Safe to use an 4-pin to 8-pin 12v ATX power connector?

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naxol

Honorable
Sep 12, 2013
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Hi all, I am planning to upgrade to an AMD FX-6300 cpu with the MSI 970A-G46 motherboard, but I was surprised to learn it needs an 8-pin power connector to run, my PSU is a bit old so it only has 4-pin. (OCZ StealthXStream 500w). I'm on a REALLY tight budget so I can't replace that PSU before months from now.
Would it be safe if I used an 4-pin to 8-pin converter or do I have to replace my PSU? Keep in mind my current CPU is an E7400 with it's TDP at 65W compared to the FX-6300's 95W, so my PSU can more than handle that draw.
Thanks in advance.
 
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The two 4-pin sockets are usually wired in parallel and therefore electrically redundant on the motherboard so I believe the adapter is really superfluous and it will mainly depend on the gauge of wire leading from the power supply which will be unchanged at any rate. Being 500W and a name brand one would hope it's a nice sturdy 16ga or better which should readily handle 20 amps for 240w total to the CPU VRM's. Using the adapter isn't likely to gain you anything.

The suggestion to get a newer PS is generally the better idea (in order to gain two complete cables all the way from the internal power rail), but could very easily be an unneeded extra expense. As you noted, your 65W TDP processor is unlikely to challenge your 500w PS the...
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joesklar

joesklar

Honorable
Sep 17, 2013
358
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10,960
Those 4 to 8 pin adapters are always iffy.
The manufacturers of your hardware will always recommend that you use only true 8 pin connectors.
You will be held liable if something goes wrong.

Best bet is a new PSU.

Keep in mind you don't need a kick ass brand like Corsair; Aerocool is a reliable, cheaper alternative.

Best of luck.
 
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Buddywh

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Oct 24, 2013
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The two 4-pin sockets are usually wired in parallel and therefore electrically redundant on the motherboard so I believe the adapter is really superfluous and it will mainly depend on the gauge of wire leading from the power supply which will be unchanged at any rate. Being 500W and a name brand one would hope it's a nice sturdy 16ga or better which should readily handle 20 amps for 240w total to the CPU VRM's. Using the adapter isn't likely to gain you anything.

The suggestion to get a newer PS is generally the better idea (in order to gain two complete cables all the way from the internal power rail), but could very easily be an unneeded extra expense. As you noted, your 65W TDP processor is unlikely to challenge your 500w PS the wires leading from it or anything else. The 6300 at stock 95W TDP may under really heavy load but I am doing pretty well using on one 12v socket for my 6300 that's overclocked to 4.5G.

The problem would be if your MB's VRM design doesn't offer very good line regulation. In that case you may have unexplained lockups or crashes under extremely heavy loads... like running Prime95 or something similar. Normal useage would be very unlikely. I'd certainly give it a try. But if it lacks the second 4-pin that PS might be older and therefore not dual-rail so be careful if you're also planning on an add-in high power 3d card that needs a dedicated 12v of it's own.
 
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evalds

Reputable
Oct 9, 2014
1
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4,510
Hi!

My friend just bought new Gigabyte GA-Z87-DS3H motherboard and tried to install it with an old PSU.
Unsuccessfully looking for 8-pin connector, he plugged in 6-pin PCI-E :(
Of course, it didn't work.

Is it possible to burn motherboard or CPU in a such way?
 
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xfa

Reputable
Dec 15, 2014
1
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4,510


Not safe! I tried and after couple of weeks it nearly went up in flames
 
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