What Is An EPS Cable? (Everything You Need To Know)

In this blog post, I’ll explain everything about What Is An EPS Cable? The job of the EPS ports is to make sure that the computer’s parts always have power. The connections usually have a locking system to keep them tightly in place, and they are keyed to make sure they are properly connected. It is very important to use the right EPS connector for your computer’s power source. If you use the wrong connector, your system could get damaged or stop working.

What Is An EPS Cable?

The motherboard and other computer parts get power through EPS ports in the power supply. For a system with an 8-pin plug, this is the power for the CPU.

What Is An EPS Cable
Credit: MastorTech

What Does EPS Mean In PC?

Vector image files, such as EPS (Encapsulated Postscript) files, are composed of curves and lines rather than pixels. Because of this, they are great for logos, pictures, and other graphics that need to be made bigger without losing quality.

For those unfamiliar with vector drawings, EPS files may appear mysterious. But don’t fear—assistance is available. This blog post will provide you with an overview of what Is an EPS Cable, including their definition, opening procedures, and appropriate usage (or misuse) in your work.

What Is An 8 Pin EPS Connector?

The central processing unit is powered by the 8-pin EPS connector, while the motherboard receives additional power from the 4-pin ATX12V connector. The EPS connectors ensure that the computer’s internal components have consistent and reliable power.

What Is An 8 Pin EPS Connector
Credit: MastorTech

The connections usually have a locking mechanism and are keyed to provide a secure connection. Because using the wrong connector can damage or malfunction your system, using the correct EPS connector for your computer’s power supply is vital.

What Is EPS Cable Used For?

The Entry-Level Power Supply Specification (EPS) is for high-power PCs and entry-level servers. The Server System Infrastructure (SSI) forum, which includes Intel, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and others, created the EPS form factor as an ATX adaptation. The latest standard is 2.93.

EPS provides a more stable environment for crucial server-based applications and systems. The 24-pin motherboard power connector and eight-pin +12 V connector are on EPS power supply.

Two additional four-pin 12 V connectors are required for power-hungry boards (one on 700–800 W PSUs, both on 850 W+ PSUs).

EPS power supply is compatible with ATX or ATX12V motherboards found in homes and workplaces, but the 12 V connector may overhang the sockets on older boards. Many PSU makers employ connectors that easily unclip superfluous components to avoid this issue.

8 Pin EPS Power Limit

The ATX standard says that 8-pin EPS can handle 300W and 8-pin PCIe (6+2) can handle 150W. Theoretically, an EPYC CPU with seven loaded PCI slots, each with a maximum 75W drain, adds up to well over 700W.

Is There A Difference Between 8-Pin EPS 12v And PCI-E Connectors?

They differ significantly from one another. While the PCI express connector is intended to supply power to a GPU, the EPS connector is intended to supply power to the CPU socket of a motherboard.

They made it so that you shouldn’t be able to switch between the square and rounded-off plugs. As you can see in the previous image, the top left connector on the PCIe is rounded off, yet the top left connector on the EPS 12V is squared off.

Is There A Difference Between 8-Pin EPS 12v And PCI-E Connectors
Credit: MastorTech

These variations are essentially meant to prevent you from connecting a PCIe connector to an EPS12V. The power connectors differ; although they are both 12V (yellow) and ground (black), the row closest to the PCIe connector clip is ground, and the bottom is 12V; on the EPS, however, the positions are reversed. There might also be more variances, but I need these connectors.

Which One Do I Use For The CPU?

Your PSU’s CPU power connectors are needed to connect the CPU to your system. Most current PSUs have an 8-pin (4+4) CPU power connector branded CPU or EPS. This connector powers the CPU and should be inserted into your motherboard’s 8-pin socket near the CPU socket.

A designated 4-pin or 8-pin connector near the CPU power socket may be needed for power stability in high-end installations. Make sure the connectors are securely inserted to avoid power difficulties.

Do I Need Both EPS Cables?

The second EPS port you see on most motherboards these days only gives you extra power when overclocking. To sum up, you only need to connect one 8-pin EPS connection.

Are ATX And EPS The Same?

EPS stands for Entry-level Power Supply. It is a standard for power supplies made for computers and workstations that need more power and stability. EPS PSUs are about the same size and shape as ATX PSUs, but their primary connection differs.

