20-PIN PSU VS 24-PIN Mobo hookup?

Glenn9643 · 05-05-2005, 08:54 PM

My Chaintech VNF4 Mobo just arrived along with AMD 64 3000 CPU and 1G Corsair ValueSelect RAM. My PSU is ANTEC TruePower 480 with a 20-pin connector. The Mobo has a 24-pin connector.
Each connector has a "latch" connector device at the center on one side. Should the PSU 20-pin connector be inserted into the Mobo connector "centered" so that the latching connectors line up, with two open pins on each end of the Mobo connector? If the PSU connector should be aligned with one end of the Mobo connector leaving 4 mobo pins vacant on and end, how can I determine which ends to align and which pins should remain vacant? The POS manual with the Mobo only says to "Plug in the ATX power cable to the mainboard's power connector and make sure the cable is connected". Also, there is no mention in the Mobo manual of the 4pin black/yellow 12v connector, but there's a connector on the Mobo labeled PW3. As the connectors seem to fit am I to assume that this PSU connector should be plugged into PW3? Thanks for any help here.

**The_Other_One** · 05-05-2005, 09:04 PM

I have heard some mobos are compatable with the older style ATX connection, I even beleive some without converteres.

If I were you, I would look around for a converter. I have no clue if yours is compatable, and it's better to be safe than sorry.

**Cromewell** · 05-05-2005, 09:05 PM

Yes the 2x2 connector should plug into the 2x2 slot on the motherboard, the 20pin should be keyed so that it will only fit the way its supposed to in the 24pin slot. It should align to the left side of the connector.

Glenn9643 · 05-05-2005, 09:26 PM

"It should align to the right side of the connector."

Thanks, but to the right side looking at it from???

**Cromewell** · 05-05-2005, 09:43 PM

sorry brain fart, it should be left side, the side the latch is on it the top side

Glenn9643 · 05-05-2005, 10:00 PM

Cromewell,
This is what I came up with from a "sticky" at AnandTec..."With the retainer clip on the right, the top four sockets will be empty. When the retainer clip is on the left, the bottom four sockets will be empty." I thought that most of these connectors were grooved or slotted so as to only fit one way, but mine don't seem to be. That's part of the reason for such a stupid question.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messagev...VIEWTMP=Linear

**Cromewell** · 05-05-2005, 11:56 PM

would you believe 2 brain farts in one day

? I was right the first time

Glenn9643 · 05-06-2005, 12:12 AM

Thanks for your help. That's how I've got it connected.
I've found threads here and other forums with pictures and detail indicating how the connector should be inserted.
I've connected the PSU connectors, including the 4pin molex black/yellow connector for the CPU, to the Mobo as pictured in threads where the system was operating. RAM, CPU, and graphics card installed. Powered up... and nothing. No beeps. No CPU fan. No Mobo fan. I've tried attaching the case power leads for the front switch but it made no difference. I've removed and reinstalled the RAM, CPU, and graphics card. There's power going to the PSU, but when I power up nothing happens. Not even the PSU fan...
How can I determine if it's the Mobo, CPU, or what so I can RMA? Thanks for any advise...

**Cromewell** · 05-06-2005, 12:53 AM

is the switch on the back of the PSU set to on?

Glenn9643 · 05-06-2005, 01:51 AM

Yes. I don't think it's anything that simple, but you can never tell. I've given up on it and will return to NewEgg tomorrow. Thanks for your help, and I'll try to remember and post results with new Mobo.

