4 Pin ATX for a 8 Pin ATX Motherboard

[ShaneTFletcher]

Hi all,

I recently bought a new PSU and a motherboard, not really looking into to much detail with what cables are attached on the PSU and what cables are needed for the motherboard.

I have found that the new gigabyte motherboard as a 8 pin ATX input but my PSU has a 4 pin ATX cable. Currently, I have just placed the 4 pin into the 8 pin socket as I know it will power the CPU nicely.

However, my question is -

I am looking to upgrade my CPU to the AMD FX-8350 series, 125w. Will the 4 pin in the 8 pin socket power the CPU if no overclocking was done?
If not, will a 4 pin to 8 pin converter even give me the power to do so?

[ShaneTFletcher]

Just an update -

I may have found my answer!

Buying the 'kenable 4 Pin ATX & 4 Pin LP4 Molex to 8 Pin EPS Power Adapter Cable' would allow me to connect the 4 pin molex socket to a 8 pin ATX socket without much cost at all.

But same question, if done so, will this give me power for the 125w fx-8350 cpu?

[Computer_Commando]

...But same question, if done so, will this give me power for the 125w fx-8350 cpu?

Depends on the PSU.  The ATX connector is 12VDC, 4-pin uses 1 rail, 8-pin uses 2 rails.  Your graphics card will also need a lot of 12VDC.  Read the PSU label.

[patio]

Sounds like a budget PSU...i'm assuming here.
I'd suggest getting one that accomodates not only your current setup but future upgrades.

[kyle_engineer]

Sounds like a budget PSU...i'm assuming here.
I'd suggest getting one that accomodates not only your current setup but future upgrades.

I would agree with that suggestion.

Read the PSU label.

I also agree with that. Your 4-pin will have a limit of amps that it can supply based on what the PSU is designed to deliver (this will be noted on the PSU label). If the 8-pin connection draws more amperage than what the 4-pin is designed to delivern you will blow your PSU. You don't want that because it will A) destroy the PSU, and B) potentially cause surges to hit other components in you PC. The adapter will not supplant the PSU's limit in what it can deliver. Unless I'm getting a totally wrong picture here.

The soundest suggestion I can give: get the right PSU! It will save you a lot of trouble and worry, not to mention allow for future upgrades.

[Calum]

My general rule of thumb is if you need to use adapters, you need a new PSU.  As mentioned above, it sounds like you have a budget unit, I would return it and get something decent instead.

[kyle_engineer]

My general rule of thumb is if you need to use adapters, you need a new PSU.  As mentioned above, it sounds like you have a budget unit, I would return it and get something decent instead.

+1

Good rule Calum!