In this article, I’ll explain Can You Plug An 8 Pin Into A 4 Pin? When building a powerful computer system, the motherboard with 8-pin/4-pin CPU power is an important part that is often forgotten.
This little but powerful component is essential to providing the central processing unit (CPU) with the power it needs. Its arrangement of pins and connectors ensures the CPU gets the proper amount of energy to function at peak efficiency.
Can You Plug An 8 Pin Into A 4 Pin?
Joining an 8-pin connector to a 4-pin socket is possible. However, be careful not to confuse the CPU’s 8-pin with the PCIe’s 12V pin.
Can I Use Only 4 Pins To Power An 8 Pin Motherboard?
Depending on your CPU, motherboard, and PSU. Single 4-pin CPU power cables produce 144W. Most PSUs can produce 200W or more via the 4-pin wire.
If you run a Ryzen 9 7950X, Threadripper, EPYC, or an FX 9590 or Opteron with a low-end PSU that can’t deliver more than 144W through its 4-pin CPU power cable, If the wire or connector gets too hot, it could break. Most AMD CPUs use at most 144W.
AMD’s AM4 Ryzen CPUs only need 144W at standard settings, so a single 4-pin CPU power connector should be delicate (if the motherboard’s VRM is good, which won’t be).
However, recent high-end AM5 Ryzen CPUs like the Ryzen 9 7900X and Ryzen 7950X can need up to 230W at factory settings and require a 4+4 or 8-pin CPU power connector. Overclocking the CPU uses more electricity.
Most motherboards with a single 4-pin CPU power connector need a stronger CPU VRM and may overheat if the CPU draws more than 100W.
A VRM will thermal throttle until it cools to a safe temperature. This can significantly reduce CPU performance and cause random crashes if the CPU runs out of power. Long-term VRM overheating can harm a motherboard.
Low-end motherboards like the ASRock B450M HDV R4.0 include a 4-pin CPU power port. The CPU VRM has 8 MOSFETs to power the CPU cores, but most motherboards have at least 12.
Most midrange and high-end motherboards use integrated power stages, which are more efficient than discrete MOSFETs.
ASRock uses weaker MOSFETs than ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte on low-end motherboards. Although most motherboards feature heatsinks to protect MOSFETs and power stages, the ASRock B450M HDV R4.0 does not.
Power of the CPU cores MOSFETs are not directly connected to the power stages of the GPU or memory controller. The ASRock B450M HDV R4.0’s CPU VRM features eight additional MOSFETs for this.
Still, they must be more relevant because the integrated GPU and memory controller utilize less power than the CPU cores: additional VRMs power motherboard control chips and RAM.
Like the B450M HDV R4.0, the MSI A520M-A Pro has 12 MOSFETs to power the CPU cores but a single 4-pin CPU power connector and no VRM heatsinks. MSI has superior MOSFETs than ASRock.
This means that an A520M-A Pro can deliver about 144W of power to a CPU installed in it (I don’t think it should be used with a Ryzen 9 CPU because it would be too hot and need a lot of airflow to stay cool).
In contrast, a B450M HDV R4.0 can only deliver 80W for long periods and will overheat and thermal throttle high-power CPUs like the Ryzen 9 5950X or Ryzen 7 2700X.
Even if the power usage doesn’t exceed 144W, having 8 CPU power pins can improve the stability of the voltage and current delivered to the motherboard, which is helpful for overclocking.
Overclocking isn’t possible on most motherboards with a single 4-pin power connector, though, and the CPU VRM caps how much power the CPU can use.
While ASRock uses terrible MOSFETs, they often use better capacitors than other motherboard brands, so their midrange motherboards, like the B550 Steel Legend, are suitable for overclocking, even if their power stages run hotter. B450M HDV R4.0 can overclock 50W Ryzen 3 4300G processors, but not more.
Can I Plug An 8 Pin Into My 4 Pin CPU Mobo?
The 8-pin connector is made up of two 4-pin connectors combined. You may insert the 4-pin connector into the 8-pin slot. Nothing will be harmed, but the motherboard will recognize the difference and either not power up or operate extremely constrainedly.
Though it’s a risky workaround, using an adaptor like that might solve that issue and allow the machine to function at its peak.
Do You Need Both 8 Pin And 4 Pin CPU Power?
Indeed, your motherboard includes two connectors for CPU power—a single one for an 8-pin and a second for a 4-pin. For the motherboard to start up, the 8-pin CPU has to be put in.
The four-pin is required if you intend to overclock your processor, requiring extra power. Just to be safe, connect both if your PSU has both an eight-pin and an a-pin CPU power connector. But, at least with older motherboards, the 8-pin CPU power must be connected.
How To Connect A PSU To A 4-Pin CPU Port?
Connect it to a 4-pin CPU port. This connector is generally on PSU cables. Check the shapes of the 4-pin connector and the motherboard’s 4-pin CPU port. The adapter usually has a clip that locks into place to keep it from connecting to the wrong thing.
Push the connector into the port gently but firmly until it snaps, establishing a solid connection. The CPU needs this 4-pin power connection to function correctly.
If your PSU has an 8-pin connector, break it into two 4-pin connectors and use one. Secure all connections before turning on the system to avoid complications.
Why Does My Motherboard Have A 8 Pin And 4 Pin?
The main job of the 8-pin connection is to send the necessary voltage and current to the CPU The central processing unit, often called the CPU, needs a consistent and dependable power source to operate at its best. The CPU receives this power directly from the 8-pin connector, guaranteeing steady operation.
However, the additional 4-pin connector is meant to supply extra power in high-power-draw scenarios, such as overclocking or when the CPU is heavily loaded.
