8 pin connector paired with a 4 pin CPU socket
8 pin connector paired with a 4 pin CPU socket
Hello, your recent upgrade looks great! You’ve combined components from both systems. For powering the CPU, it’s normal to use both 8-pin and 4-pin connectors—especially if your new motherboard supports them. Since you’re only using the 8-pin setup so far and everything is working well, sticking with that should be fine. Just keep an eye on performance as you add more components. Thanks for sharing your experience!
You only require the 8-pin unless you want:
1. More consistent power supply since the standard 8-pin is behaving oddly, or an additional 4-pin can assist in specific cases.
2. Exceptional high-performance LN2 overclocking capability where the extra 4-pin supplies the necessary boost.
One 8-pin EPS module supports up to 384 watts, which is fine unless you're using a low-voltage setup or something else.
The additional connector is intended mainly for boosting performance. Although the 3900x consumes some power, adding this cable would be beneficial.
Thanks Lurick, TofuHaroto, and Fluvous. With those tips I'll keep it this way until I buy a new heat sink. My old watercooler lacked proper mounts for AM4 and had a leak. Or the next time in the PC I should tidy up the cables a bit and install that 4-pin connector if it's safe.
For any AM4 chip released recently, you typically don’t require more than one 8-pin connector unless you intend for extreme overclocking. If your power supply includes the additional EPS cable and you’re comfortable running another test from the PSU to the motherboard, you can connect it—though it won’t make a significant difference.