Motherboard ATX12V socket does not match PSU ATX12V plug

napalm900

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Apr 8, 2013
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Hey everyone,

I just gone to hook up a ASUS P8Z77-V LE Plus Intel Z77 motherboard to an old Corsair VX550W PSU I brought yonks ago, only to find that the 8-pin ATX12V power socket does not match the ATX12V plug from my VX550W (the domes and squares do not match up).

I'm 100% sure I've tried the plug in all manner of directions and that I have the right plug in the first place, the plug still goes in without resistance and I've read in other threads that the shapes (dome or square) do not actually matter but these answers have not been with much conviction.

Can someone please confirm that the shapes of the pins on the PSU ATX12V plug do not need to match up with the mobo's ATX12v socket?

Cheers
 
Solution


Yes, 100%. As long as the +12V power lines and ground lines show up on the correct pins of the motherboard that is all that matters. A "D" shaped pin from the connector will always fit into a square socket but a square pin will not fit into a "D" socket.

8-pin3.jpg

Edward Gelernt

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Mar 23, 2013
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Evidently, that PSU has a 20+4 main power connector. I know you said you're "100% sure" that you're using the right plug, but there is a chance that you're using the extra 4-pin connector from the main power cord. At least that's my first thought.
 
They are both standard ATX. The 20+4 pin should go in the 24 pin slot with the main clip going on the outside of the board to secure it. The 4+4 pin 12V should go in the 8-pin CPU power socket.

Based on the photos on Newegg they should match up just right
 

napalm900

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Apr 8, 2013
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Thanks for your replies guys, I'm trying to post pics but I'm still waiting for my membership confirmation to take effect.

Definitely not using part of the main 20+4 connector as the cables came separately sleeved, unfortunately there is no way the domes and squares can match up, the plug fits into the socket, my only worry is that because a couple of dome pins on the plug are going into square shaped holes that the polarity will be messed up.

here's a link to the pics as I can't embed them at this stage
Socket and plug pics here

One set of 4 on the PSU plug are all domes, and each set of four on the mobo has two squares
 
As long as the 4-pins on the right side of the 8-pin connector match up with the (4+4)-pin connector from the PSU that will serve as the key to prevent incorrect insertion. The other 4 pins on the left side of the motherboard's 8-pin EATX12V connector doesn't have to match.
 

napalm900

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Apr 8, 2013
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Thank you Ko888! Are you 100% confident of this? Just so I can mark it as an answer for people who may stumble across this thread in the future.



 


Yes, 100%. As long as the +12V power lines and ground lines show up on the correct pins of the motherboard that is all that matters. A "D" shaped pin from the connector will always fit into a square socket but a square pin will not fit into a "D" socket.

8-pin3.jpg
 
Solution

fauxpa46

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Sep 5, 2015
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I have the same problem, although I have a six-pin connector attached to a two-pin connector going into the motherboard, which has an eight-pin socket. I cannot seem to plug-in the two-pin connector attached to it. (The "d" socket and "square" sockets are reversed.) Does that two-pin connector need to be plugged in?