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ShAdOWmoNkX
05-07-2005, 01:47 AM
Happy Weekend! :D

I just got a ThermalTake PurePower TWV500W and I just tried connecting everything the other night.

I've never used SATA nor modular cables, so I wonder, why do the two SATA cables that plug into the back of the power supply each have a four (4) pin head but also a TWO (2) pin head? Both can plug in at the same time... but am I supposed to do that? What's the difference? If not both at the same time, how do I know which one to use? Maybe the 2-pin is a ground or a 3.3v connector? :confused:

Here are pics of the cable in question (there are two such cables); one end plugs into the PSU, the other two connectors are obviously SATA: http://www.frontiernet.net/~shadowmonkx/sata

On this page: http://www.thermaltake.com/purepower/w005758twv500/w005758twv500.htm

Please scroll down to "Embedded Socket Design" and note the image there. That's the back of the PSU.

The different SATA connectors that I'm referring to that plug into the power supply are:

top right (2-pin)
top center (2-pin)
top left (4-pin)
top left, just below previous (4-pin)

[alternative image, different vantage point: top left (4 pins) and top center (2 pins; the cable that is plugged in): http://www.thermaltake.com/images/power/w005758/layoutDemo.jpg]

Thanks! :cool:
ShAdOWmoNkX
05-10-2005, 10:02 AM
I can't figure out the answer on my own. =)
Fruss Tray Ted
05-10-2005, 01:10 PM
Sorry, I missed your original post.

I've not used Sata yet either but I would follow my motherboards manual to the letter and if not all connectors get used but it works, I would not lose any sleep over it.
ShAdOWmoNkX
05-11-2005, 12:03 PM
It's not the motherboard we're referring to, but the power supply -- it's modular, meaning you only plug the cables into it that you need. The problem is, unlike IDE cables, ATX, etc., there are TWO cables for SATA that plug into the PSU -- a 4-pin and also a 2-pin -- so I'm not sure if I plug in the 4-pin, 2-pin, or both. I don't want to damage my hard driveby either over or under-powering it.

Thanks!