I want to put two PCI-E cards (USB 3.0 and Xonar DX audio) in my HP 8200 SFF PC. Both cards need a 4-pin Molex type power connection. The PSU doesn't have any Molex connectors, or even any spare connectors, that I can see.
SATA power comes from what looks like a 4-pin socket on the MoBo, and then daisy chains to the HDD and then the DVD. There are only two power connectors on the cable. Also, there's another MoBo power socket designated for SATA optical drives, which is unused.
I have two ideas about where to get power for my cards.
1. Get a SATA power cable with a third connector and look for a SATA power to twin Molex plugs converter.
2. Get a SATA power cable for the unused optical socket, and then rig the twin Molex plugs to that. But I'm not sure that it's safe to plug extraneous power cables directly into the MoBo. I also don't know if the optical designation makes a difference. The power connectors look identical.
Any input or ideas will be greatly appreciated.
SATA power comes from what looks like a 4-pin socket on the MoBo, and then daisy chains to the HDD and then the DVD. There are only two power connectors on the cable. Also, there's another MoBo power socket designated for SATA optical drives, which is unused.
I have two ideas about where to get power for my cards.
1. Get a SATA power cable with a third connector and look for a SATA power to twin Molex plugs converter.
2. Get a SATA power cable for the unused optical socket, and then rig the twin Molex plugs to that. But I'm not sure that it's safe to plug extraneous power cables directly into the MoBo. I also don't know if the optical designation makes a difference. The power connectors look identical.
Any input or ideas will be greatly appreciated.
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