CPU power connector on the motherboard
CPU power connector on the motherboard
the cpu power connector has eight pins, but four are covered on the left with a cap. Should you use only a four-pin connector or connect it fully with an eight-pin? Your psu only supports six or eight pin connectors, and your motherboard is the asus p7h55-m, which is an older model. Review the photos and let me know if attaching an eight-pin is safe.
It’s easy to link the 8-pin connector. Your CPU won’t consume more energy than necessary. Linking only 8-pin shouldn’t exceed 4-pin usage unless your processor requires extra power. But this varies by model. Using 4-pin when the CPU needs more can cause serious issues. It’s safer to connect the full 8-pin. Your PSU should have the right interface—often labeled EPS or EPS12V, which splits into two 4-pin sections.
The cap serves only as an extra feature, it’s not essential. For the 8 pin, verify it’s marked "CPU" or "EPS," not "PCIe"
Uncertain about what that 'cap' refers to, but if you have an 8 pin EPS (4+4 pin) power supply connection, use it. It seems the cap is likely for older PSUs with just a 4 pin EPS, though modern setups usually use 8 pins. This could also be a cable from the PSU that splits into two 4 pin connections, often marked 'EPS' or 'CPU'. Insert that cable into the connector.
The cap serves as a visual guide for users with power supplies that only have a 4-pin CPU power connector. It indicates where to insert the connector into the exposed part of the 8-pin connector. If your power supply has an 8-pin EPS connector, remove the cap and connect the entire 8-pin connector. A 4-pin connector typically handles 150-200 watts, while an 8-pin can manage around 350 watts. Depending on the CPU's core count, it might use between 40-50 watts and 150 watts. For most CPUs, using only half the connector is possible, but using the full 8-pin is generally recommended.