Linking two Motehrboards via a single PSU using a splitter
Linking two Motehrboards via a single PSU using a splitter
Hello, do you know anyone familiar with this configuration? I've used it before and it worked well. I found a 24-pin cable splitter and noticed the PSU has two 12V cables. I connected the splitter to those cables directly from the PSU. My question is: if I power one system on, what happens to the other? Could it damage it? Should I sync them or connect them separately? Maybe using the reset button as a second power button or buying a kit with long cables and a reset/power button on Amazon/Aliexpress would work. I moved from Phanteks 719 to Corsair 7000X, and will use the Phanteks as an UnRAID setup. I've managed to fit 13-14 HDD cages in front, leaving space at the bottom for a mini ITX motherboard and one riser. Currently I have a 650W PSU, but I think I need at least 850W to run two PCs and 15 hard drives. The main PC will be an 12100/13100 or 12400/13400 model. It won't be a K CPU, and my current 12700 will likely move to the mini ITX slot—though it might support a 3060 option. Honestly, this is for backup purposes, so I probably don’t need a GPU.
No issues at all. The full capacity of the PSU will be accessible to the single board. PSUs tend to be affordable when considering individual components. It looks like a poor value for money.
I own a Phanteks 719 Case that accommodates two mobos on top and three vertical mini-ITX slots at the bottom. It features a dual slot vertical riser without additional slots and only one PSU. The goal is to run two motherboards inside a single case, not for cost savings.
It’s clear the plan is set. Make sure every PSU cable you purchase is verified for that specific model, not just relying on the manufacturer name.
It depends on how the system is configured. Turning off a component might not automatically power down the PSU or shut everything off unless it's part of a safety or shutdown protocol.
I’m not sure there’s any two-way link between a PSU and a motherboard from the start. There are many cables, but one might handle that function. If you can send commands back to the PSU to manage it, it’s probably likely the power supply would just follow any instructions regardless of the board type. The way those commands work will affect things—like whether it’s always on, always off, or just a temporary connection. Disrupting a full circuit wouldn’t happen if both devices were active, since only one circuit can be broken at a time. If the action is done by completing a single path, it would affect both. Still, I don’t fully understand the ATX standards. Someone should clarify.