05-05-2005, 08:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Glenn9643 New Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7	20-PIN PSU VS 24-PIN Mobo hookup? My Chaintech VNF4 Mobo just arrived along with AMD 64 3000 CPU and 1G Corsair ValueSelect RAM. My PSU is ANTEC TruePower 480 with a 20-pin connector. The Mobo has a 24-pin connector. Each connector has a "latch" connector device at the center on one side. Should the PSU 20-pin connector be inserted into the Mobo connector "centered" so that the latching connectors line up, with two open pins on each end of the Mobo connector? If the PSU connector should be aligned with one end of the Mobo connector leaving 4 mobo pins vacant on and end, how can I determine which ends to align and which pins should remain vacant? The POS manual with the Mobo only says to "Plug in the ATX power cable to the mainboard's power connector and make sure the cable is connected". Also, there is no mention in the Mobo manual of the 4pin black/yellow 12v connector, but there's a connector on the Mobo labeled PW3. As the connectors seem to fit am I to assume that this PSU connector should be plugged into PW3? Thanks for any help here.

05-05-2005, 09:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,307	I have heard some mobos are compatable with the older style ATX connection, I even beleive some without converteres. If I were you, I would look around for a converter. I have no clue if yours is compatable, and it's better to be safe than sorry. __________________ Urban De-Development * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT * C2D T5250 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100 * G4 1.33GHz \| 512M RAM \| 40G HD \| Radeon 9200

05-05-2005, 09:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cromewell Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Age: 24 Posts: 10,021	Yes the 2x2 connector should plug into the 2x2 slot on the motherboard, the 20pin should be keyed so that it will only fit the way its supposed to in the 24pin slot. It should align to the left side of the connector. __________________ You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with 'til ya understand who's in ruttin' command here. I must plug a couple comics because they are good :D: www.ctrlaltdel-online.com www.userfriendly.org Last edited by Cromewell; 05-05-2005 at 09:42 PM. Reason: brain fart

05-05-2005, 09:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cromewell Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Age: 24 Posts: 10,021	sorry brain fart, it should be left side, the side the latch is on it the top side __________________ You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with 'til ya understand who's in ruttin' command here. I must plug a couple comics because they are good :D: www.ctrlaltdel-online.com www.userfriendly.org

05-05-2005, 11:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cromewell Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Age: 24 Posts: 10,021	would you believe 2 brain farts in one day ? I was right the first time __________________ You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with 'til ya understand who's in ruttin' command here. I must plug a couple comics because they are good :D: www.ctrlaltdel-online.com www.userfriendly.org

05-05-2005, 09:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Glenn9643 New Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7	"It should align to the right side of the connector." Thanks, but to the right side looking at it from???

05-05-2005, 10:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Glenn9643 New Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7	Cromewell, This is what I came up with from a "sticky" at AnandTec..."With the retainer clip on the right, the top four sockets will be empty. When the retainer clip is on the left, the bottom four sockets will be empty." I thought that most of these connectors were grooved or slotted so as to only fit one way, but mine don't seem to be. That's part of the reason for such a stupid question. http://forums.anandtech.com/messagev...VIEWTMP=Linear

05-06-2005, 12:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
Glenn9643 New Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7	Thanks for your help. That's how I've got it connected. I've found threads here and other forums with pictures and detail indicating how the connector should be inserted. I've connected the PSU connectors, including the 4pin molex black/yellow connector for the CPU, to the Mobo as pictured in threads where the system was operating. RAM, CPU, and graphics card installed. Powered up... and nothing. No beeps. No CPU fan. No Mobo fan. I've tried attaching the case power leads for the front switch but it made no difference. I've removed and reinstalled the RAM, CPU, and graphics card. There's power going to the PSU, but when I power up nothing happens. Not even the PSU fan... How can I determine if it's the Mobo, CPU, or what so I can RMA? Thanks for any advise...

05-06-2005, 12:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
Cromewell Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Age: 24 Posts: 10,021	is the switch on the back of the PSU set to on? __________________ You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with 'til ya understand who's in ruttin' command here. I must plug a couple comics because they are good :D: www.ctrlaltdel-online.com www.userfriendly.org

05-06-2005, 01:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
Glenn9643 New Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7	Yes. I don't think it's anything that simple, but you can never tell. I've given up on it and will return to NewEgg tomorrow. Thanks for your help, and I'll try to remember and post results with new Mobo.

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