PSU compatibility

Tsfcube · 01-25-2009, 09:44 AM

Hi,

I am trying to replace my Bestec-ATX-250-12Z RevC with a new PCPower 470 ATX PSU. I was assured that the new PSU was fully compatible. However, when I come to install the new PSU, the wiring on the ATX motherboard connector appears to be different. (This may be down to my lack of knowledge of course!).

The new PSU comes with a 24-pin connector, but also a 20-pin 'convertor'. All the wiring matches on each of the 20-pins, including the empty pin-18. The problem is that the old PSU has 2 additional cables:

Pin-11 additional brown wire (as well as orange)
Pin-20 additional pink wire (as well as red)

Does anyone know what's the purpose of these two additional cables? Do you think I can use the new PSU without them?

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks,
K

**wrench97** · 01-25-2009, 09:58 AM

We've seen this before try it, you will not damage the pc but last time it would not start and we never did find a solution. I'll look for the thread.

**wrench97** · 01-25-2009, 10:20 AM

Here is the thread it was a Bestec in a Gateway the PC would boot using cheap psu's but not any of several brands of quality ones.
Antec Trio 650w and Gateway GT5028 troubles

Tsfcube · 01-25-2009, 11:57 AM

Thanks Wrench for your help :-)

As suggested, I've booted the pc using the new PSU and all appears to be ok. All pc components are available, the fans are working although they're driven off the motherboard. I'm still puzzled what the extra cables were supposed to be doing?

Thanks again,
K

**wrench97** · 01-25-2009, 12:07 PM

Some of those Bestec units used the extra wire instead of increasing the wire size on more demanding circuits, I took one apart once and one of them went to the same place on the other end too, the second went to spot on the pc board with no other circuits on it??
And the one in the link I posted had The OCZ engineer so interested he wanted the power supply.

01-25-2009, 09:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tsfcube Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp	PSU compatibility Hi, I am trying to replace my Bestec-ATX-250-12Z RevC with a new PCPower 470 ATX PSU. I was assured that the new PSU was fully compatible. However, when I come to install the new PSU, the wiring on the ATX motherboard connector appears to be different. (This may be down to my lack of knowledge of course!). The new PSU comes with a 24-pin connector, but also a 20-pin 'convertor'. All the wiring matches on each of the 20-pins, including the empty pin-18. The problem is that the old PSU has 2 additional cables: Pin-11 additional brown wire (as well as orange) Pin-20 additional pink wire (as well as red) Does anyone know what's the purpose of these two additional cables? Do you think I can use the new PSU without them? Any advice gratefully received. Thanks, K

01-25-2009, 09:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,444 OS: Win7	Re: PSU compatibility We've seen this before try it, you will not damage the pc but last time it would not start and we never did find a solution. I'll look for the thread. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

01-25-2009, 10:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,444 OS: Win7	Re: PSU compatibility Here is the thread it was a Bestec in a Gateway the PC would boot using cheap psu's but not any of several brands of quality ones. Antec Trio 650w and Gateway GT5028 troubles __________________ Power Supply and Selection

01-25-2009, 11:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tsfcube Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp	Re: PSU compatibility Thanks Wrench for your help :-) As suggested, I've booted the pc using the new PSU and all appears to be ok. All pc components are available, the fans are working although they're driven off the motherboard. I'm still puzzled what the extra cables were supposed to be doing? Thanks again, K

01-25-2009, 12:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,444 OS: Win7	Re: PSU compatibility Some of those Bestec units used the extra wire instead of increasing the wire size on more demanding circuits, I took one apart once and one of them went to the same place on the other end too, the second went to spot on the pc board with no other circuits on it?? And the one in the link I posted had The OCZ engineer so interested he wanted the power supply. __________________ Power Supply and Selection