Old PSU with 4-pin on a AM3+ 8-pin motheboard

BFU2Miners

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Feb 18, 2014
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Hi, there guys I'm new here, from the past few months I've been learning a lot from this site, its odd the case when I google a question and can't find the answer on here, thank you all beforehand.

This time I got a question, actually It has been answered before but I'm not sure if it goes directly with my case so this time I will be person who ask it. :D

Ok. I just ordered some of the parts for my well desktop budget pc, is not the big thing so far but i'd like to know if could get it at least running for now, the CPU is a FX-6300 with 4GB DDR3 1600Mhz and a Mini-ATX AM3+ mb (Gigabyte lmt78-usb3 to be specific), 320GB 2.5" hard drive and got a small case to put everything inside.

The problem is the PSU, I got (for now) a Bestec 250-ATX-12Z-Rev.D which i took it out from a old HP (2007) PC, it says that support? 218W MAX and it also got only one 4-pin cable for the MB, the motherboard itself have a 8-pin(2x4-pin) connector.

So the question is, would It go fine if connect only one 4-pin cable to the Motherboard? will it be enough for that setup considering the CPU is 95W TPD, I wont be overclocking nor anything else, just browsing, youtube and play some of these indie games off the onboard GPU (for now), I'll be getting a Corsair CX500W next month but would like to test it out.

Also, assuming its enough for that setup, I have read you can't put any PSU out there, it might screw up everything if is a bad brand, is Bestec any good?

Sorry for the wall of text and will appreciate any help.
 
Solution
You most certainly can hurt something, a power supply getting over taxed can kill ram or other parts, HP uses power supplies that are notoriously bad and under powered, i wouldn't recommend them for anything but a paperweight. The CX 500 will be fine, but be very careful using that bestec, you could kill anything or everything. To use a 4 pin in an 8 pin power board, plug into the center 4 holes, good luck!

Nathan Willis

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Mar 15, 2014
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It should work. My Dad did that on his MOB and it works fine.
Try it and see you can not hurt anything.
Happy Computing!

You are on the right tract! Yes, a cheap PSU can mess everything up.
For good brands go with EVGA, Corsair and Seasonic.
 

Jaxem

Honorable
You most certainly can hurt something, a power supply getting over taxed can kill ram or other parts, HP uses power supplies that are notoriously bad and under powered, i wouldn't recommend them for anything but a paperweight. The CX 500 will be fine, but be very careful using that bestec, you could kill anything or everything. To use a 4 pin in an 8 pin power board, plug into the center 4 holes, good luck!
 
Solution

BFU2Miners

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Feb 18, 2014
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Alright guys thanks.

@Nathan I won't be afraid anymore of connecting a 4-pin cable to a 8-pin connector.

@Jaxem I'm going to take your advice, now is not the first time I read Bestec is bad, will wait until i get the corsair one.