Is a 4-pin atx power connector for my CPU okay?

[fiberbase]

My motherboard(MSI 870A-G54) allowed for up to an 8-pin ATX power connector for the CPU. My PSU (earthwatts 650w) has a 4-pin ATX connector though. Should I be able to use this fine?

 

[jimmysmitty]

You can use a 4 pin without any problems.

But, there is always a but, a 8 pin (4+4 pin) would be better. A friend had a low end 4 pin PSU. It blew out so he bought a Corsair 650w with a 8 Pin and not only did his CPU perform better and push his GPU more but it took less power.

He used to run WoW and it would take 90% of his Q8400. He then ran WoW and it would use 20-30% of the same CPU.

 

[fiberbase]

So the only way to have an 8-pin connection would be to replace the PSU? I thought earthwatts were fairly decent quality PSUs.

 

[jimmysmitty]

Earth watts are decent but there are no 4 to 8 pin adapters I know of. I think there are molex to 4 pin that you could use:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=196

Not sure how well it will work or if it will work at all but thats probably the best chance.

The additional 4 pins helps to supply better more stable voltage to the CPU.

 

[fiberbase]

So I'd just plug that in along with the regular 4-pin atx cable?

 

[jimmysmitty]

SO far as I can tell yes. I haven't needed one as of yet. All my PSUs are high wattage and always have the 4+4 pin.

 

[Timop]

Theres no real need for a 8-pin really, for most AMD CPUs, it really doesn't need the extra power. For that case of the Q6600, it is highly unlikely, unless his old PSU was horrible and it was undervolted.

But if you really want a 8-pin CPU, here is probably the most appropriate adapter to use. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812706006&cm_re=EPS_adapter-_-12-706-006-_-Product

 

[mosox]

It works without any problem.

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/4pinin8.jpg

Don't use an adapter unless it's 4 pin to 8 pin but it's useless, it works very well like I said.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812201005

 

[jimmysmitty]

Theres no real need for a 8-pin really, for most AMD CPUs, it really doesn't need the extra power. For that case of the Q6600, it is highly unlikely, unless his old PSU was horrible and it was undervolted.

But if you really want a 8-pin CPU, here is probably the most appropriate adapter to use. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812706006&cm_re=EPS_adapter-_-12-706-006-_-Product

For Intel CPUs, the 8 pin always helps.

Not sure on AMD but it never hurts because it is able to supply a more stable 12v to the CPU.

Nice mosox. Didn't know they made those.

 

[Timop]

For Intel CPUs, the 8 pin always helps.

Not sure on AMD but it never hurts because it is able to supply a more stable 12v to the CPU.

Theoretically, but there is a relativity factor.
Depending on what CPU he has, the more "stable" voltage may not have much of an impact at all.

 

[jsc]

The 650 watt Earthwatts PSU has an 8 pin CPU power plug. It's called an EPS plug. It's the same thing.

From newegg specifications:
Features

Connectors
1 x Main connector (20+4Pin)
1 x 4 Pin ATX 12V
1 x 8 Pin EPS 12V <==
6 x Peripheral
6 x SATA
1 x Floppy
2 x PCI-E