MSI K8N SLI-FI nForce4 skt 939 query

[mikeo]

Hi

Got one of these boards coming (when parcelforce gets their act together!) and was wondering what the extra molex power connector on the board was for? It's just above the top PCIe x16 socket. I've had a look at the manual for the mobo on MSI's site and it says something about it being "extra power for the graphics card/s".

Strange, I thought that was what the extra four pins on the 24 pin main power cable were for (though might have misunderstood). Also, even if you had two powerful graphics cards in SLI, each would have it's own dedicated 6 pin power cable connected! So what an earths it for. By all accounts there's a little red neon next to it that lights up if you don't connect a power lead!

Any ideas anyone?

Also while I think about it. I thought the board had three usable PCI sockets and I've since read that the bottom one (coloured orange) is for a wireless card! Now does this mean I can't use it for anything else? Must admit that the manual (at least the one on MSI's site) isn't that great, certainly no one has proofread it. Also no mention of any need to install chipset drivers! Me thinks there's a chapter missing.

Thanks...

 

[Big.Wayne]

I think the extra molex-header on the mobo is for when you use SLI or perhaps certain VGA cards that don't have their own power-plug.

 

[Tetras]

Yup, the issue with having an extra molex is because in SLI mode especially the cards can potentially draw a lot of power through the PCI-E slots. Some cards are not that far from the edge of the available power through those slots yet don't have an additional connector and either way you can't guarantee it; so it helps keep the board stable if extra power is required (if not then no harm is done, since board only draws what it needs).

 

[mikeo]

Thanks for that...

Did not realise that some PCIe graphics cards can come without an power connector of their own. So as suggested, I'll play safe and connect a molex to it anyway, no harm done I suppose.

Anyone got any idea about that bottom orange PCI socket. Just wondering if it's for some special MSI comms card (found some mention in another MSI mobo manual), or whether I can use it for a general PCI type card (EG. dedicated sound card?).