short on power connectors

  • Thread starter Thread starter nmcog
  • Start date Start date
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nmcog

Hi,

I already have two 120GB harddrives installed and operating as storage
drives but I'm now interested in buying two more.

But I have problem, I've already used up all the power connectors from my
PSU _AND_ all the 3.5" drive bays.

I have two unused ATA133 IDE connectors & two unused 5.25" external drive
bays

What can I do?

My case is Antec Entry Level Server 430W ATX
My motherboard is Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro (nForce2)

TIA.
 
Hi,

I already have two 120GB harddrives installed and operating as storage
drives but I'm now interested in buying two more.

But I have problem, I've already used up all the power connectors from my
PSU _AND_ all the 3.5" drive bays.

I have two unused ATA133 IDE connectors & two unused 5.25" external drive
bays

What can I do?
Click to expand...

External USB2 or FireWire drive enclosures:
http://mcsx.co.uk/shop/prodinfo.php?id=usbhdd35
http://www.gibtek.co.uk/hardware/hdenclosure.php
http://www.rlsupplies.co.uk/cat231_1.htm
 
nmcog said:
Hi,

I already have two 120GB harddrives installed and operating as storage
drives but I'm now interested in buying two more.

But I have problem, I've already used up all the power connectors from my
PSU _AND_ all the 3.5" drive bays.

I have two unused ATA133 IDE connectors & two unused 5.25" external drive
bays

What can I do?

My case is Antec Entry Level Server 430W ATX
My motherboard is Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro (nForce2)

TIA.
Click to expand...

You can just get some "Y" adaptors to allow two connections per lead.
As long as you don't exceed the overall ratings of your powersupply
you should be fine
 
As long as you don't exceed the overall ratings of your powersupply
you should be fine
Click to expand...

How do I find out how much of my power supply is being used already?
Will the TruePower 430W be able to cope with alot?

The current spec:

4x case fans
1x AthlonXP 2600+
2x 512MB DDR3200
1x WD Raptor 36GB SATA150
2x Maxtor 120GB UDMA133
1x GeForce FX 5600
1x CD-RW
1x DVD-ROM

TIA
 
Hi,

I already have two 120GB harddrives installed and operating as storage
drives but I'm now interested in buying two more.

But I have problem, I've already used up all the power connectors from my
PSU _AND_ all the 3.5" drive bays.

I have two unused ATA133 IDE connectors & two unused 5.25" external drive
bays

What can I do?

My case is Antec Entry Level Server 430W ATX
My motherboard is Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro (nForce2)
Click to expand...

Another thought - don't the drives come with mounting brackets for
fitting the drive into a 5.25" bay? If they don't, try Maplin or PC
World's "Component Centre".
 
But I have problem, I've already used up all the power
connectors from my PSU _AND_ all the 3.5" drive bays.

I have two unused ATA133 IDE connectors & two
unused 5.25" external drive bays

What can I do?
Click to expand...

As long as you don't overload your PSU, get a molex Y-cable aka
power splitter aka drive wye.

Best quality ones I've seen yet were sourced from PC Power &
Cooling. I'm sure you can get similar ones in the UK.
 
nmcog said:
How do I find out how much of my power supply is being used already?
Will the TruePower 430W be able to cope with alot?
Click to expand...


I doubt that adding a couple of harddrives will overload your 430 watt
supply...
I think they only draw about 5 watts each.
At any rate I've run multiple drives on my own system which only has a 300
watt supply...and there have been no problems
 
What size of power supply are you using? 400 Watts? If so you can buy
Y-connectors to attach to your current power connectors and that'll add more
available connections. If you've got a 250 Watt power supply, DON'T do it.
 
Antec TruePower 430W
From asking in a few irc channels, it should be more than enuf.
Click to expand...

I'm not using my normal news client, and can't find a convenient way to
pull up OP, but I have a 480, and it has at least a *million* connectors.
I think someone has way too much money for hardware, there. :)
 
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