external power switch help!!!

[pcnerd69]

Im building a gaming pc inside a desk, i have no idea how to turn it on from the outside as i do not have a power switch, i need some info on where i can get a switch that i can connect to my motherboard that will turn on my pc. Plz use great detail as to how and where i can find this im really frustrated right now thank you

 

[Vahe Bro A]

i don't understand what you mean by " building a gaming pc inside a desk"

please give me a link to your case and motherboard.

 

[techgeek]

Essentially all you need is a single pole single throw (SPST) momentary switch. The switch connects to two pins on the front panel connector on the motherboard. One pin is ground and the other is monitored by the motherboard. When it see's the monitored pin go to ground it turns the computer on.

Something like this would work. It stays in the open position and closes when pushed and springs back when released (momentary).

Switch

Hope that helps.

 

[Vahe Bro A]

here you go. you hook this up to the motherboard. and press the black button for it to start.

http://www.moddiy.com/products/2%252dPin-Motherboard-Power%7B47%7DReset-Switch-Internal-Header-Cable.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwzuisBRClgJnI4_a96zwSJACAEZKeVwhQykuJX7jLaIpaslrq-K6wwW5xDe_ph9crcmp3MBoClMnw_wcB

 

[Rizdek312]

Not really an answer, but how many amps are required for a MB power switch? Is a 0.5 amp switch sufficient?

 

[techgeek]

Not really an answer, but how many amps are required for a MB power switch? Is a 0.5 amp switch sufficient?

Any small microswitch will do. You are not actually supplying any power through the switch. The motherboard monitors the one side of the power switch pins (on the front panel connector) the other pin is ground. The monitored side is "pulled" up to 3.3V. When you press the switch the monitored pin is "pulled" down to ground and the motherboard sees this and turns on. So in actual fact, very little current passes through that switch, in all likelihood it would be milli to micro amps.

 

[Rizdek312]

TechGeek is correct; the switch (button) you press lets the motherboard know it is time to power everything up from the power supply.There is no actual current as it were running thru the power on switch.
You could actually use a front door bell button switch if you wished.

Thanks to both Techgeek and Tea Urchin for your replies. I've successfully built a power switch using a Radio Shack push to make switch. Thanks

 

[techgeek]

No problem rizdek, glad we could help.