Running the CPU at rates faster than its factory defaults, or Overclocking, results in a higher power consumption. To handle these higher power demands, the additional 4-pin connector enhances stability and guards against system crashes.
When the eight8-pin and 4-pin connectors work together, they guarantee that the CPU has a steady and sufficient power supply, which allows it to operate without interruption.
Why Are There Two 8-Pin CPU Connectors On My Board?
The second 8-pin will provide a high-wattage CPU and additional power to the PCI-E slots. Therefore, you should only plug in the second 8-pin once your PCI-E is more than half full or your CPU is more than 300 watts.
What Is The Extra 4-Pin Connector On A Motherboard?
An extra 4-Pin Connector port allows the motherboard to receive an additional 12V current. It may be necessary if the system needs a lot of current, like when overclocking a lot or when the video card takes a lot of current. However, the system will probably still work without it.
Is The 4-Pin PSU Connector Required?
You must use it if your motherboard and CPU are limited to 4-pin connectors. You can use a 4-pin connector if your motherboard only has a 4-pin socket, but your CPU supports an 8-pin connector; moreover, you might need more stability or performance.
You can use an adapter if your power supply only has a 4-pin connection and your motherboard has an 8-pin socket, but you risk overloading the power supply.
How To Split 8 Pin CPU Connector?
These procedures will help you divide an 8-pin CPU connector correctly if you need to:
- Then, take your computer’s power cord out and turn it off.
- Find the 8-pin CPU connector at the power supply cable’s terminus.
- Use gentle pulling to separate the connector’s two sections.
- If required, loosen any locking clips using a tiny flathead screwdriver.
- Attach each side of the connector to the motherboard’s matching 4-pin CPU connectors.
- Verify that the locking clips are engaged and that the two halves are firmly attached.
- Replug your computer and power it on after ensuring everything is connected correctly.
How Much Power Can A Single 8 Pin Provide?
A single 8-pin power connector can handle 150 watts of electricity. The highest current rating for a single PCIe 8-pin cable and connection is 12.5A, or 150W (+12V x 12.5A).
Therefore, using a graphics card or expansion card with a single PCIe 8pin connector that exceeds the recommended 225W total power consumption (150W from the PCIe 8pin connector + 75W from the PCIe motherboard slot) will not be covered by SilverStone’s warranty for damage or malfunction.
Similarly, the warranty will not extend to a graphics card or expansion card with dual PCIe 8-pin connectors if the combined power demand (300W from two 8-pin PCIe ports and 75W from the PCIe slot on the motherboard) exceeds 375W.
Are Dual 6-Pin To 8-Pin Cables Safe?
No. The GPU requires an 8-pin connector and contains 8 pins. However, you can convert your six-pin power to 8 pin power using an adapter like the one below. It’s important to know that this will use more power from the six-pin rail than it was meant to.
It is acceptable if your power source has sufficient watts to operate that rail. The GPU and the rest of the computer may have stability issues if your power supply cannot provide the kind of power that the GPU will require. It may also lead to the failure of the power supply.
Can 8-Pin Power Connector Provide Up To 150 Watts?
Yes, 8-pin can supply above 150 watts. This port is used by modern power supply units (PSUs) to power high-performance parts like CPUs and GPUs.
The 8-pin power connector has two 4-pin parts that can each give 75 watts, totaling 150 watts. This additional power is necessary for high-end hardware’s stable and efficient operation in systems with overclocked or power-hungry processors and high graphics cards.
Do I Need 2×8 Pin Eps On My Motherboard?
The rating for each 8-pin connector is 150w. So, if your needs exceed 225 W or if you want more consistent power, you should receive two 8-pin connectors. However, you can usually get away with just plugging one in.
Is It Okay To Put An 8-Pin CPU Connector In A 4-Pin Slot?
You can still use your power supply in an 8-pin port, even if it only has a 4-pin connector. It will be inserted into one side of the 8-pin connector if compatible. This should provide sufficient power, but take care not to overclock.
In theory, 4-pin should be more than capable of powering your CPU, but there are too many contradictory findings. According to several reports, it went without a hitch in some cases, shut down under severe strain, and refused to turn on in still others. Make an effort to be specific.
Do I Plug The Left Half Of An 8-Pin CPU Cable Into A 4-Pin EPS Connector?
It should be clear whether the 8-pin connector will fit because just one of its sides will genuinely fit together.
Conclusion
I hope the above information is enough for you to know if can you plug an 8 pin into a 4 pin. The motherboard unites computer technologies from the past and presents with its eight-pin, 4-pin CPU power.
The motherboard has come a long way, starting in the early days of computing, to satisfy the ever-increasing demands of modern CPUs.
The fact that CPU power has increased almost 100 times in the last 20 years indicates that the necessity for more power-efficient systems has fuelled this innovation.
The motherboard’s 8-pin/4-pin CPU power design offers a dependable way to supply consistent power to the CPU, guaranteeing durability and peak performance.
Top FAQ’s
Is it possible to use a four 4-pin GPU?
If the CPU motherboard socket has four pins, insert the four pins into it. The CPU, not the GPU, needs the 4+4 pins. There are either six or eight GPU pins (6+2).
Does a GPU require eight pins?
Indeed, an 8-pin GPU requires more pins than a 6-pin GPU. A 6+2 connector comprises numerous 8 pins that separate from one another. If the cable isn’t broken, a more direct adaptor might work.
Why are there so many pins on CPUs?
Power delivery is one of the reasons for the large number of pins.
Which CPU is pin-free?
Intel uses an LGA architecture, so its chips are no longer equipped with pins. Modern Intel chips employ flat gold contacts instead of conventional pins to link the CPU to the motherboard.
