Power supply issue

[evosmudge]

I'm upgrading an older Gateway computer that had a PS that went out. In buying a new PS, I noticed that most do not have the 6-pin connector that is used for the motherboard's auxiliary power. Is this not needed since I went from 250W to 420W? Am i getting enough from the 20-pin connector? I did make sure this was an ATX V1 power supply and not the newer V2.

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[GaryKearley]

Not sure if this is going to help you, but on my (very very) old Gateway 2000 P100 (this is going back 10-11 years!!!) the motherboard, case & PSU unit were all bespoke non-standard parts. It really annoyed me, as the case was (kinda) alright, but I could not fit a replacement motherboard into it, and then once I got a new case found out the PSU did not fit into the new case (I was just starting out then and did not have a clue)

so depending on HOW old this Gateway machine is, then you could be really stuck.

so it might be a new M/B and case required, so all you might be able to keep from the old machine might be the hard drive and optical drives. which is a bit naff.

Hope this helps???

Gary

[COLOR=#FF0000 ]Blame DPlank, everyone else does...[/color]

 

[G0AOZ]

Many modern motherboards use an additional 4-pin power plug to supply extra power for the CPU. Some specialist mobos require a main socket of 24-pins and also use a 6-pin additional power plug. It suggests to me, and as Gary's also mentioned, you need a PSU specifically for that Gateway motherboard.

How much effort do you want to put into this? Do you still have the original (blown) PSU? If "yes" and "yes" and you're prepared to open up the old unit, then you might be able to modify the connectors to get it working.

First of all, bear in mind that opening a PSU, even a "blown" open can be hazardous. High voltages can still be present, even several days after it was last plugged into the mains. Trace the wires that terminate in that 6-pin plug. With a bit of luck they might just be 3 black wires (0v) and 3 yellow wires (+12v). If they are, then cut off the old 6-pin connector with a reasonable length of cable still attached to it, obtain a "Y" type molex power splitter cable (this gives you male and female 4-pin molex plugs), and then splice the appropriate wires together. You should now have an adaptor lead which can be plugged into one of the 4-pin molex power plugs coming out of your new PSU, with the other end going down to your Gateway 6-pin motherboard connector. Additional power for the CPU without any mods to your new PSU.

Good luck!

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[evosmudge]

Finding the correct sized PSU was not difficult even though Gateway uses a clipping method to attach it. In the past, I've installed PSUs that had 3 power connectors that went to the motherboard - 20-pin, 6-pin, and 4-pin. Follow the link below to the newegg.com website and you can see the 6-pin to the left of the 20-pin:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Showi...ch+ATXPOWER250+ATX+250W+Power+Supply+-+Retail

The thing is that I've been giving my brother-in-law suggestions on what to buy. He's brought back numerous PSUs that did not have the 6-pin connector. I also suggested a new case with a PSU and that also did not have the right connector.

It's been a year since the last time I put together a computer. What I am guessing is that we need an ATX PSU and not an ATX12V PSU. I thought they were the same but it looks like they are not. Can you guys confirm this?

Thanks in advance.