Power Supply and Motherboards

AirPower4ever · 27 Apr 2015

I have several systems throughout my home and they are from different gens. One is a P8P67 Pro, another is an H77M and the other is the Asus Gryphon.

When I built these they were not replacements, but additional computers in the home. But now I am going to plan on replacing one and then it hit me. Can I use the same power supply with the new boards of today?

The systems are HTPC's and are not used all day or everyday; just occasionally. So I was just wondering if I have to buy new power supplies with the new motherboards or are the ones I have just fine with today's motherboards? They are over the top as they are 750W, but again they are HTPC's with just a single SSD in them. Video cards are the GT line and not the GTX ones.

Thanks

fireberd · 27 Apr 2015

The power supplies can be reused, but I wouldn't do it. They are apparently all several years old. Who knows when one will "give up" and when they do no telling what damage it could potentially do. For the $75 or so get new ones.

My 2 Cents.

AirPower4ever · 27 Apr 2015

That's a good point. They are a few years old.

Technically though they can be reused. I always wondered in the marketing "Sandy Bridge Ready" or "Haswell Ready" as if there is some sort of matching needed when you buy a motherboard of that technology. As if the power connector is different some how and only power supplies of that generation can only be used with that motherboard.

So OK to reuse, but since years of service better to buy new; small price to pay. Got it, thanks fireberd

fireberd · 27 Apr 2015

I'm not sure what all the marketing jargon is. I know the first PC I built, with a Q6600 CPU, the motherboard had a 4 pin power connector and the 24 pin power connector. The new motherboards I have, have an 8 pin instead of the 4 pin.

I have also gone to "modular" power supplies. The modular eliminates some unused power lead clutter inside the case.

Berton · 27 Apr 2015

There may also be a difference in plugs between Intel-based and AMD-based boards.

AirPower4ever · 27 Apr 2015

That's true too, Intel vs AMD. In my case I use Intel boards. But you are right about the power pin. Most of the power supplies I have are modular and the power connector close to the CPU are 8pins. I once took my Sandy Bridge power supply and connected it to the Gryphon (but never powered up) just to see and it plugged in just fine. I had a "can it" moment.

As mentioned when helping other friends with their system builds I always had it in the back of my head; that the connectors are pretty much the same so what is the difference. And now I got to ask, I can sleep now.

stormy13 · 27 Apr 2015

Berton said:

There may also be a difference in plugs between Intel-based and AMD-based boards.

I think you would be hard pressed to find that, all motherboard manufacturers follow the ATX standard.

What you could be thinking about is appliance PC's (Dell, HP, etc) where the system builders did (and likely still do somewhat) had proprietary connectors on both/either the motherboard and power supply. Great way to locking people into getting service only from them.

essenbe · 27 Apr 2015

Stormy is correct, there is no difference in the Motherboard connections between Intel and AMD, they both follow the ATX standards. The deal on the "Haswell Ready" power supplies is that Haswell had a deeper sleep state than any previous Generation. Some of the earlier PSUs could not go that low and would assume the computer was off. But, typically that was true only for the cheaper, no name PSUs. Corsair, Seasonic, XFX, Antec and other quality brand PSUs handled it fine.

Berton · 27 Apr 2015

If there's no difference in the power supplies then why do a couple of my Intel boards now running use a 4-pin plug but my AMD boards use an 8-pin plug in the same area by the CPU, won't boot unless proper lead is used.

fireberd · 27 Apr 2015

My current Intel Z77 motherboards use the 8 pin connector. My old Intel motherboard (Q6600 CPU) used 4 pin. 8 pin is the current standard for all motherboards that I've seen..