travisbrummett
New Member
im ordering a motherboard with a 24 pin main connector will a 20 pin or 20+4 pin power supply work?
need power supply help
- Thread starter travisbrummett
- Start date
Most new boards mandate a 24pin connection. That requires picking out a supply with either the 24pin or 20+4pin type main connector on it. On some of the AMD Socket 754 boards and Earlier Intel boards you could get away with a 20 to 34pin adapter. For AMD 939, 940, and AM2 along with the newest Core 2 Duo boards plan on using 24pins.
MagGoT_4_liFE
New Member
I'm almost positive a 20+4 pin draws no less power than a 24 pin. All a 20+4 Pin PSU means is that if you get a 20pin mobo you can detach the extra 4 pins to fit a 20 pin......(I think...)
There's no difference in drawing power there. The only difference is the type of connection. While some have only the 24pin connector the rest generally use the 20+4pin type to allow use on older boards as replacement supplies. The newer boards just happen to require the 24pin configuration for the difference in power distribution. The extra feeds now provides for newer features on the boards themselves.
ceewi1
VIP Member
Correct, although you can generally overhang the extra 4 pins when using a 24-pin PSU on a 20-pin motherboard.
DFI are about the most stringent in this regard, most of the others just 'strongly recommend it'. There's also the issue of whether an older 20 pin, ATX 1.3 PSU with a heavier emphasis on the +5V rail will be sufficient for a powerful modern system.
As I said earlier, it will work in many cases, particularly for budget systems, but I would never recommend it.
When first trying to start the Asus A8N SLI here the old Antec TP II 430w 20pin didn't cut it. Nothing not even any fan started. A quick run to a retail store for the TP II 480w with the 20+4pin saw the replacement board fire right up. I had somehow overlooked the now required 24pin power configuration on the 939 boards. 
It was one of those days when.... 
!
It was one of those days when.... !