Motherboard Power Connections
Motherboards require power to operate. The Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) main power connector has either 20 or 24 pins. The power supply can also have a 4-pin 6-pin, or 8-pin Auxiliary (AUX) power connector that connects to the motherboard. A 20-pin connector works in a motherboard with a 24-pin socket.
To install a motherboard power connector, follow these steps:
Step 1. Align the 20-pin ATX power connector to the socket on the motherboard, (Figure 1).
Step 2. Gently press down on the connector until the clip clicks into place.
Step 3. Align the 4-pin AUX power connector to the socket on the motherboard (Figure 2).
Step 4. Gently press down on the connector until the clip clicks into place.
SATA Power Connectors
SATA power connectors use a 15-pin connector. SATA power connectors are used to connect to hard disk drives, optical drives, or any devices that have a SATA power socket.
Molex Power Connectors
Hard disk drives and optical drives that do not have SATA power sockets use a Molex power connector.
CAUTION: Do not use a Molex connector and a SATA connector on the same drive at the same time.
Berg Power Connectors
The 4-pin Berg power connector supplies power to a floppy drive.
To install a SATA, Molex, or Berg power connector, follow these steps:
Step 1. Plug the SATA power connector into the HDD (Figure 3).
Step 2. Plug the Molex power connector into the optical drive (Figure 4).
Step 3. Plug the 4-pin Berg power connector into the FDD ( Figure 5).
Step 4. Connect the 3-pin fan power connector into the appropriate fan header on the motherboard according to the motherboard manual (Figure 6).
Step 5. Plug the additional cables from the case into the appropriate connectors according to the motherboard manual.