PSU Cords and Size Questions

Unit Alpha · 06-30-2008, 06:52 AM

I want to upgrade my PSU to something more powerful. I had heard that many brand name computers use a PSU that is specifically fitted to the case. I would like to know the standard dimension of a replacement PSU or any information you could give me. Also when I look at the PSU specifications, I notice that they never list a that they have an ATA cord just a SATA. Is the ATA cord a standard peripheral cord or what? This is what the cord listing looked like on one of the PSUs.

1 x Main connector (20+4Pin)
1 x 12V(P4)
4 x peripheral
1 x SATA
2 x Floppy

Any thoughts? Thanks.

TyDeacon · 06-30-2008, 07:25 AM

Most power supplies conform to the ATX form which is the standard size. The other alternative is the micro ATX which is smaller then the ATX. The standard cord is IDE but they also have SATA as well. Hope this helps.

Unit Alpha · 06-30-2008, 12:12 PM

Thanks and is the ATA cord a basic cord that comes with all PSUs?

TyDeacon · 06-30-2008, 04:59 PM

Not in the past but now it is more common

magnethead · 06-30-2008, 10:58 PM

the ATA is considered a molex peripheral. I'm seeing more and more SATA only PSU's now unfortunately as IDE is phased out and SATA phased in.

zaknafein72 · 07-02-2008, 11:43 AM

Just to clarify, there are two different interfaces here: the data interface and the power interface. Older devices use ATA or IDE cables for data and molex connectors for power. Newer devices use SATA cables for data and SATA connectors for power (these two SATA connectors are different, however.) Power supplies aren't concerned with what type of data the device is moving; they only provide the power. So, you will find two different types of connectors on PSUs, molex and SATA power (not counting motherboard and video card power cables.)

However, if you have too many molex connectors compared to SATA or vice versa, you can just go to your local computer store and pick up an SATA to molex converter cable, or molex to SATA. These are usually only about 2-3 $.

Hope that helps!

zaknafein72 · 07-02-2008, 11:45 AM

Oh, and unless you need some kind of weird proprietary PSU from Dell or HP or something, nearly all PSUs are pretty standard. Any PSU labeled ATX should be the same size (or nearly identical) and should fit in an ATX case.

wrench97 · 07-02-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unit Alpha

I want to upgrade my PSU to something more powerful. I had heard that many brand name computers use a PSU that is specifically fitted to the case. I would like to know the standard dimension of a replacement PSU or any information you could give me. Also when I look at the PSU specifications, I notice that they never list a that they have an ATA cord just a SATA. Is the ATA cord a standard peripheral cord or what? This is what the cord listing looked like on one of the PSUs.

1 x Main connector (20+4Pin)
1 x 12V(P4)
4 x peripheral
1 x SATA
2 x Floppy

Any thoughts? Thanks.

What Brand and Model PC do you have?

**linderman** · 07-02-2008, 06:40 PM

As the WRENCH is implying here: you need to do some homework

A) what are the dimesions of your existing power supply (nearest 1/4 of an inch is close enough)

B) what is the pinout of your existing power supply

by the sounds of your very limited number of connections on that power supply; its sounds like you are playing around with a "blue light special" ................. cheap price and NO quality

magnethead · 07-03-2008, 06:49 PM

a good PSU:

20+4 ATX power
4 pin AND 8 pin CPU power
8 pin and dual 6 pin gfx power OR 8 pin and 6 pin with 8-to-6 adapter
6+ molex power
6+ SATA power
2 or more 12V rails (listed 12V1, 12V2, 12V3, 12V4, ect)

**linderman** · 07-04-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnethead

a good PSU:

20+4 ATX power
4 pin AND 8 pin CPU power
8 pin and dual 6 pin gfx power OR 8 pin and 6 pin with 8-to-6 adapter
6+ molex power
6+ SATA power
2 or more 12V rails (listed 12V1, 12V2, 12V3, 12V4, ect)

thats what I am talking about:

magnethead · 07-04-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linderman

thats what I am talking about:

only cuz I overbuilt on my PSU...these toughpowers seem to have a plug for every single thing made, and even things they aint come up with yet.

