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Synopsis
Adapter cables are available that allow the incorrect use of older ATX or SFX power supplies in place of an ATX12V or SFX12V power supply. Intel does not recommend the use of these cables. These cables convert a standard 1x4 peripheral connector to the ATX12V 2x2 connector. An ATX12V or SFX12V with the 2x2 connector is required for all Pentium® 4 processor based Intel® Desktop Boards. Using the 1x4 converter cables can lead to system component or power supply damage and/or boot failures. The ATX12V and SFX12V power supply design guides (http://www.formfactors.org/)* recommend a minimum of 8A at 12Volts to properly power any Pentium 4 processor based Intel® Desktop Board. Standard ATX and SFX power supplies typically provide approximately 5A of current, which is not capable of reliably powering the Pentium 4 processor based Intel® Desktop Board.
Critical Issues
There are two key issues regarding the use of these adapter cables.
The adapter cable allows an integrator to build a Pentium® 4 processor based system using an ATX or SFX power supply that may not provide sufficient and reliable 12 Volt power. This can lead to system component or power supply damage and/or boot failures. Standard ATX and SFX power supplies provide approximately 5A of current on the 12V supply. The Pentium® 4 processor alone is capable of drawing this amount of current, which would then leave no power for any other device in a system. Intel now recommends at least 8 Amps of current to properly power a Pentium® 4 processor based system. ATX12V and SFX12V power supplies are capable of providing this amount of power.
The adapter converts a 1x4 peripheral connector to a 2x2 connector used by the desktop board. By design, the 1x4 peripheral connector only has a single 12AWG wire providing current. The adapter splits the single 12AWG wire into two 12AWG wires. This adapter design could cause a situation where too much current could be pulled through the single 12AWG wire thereby exceeding the current carrying capability (amp capacity) rating of the wire.
Recommendation
Only use an ATX12V or SFX12V power supply that meets the design guide recommended minimum power rating when building Pentium® 4 processor based systems. Go to http://www.formfactors.org/* to find more information about the ATX12V and SFX12V power supply design guides. Also, registered Intel® program members may visit the Tested Power Supply List Directory Page to see a list of tested power supplies that are Pentium® 4 processor approved.
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