N
Velvet Digest

What is the CPU power connector?

Author

Emma Martin

Updated on April 29, 2026

P4 (EPS Connector) Nowadays it is the P4, or EPS connector, to provide the cpu with power. Cheap motherboards are equipped with a 4-pins connector. More expensive “overclocking” motherboards have 8-pin connectors. The extra 4 pins ensure that enough power can be provided to the cpu when overclocking.

.

Hereof, what does the CPU plug into?

Computers are like any machine: a series of moving parts connected together to perform a task. The parts that connect the central processing unit (CPU) to the rest of the hardware are called the motherboard, power cables, and information cables.

Also, what is the 4 pin CPU power connector for? The ATX 4 pin power supply connector is a standard motherboard power connector used to provide +12 VDC to the processor voltage regulator.

In this manner, where is the CPU power connector on the motherboard?

Don't forget to remove the four- or eight-pin CPU power connector located near the CPU socket on the motherboard,and the 24-pin power cable connected to the motherboard along its mid-line on the left side.

Can you use PCIe power for CPU?

No! Don't do it! You will destroy the motherboard and PSU if you plug a 6+2 PCI-e connector into the 8 pin CPU power connector! The PCI-e connector has 3 12V lines and 5 ground lines, the CPU power connector has 4 12V, and 4 ground, you will have a direct short between 12V and ground if you do that.

Related Question Answers

Where does the CPU cord go?

CPU power cable usually goes into the 4+4 on the motherboard located close to the cpu socket in most cases. The PCIe power will typically go straight to your graphics card.

What are the main components of CPU?

The two typical components of a CPU include the following:
  • The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations.
  • The control unit (CU), which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary.

How does the CPU and motherboard work together?

The motherboard is a circuit board that connects the CPU to the memory and all the other hardware. The CPU sits on the motherboard (also called the logic board). Buses are circuits on the motherboard that connect the CPU to other components. There are many buses on the motherboard.

What is the purpose of the CPU?

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the part of a computer system that is commonly referred to as the "brains" of a computer. The CPU is also known as the processor or microprocessor. The CPU is responsible for executing a sequence of stored instructions called a program .

What is RAM used for in a computer?

Your Computer Needs RAM to Use Data Quickly Put simply, the purpose of RAM is to provide quick read and write access to a storage device. Your computer uses RAM to load data because it's much quicker than running that same data directly off of a hard drive.

What is considered the brain of the computer?

The computer brain is a microprocessor called the central processing unit (CPU). The CPU is a chip containing millions of tiny transistors. It's the CPU's job to perform the calculations necessary to make the computer work -- the transistors in the CPU manipulate the data. You can think of a CPU as the decision maker.

How does a processor work?

A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor or main processor, is the electronic circuitry within a computer that executes instructions that make up a computer program. The CPU performs basic arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions.

How do you describe a motherboard?

The motherboard is a printed circuit board and foundation of a computer that is the biggest board in a computer chassis. It allocates power and allows communication to and between the CPU, RAM, and all other computer hardware components.

What is ATX power connector in computer?

ATX Power Connector. ATX power connectors are designed to connect a computer's power supply to an ATX motherboard. They are constructed of metal pins laid throughout a nylon matrix. A female type ATX power connector extends from the ATX power supply to plug into the motherboard.

Can you plug an 8 pin into a 4 pin?

As with plugging a 24 pin cable into a 20 pin motherboard connector, you can plug an 8 pin cable into a 4 pin connector and leave 4 pins hanging over the end but you can also have the same problems with things preventing it from fitting. It will work fine if it fits.

What do I connect to my motherboard?

The motherboard serves as a single platform to connect all of the parts of a computer together. It connects the CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card, sound card, and other ports and expansion cards directly or via cables. It can be considered as the backbone of a computer.

Is a 6 2 pin the same as an 8 pin?

Long answer: Yes you can mix them anyway you prefer to. Some video cards have 6 Pin PCI Express power connectors and others have 8 Pin PCI Express power connectors. The 6+2 PCI Express power cable is made up of two pieces: a 6 pin piece, and a 2 pin piece.

How do I install a power supply?

Steps
  1. Find a power supply for your computer.
  2. Assemble your tools.
  3. Ground yourself.
  4. Open the computer case.
  5. Lay the computer case on its side, with the exposed side facing up.
  6. Set the power supply's voltage switch.
  7. Find the power supply's intended location.
  8. Insert the power supply.

Is any power supply compatible with any motherboard?

If the motherboard is ATX and your motherboard has been made since around 2005 then they will almost certainly be compatible. To check, the PSU should have a 24 pin output and the motherboard should have a 24pin input. You must also make sure that the PSU can supply the right wattage to your parts.

What are 4 pin Molex connectors used for?

The Molex connector is used for power connections for a disk drive in a computer as well as for other computer components such as CD-ROM's, graphic cards etc. The Molex connectors bring DC power to the drives inside a PC case.

Can you plug a 20 pin power supply 24 motherboard?

yes, you can use a 20 pin power connector on a 24 pin motherboard. it should work fine without that adapter that face to face linked to. just make sure it has the 4 pin square plug for additional juice for the cpu.

Can I use my old power supply?

If your power supply is very old it may be lacking modern SATA power. All new hard drives and optical drives require SATA power from the power supply to function. Once again a Molex to SATA adapter (shown above) can be used instead.

How much voltage does a 4 pin connector provide to the motherboard?

Cards
Term What device would be connected to the power supply with a Molex connector? Definition An optical drive
Term How much voltage does a 4-pin connector provide to the motherboard? Definition 12 volts
Term What are the two voltages that a power supply can switch between? Definition 110V and 220V

Do you need both 24 pin and 8 pin?

Both should be plugged in. You need both. The 24 pin is for the entire board (RAM, PCI/PCI-e slots, fan headers, Chipsets etc), the 8 pin is just for the CPU.