why do newer mobos require added connections?

[CrypticInsight]

it's been a loooong time since i've upgraded my computer (6 years), but i've kept up with most of all the technology, except power supplies. so i'm just curious, as i'm building my new comp (amd64 3700+, DFI Lanparty Nf4 Sli-DR, Seasonic S12 600w, OCZ 1GB EL PC4000), i notice it requires a lot more power connecters to the mobo. besides the 24-pin + 4-pin, there's a 5v/12v FDD and a 5v/12v HDD. what do those two connections provide power to?

 

[_Korruption_]

Not completely sure (I've never been a fan of the DFI boards), but I'd say the extra power connections come from the fact that a SLI setup will ask for more +12V output. Perhaps the others are for overclocking stability, as those boards are known for overclocking.

 

[jonnyGURU]

The extra power connectors on the DFI boards are alternates to having the 2x2 or extra 4 on the ATX, I believe.

I seem to remember something in the manual about not using BOTH the drive Molexes AND the other types of connectors.

Just get a normal board like an MSI or Asus or something.

 

[Ice Czar]

The extra power connectors on the DFI boards are alternates to having the 2x2 or extra 4 on the ATX, I believe.

I seem to remember something in the manual about not using BOTH the drive Molexes AND the other types of connectors.

Just get a normal board like an MSI or Asus or something.

deja vu
same thing was done with the now standard auxillary +12V connectors back when (4 pin 2x2)


Power supplies become increasingly expensive

When I initially asked about this on a mailing list, Solaris x86 advocate Al Hopper told me I was drowning in my tea, and that it was "all very simple". I love the simplicity of Unix people.

He explained that the later P4 CPUs take their power from a 12 Volt feed and, using the onboard voltage regulators, generate the high current, low-voltages they need to operate (anywhere from ~ 1.6V to around 2.7V). So the first requirement is a PSU that has plenty of power available from the 12V supply. Since the older ATX compatible PSUs didn't supply much current from the 12V section you have to ensure that your new PS delivers enough current (or power in Watts) from the 12V section. That's why using your old P3 ATX PS is a big "no-no".

He then described the history of the post-P3 power supply mess:

The earlier Athlon motherboard manufacturers decided to solve the 12v problem by using an additional 4-pin square connector to get the extra 12V those CPUs required. However many older PSUs didn't provide the 12V 4-pin square connector.

The motherboard makers then wised up and decided that there was nothing magical about a square 4-pin connector, so they put a normal hard disk type socket on the motherboard and provided the 12v power via a standard hard disk (4-pin inline) connector. Problem solved - you may now use your older PSUs provided they supply sufficient 12V current (many did not).

Further confusion came from PSU manufacturers not specifying the capabilities of the PSU in a way that allowed the end user to verify it's 12V power output rating.

In the meantime the ATX spec was saying "use the new 6-pin" inline connector - and very few motherboard makers implemented it.

Just to be sure, some motherboard makers, implemented *both* the hard disk style 4-pin inline connector and the square 4-pin connector. They said "use either or both in any combination you like".

The spec then evolved to the 24-pin main connector. Again, most motherboard manufacturers did not wish to make their customers mad by mandating that they replace their power supplies. This might cause their customers to avoid motherboard upgrades. Some used a "special" 24-pin connector with the extra 4-pin connection blocked off, or colored so that the user could plugin a 20-pin plug into the correct end of the 24-pin socket on the motherboard. Many others simply ignored the 24-pin requirement in the specs. Again - problem solved - use your older PSU.

of course that mess is now sorted out with the standard 24 + 4 aux (ATX12V v2.01)
but with PCI-E 75Watt and the new 150Watt even more power is needed
Id definately take jonnyGURUs advise and wade through that manual or consider an alternative

 

[CrypticInsight]

The extra power connectors on the DFI boards are alternates to having the 2x2 or extra 4 on the ATX, I believe.

I seem to remember something in the manual about not using BOTH the drive Molexes AND the other types of connectors.

Just get a normal board like an MSI or Asus or something.

yeah i checked with the manual and i actually went to the dfi-street forum and asked/looked around there. the dfi techs on there replied with these added connection as a way of increasing stability, especially when overclocking the system. seems like they know what they're doing, since it's the flagship mobo for an oc'er.

deja vu
same thing was done with the now standard auxillary +12V connectors back when (4 pin 2x2)


Power supplies become increasingly expensive


of course that mess is now sorted out with the standard 24 + 4 aux (ATX12V v2.01)
but with PCI-E 75Watt and the new 150Watt even more power is needed
Id definately take jonnyGURUs advise and wade through that manual or consider an alternative

...i agree too...i wouldn't be surprised to see it become a standard in the future...it'd be nice if i actually had a psu with dedicated lines to those connections, as in the 24+4. maybe psu companies will catch on

 

[jonnyGURU]

I laughed so hard beer came out of my nose.

DFI's been around a long time, but they're not the de-facto.

"Increased stability" means THEY had to put the extra connection on THEIR board because THEY couldn't get the juice where it needed to be using standard connectors.

Please....

 

[Ice Czar]

standard in the future

EPS12V

24 pin main mobo connector (ATX12V adopted it from SSI) and an 8 pin +12V auxillary mobo connector (looks like ATX12V us going to adopt that as well)
and additional PCI-E 6 pin video connectors

 

[CrypticInsight]

I laughed so hard beer came out of my nose.

DFI's been around a long time, but they're not the de-facto.

"Increased stability" means THEY had to put the extra connection on THEIR board because THEY couldn't get the juice where it needed to be using standard connectors.

Please....

yeah, DFI has been around for a long time and they've never been much away from the norm over the years, but their newest boards receive the most praise when it comes to overclocking an amd setup. i'm assuming these mobo's are a result of newer blood in the engineering department (well not newer, but the likes of Oscar Wu from Abit). it's hard not to agree that their flagship mobo usually outperforms any other company in its class. and anyways, this mobo can run perfectly fine without the added connections.

 

[jonnyGURU]

I hope they "come of age," because although they receive "the most praise from overclockers" they also require a lot of support and RMA's.

VERY reminiscent of the Abit KT7-RAID of days gone by.... and THAT didn't have extra power connectors (nor do their boards six years later.)