ATX 8-pin blank removal

Corvid · 16 Oct 2008 at 19:55

Hello all!

Nearing the end of my first build, and I've noticed that the 8-pin ATX socket at the top of the board has a blank in it, covering the four left holes. The PSU has a 4-pin cable that fits the 4-pin hole, as well as plenty of 8-pin connectors. The manual doesn't mention anything to do with this blank, and simply tells me that forgetting to plug this 8-pin connector in will cause the system to not boot. Having had a little search, I found this thread, (http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17743980&highlight=atx+power+blank) which would suggest that it is simply there to "reassure" those who only have 4-pin connectors, and should be removed. Could someone confirm this for me? Probably a fairly well known fact, but like everyone first time around, I'd rather not mess up!

Cheers!

helmutcheese · 16 Oct 2008 at 20:02

The PSU should not have plenty of 8pin AUX connectors, make sure that's not 8pin PCI-E's your thinking of plugging in.

There normally is 1 8pin AUX on your PSU.

The 8pin is needed for high end CPU's and Dual GPU's, so if you have it use it if not try it with 4pins.

Corvid · 16 Oct 2008 at 20:29

Yup, my mistake, there's only one of them! The rest are marked "PCI-E8" and have a funny split side thing on one side. Looking at the shape of the contact housing, I don' think it would have fitted anyway, thankfully!

Thanks for the help helmutcheese, I should have a working system in no time!

Tetras · 16 Oct 2008 at 22:23

The connectors are keyed so don't try to plug the 8pin in the wrong way. Technically it is referred to as an EPS12v connector, together with the main 24 pin block.

If a motherboard has a cap over 4 of the 8 pins then it will usually boot and operate fine with a 4 pin but if you have 8, sensible to use it.

Having said all that I'd always go with the manual first, manufacturer should know how they built their own board!