New ATX Power Supply on old Motherboard

jagemail · Oct 10, 2005

Hi,
I have roughly 3/4 year old PIII Gateway PC with a standard Power
supply (ATX).
I recently got myself a new silent power supply for this PC but the
motherboards power signal connector is different on this Power supply
to what I have on my original power supply.
My current power supply has the standard 3 pin type connector that goes
on the motherboard but the new Power supply has a square 4 pin type.

So my questions are:
Have I explained my self well or I need to give more details?
Have I bought wrong Power Supply?
Is there a way around this - like getting an adaptor or something?

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Thanks

J Mann

Jan Alter · Oct 10, 2005

I'm having a little trouble fathoming what the 3 pin connector is that goes
to the board from the PS. My guess is that that the original Gateway PS is
propriatory and you may need an exact replacement going to that mb.
The 4 pin square connector on the new PS is the power feed for the cpu.
Four years ago that connector would not have been used as the mb designs
channeled current to the cpu through the regular 20 pin PS connector that
went to the mb. Today some of the newer PS's use 24 pin connectors. On your
board, for its age, you would not find a need for the 4 pin square
connector. However, you may be limited to an exact replacement on the
Gateway unless you can figure out what that 3 pin connector is necessary to
do and possibly find a way to adapt it.

If this were me doing this I would start by asking if it's worth the cost
to upgrade the machine for what my intentions are, as I hate throwing good
money after bad. If the PS is going and they wanted, let's say $70 for a
replacement, and money was tight I'd probably pay rather than rebuild if the
processor were say a P III 1.2 Ghz or faster. If it were less in speed I'm
dubious that I would put the money into it.
Understand this is all conjecture as I don't know your own individual
needs for this computer.

Davy · Oct 10, 2005

At a wild guess some power supplie are 'universal' meaning they will
work AMD and Pentium CPU's.

Pentium CPU's require an extra 12V connector, obviously if the board
isn't capable of using a Pentium then the connector will not be there
as it won't be used, the wire will be just coiled up and left
dis-connected.

Davy

Jan Alter · Oct 10, 2005

Pentium CPU's require an extra 12V connector, obviously if the board

More than a year ago many mb makers adopted the squarish 4 pin connector to
be used on AMD chips as well.

Skeleton Man · Oct 10, 2005

I have roughly 3/4 year old PIII Gateway PC with a standard Power

The square 4 pin connector is used to supply the neccessary current to newer
CPU's (P4 or later model AMD chips). You can just coil this connector out of the
way somewhere as you're not gonna need it.

The 3 pin connector puzzles me.. I have seen a 6 pin auxilary connector (looks
like the old AT connector, simmlar purpose to the 4 pin plug), and 4 pin molex
(drive connector), but 3 pin is new. Are you sure it isn't just a fan connector
? Can you give us a model number for the PC or the mainboard ?

Regards,
Chris

John Fryatt · Oct 10, 2005

I don't know what a power signal connnector is.

The 3-pin connector is most likely there for PSU fan control. Some
Gateway motherboards have that connection anyway.

You can look up the motherboard specs on the Gateway site if you know
the part no.

dannysdailys · Oct 10, 2005

Anonymouswrote:
Hi,

I would concur with most of the posters here, let me see if I can make
it simple.

The four pin connector you refer to, is a late model connection that
won't apply to your computer.

The three pin connector you refer to: Does this come from the power
supply itself on a separate wire? Is it a mini plug? Or, a similar
type plug your hard drive or ROM drives use. (the four pin one) If
it's a mini, it's likely you power supply is probably just checking
to see if any on board fans aren't working. This may be a Gateway
system to protect the processor. In that day, it was never heard of;
today, all high level power supplies have a similar plug. Some
motherboards have it built in. (mine does) Antec "True Power" units
all have it because they not only monitor your fans, they control the
speed of them depending on temperature.

Even so, Antec aside, this would still seem odd to the vast majority
of people that know old tech. Back in that day, it may simply be a
pass through connector for the on board fans. It's simple to check
it, see if the fans turn on. If they do and the computer boots,
don't worry about it.

