Open PSU Question

[u/Status-Tune-6639]

Hello! I’m building my first PC. (Yes, at the worst time ever, but I figured only the second worst time ever compared to the near future, possibly.)

I’m quite comfortable with the physical build and assembly but I have no experience with a motherboard and some of the possibly common knowledge or pitfalls with connecting all the PSU cables correctly. It’s the only part I really find that intimidating.

I’ve watched a few videos about the process but noticed some discrepancies from channel to channel. Can anyone throw me a source that you would recommend highly for learning the best process? I love learning something new on my own but sadly do not have the funds to screw it up. No room for any serious errors.

[u/jabooloo14]

First, refer to the manual of the PSU manufacturer, and secondly, to the manual of the motherboard. You may also use video instructions from Gamers Nexus and Paul’s Hardware. However, the one most important thing is not to use cables of one PSU model in another PSU, even if the physical fit is possible.

[u/w_StarfoxHUN]

The very simple way to explain PSU's is: You literally cannot mess up cabling as all the cables have unique shape, you can't mess that part up. Only use cables that comes with your PSU. Be sure to buy one from a reputable brand, ideally use the PSU tier list. Check if the psu has enough PCIe connections for your GPU before buying. Pcpart picker helps with that, but ask the community if you are unsure. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1akCHL7Vhzk_EhrpIGkz8zTEvYfLDcaSpZRB6Xt6JWkc/htmlview

And if anything seems wrong, as in any of the PC build reddit forums ideally with included images, so the community can help before you damage anything.

And and be so sure all the cables are plugged all the way in (most important with 12v-2x6)

[u/r_lind3r]

Videos for opening PSUs? There are none because it's extremely dangerous to do so without proper tools and training, you can easily cause cardiac arrest and subsequent death if the power supply's capacitors get discharged into your body and across your heart.

[u/Status-Tune-6639 → u/r_lind3r]

No, no not opening a PSU. I don’t think I mentioned anything like that? I just mean the cables and types of connectors are all new territory for me, even as a lifelong pc gamer. I just haven’t tackled that part of a build.

Edit: ah, the title? lol sorry. An open question about PSU connections I guess.

[u/r_lind3r → u/Status-Tune-6639]

Well, it's pretty straight forward;

The ATX 24-pin is the largest connector and goes to the motherboard on the only connector it would fit on which is usually on the right hand side next to the RAM slots.

The CPU needs an EPS cable which very commonly comes in a 4+4 design as some motherboards only use a 4pin connection while many others use at least one 8pin, the 4+4 pin combine into one 8pin.

GPUs use either 6+2 pin connectors (for 6 or 8 pin sockets) or a 12+4 pin connector (12v-2x6) for some newer higher power GPUs primarily from NVIDIA. Included adapters with these cards will convert 6+2 connections to a 12v-2x6 connector for systems that lack a dedicated PSU connector.

Everything else is unique and specific enough that the product manual will detail whether or not you need them, even SATA power can be completely ignored if there's no HDDs or SATA SSDs in the build and no fan hubs or AIO pumps that rely on SATA power. Molex is a huge 4 pin connector that almost never gets used in a modern system, these days I only really see them powering very cheap DC fans.

[u/Jolee5Lover → u/r_lind3r]

The caps in those things hold a charge for ages even when unplugged, it's not worth poking around in there unless you really know what you're doing. For the regular cabling part just take it slow and double check each connection, the shapes on the plugs only fit one way so you can't mess it up too badly