06-30-2008, 06:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Unit Alpha Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP	PSU Cords and Size Questions I want to upgrade my PSU to something more powerful. I had heard that many brand name computers use a PSU that is specifically fitted to the case. I would like to know the standard dimension of a replacement PSU or any information you could give me. Also when I look at the PSU specifications, I notice that they never list a that they have an ATA cord just a SATA. Is the ATA cord a standard peripheral cord or what? This is what the cord listing looked like on one of the PSUs. 1 x Main connector (20+4Pin) 1 x 12V(P4) 4 x peripheral 1 x SATA 2 x Floppy Any thoughts? Thanks. Last edited by Unit Alpha : 06-30-2008 at 06:53 AM.

06-30-2008, 07:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
TyDeacon Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 173 OS: XP	Re: PSU Cords and Size Questions Most power supplies conform to the ATX form which is the standard size. The other alternative is the micro ATX which is smaller then the ATX. The standard cord is IDE but they also have SATA as well. Hope this helps. __________________ Tyler Deacon A+ Certified

06-30-2008, 12:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Unit Alpha Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP	Re: PSU Cords and Size Questions Thanks and is the ATA cord a basic cord that comes with all PSUs?

06-30-2008, 04:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
TyDeacon Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 173 OS: XP	Re: PSU Cords and Size Questions Not in the past but now it is more common __________________ Tyler Deacon A+ Certified

06-30-2008, 10:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
magnethead Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,786 OS: XPH, 2K My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: PSU Cords and Size Questions the ATA is considered a molex peripheral. I'm seeing more and more SATA only PSU's now unfortunately as IDE is phased out and SATA phased in. __________________ AIM me: MAGNET794 For proper support: what are you running? video card, cpu, m/board, ram, power supply, brand, wattage, any error message? PCI-E requires 26 amps at 12 volts. That's a 650W PSU. Power Supply Info and Selection . Info on thermal compounds & application . TEST PSU USING MULTI-METER

07-02-2008, 11:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
zaknafein72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 128 OS: xp	Re: PSU Cords and Size Questions Just to clarify, there are two different interfaces here: the data interface and the power interface. Older devices use ATA or IDE cables for data and molex connectors for power. Newer devices use SATA cables for data and SATA connectors for power (these two SATA connectors are different, however.) Power supplies aren't concerned with what type of data the device is moving; they only provide the power. So, you will find two different types of connectors on PSUs, molex and SATA power (not counting motherboard and video card power cables.) However, if you have too many molex connectors compared to SATA or vice versa, you can just go to your local computer store and pick up an SATA to molex converter cable, or molex to SATA. These are usually only about 2-3 $. Hope that helps!

07-02-2008, 11:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
zaknafein72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 128 OS: xp	Re: PSU Cords and Size Questions Oh, and unless you need some kind of weird proprietary PSU from Dell or HP or something, nearly all PSUs are pretty standard. Any PSU labeled ATX should be the same size (or nearly identical) and should fit in an ATX case.

07-02-2008, 06:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 13,742 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: PSU Cords and Size Questions As the WRENCH is implying here: you need to do some homework A) what are the dimesions of your existing power supply (nearest 1/4 of an inch is close enough) B) what is the pinout of your existing power supply by the sounds of your very limited number of connections on that power supply; its sounds like you are playing around with a "blue light special" ................. cheap price and NO quality __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

07-03-2008, 06:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
magnethead Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,786 OS: XPH, 2K My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: PSU Cords and Size Questions a good PSU: 20+4 ATX power 4 pin AND 8 pin CPU power 8 pin and dual 6 pin gfx power OR 8 pin and 6 pin with 8-to-6 adapter 6+ molex power 6+ SATA power 2 or more 12V rails (listed 12V1, 12V2, 12V3, 12V4, ect) __________________ AIM me: MAGNET794 For proper support: what are you running? video card, cpu, m/board, ram, power supply, brand, wattage, any error message? PCI-E requires 26 amps at 12 volts. That's a 650W PSU. Power Supply Info and Selection . Info on thermal compounds & application . TEST PSU USING MULTI-METER