Do i need 8 pin ATX +12V connector

[howardg]

I have just build a new system around a Gigabyte GA-MA790FXT-UD5P 790FX with a AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition RAM:4GB (2x2GB) Corsair XMS3 Dominator DDR Graphics: 512MB Sapphire HD 4670 Ultimate, PCI-E 2.0.

I retained the PSU from my old PC which is a Hiper HPU 4R580 (580watts) which only has a p4 connection for the board's 12v ATX connection. I plugged the 4pin connector into the GA-MA790FXT-UD5P 790FX's 8 pin socket and it powers the CPU. How crucial is it for me to use 8 pins which can be achieved by using an adapter made by Hiper but I have to use 3 of the PSU's modular connections http://www.hipergroup.com/products.php?lv=4&cate=1&type=30&pid=13&action=FAQ

Any advice gratefully received

 

[cjl]

Unless you're overclocking a LOT, the 4 pin will be fine.

 

[howardg]

Thanks for the reply. What is the benefit of having 8 pins. I am not planning to OC but I want the system to be stable and to take advantage of the CPU's 4 cores and speed as well as getting the benefit from the RAM.

regards
howard

 

[dokk2]

Hi there howardg,, ,,I have almost the same mobo [790FX-UD5P DD2 instead of DDR3] and a 7850be,with only the 4pin connector ,,,it's the voltage that counts..

 

[howardg]

Thank for the reply dokk2
Do you know what the max voltage I can put through the 4pn connector

 

[jsc]

dokk2, it's not the voltage that counts. The voltage will always be 12 volts. It's the power (voltage X current) that counts.

howardg,
You mean the maximum current. The voltage will always be 12 volts.

My OC'd Q6600 pulls 9.5 amps at 3.6 GHz as measured with a lab calibrated clamp-on ammeter. I cannot see any current AMD chip pulling much more.

Do you need 8 pin connector? No. For your system, the 4 pin connector will be adequate. 8 pin, however, would be better.

 

[howardg]

Thanks jsc

What benefit would the 8pin connector provide.
Thanks