4-pin ATX 12v power connector same as P4 connector?

[ShAdOWmoNkX]

Hi there,

My ATX power supply is old and does not have the "4-pin ATX 12V Power connector" needed for my forthcoming AMD Athlon 64-based motherboard (socket 939)..

1.> Is that 12v connection required?

2.> Where can I get some kind of an adapter (and cheaply)?

3.> Is it the same as a P4 connection used for Pentium 4 motherboards, or is this one different?

I'm guessing that this adapter may LOOK the same, but the pin assignment is different, meaning a P4 adapter put in that 12v ATX port will toast everything..

4.> Would this be accurate? http://www.xpcgear.com/p412volt.html

5.> If not, what about item #1452 on this page? http://www.stayonline.com/power_supply_cables/index.asp

How can I tell the difference?

Sorry or all the idiotic questions... and thanks a lot!

[jlreich]

1. Yes it is required. If the mobo has the 4pin connector, then it is needed.

2. Both the links in 4. and 5. should work just fine.

3. Yes it is the same for Intel or AMD motherboards.


My only question is does your PSU has enough power to run the AMD64 mobo? A minimum of 400W PSU is recommended for modern systems. I was just thinking that if your PSU does not have a 4 pin connector, I may be old and of low wattage.

[ShAdOWmoNkX]

Thanks a lot, JLReich, I appreciate it!

Here's hoping you're right 'cuz I'll toast everything if you're not! :p

And yup, PSU is exactly 400 W (I'm giving it to my Stepmom as I'm building a computer for her via my Dad and as I'm upgrading also, am getting myself a new 500 Watt-er).

T'care,

[jlreich]

They call it a P4 power connector because Intel came up with it, but AMD later adopted it to use in their systems. It will work, don't worry. ;)