Power Up Your Motherboard with 24-pin Computer Power Connectors
The 24-pin power supply connector is not only the biggest connector pin but the only power connector to supply the correct voltage to the motherboard of your computer and any components seated in slots of your motherboard. There are several kinds of power supply connectors available to help you juice up your system.
How are ATX 24-pin power connectors used?Normally, an ATX 24-pin power connector cord will run directly from the power supply of your computer straight into its socket on the motherboard, also known as the mainboard, of your computer. However, some power supplies do not have the correct connector pin to fit in their mainboard slot. If that is the case, an adapter can be plugged into the power supply cord to convert the end into a socket, which fits correctly in your system. Never try to break a 24-pin connector to fit in a 20 + 4 connector slot because the voltage will not be correct and may short out your mainboard.
What kinds of ATX 24-pin power connectors are there?There are many different styles of connectors, which allow you to connect smaller or different style cords and slots together. While most of them have a single set of cords, some may split off into two directions in case one of the ends shorts out or stops working. The same type of cord can be used to connect one power supply to two different mainboards. Some of the connectors may be cordless, which can be a complete replacement of your mainboard's 24-pin connector or used as an adapter plugged directly into your mainboard.
Connection sizes that may be converted include:
- Mini 24-pin
- P4 4-pin
- 8-pin
- 14-pin
- 20-pin
If you need to convert a power supply connector into a connector that fits your mainboard slot, you will need to find out what size the end pins are. You can normally find out what size cords your power supply has in the power supply manual or from the manufacturer of your computer. If you are plugging the 24-pin directly into your mainboard, make sure that the adapter has all of the contact points needed and is compatible with the voltage of a 24-pin connector.
How do you remove 24-pin connectors from a motherboard?The 24-pin connectors are commonly difficult to remove from a motherboard, mainly due to the fact that it is one of the biggest connector plugs. If you aren't careful while removing them, you may damage the entire slot on the mainboard that the 24-pin connects into. To remove them correctly, pull the connector pin straight out of its slot on the motherboard firmly, keeping pressure. Do not suddenly jerk or pull the power cable up. As you are pulling, rock the connector gently at both of the small ends. This should eventually cause the power cable to pop out.