Power supply question

[HomerSapien]

This may be a really dumb idea, but i have some extra cables coming out of my power supply that i have no use for. I think they go to a pentium4 motherboard, but i am not sure. Its an Enermax whisper power supply (430W, I think) and i dont want to pull it to get the model number because i dont think it is necessary . Anyways, what i want to do is cut off the extra wires that are dangling in my case. I dont use a floppy drive and i have 2-3 of those small 4pin connectors so i want those gone as well. Is this advisable, or am i looking to fry my power supply if i do that?



P.S. I have had this for 2 years and i just got the "silent/cool off" my case bug a little bit and these wires are just in the way.

 

[imported_jediknight]

I think that would go into the dumb idea category.. just personal intuition here.. I've never tried anything like that!

 

[HomerSapien]

the reason i think it would be okay, is that it seems like it would just be a shorter cable with out any of the connectors. Since they arent being used anyways, what difference is a shorter cable and no connector going to be??

 

[Zepper]

Just get some cable ties and bundle them up. Lots of modern mobos use the P4-12V connector (4-pin square) - all should IMO, so you may need it in the future. Ditto the floppy power connectors - some fan/temp controllers use those. About the only thing I might consider chopping is the P4-Aux connector as that is seldom used any more and I doubt it will make a comeback except for maybe multiprocessor mobos - but I'd still rather tie it back instead of cutting.
.bh.

 

[Zim Hosein]

HomerSapien, like Zepper suggested, cable ties will do wonders in addition to an inch or so of cable sleeving, you never know when your next upgrade will need those floppy connectors IMO. I recently got a new video card and low and behold, it needed a 4 pin floppy connector! I hope this helps a bit

 

[akira34]

That same 4 pin (square) power connector is needed for Athlon64 mobos... If you cut it then there's no way for you to use that PSU if/when you upgrade to an Athlon64. As others have mentioned, just tie and tuck the spare wires out of the way. As for the small floppy power connection, there are other things that use it. The front bay item with the SB Audigy 2ZS Platinum card needs that connection. If you cut it off now, and upgrade later, you'll have to use an adapter wire connection to feed it. That will add MORE wires into your case than if you just left well enough alone.

It really is amazing what you can do with some zip ties to organize your cases wires... give that a shot BEFORE you start snipping.

 

[bootoo]

You could tie them off and shove them behind the psu or on top. Or next time you're taking out your mobo, route them behind that. But I agree, cut 'em off and you'll want 'em.

 

[xbassman]

I agree with everyone here.

On my True 430 I cut the "fan only" connectors.
Tomorrow I am splicing them back to try them out with a few of my fans.

You never know what you may need in the future.

 

[Nab]

quote:all of the above

you get the picture

:beer:

 

[caz67]

Yeah..don't cut them off, you will need them in the future.

 

[HomerSapien]

Thx for the replies. Currently any future upgrading includes getting a quiet power supply, so any A64 connections would be covered. First generation whisper psu was quiet at the time, but is annoying now. Not to mention, the extent of my gaming is warcraft 3 and i just got halflife with my new video card. Primary function of my computer is music,tv,pvr and internet so there isnt much need for anything faster than my 1.33 athlon. If i do get a new computer, then im giving this to my dad so i dont have to worry about reselling it.

Im going to try the zip ties first and if i cant get it organized neatly, then out comes the wire cutters.

Im kind of surprised that cases dont come with any consideration to routing cables.

 

[RyanM]

One of these days I'm going to get around to modifying my power supply so that 1 inch after emerging from the PS, the cables terminate in male connectors.

Then I can rig up all the severed lines with female connectors, and attach just the ones I need.

I'll probably sleeve them and heatshrink them while I'm at it.

Too lazy to do it anytime soon, but it'll look cleaner and sleeker than hot hell when I'm done.

 

[psiu]

Frozencpu have these available actually. Expensive, but they have pictures for you to look at and copy yourself

 

[RyanM]

Precisely why I would do it myself. The heatshink and sleeving I already have, and I snagged extra molex connectors (UV reactive green to match the sleeving ). I just need the time and motivation to get around to it.

I also need to locate some UV green male/female ATX and 12V mobo connectors. All I have are molex and 3-pinners.

 

[fast_eddie]

Sounds like a lot of overly cautious (puppies) people - go ahead and cut off the extra wires, just make sure you insulate each and every wire so they don't short out on anything or each other.

I routinely remove any extra wiring from power supplies; of course I do it inside the PS before installation. Never had a problem.