GA-EP45-UD3P with ATX_12v_2x2 ?

[SuM-One]

According to my GA-EP45-UD3P manual it says that "Use of a power supply providing a 2x4 12v power connector is recommended by the CPU manufacture using an Intel Extreme Edition CPU (130w).

I have an Antec 550w TPII PSU that has a 2x2 12v connector only. I want to run my GA-EP45-UD3P and E8400 to >3.8ghz is a 2x2 12v connector on the TPII going to be enough?

If not would you recommend getting a 4pin molex to 2x4 adapter? Or a different PSU?

[jrazor247]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P with ATX_12v_2x2 ?

Yes, I would be interested int this too. The manual seems to indicate that the connector is only necessary for high power cpus. My E8500 will not boot without out it on EP45-DS3R.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P with ATX_12v_2x2 ?

It is HIGHLY Suggested, some of the new boards (This one included) will not boot with only a 4pin connected

I do not suggest adapters either, this can easily melt to your board, or cause a fire or worse. An EPS ATX 12V Power supply is recommend, it will have 8pin ATX 12V

[SuM-One]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P with ATX_12v_2x2 ?

Well, I went ahead and hooked up my TPII550w with the 4 pin only, and it booted and runs my E8400 in this board just fine.. Currently running the CPU @ 3.6ghz.. no problems. I am on the lookout for a good EPS 12v PSU though, as I plan to run a higher end video card in this PC in time.

But yeah, it booted and runs fine with the 4 pin connected (1 Sata HDD, 3 120MM fans, and 1 Sata DVD burner are on the same PSU)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P with ATX_12v_2x2 ?

Glad to hear it worked for you, I would suggest you not push the CPU to hard until you get a better PSU though.

Keep your eye out, I see nice sales at Newegg often for good PSU's. This is the most important part of your system, so don't buy something way cheap

[SuM-One]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P with ATX_12v_2x2 ?

I get pretty good discounts on the Corsair's at work, i'll probably pick up a 750TX or 850TX

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P with ATX_12v_2x2 ?

Cool, where you work at? Can you get me any discounts? HAHA, had to ask

[bluechipwi]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P with ATX_12v_2x2 ?

You may want to check your power needs at ... eXtreme Power Supply Calculator. Past 2 years running an e8400 mildly o/c, 8800/320 psu, 2 internal HDD and an optical burner with a 550w Corsair ... never had a power issue.

[SuM-One]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P with ATX_12v_2x2 ?

Cool, where you work at? Can you get me any discounts? HAHA, had to ask

Actually am a Geek Squad on site tech, so Best Buy.. discounts are sweet, and once in a while we carry a good PC product, we just got the Corsair TX series in stock. Our store discounts on components are often just another Newegg deal usually, unless it's house brand stuff or accessories. (As far as gifting discounts.. as usual a firing offense + plus after shipping it often would not be worth it.)

The Antec 550w has ben rock solid for me for the last 3 years, but after I put a GTX275 in a Q6600 system I had.. Prototype would crash within 5 minutes, so I have definitely seen it's limits.

[Psycho101]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P with ATX_12v_2x2 ?

That adapter is perfectly safe. The risk of fire is zero.

It just needs to be correctly connected. The P4 connector plugs into one receptacle. You then need to plug in two molex plugs from DIFFERENT leads on the PSU.

Doing this is exactly the same as having a P8 connector as each and every 12v connection is being drawn from its own separate 18 gauge wire.

Cases where there is a risk of fire with a P8 adapter:

1. Using wire to bridge the original P4 12V connectors to a P8 connector, ie splitting a single 18 gauge wire feed into two.
   
2. Connecting two molex plugs from the same lead on the PSU to the molex receptacles.