Atx psu

[bmaverick]

Just a quick question here,

I have a MOBO with a 4-pin connector that needs 12VDC from the PSU. Can I use a PSU that has a PCI 6-pin connector with 3-12VDC and 3-ground and just plug it in there instead? Two of the pins will not be used since those would overhang.

Anyone ever seen this done or have done this?

 

[BarbaricSoul]

I wouldnt try it personally

 

[newtekie1]

No you can not do this, and if you did you would fry the motherboard because the 12v and ground wires are in opposite possitions on the two plugs.

However any PSU that has a 6-pin should have at least the 4-pin that you need.

 

[bmaverick]

Nope, my Dell PSU doesn't have a 4-pin connector, just the 6-pin type. Looking on-line, the 4-pin has two 12VDC power in a line and the 6-pin has three 12VDC in a line. So, thinking that 12VDC is just 12VDC, it should work in theory.

So, can I just flip the connector around to align the power where the power needs to go and the ground where it needs to go?

 

[newtekie1]

You can do that, but the connectors are keyed so they only go in one way. You'd have to rewire the connectors(and even then I'm not sure they would fit).

Or a better solution is to get a new power supply, even a cheap unit would be better than doing what you are doing.

 

[bmaverick]

You can do that, but the connectors are keyed so they only go in one way. You'd have to rewire the connectors(and even then I'm not sure they would fit).

Or a better solution is to get a new power supply, even a cheap unit would be better than doing what you are doing.

Well, I do own an exacto-blade tool to trim the PSU connector some to make it work.

Yes, getting an ATX with 20-pin and 4-pin MOBO power would be ideal, BUT, the highest PSU on NewEgg is only 350W for $35. The one I have is 600W for this tower.

One last option is www.Geek.com for a 4-pin molex flat to a 4-pin square MOBO plug. It's about $7 after shipping.

 

[Fourstaff]

How about you try it and report back to us? That way, you can sacrifice your mobo for the greater good.

 

[newtekie1]

What case are you putting this in?

 

[bmaverick]

The case is a Dell XPS tower. Nothing fancy. It's the mid-range one, not the 700 gaming series.

 

[newtekie1]

What XPS model exactly?

 

[bmaverick]

What XPS model exactly?

Actually one that had a blown MOBO and gutted mid tower. I have another Dell MOBO in there from a desktop that needs the 20pin connector and 4-pin connector vs. the 24-pin connector.

This will be a bastard machine for my younger brother.

 

[newtekie1]

Yes, but what XPS case it is, most of them will handle a standard PSU.

 

[closer]

The Watt count especially on generic power supplies don't count it's the Amperage. Also generics tend to lie or otherwise hide how much they can really output. A quality 300W could easily handle the system being a P4 era Dell.

 

[TIGR]

In my experience, Dell uses "ok" PSUs (made by CWT, Delta, etc.). I wouldn't categorize them with the generic el cheapos that have earned a bad name in the DIY community.

What components are in this computer? IMO you're best off doing this the "right" way—with a PSU that's designed to power a motherboard with the 20pin and 4pin connectors. And I don't shy away from modding PSUs so I'm not just being overly cautious. You'd be surprised what issues can pop up when using a PSU in ways other than that intended by the manufacturer. You could end up sacrificing a great deal more than $35 on a new PSU.

 

[Frick]

Yes, but what XPS case it is, most of them will handle a standard PSU.

Very few OEM towers does not use the ATX standard.

 

[TIGR]

Dell used to be notorious for using proprietary PSUs/wiring/connectors but I haven't seen one that didn't use the common standards in the past two years.