PSU connectors - what called?

Terry Pinnell · Apr 14, 2006

My 300W PSU on my 4-year old PC has died. It was underpowered anyway
(after adding extra HDs and a DVD drive) so I'm about to order a 400W
replacement. My problem is that I'm not really clear about the
specifications for the cables. Could I get a bit of help on that
please? For example, at this page
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/productlist.aspx?type=2&id=9
I see various models. For example, here are brief extracts for the
first few:

Vantec 350W Ultra Quiet Power Supply
------------------------------------
5.25" Device Power Connectors : 8 + 2x SATA
3.5" Device Power Connectors :

Thermaltake W0051 430W PurePower PSU
------------------------------------
5.25" Device Power Connectors : 2
3.5" Device Power Connectors : 9+2xSATA

Akasa PaxPower 400W ATX12 v2.0 Ultra Silent PSU with EPS
--------------------------------------------------------
"20-pin adapter for ATX version 1."
5.25" Device Power Connectors : 4 + 2 SATA
3.5" Device Power Connectors : 2

Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-450P 450W Active PFC PSU
------------------------------------------------
"24-pin power connector with detachable 4-pin section for backwards
compatibility with ATX 20-pin motherboards."
5.25" Device Power Connectors : 4 SATA
3.5" Device Power Connectors :

One thing seems clear enough. These all seem 'Version 2' (like other
PSUs I've been viewing). I guess I must have Version 1? So presumably
I need to be careful that the motherboard connector has an adapter so
that it will fit my 20-pin m/b connection.

But I'm confused about the DC connectors. My dead unit has 5
connectors each containing 4 round sockets about 2.5mm in diameter.
They were powering my 3 hard drives, my CD drive, and my DVD drive. I
assume therefore that they are 3.5" connectors? If so, the Vantec and
the Antec appear to have *none*, and the Akasa only 2 of them. Only
the Thermaltake seems to have enough. Am I right? Can't see how they
would be much use on most PCs...?

My unit also has several other connectors, of which the only one I
think being used was a small 4-hole one, a bit like a phone socket
connector, used for the floppy. Is that what is described above as a
5.25" connector? If so, why would anyone ever want 8 of them? I'm
pretty sure that must be a typo on the page?

I suppose I could take a gamble, or visit PC World tomorrow so I can
see what I'm actually getting. But I'd much appreciate a bit of basic
education please.

Rod Speed · Apr 14, 2006

Terry Pinnell said:
My 300W PSU on my 4-year old PC has died. It was underpowered
anyway (after adding extra HDs and a DVD drive) so I'm about to
order a 400W replacement. My problem is that I'm not really clear
about the specifications for the cables. Could I get a bit of help
on that please? For example, at this page
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/productlist.aspx?type=2&id=9
I see various models. For example, here are brief extracts for the
first few:

Vantec 350W Ultra Quiet Power Supply

Thermaltake W0051 430W PurePower PSU

Akasa PaxPower 400W ATX12 v2.0 Ultra Silent PSU with EPS

Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-450P 450W Active PFC PSU
------------------------------------------------
"24-pin power connector with detachable 4-pin section for backwards
compatibility with ATX 20-pin motherboards."
5.25" Device Power Connectors : 4 SATA
3.5" Device Power Connectors :

Looks you have mangled the power connectors on this one.

One thing seems clear enough. These all seem 'Version 2' (like
other PSUs I've been viewing). I guess I must have Version 1?
Yep.

So presumably I need to be careful that the motherboard connector
has an adapter so that it will fit my 20-pin m/b connection.
Yep.

But I'm confused about the DC connectors. My dead unit has 5
connectors each containing 4 round sockets about 2.5mm in diameter.

Usually called a Molex connector.

They were powering my 3 hard drives, my CD drive, and my
DVD drive. I assume therefore that they are 3.5" connectors?

They are both. The only reason they list them separately is because
of the length of the wire. The power connectors for the 3.5" drives
are usually further away from the power supply than the 5.25" drives.

