Edit: the 8-pin thing "needs" an EPS12V PSU. Thanks for the advice everyone.

Hello,

I see that it has a 24-pin main connector, but what's that other thing (circled in red)?


Any advice on what kinda PSU to get?

Thanks

Looks like your normal CPU power socket. Normally come in a 4 or 8 pin variety. Most PSUs these days will have a plug for it.

I'm partial to the PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad PSU.

The 4pin ATX plug has evolved into an 8pin version which is basically just 2 4pin connectors combined. Some motherboards require all 8 pins to be connected, others can run on just 4, and others can run without them plugged in at all. If your PSU doesn't have the 8pin connector, you should do some research before buying the board.

Okay, got it. he 8-pin PSU's on newegg start at $90+ But I found some adapters/converters for PSU's with out the 8-pin connector.

Thanks guys.

What are the rig specs, and what PSU do you want to run them on?

My dad needs to upgrade his PC. I think the only app he runs is FireFox So I'm going with the cheapest PSU I can find.

I don't have too much info about the rig right now, someone is getting rid of that mobo, a stick of RAM and a P4 3GHz for $100.
I'm guessing it's a Pentium D?? Waiting for the callback, but it's nothing too fancy.

Fancy or not I don't see the reason for skimping on a psu. A psu of dubious quality could do some major dammage to a motherboard or more. At least have a look at the recommended power supply thread in the cases and power supply section.

I mean c'mon... cheapest psu?

I can understand why someone would need a 5LB PSU with great rails and whatnot. But...that's just not the case. Here cheap is good, and if it fails, then no FireFox for 2-3 days until the next el-cheapo arrives. You can repeat that about 5 times before you reach the price of a high-quality PSU.

Actually, I'm not getting the cheapest...but I'm eyeballing the 2nd & 3rd cheapest pretty hard. Lol...

Just get an old extension cord cut the end off and connect it to the motherboard and plug it in and get the killing the motherboard and other components part over with instead of going through the trouble of installing those cheap PSU....

I'm sorry, but I don't believe in PSU's frying hardware! It's just never happened to me.

Edit: Of course I'm not denying that it happens to people. But how unlucky you must be to have it happen to you...

FYI, that 8-pin connector is called EPS12V. Or, it's required by the EPS12V specifications. Whichever you prefer.


I've never been hit by a train, but that doesn't mean I don't believe it can happen.

Just so you know, a crappy PSU will probably kill any decent hardware you have connected to it. But if you've got a piece of garbage Celeron with 256MB of RAM, go right ahead and connect that no-name 150W PSU.

Happened to me twice...

In all seriousness, it seems as though you seem to understand the risks and aren't going to buy a $20 PSU. You can find some great Fortron power supplies for half the price of those really high end ones but still get the job done without much of a problem.

Just get yourself a nice 400W Fortron for less than 50 bucks and you should be fine. Unless you plan on really stressing this system, a 4-pin CPU connector will get you by without any issues.

A low end system that's only really going to run a web browser etc. you say?

Why not try this - FSP Green 300W
It's $35 and still has active PFC and relatively high efficiency. It should be pretty quiet as well, and if an 8-pin connector is necessary, then just grab an adaptor as you said.

The 300W Forton sounds like the best idea of this thread so far. It's cheap, and it's quality!

Why don't you look into the Corsair range of psus? I believe they are very good and solid performers and represent great value for money.

Because they're really expensive compared to the FSP... which is good value for money

Hey, thanks for the advice everyone. But I'm done with this thread. I found out what the 8-Pin header is called, an now know what I would have needed. The guy from craigslist never called me back anyway.

This one should fit the bill for you. Its 550 watts for $85 Mushkin 550watt Plus its modular.