How do I know if my Motherboard will get enough power?

Qura

Reputable
Mar 23, 2014
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4,510
Hello,

I'm putting together my first computer server so I'm a bit nervous working with the hardware.

I have a Supermicro MBD-X9DR3-LN4F+ Motherboard with 1 Intel Xeon 2630, 2 4Gb Ram sticks, 1 NVIDIA Geforce 9800 GTX+, and 3 case fans plugged into it.

The motherboard manual says that I need to have both 8-pin connections filled, but the motherboard itself has a warning that says "For Heavy Load Configuration, Make Sure Both 8-Pin Connections are Filled."

My PSU only has one 24-pin Connector and one 8-pin connector, seeing as how the motherboard supports up to 2 CPUs and 24 RAM sticks (not to mention 5 more PCI-E slots), am I safe with just the 24-pin and 8-pin connected? If so, is there a particular 8-pin I should fill first?

Thanks in advance.

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182346

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117269

Graphics Card:
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-9800-gtx-plus

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
 
Solution
Be sure to connect these power supply connectors to the 24-pin (JPW1) and two 8-pin power connectors (JPW2,
JPW3) on the motherboard. Failure to do so will void the manufacturer warranty on your power supply and motherboard. (page 1-13 of manual) I assume they believe you are using their chassis with its power supply.

What Chassis for EE-ATX motherboard are you using? Using one CPU would mean half of the motherboard wouldn't work (memory slots, PCIe slots).
Be sure to connect these power supply connectors to the 24-pin (JPW1) and two 8-pin power connectors (JPW2,
JPW3) on the motherboard. Failure to do so will void the manufacturer warranty on your power supply and motherboard. (page 1-13 of manual) I assume they believe you are using their chassis with its power supply.

What Chassis for EE-ATX motherboard are you using? Using one CPU would mean half of the motherboard wouldn't work (memory slots, PCIe slots).
 
Solution

Qura

Reputable
Mar 23, 2014
2
0
4,510


That's correct. So far I'm only using CPU Socket-1, 2 RAM slots off of CPU Socket-1 and one PCI-E slot on CPU Socket-1. Obviously if I was going to slot another processor I'd want to buy a larger power supply, but I'm wondering if I can work around it for now.

The case is the Corsair Obsidian 800D:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139001

I picked it up second hand for cheap so I had to drill new holes for the mounting screws to fit the form factor of the EE-ATX, but it fits nicely and has good cable management and air flow.

I had looked into their proprietary chassis but I couldn't justify spending $600+ on a case right now. Do you think that's going to cause problems?