If so, the Vantec and the Antec appear to
have *none*, and the Akasa only 2 of them.
Only the Thermaltake seems to have enough.

Nope, they dont make a distinction betwee them and
all of them can be used for any of the 3.5" and 5.25"
PATA drives, hard drives or optical drives.

Am I right?
Nope.

Can't see how they would be much use on most PCs...?

So you must have interpreted it wrong, silly |-)

My unit also has several other connectors, of which the
only one I think being used was a small 4-hole one, a bit
like a phone socket connector, used for the floppy. Is
that what is described above as a 5.25" connector?

Nope, they just dont bother to mention that one in the lists.
Because you dont need more than a couple of them and
most only ever use one of them, for the floppy drive.

If so, why would anyone ever want 8 of them? I'm

Terry Pinnell · Apr 14, 2006

Rod Speed said:
Looks you have mangled the power connectors on this one.

Thanks for the reply. On that first point, I don't believe I mangled
anything! Did you look at the page detail?
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=PSA-SP450P

Usually called a Molex connector.

Thanks, subsequently found that alternative term.

They are both. The only reason they list them separately is because
of the length of the wire. The power connectors for the 3.5" drives
are usually further away from the power supply than the 5.25" drives.

Not quite sure I follow you there? Both 3.5" and 5.25"? IOW, are you
saying that '5.25" Device Power Connectors' means the same as '3.5"
Device Power Connectors'? If so, why list them separately? Why not
just say 'Total Molex connectors = n'?

Nope, they dont make a distinction betwee them and
all of them can be used for any of the 3.5" and 5.25"
PATA drives, hard drives or optical drives.

What's a PATA drive please?

So you must have interpreted it wrong, silly |-)

Well, still looks very ambiguous to me. If 5.25" and 3.5" are meant to
be indistinguishable the ambiguity disappears, but seems daft to list
them so misleadingly IMO!

Nope, they just dont bother to mention that one in the lists.
Because you dont need more than a couple of them and
most only ever use one of them, for the floppy drive.

If so, why would anyone ever want 8 of them? I'm

You don't comment on that, so I assume you agree?

Thanks; at the very least I've learned I can't take the specs at face
value!

Rod Speed · Apr 14, 2006

Thanks for the reply. On that first point, I don't believe
I mangled anything! Did you look at the page detail?

Wasnt possible, you didnt provide a link till now.

http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=PSA-SP450P

OK, so they mangled the power connectors on that one.

Thanks, subsequently found that alternative term.

Not quite sure I follow you there? Both 3.5" and 5.25"? IOW, are you
saying that '5.25" Device Power Connectors' means the same as '3.5"
Device Power Connectors'? If so, why list them separately?

I was suggesting that maybe they meant a distinction between
which drive bay stack the lead could reach, not the style of connector.

Why not just say 'Total Molex connectors = n'?

God knows, the stupidity of that particular web site basically.

What's a PATA drive please?

Normal ATA/IDE drive, as opposed to a SATA drive.

Well, still looks very ambiguous to me.

Yes, but clearly it cant mean what you assumed it
meant if they wouldnt be much use in most PCs.

If 5.25" and 3.5" are meant to be indistinguishable the ambiguity
disappears, but seems daft to list them so misleadingly IMO!

Yep, and that is only the way that particular site lists them.

You dont get that listing style back at the
power supply manufacturer's web sites.

The particular site you got them from cant even manage to
be consistent, most obviously with the difference between
the Vantec and Thermaltake supplys.

You don't comment on that, so I assume you agree?

Nope, they dont even list the number of connectors for floppy drives.

Thanks; at the very least I've learned
I can't take the specs at face value!

Not from a retailler's site, anyway. The power supply manufacturer's
web site is a lot more reliable on stuff like that. Doesnt always help
tho, the Antec site doesnt even bother to list anything more than
the number of SATA connectors for that particular supply.

