Hi, I have a new Tyan S5112 Pentium 4 mainboard I am trying to install in a new Supermicro server case. The MB has 20 pin power supply input, but the power supply is 24 pin, plus another 4 pin connector for P4 boards. This is an expensive power supply and the one I would like to use. The power supply seems like it would plug in okay with 4 pins hanging over the side except for a capacitor or something on the MB which is in the way. What’s my best bet here? Cut the connector and if so, please confirm what color leads should not be connected. Are there adapters available – I looked but could only find them for the other way around – 24 pin MB and 20 pin PS. Thanks a lot, Peter

You can cut 4 extra pins away, but if you want to use the 24 pins for the future motherboard you will get into trouble. My advice is remove the 4 extra pins away from the socket and use insulation tape to insulate the metal contact. You can remove the pin away by using a very small flat head screwdriver (those that use to open the spectacles screw). the pin is normally "engaged" by 2 small "clips" inside, so you need to push in the screwdriver to flatten the clips and the pin will come out easily. Remember the location and colour code of the 4 pins in case you need to use them in the future. You can re-enable the clips by pushing it out, ie, slanted slightly outwards. You will know what I mean....

I just took a look at those 24 pins connector, the clips are at the two sides, you can see the very small clips through the semi-transparent connector at the side. Just push your screwdriver all the way and the clips will be flatten. There will be 2 clips for one pin. Good luck.

Milky Way, Do you mean the 24 pin connector plugs in to the center of the receptacle with 1 row of 2 pins (3 orange on one end and orange/black on the other) hanging over the ends? It seems like it must be like that, but then according to the color coding the wire assignments are very different - makes me nervous as hell! Thanks, Peter

I'm not familiar with those power supplies but, in general, just because you can whittle down a connection to fit the socket that doesn't mean the voltages to each pin will be correct. You could end up ruining your motherboard. As you've already guessed, if you really want to do that, first check a pin-out diagram of the plug or check the color coding to make sure everything matches. Note that the color coding may be different between the two power supplies.

Hi use an adapter, its safer, http://www.xpcgear.com/24to20pinatx.html :)

Thanks a lot, guys. Peter