You have to understand, you're talking very old component systems that
weren't used in the mainstream. It may be Gateway unique, but even if
it is, you should be able to get around it quite easily. It wasn't
rocket science then, anymore then it's rocket science now.

That said, I must agree with one poster:

How much do you want to dump into a dinasour? The answer is really
simple: What have you upgraded so far?

If that answer is nothing; and you look at how cheap mainstream
computers are now. (check this weeks Office Max ad) It's probably
time for a new one. You won't believe the difference and you'd never
go back.

Cheers

dannysdailys · Oct 10, 2005

Anonymouswrote
Hi

I would concur with most of the posters here, let me see if I can mak
it simple

The four pin connector you refer to, is a late model connection tha
won't apply to your computer

The three pin connector you refer to: Does this come from the powe
supply itself on a separate wire? Is it a mini plug? Or, a simila
type plug your hard drive or ROM drives use. (the four pin one) I
it's a mini, it's likely you power supply is probably just checkin
to see if any on board fans aren't working. This may be a Gatewa
system to protect the processor. In that day, it was never heard of
today, all high level power supplies have a similar plug. Som
motherboards have it built in. (mine does) Antec "True Power" unit
all have it because they not only monitor your fans, they control th
speed of them depending on temperature

Even so, Antec aside, this would still seem odd to the vast majorit
of people that know old tech. Back in that day, it may simply be
pass through connector for the on board fans. It's simple to chec
it, see if the fans turn on. If they do and the computer boots
don't worry about it

You have to understand, you're talking very old component systems tha
weren't used in the mainstream. It may be Gateway unique, but even i
it is, you should be able to get around it quite easily. It wasn'
rocket science then, anymore then it's rocket science now

That said, I must agree with one poster

How much do you want to dump into a dinasour? The answer is reall
simple: What have you upgraded so far

If that answer is nothing; and you look at how cheap mainstrea
computers are now. (check this weeks Office Max ad) It's probabl
time for a new one. You won't believe the difference and you'd neve
go back. Really

Cheer

dannysdailys · Oct 10, 2005

Anonymouswrote
Hi

I would concur with most of the posters here, let me see if I can mak
it simple

The four pin connector you refer to, is a late model connection tha
won't apply to your computer

The three pin connector you refer to: Does this come from the powe
supply itself on a separate wire? Is it a mini plug? Or, a simila
type plug your hard drive or ROM drives use. (the four pin one) I
it's a mini, it's likely you power supply is probably just checkin
to see if any on board fans aren't working. This may be a Gatewa
system to protect the processor. In that day, it was never heard of
today, all high level power supplies have a similar plug. Som
motherboards have it built in. (mine does) Antec "True Power" unit
all have it because they not only monitor your fans, they control th
speed of them depending on temperature

Even so, Antec aside, this would still seem odd to the vast majorit
of people that know old tech. Back in that day, it may simply be
pass through connector for the on board fans. It's simple to chec
it, see if the fans turn on. If they do and the computer boots
don't worry about it

You have to understand, you're talking very old component systems tha
weren't used in the mainstream. It may be Gateway unique, but even i
it is, you should be able to get around it quite easily. It wasn'
rocket science then, anymore then it's rocket science now

That said, I must agree with one poster

How much do you want to dump into a dinasour? The answer is reall
simple: What have you upgraded so far

If that answer is nothing; and you look at how cheap mainstrea
computers are now. (check this weeks Office Max ad) It's probabl
time for a new one. You won't believe the difference and you'l
never go back. Really

Cheer

dannysdailys · Oct 10, 2005

Anonymouswrote
Hi

I would concur with most of the posters here, let me see if I can mak
it simple

The four pin connector you refer to, is a late model connection tha
won't apply to your computer

