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Synopsis
Adapter cables are available allowing the incorrect use of older ATX or SFX power supplies instead of an ATX12V or SFX12V power supply. Intel does not recommend using these cables. The cables convert a standard 1x4 peripheral connector to the ATX12V 2x2 connector. An ATX12V or SFX12V with the 2x2 connector is required for all Intel® 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 (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 Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor based system using an ATX or SFX power supply that might not supply sufficient and reliable 12 Volt power. The result 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 Intel Pentium 4 Processor alone can draw this amount of current, leaving no power for any other device in a system. Intel now recommends at least 8 Amps of current to properly power an Intel Pentium 4 Processor based system. ATX12V and SFX12V power supplies have 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 one 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 exceeding the current carrying capability (amp capacity) of the wire.
Recommendation
Only use an ATX12V or SFX12V power supply meeting the design guide recommended minimum power rating when building Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor based systems. Go to www.formfactors.org/* to find more information about the ATX12V and SFX12V power supply design guides. Also, registered Intel® program members can visit the tested power supply list to see an approved list of Intel Pentium 4 Processor approved and tested power supplies.
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