Are ATX And EPS The Same
Credit: MastorTech

EPS power supplies have a main plug with 24 pins that split into two 12-pin connectors, one for the motherboard and one for the CPU. There are also more 8-pin or 4-pin CPU ports and more peripheral connectors on EPS PSUs than ATX PSUs. EPS PSUs can give off up to 400 W of power, but some types can go higher if they are more efficient and better made.

Does the EPS or CPU end of the psu cable plug into motherboard and vice versa?

It does matter. It needs to be lined up with the round and square keys. The end of the PSU shouldn’t be the same on both sides. If it does, then damn the company that made it. The end that goes into the motherboard is the one with two tabs instead of one.

How To Connect A 12v 8 Pin EPS To A 12v 8 Pin PCIe?

It’s crucial to ensure that power allocation and compatibility are met when connecting computer components. One common link that could be hard to understand is the 8-pin CPU to 8-pin PCIe connection. Let’s examine its definition and operation in more detail.

  • Typically, a computer’s processor receives electricity from an 8-pin CPU connector. In contrast, a PCIe graphics card is intended to receive power from the 8-pin PCIe connector. Although they both have the same number of pins, they are not interchangeable.
  • The two sets of four pins that typically make up the 8-pin CPU connector allow higher power delivery to the processor. On the other hand, the 8-pin PCIe connector offers sufficient power for graphics cards since it provides one ground and one 12V line for every four pins.
  • An adapter can link a graphics card with an 8-pin PCIe connector to the CPU power port. Usually, these adapters combine two 4-pin CPU connectors into an 8-pin PCIe connector. However, ensuring the power supply can handle the graphics card’s increased power needs is crucial.

Why Do I Need Another EPS Power Connector?

Power supply manufacturers add more cables on higher-rated PSUs to boost stability and decrease volt drop. As a result, while some supplies have an 8-pin + 4-pin configuration, others have two 8-pin EPS12V cables. Mine has a single 4-pin wire, but your PSU has an 8-pin one.

Why Do I Need Another EPS Power Connector
Credit: MastorTech

Difference between EPS And ATX CPU Power?

EPS power supply units only require a +12 V supply and are designed for high-power computers and entry-level servers. However, three positive rails—+3.3 V, +5 V, and +12 V—are utilized in ATX power.

Why Are There Two 8-Pin EPS Connectors On My Motherboard?

The second 8-pin will run a high-wattage CPU and provide additional power to the PCI-E slots. So you should only connect to the second 8-pin if your CPU is over 300w or you have more than half of the PCI-E slots filled.

Do I Need 2×8 Pin EPS On My Motherboard?

No Ryzen CPU (not even the overclocked 2700X) requires more power than the roughly 250-watt one 8-pin EPS connector is rated for. So, there’s no need to connect the extra EPS ports; the 650w RMx works fine.

Between 600 and 700 watts, some PSUs come with an extra EPS cable, while others don’t. For example, the Seasonic Titanium Fanless 600w is rated at a lesser wattage. Still, it comes with two EPS cables, whereas the Seasonic Focus Plus Gold 650w only includes one EPS cable.

The RMx, the two Seasonic PSUs, and the other PSU include an additional connector on the PSU itself that may be used for EPS power if desired; however, the 650w units require the purchase of an extra cable.

Conclusion

The above information is all about what is the meaning of EPS connectors? Power supply specification wires (EPS cables) are used to power the CPU and motherboard in computers.

They come in 4+4 pin (8-pin) and 8-pin variants for high-performance desktops, workstations, and servers. High-power CPUs require consistent and reliable power delivery beyond a standard ATX power supply’s 24-pin motherboard socket, so this cable is necessary.

A safe and accurate connection is essential for system stability and performance, and the EPS connector has a locking mechanism.

People Also Ask

Can I use an EPS cable for a GPU?

That isn’t feasible. The holes of GPU power connectors vary in form. A GPU power connector is the only connector that can be physically inserted into the GPU. This illustrates how an 8-pin GPU connector differs from an 8-pin CPU connector.

What voltage is EPS?

The EPS provides 60W or 150W of voltage at 500V to 30kVdc. The range is usually constructed in small modules.

Can PCIe cable be used for the CPU?

The PCIe cables connect to your graphics card, while the CPU cable mounts in the 8-pin header on your motherboard. If the only 4-pin connector on your motherboard fits, you can split the CPU cable in two.

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