The three pin connector you refer to: Does this come from the powe
supply itself on a separate wire? Is it a mini plug? Or, a simila
type plug your hard drive or ROM drives use. (the four pin one) I
it's a mini, it's likely you power supply is probably just checkin
to see if any on board fans aren't working. This may be a Gatewa
system to protect the processor. In that day, it was never heard of
today, all high level power supplies have a similar plug. Som
motherboards have it built in. (mine does) Antec "True Power" unit
all have it because they not only monitor your fans, they control th
speed of them depending on temperature

Even so, Antec aside, this would still seem odd to the vast majorit
of people that know old tech. Back in that day, it may simply be
pass through connector for the on board fans. It's simple to chec
it, see if the fans turn on. If they do and the computer boots
don't worry about it

You have to understand, you're talking very old component systems tha
weren't used in the mainstream. It may be Gateway unique, but even i
it is, you should be able to get around it quite easily. It wasn'
rocket science then, anymore then it's rocket science now

That said, I must agree with one poster

How much do you want to dump into a dinasour? The answer is reall
simple: What have you upgraded so far

If that answer is nothing; and you look at how cheap mainstrea
computers are now. (check this weeks Office Max ad) It's probabl
time for a new one. (a paper route will pay for it) You won'
believe the difference and you'll never go back. Really

Cheer

dannysdailys · Oct 10, 2005

Anonymouswrote
Hi

I would concur with most of the posters here, let me see if I can mak
it simple

The four pin connector you refer to, is a late model connection tha
won't apply to your computer

The three pin connector you refer to: Does this come from the powe
supply itself on a separate wire? Is it a mini plug? Or, a simila
type plug your hard drive or ROM drives use. (the four pin one) I
it's a mini, it's likely you power supply is probably just checkin
to see if any on board fans aren't working. This may be a Gatewa
system to protect the processor. In that day, it was never heard of
today, all high level power supplies have a similar plug. Som
motherboards have it built in. (mine does) Antec "True Power" unit
all have it because they not only monitor your fans, they control th
speed of them depending on temperature

Even so, Antec aside, this would still seem odd to the vast majorit
of people that know old tech. Back in that day, it may simply be
pass through connector for the on board fans. It's simple to chec
it, see if the fans turn on. If they do and the computer boots
don't worry about it

You have to understand, you're talking very old component systems tha
weren't used in the mainstream. It may be Gateway unique, but even i
it is, you should be able to get around it quite easily. It wasn'
rocket science then, anymore then it's rocket science now

That said, I must agree with one poster

How much do you want to dump into a dinasour? The answer is reall
simple: What have you upgraded so far

If that answer is nothing; and you look at how cheap mainstrea
computers are now. (check this weeks Office Max ad) It's probabl
time for a new one. (a paper route will pay for it) You won'
believe the difference and you'll never go back. Really

Cheer

dannysdailys · Oct 10, 2005

Anonymouswrote
Hi

I would concur with most of the posters here, let me see if I can mak
it simple

The four pin connector you refer to, is a late model connection tha
won't apply to your computer

The three pin connector you refer to: Does this come from the powe
supply itself on a separate wire? Is it a mini plug? Or, a simila
type plug your hard drive or ROM drives use. (the four pin one) I
it's a mini, it's likely you power supply is probably just checkin
to see if any on board fans aren't working. This may be a Gatewa
system to protect the processor. In that day, it was never heard of
today, all high level power supplies have a similar plug. Som
motherboards have it built in. (mine does) Antec "True Power" unit
all have it because they not only monitor your fans, they control th
speed of them depending on temperature

Even so, Antec aside, this would still seem odd to the vast majorit
of people that know old tech. Back in that day, it may simply be
pass through connector for the on board fans. It's simple to chec
it, see if the fans turn on. If they do and the computer boots
don't worry about it

You have to understand, you're talking very old component systems tha
weren't used in the mainstream. It may be Gateway unique, but even i
it is, you should be able to get around it quite easily. It wasn'
rocket science then, anymore then it's rocket science now

That said, I must agree with one poster

How much do you want to dump into a dinasour? The answer is reall
simple: What have you upgraded so far

If that answer is nothing; and you look at how cheap mainstrea
computers are now. (check this weeks Office Max ad) It's probabl
time for a new one. (a paper route will pay for it) You won'
believe the difference and you'll never go back. Really

Oh, you'll think fondly of it, but wouldn't even consider using it!
It's time..