Arno Wagner · Apr 14, 2006

Previously Terry Pinnell said:
My 300W PSU on my 4-year old PC has died. It was underpowered anyway
(after adding extra HDs and a DVD drive) so I'm about to order a 400W
replacement. My problem is that I'm not really clear about the
specifications for the cables. Could I get a bit of help on that
please? For example, at this page
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/productlist.aspx?type=2&id=9
I see various models. For example, here are brief extracts for the
first few:

Vantec 350W Ultra Quiet Power Supply

Thermaltake W0051 430W PurePower PSU

Akasa PaxPower 400W ATX12 v2.0 Ultra Silent PSU with EPS

Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-450P 450W Active PFC PSU
------------------------------------------------
"24-pin power connector with detachable 4-pin section for backwards
compatibility with ATX 20-pin motherboards."
5.25" Device Power Connectors : 4 SATA
3.5" Device Power Connectors :

One thing seems clear enough. These all seem 'Version 2' (like other
PSUs I've been viewing). I guess I must have Version 1? So presumably
I need to be careful that the motherboard connector has an adapter so
that it will fit my 20-pin m/b connection.

But I'm confused about the DC connectors. My dead unit has 5
connectors each containing 4 round sockets about 2.5mm in diameter.
They were powering my 3 hard drives, my CD drive, and my DVD drive. I
assume therefore that they are 3.5" connectors? If so, the Vantec and
the Antec appear to have *none*, and the Akasa only 2 of them. Only
the Thermaltake seems to have enough. Am I right? Can't see how they
would be much use on most PCs...?

My unit also has several other connectors, of which the only one I
think being used was a small 4-hole one, a bit like a phone socket
connector, used for the floppy. Is that what is described above as a
5.25" connector? If so, why would anyone ever want 8 of them? I'm
pretty sure that must be a typo on the page?

I suppose I could take a gamble, or visit PC World tomorrow so I can
see what I'm actually getting. But I'd much appreciate a bit of basic
education please.

This seems to be off. There are the standard "Molex" connectors
(not the right term, Molex also makes others), that look like
you describe: 4 pins about 2.5mm in diameter. They power
allmost everything, i.e. HDDs, CDROM, MODs, etc.. These
form the bulk of the connectors. Then there is usually one
or two connectors for 3.5" floppies. Nothign else (except
some rare devices) uses them. They are much smaller and the
pins are not round but square. Then there are SATA connectors for
SATA disks and (recently) some DVD writers. You can get molex->SATA
converters.

As to the mainboard connetors, there basically is 20 pin and 24 pin
and additional 4 pin or 8 pin. For the old mainboard you
want 20 pin or 24 pin with detacheable 4 pin part. Otherwise
the connetcor may not fit. The additional 4 pins are added at
side of the connetor, so the rest does fit a 20 pin socket, but
there might be something in the way, e.g. a capacitor.

You don't need EPS, its for server-boards. Antec is a good coice,
if you dont mind much more noise than they claim. For quiet
I made good experiences with "Be Quiet!" branded PSUs.

Arno

Terry Pinnell · Apr 15, 2006

Arno Wagner said:
This seems to be off. There are the standard "Molex" connectors
(not the right term, Molex also makes others), that look like
you describe: 4 pins about 2.5mm in diameter. They power
allmost everything, i.e. HDDs, CDROM, MODs, etc.. These
form the bulk of the connectors. Then there is usually one
or two connectors for 3.5" floppies. Nothign else (except
some rare devices) uses them. They are much smaller and the
pins are not round but square. Then there are SATA connectors for
SATA disks and (recently) some DVD writers. You can get molex->SATA
converters.

As to the mainboard connetors, there basically is 20 pin and 24 pin
and additional 4 pin or 8 pin. For the old mainboard you
want 20 pin or 24 pin with detacheable 4 pin part. Otherwise
the connetcor may not fit. The additional 4 pins are added at
side of the connetor, so the rest does fit a 20 pin socket, but
there might be something in the way, e.g. a capacitor.

You don't need EPS, its for server-boards. Antec is a good coice,
if you dont mind much more noise than they claim. For quiet
I made good experiences with "Be Quiet!" branded PSUs.

Thanks, very helpful. Reckon I can't go too far wrong now.