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Creating an atx12v cable

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - Creating an atx12v cable

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Hello,

I've an old Power Supply Unit with NO atx12v cable (the 4pin square cable with 2 12v cables and 2 ground cables).

The problem is that I've to connect this PSU to an asus motherboard that needs that cable.
Without it the system won't boot (already tried).

Now, I'm not going to buy a molex converter cable (it's a quite old computer and I don't want to spend money on it)..

I was wondering if I can cut two peripherals cable (getting from each 1 12v cable and 1 ground cable) and build up a square 4pin atx12v.

I've also a burnt PSU with an atx12v cable so I can take from it the 4pin mask..

I'd like to know if someone more experienced than me in electronics can please tell me if it's a good idea or a bad one.

Thanks for your answers

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Honestly, I think you can just use the old PSU as it is just fine. Don't go messing around with hacking up the cables. Not sure what the extra 4 pins are used for, but if you leave the extra 4 empty, it should still work just fine. You can look up the specs for the various ATX revisions to confirm it, but I think the worst that will happen if you try is that it won't turn on.

Reply to wathman

I'd look at the Watts on that old PSU and make sure it delivers what the board wants - Asus site should tell you that.

If so, see no reason not to do it. Get some real insulated wire connectors for it, rather than just cutting, twisting and taping. I just did this for my new re-build to give myself 4 more molex drive connectors, working fine. I used the main cables from an old PS as the base and joined them to the wires from a molex fan cable.

Don't try popping the pins out of the molex, they never seem to work well again for me, too loose and the pins pop out when attaching. Just cut the wires long enough to join them.

Reply to mongox

If your power supply does not have the 4 pin CPU power connector i would suggest you get a new one, which would cost you more, spending 60 on a new PSU or having it overstress and blow up? Modern systems require mostly 12 volt power as of ATX 2.0, older 1.x PSUs provided most of their power on the 3.3 and 5 volt rails and would not be capable of powering a modern system with even a low end graphics card. Molex connector mods, fine, CPU connector mod, eh i wouldnt do it.

Reply to hunter315

Good advice hunter! Heck, I go this one for $25 last week, now it's $29 but free shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817339012

Here's what I mean by good connectors:

Reply to mongox

You never ever ever want to get one with the little red switch though, it doesnt have active power factor correction and wont have nearly as good ripple suppression. Post your system specs and we can help you find a good PSU that will have the connectors you need.

You dont want to get the cheapest PSU you can find, for example this one is super cheap
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] dmax%20450
but i am 90% certain due to the front fan that it is the PSU used in the corsair video
http://corsair.com/cinema/movie.aspx?id=622747

Reply to hunter315

LOL, thought you were talking about my PSU - glad you weren't. Heck, I figured a $35 PSU was good enough for my system - I'm talking like my mother did now, valuing something at its "regular price" despite my degree in economics. OK, it's a $25 PSU!

I'll go out on a limb and personally recommend the one like mine in the case below - that's the link above! If it fails, I'll send you the one at the top of this picture! (See, it says 350W and "Good" on it!) And yes, I have 7 IDE drives in that case, plus the CD.

Message edited by mongox on 09-02-2009 at 08:14:28 PM

Reply to mongox

that's a scary looking computer. I bet your room stays nice and toasty in the winter

Reply to wathman

now if frankenstein ever had a pc that would be it

Reply to obsidian86

add a nice big scissor switch and a Jacob's ladder on the top... then all you're missing is a hunchback named Igor.

Reply to wathman

yesh masteh

Reply to obsidian86

Heck, I took the time to do that nice antiquing on the case edges too! The case temp is under 40C btw and most of the drives will go back on the shelves as long-term backups.

Yeah, I could go for a nice Jacob's ladder, although I like those circle of fire things too.

I do have a couple of Lava lamps on the desk with it. Can't put em too close tho, they put off a fair bit of heat themselves.

Hmmmm, I have a Lava lamp body which doesn't heat up enough to bubble with its light bulb. I wonder if I put it INSIDE the case...

Message edited by mongox on 09-02-2009 at 09:01:42 PM

Reply to mongox

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Creating an atx12v cable

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - Creating an atx12v cable