Hooking up all power connections

Before we jump into this section I’m going to cover the basic power connector types. There are square plug type connectors that are usually used to supply power to major components of the computer (1), for instance the motherboard or higher power graphics cards. There are standard “Molex” type power connectors that are used to plug in older type hard drives, CD drives (right) and Floppy Drives (left) and are also used to power fans (right) (2). All SATA type disk drives will use a special SATA connector (3), although some of these drives will accept Molex connectors as well. Some fans will come with a mini 3-pin connector that plugs directly into the motherboard for power (4). These are nice because they allow you to change the speed of the fan through the motherboard BIOS. If you are lacking the number of connectors you need converters and splitters can be purchased pretty cheaply. Now that you’re familiar with the types of connectors, let’s get them all hooked up.

(1)		(2)
(3)		(4)

First, you will want to plug the main 24 pin power connector into the motherboard. Most power supplies will have a 20 + 4 pin power connector which means that they are actually two different connectors that join together. This is so that the power supply will work with older motherboards that only use a 20 pin connector. There will be a mechanism to join together these two connectors to form a 24 pin connector. It usually involves sliding the 4 pin onto the 20 pin, or possibly a small clasp. Refer to your power supply manual for specific instructions. Some very cheap power supplies will actually not use anything to hold them together really and you just need to carefully hold them together as you insert the entire assembly. There will be a small tab on one side of the power socket on the motherboard. Line this up with the clip on the connector from the power supply and push the connectors together until they click (1).

(1)

Next is the extra processor power lead. This is usually a small four pin socket near the processor socket on the motherboard (1). Sometimes on higher power motherboards it is an 8-pin plug (2). Most modern power supplies will have a 4-pin plug. Sometimes the power supply will have the 8-pin plug that can be split apart and used as the 4-pin.

(1)

(2)

Next is the graphics card. If you don’t have a graphics card then of course this will not be necessary, and even some lower powered graphics cards do not have this extra power lead. But, if you do then it will need to be connected for the graphics card to operate at full power. Simply find the 6-pin square connector in the power supply harness and press it into the socket until it clicks (1). One of the pins are rounded on the edge to prevent you from plugging it in upside down, so if you’re having problems this might be it.

(1)

Now the only thing left are drives and fans. Simply plug the fans Molex connector into a plug from the power supply until they are snug and secure (1). Notice the rounded edge on one of the corners of the Molex plug. There is no latching mechanism for these plugs. For the drives you will want to locate a SATA power connector from the power supply and plug it into the corresponding plug on the back of the hard drive (2). The connector is shaped like and L and can only be inserted one way, so you might flip it over if it’s not wanting to go in right.

(1)

(2)