masteraleks
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I am planning to by a eATX board like a EVGA Z68 FTW, above the PCIE connectors there is 4 pin molex connector see img. My questions is this if I only want to SLI do I have to use it? or is it a must? ( I do not want to use because of it will make my cable management bad ) Again all I will have on the board is 2 580GTXs, can I get away from using that 4 pin molex? Thanks in advance for your help. 
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ZelmoQuad
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 09:22:20
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This is a PCIe Supplementary Power Connection. You plug a molex conector from your PSU into it to to bolster the PCIe buss. I would imagine you don't need it if you are running with a strong power supply. I use 1200w PSU just for this reason. But if you were strapped with a mininmal PSU and working close to the edge, a supplementary source might insure the 100% PCIe current capacity.
I can't believe if you buy a Mobo with this connector and a PSU with 25% head room there would be any need. However, I I were to run a Triple or more SLI, Id be inclined to use it as a security blanket just because it is there. Againe I doubt if these newer mobos have any stability problems on their PCIe bus. It's more about the components people end up using.
Finally, I have this connector on my ASUS and my EVGA and run 580s and 480s with no stability problems.
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nivacs
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 09:40:56
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You don't have to, but it does help stabilize the PCIe power on the bus. The only time i know of a system needing this is tri-SLI or SLI + PhysX setups.
Personally, I plugged mine in just to be sure. ( I made a single Molex connector that matched my Other power connectors and ran it between the back of the case and the PCIe slots under the video cards.)
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masteraleks
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 10:07:21
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Thanks for the reply guys. I was afraid that if I got this board that a regualar sli setup would not work properly if I didnt plug that 4 pin molex connector. I will be using 1200watt corsair PSU by the way.
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cvjones
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 10:14:44
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I'm running the P67 FTW with 2 GTX 480SC's in SLI, w/watercooling, also powered by a 1200W PSU, and I don't use that Molex power connector. No problems w/power to the board. Unless you are utilizing more than that, you won't need it.
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tet5uo
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 10:16:22
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It's to help with the fact that current GPU's are exceeding the power-draw specifications of the bus. Some boards like the old x58 classified had issues with the mobo power cables melting from having too much current pulled in on the main power traces. It's probably not critical to plug in without multiple GPU's
post edited by tet5uo - 2011/10/17 10:20:24
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pcmaster00
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 10:18:28
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ZelmoQuad
This is a PCIe Supplementary Power Connection. You plug a molex conector from your PSU into it to to bolster the PCIe buss. I would imagine you don't need it if you are running with a strong power supply. I use 1200w PSU just for this reason. But if you were strapped with a mininmal PSU and working close to the edge, a supplementary source might insure the 100% PCIe current capacity.
I can't believe if you buy a Mobo with this connector and a PSU with 25% head room there would be any need. However, I I were to run a Triple or more SLI, Id be inclined to use it as a security blanket just because it is there. Againe I doubt if these newer mobos have any stability problems on their PCIe bus. It's more about the components people end up using.
Finally, I have this connector on my ASUS and my EVGA and run 580s and 480s with no stability problems.
The reason for this molex connection is that cards like the GTX480 and GTX580 draw more power from the PCIE lanes than the PCIE lanes are typically supposed to. When you are running 2 cards, its ok under most circumstances. When you are running 3 or more cards, the PCIE lanes can pull too much power and you get your 24 pin connection melting. This extra molex connection is there to offset that power draw so that you don't draw too much off the 24 pin.
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tet5uo
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 10:19:34
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cvjones
I'm running the P67 FTW with 2 GTX 480SC's in SLI, w/watercooling, also powered by a 1200W PSU, and I don't use that Molex power connector. No problems w/power to the board. Unless you are utilizing more than that, you won't need it.
I would use it if I were you. 2x 480's? 
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cvjones
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 10:22:49
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Have been running that config since the board first came out w/out fail or performance issue. Temps good and performance is great. Haven't seen any reason to use it up to this point.
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pcmaster00
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 10:23:28
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Another thing, the supported list of PSUs at http://www.slizone.com/ob../slizone_build_psu.html is no joke. The PSUs that are not on this list are not there because they are not built for proper power distribution through the 24pin. If you want to follow all the guidelines that NV puts out there, and I would, then you should be using a PSU in this list because if you don't, some companies like ASUS will tell you that you were not using an approved PSU and that is why your 24 pin connection melted. ASUS has refused to replace MBs because of this. I have not heard of a case of EVGA refusing to support for 24 pin melting though, but only supporting the MB, not the PSU.
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pcmaster00
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 10:28:11
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cvjones
Have been running that config since the board first came out w/out fail or performance issue. Temps good and performance is great. Haven't seen any reason to use it up to this point.
But you also have a 1200W PSU where some manufacture's 900W PSUs are good enough for your GPUs. It really boils down to several issues (in the worst case scenarios). - PSU not pushing power through the 24 pin optimally.
- GPUs pulling a lot of power through the PCIE lanes. (GTX480 and GTX580)
- Lack of the extra power to the PCIE lanes.
This is why EVGA came out with the EVGA Power Boost for the MBs that did not have the extra power on it, but were built for 3+ GPUs.
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tet5uo
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 11:09:08
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cvjones
Have been running that config since the board first came out w/out fail or performance issue. Temps good and performance is great. Haven't seen any reason to use it up to this point.
You wouldn't see any issues like that. Check your 24pin connection to be safe after your PC's been loaded with a game for a couple hours and make sure it's not warm though. It will all perform fine because the GPU's do get the power they need. Just that without that extra molex plug, it can cause too much power to be pulled through your 24 pin, more than it's rated for, which can cause it to melt or burn eventually. I'd just plug it it to be safe, not for performance reasons :)
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pcmaster00
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Re:Do I have to connect eATX power above PCIe slots
2011/10/17 11:10:30
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tet5uo
cvjones
Have been running that config since the board first came out w/out fail or performance issue. Temps good and performance is great. Haven't seen any reason to use it up to this point.
You wouldn't see any issues like that. Check your 24pin connection to be safe after your PC's been loaded with a game for a couple hours and make sure it's not warm though. It will all perform fine because the GPU's do get the power they need. Just that without that extra molex plug, it can cause too much power to be pulled through your 24 pin, more than it's rated for, which can cause it to melt or burn eventually.
I'd just plug it it to be safe, not for performance reasons :)
+1
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