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[RifRaf]

Hey everyone,

My computer is up and running (I'm using it now) but I have a weird question about motherboard installation. When it came time to connect the PSU to the mobo, I stock the PSU plug in the correct socket, but there were still 4 holes left. Right next to the PSU plug is a 4 prong plug that fits in. I left it out because the instructions to my mobo say that for the CPU power socket, you only use 1 4 prong or 1 8 prong...you don't fill in the missing holes. Should I go back in and plug in those last 4 holes? Or should I continue to operate under the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mantra.

I have an ASUS p5k-e motherboard if it helps.

Thanks!

[shadowpr]

If it's working properly, then I wouldn't worry.

I believe that board could use either the 8 or 4 like you said, and will work with either.

[RifRaf]

Oh sorry, I wasn't clear in my post. The one I'm worried about is the main power. My PSU has the plugs labeled as "MAIN" and "24". The main is the big one and the 24 one is the one that would fill in the last 4 holes on the large socket.

[Cricket]

Are you saying your power supply has 2 big motherboard connectors?

Cricket

[RifRaf]

No, there's one big 20 pin connector and sheathed with it is a separate 4 pin connector. From what I read elsewhere, I'm supposed to plug both in to complete at 24 pin connector. I did this, and the computer runs no differently as far as I can tell.

The same site said I could do the same on the CPU power supply (use two 4 pin plugs to create 1 8 pin) but as my mobo's manual said to use one 4 pin or 1 8 pin, I've left it as a single 4 pin plug. Especially since they are labeled CPU1 and CPU 2.

Sorry if this is still unclear. I'm still not sure as to the lingo I should use to describe all this stuff.

[flanzig1]

You may start to see instablity under load if you had left out the 4pin from the 24 pin connection.
You would use the 8 pin CPU connection with higher powered C2D or quad CPUs. It wouldn't hurt the system using the 8 pin with any particular CPU.

[phigdon]

you have a 20 pin mobo connector and two 4 pin. one of those, the one labeled 24, goes in with the 20 pin mobo connector. the other goes to the 4 pin connector on the mobo. you need to pull the 20 pin and seat the 4 pin first then put the 20 back. you need to run it with the 4 pin on the main connection.

[RifRaf]

Thanks for the help! What phigdon said is what I have going and there have been no problems so far.