Do I need a different PSU for a motherboard with 24-pin, 8-pin, and 4-pin power connectors?
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MellowPine47
I'm upgrading from an Intel system to AMD and replaced my MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI motherboard with an ASUS TUF Gaming B650-PLUS WIFI. The old board used a 24-pin connection plus two 8-pin CPU power connections, while the new board has a 24-pin connection, one 8-pin CPU connection, and one additional 4-pin CPU connection. My Cooler Master MWE White 750W V2 PSU appears to have a 24-pin cable and two 8-pin CPU cables, so I'm unsure whether I need a new power supply or an adapter. Is 750W sufficient, and would a modular PSU be a worthwhile replacement?
Answers
You probably don’t need a new PSU at all. The CPU power cables are usually 4+4 connectors, so each 8-pin plug can separate into two 4-pin halves. Plug one complete 4+4 cable into the motherboard’s 8-pin CPU socket, then use one half of another 4+4 cable for the additional 4-pin socket. The unused half can simply remain disconnected. Make sure you use the CPU/EPS cables, not PCIe GPU cables.
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The extra 4-pin CPU connector generally isn’t required for a normal Ryzen build. The main 8-pin CPU connection is enough unless you’re doing unusually heavy overclocking or running a very high-power processor. Your 750W unit should be adequate as long as it’s in good condition and your graphics card doesn’t have unusually high power requirements. If you still want to replace it, look for a reputable 750W modular model such as the MSI MPG A750G, ADATA XPG Core Reactor II, or Super Flower Leadex III Gold—but an adapter or replacement isn’t necessary just because the motherboard says 8+4.
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MellowPine47: I checked the cables again and realized they were 4+4 connectors that were clipped together, so I mistook them for fixed 8-pin plugs. That solves the issue.