You should use a 8 Pin EPS Motherboard connector (it isn't 2 x 4 Pin, just a whole 8 Pin), but you can use a 4 Pin older P4 motherboard connector aswell (plug into the left hand side of the connector as you look at it).
The corsair VX450 does have an 8pin EPS connector, that splits in to two 4 pin connectors, did you only plug one of these in, without a cpu? It might be booting it without a cpu that caused the damage, although it could be lack of power from the EPS connector. I am curious as to what 4 pin cable you used though?