins from the power supply connector. So my question is, am I limiting myself by using this psu? I've never seen a motherboard that has 8 pinholes for a 12V power connector? Can someone explain this? Thanks.

ebackhus · 10-20-2005, 05:25 PM

Does the 8-pin plug split at all? I've seen 6-pin plugs for server boards that use dual CPUs but never and 8. Any pictures or links we can see?

Grandmaster_Z · 10-20-2005, 05:53 PM

I think the extra 4 pins are for dual cpu server boards, as you said..

ebackhus · 10-20-2005, 05:56 PM

Assuming it's keyed properly you should be able to plug this into your board. Just make sure to verify this with any documentation that came with your hardware.

Grandmaster_Z · 10-20-2005, 06:11 PM

yea, it plugs in just fine, was just wondering why its 8 pins, never seen that before, then again, i dont really work with servers too much..

**UncleMacro** · 10-20-2005, 06:32 PM

The 8 pin connector is the EPS12V connector. It was originally created for server motherboards but it looks like MB manufacturers are starting to stick it into high power boards like ones with SLI. So it worked properly when you plugged it into the ATX12V connector (the four pin connector)?

Grandmaster_Z · 10-21-2005, 10:42 AM

i have an asus sli premium mobo, it only has 4 pins for the cpu 12v. but yea, the power supply 12v pin connected fine. The left 4 pins were the ones i inserted in the mobo.

10-20-2005, 02:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Grandmaster_Z Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 108 OS: WinXP Pro	Question about dual 12V rails (Power Supply) Ok, so I have a question. I have a PS with dual 12v rails. The 12V connector on my motherboard is 4 pins (which is standard on all ATX boards, I think). The other power connector is 24 pins. Ok, So, the 12V connector on my Power supply has 8 pins, and the regular power connector has 24 pins, so that matches up. But the 12V connector has 8 pins, which im assuming is the dual rails (4 each). However, since my mobo's 12V connector only has 4 pins, I can only use 4 pins from the power supply connector. So my question is, am I limiting myself by using this psu? I've never seen a motherboard that has 8 pinholes for a 12V power connector? Can someone explain this? Thanks.

10-20-2005, 05:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,275 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Does the 8-pin plug split at all? I've seen 6-pin plugs for server boards that use dual CPUs but never and 8. Any pictures or links we can see? __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-20-2005, 05:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,275 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Assuming it's keyed properly you should be able to plug this into your board. Just make sure to verify this with any documentation that came with your hardware. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-20-2005, 05:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Grandmaster_Z Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 108 OS: WinXP Pro	I think the extra 4 pins are for dual cpu server boards, as you said..

10-20-2005, 06:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Grandmaster_Z Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 108 OS: WinXP Pro	yea, it plugs in just fine, was just wondering why its 8 pins, never seen that before, then again, i dont really work with servers too much..

10-20-2005, 06:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
UncleMacro TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,133 OS: Vista SP1 My System	The 8 pin connector is the EPS12V connector. It was originally created for server motherboards but it looks like MB manufacturers are starting to stick it into high power boards like ones with SLI. So it worked properly when you plugged it into the ATX12V connector (the four pin connector)?

10-21-2005, 10:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
Grandmaster_Z Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 108 OS: WinXP Pro	i have an asus sli premium mobo, it only has 4 pins for the cpu 12v. but yea, the power supply 12v pin connected fine. The left 4 pins were the ones i inserted in the mobo.