Motherboard Power Confusion

JackMcLaughlan · #1 23-06-13, 11:39 AM

So I recently bought a GTX 770 and now I want to upgrade to Haswell as I am currently running an AMD APU. My PSU is a Corsair HX650, the problem I have is that on many of the mid-high end Z87 motherboards there is, instead of a single 8-pin, an 8 and a 4 or 2 8-pin power connectors, but my PSU only has 1 8-pin CPU power connector.

So my question is; Can I run a mid-high end Z87 motherboard, an 'MSI MPOWER MAX' for example, with only one of the conectors (and the 24-pin obviously) being used?

Many thanks.

Netroxen · #2 23-06-13, 11:49 AM

Not having all the power sockets connected will result in stability issues and the motherboard may not even post at startup without doing so. I'm pretty sure you can buy a Molex to 8 pin power adapter, or you may even be able to daisy-chain off the main ATX connector.

However I wouldn't advise running the system without all the connectors being used.

WillSK · #3 23-06-13, 12:24 PM

I may be wrong but i'm pretty sure the extra cpu 8 pin is for extreme overclocking and not a necessity for the average user. I'd wait for someone else to clarify this though.

I wouldn't consider MPower Max a "Mid high end board" though, i'd say it's well up there with the higher end boards as only the Xpower is more expensive

JackMcLaughlan · #4 23-06-13, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillSK

I may be wrong but i'm pretty sure the extra cpu 8 pin is for extreme overclocking and not a necessity for the average user. I'd wait for someone else to clarify this though.

I wouldn't consider MPower Max a "Mid high end board" though, i'd say it's well up there with the higher end boards as only the Xpower is more expensive

Okay, thanks for the help. when i said mid-high end i meant in price, as there are others mobos over double the price of the MPOWER MAX.

I think I will go with the ASRock Z87 PROFESSIONAL because its around the same price and it has 1 8-pin and essentially all the same features.

iBeInspire · #5 23-06-13, 01:48 PM

I'm pretty sure you can leave the 2nd 8-pin/4-pin alone on most boards, in the same way you can leave the 6-pin for the PCI-e slots. It's just meant to provide extra power but isn't necessary.

WillSK · #6 23-06-13, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackMcLaughlan

Okay, thanks for the help. when i said mid-high end i meant in price, as there are others mobos over double the price of the MPOWER MAX.

I think I will go with the ASRock Z87 PROFESSIONAL because its around the same price and it has 1 8-pin and essentially all the same features.

Have you looked at gigabyte's Z87 offering. Some great boards in there at all price ranges. Also consider the MSi Z87 GD65 gaming