Cheer

dannysdailys · Oct 10, 2005

Anonymouswrote
Hi

I would concur with most of the posters here, let me see if I can mak
it simple

The four pin connector you refer to, is a late model connection tha
won't apply to your computer

The three pin connector you refer to: Does this come from the powe
supply itself on a separate wire? Is it a mini plug? Or, a simila
type plug your hard drive or ROM drives use. (the four pin one) I
it's a mini, it's likely you power supply is probably just checkin
to see if any on board fans aren't working. This may be a Gatewa
system to protect the processor. In that day, it was never heard of
today, all high level power supplies have a similar plug. Som
motherboards have it built in. (mine does) Antec "True Power" unit
all have it because they not only monitor your fans, they control th
speed of them depending on temperature

Even so, Antec aside, this would still seem odd to the vast majorit
of people that know old tech. Back in that day, it may simply be
pass through connector for the on board fans. It's simple to chec
it, see if the fans turn on. If they do and the computer boots
don't worry about it

You have to understand, you're talking very old component systems tha
weren't used in the mainstream. It may be Gateway unique, but even i
it is, you should be able to get around it quite easily. It wasn'
rocket science then, anymore then it's rocket science now

That said, I must agree with one poster

How much do you want to dump into a dinasour? The answer is reall
simple: What have you upgraded so far

If that answer is nothing; and you look at how cheap mainstrea
computers are now. (check this weeks Office Max ad) It's probabl
time for a new one. (a paper route will pay for it) You won'
believe the difference and you'll never go back. Really

Oh, you'll think fondly of it, but wouldn't even consider using it!
It's time..

Cheer

dannysdailys · Oct 10, 2005

Anonymouswrote
Hi

I would concur with most of the posters here, let me see if I can mak
it simple

The four pin connector you refer to, is a late model connection tha
won't apply to your computer

The three pin connector you refer to: Does this come from the powe
supply itself on a separate wire? Is it a mini plug? Or, a simila
type plug your hard drive or ROM drives use. (the four pin one) I
it's a mini, it's likely you power supply is probably just checkin
to see if any on board fans aren't working. This may be a Gatewa
system to protect the processor. In that day, it was never heard of
today, all high level power supplies have a similar plug. Som
motherboards have it built in. (mine does) Antec "True Power" unit
all have it because they not only monitor your fans, they control th
speed of them depending on temperature

Even so, Antec aside, this would still seem odd to the vast majorit
of people that know old tech. Back in that day, it may simply be
pass through connector for the on board fans. It's simple to chec
it, see if the fans turn on. If they do and the computer boots
don't worry about it

You have to understand, you're talking very old component systems tha
weren't used in the mainstream. It may be Gateway unique, but even i
it is, you should be able to get around it quite easily. It wasn'
rocket science then, anymore then it's rocket science now

That said, I must agree with one poster

How much do you want to dump into a dinasour? The answer is reall
simple: What have you upgraded so far

If that answer is nothing; and you look at how cheap mainstrea
computers are now. (check this weeks Office Max ad) It's probabl
time for a new one. (a paper route will pay for it) You won'
believe the difference and you'll never go back. Really

Oh, you'll think fondly of the old one, but would never even conside
using it! It's time..

Cheer

kony · Oct 10, 2005

It was for fan control and/or RPM sensing. It is optional,
not needed for operation of the original parts and does not
need duplicated with the new PSU.

New ATX Power Supply on old Motherboard

jagemail

Jan Alter

Davy

Jan Alter

Skeleton Man

John Fryatt

dannysdailys

dannysdailys

dannysdailys

dannysdailys

dannysdailys

dannysdailys

dannysdailys

dannysdailys

kony