How much power does a simple molex connector provide

[Matteo De Vellis]

I have been trying to find out how much power(in watts) molex provides and every website I go to says 11 amps. I just want to know how much power(in watts) a molex connector provides

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Molex_female_connector.jpg

thats what it looks like

 

[Ubrales]

11 Amps on the 12 Volt pins and 11 Amps on the 5 Volt pins (these are not additive)- 132 watts on 12 Volt devices, OR, 55 watts for the 5 Volt devices.

 

[Mr5oh]

This depends on many factors. Your PSU, wire gauge etc. However,

Amps X Volts = Watts

So

11 x 12 = 132 watts.

Again though this depends greatly on the PSU.

 

[Saberus]

It's 11A per pin. Which leads to a slightly ludicrious figure of 187W combined power from the 5 and 12 volt lines.

What are you trying to power? Molex is all but phased out.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The rating of the cable remains what it is regardless of the PSU it's plugged into.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molex_connector

This question is most often asked with regard to joining a pair of molex to and adapter in order power a power hungry GPU (not recommended).

PSU manufacturers are coming up with some other "funny" cables like the 2 x 6+2pin + 6pin PCI-E VGA Cables on EVGA PSUs. And those selling presleeved cables are using smaller wires than OEM equipment. Someday that's gonna go wrong for someone.

 

[Saberus]

Someday that's gonna go wrong for someone.

And how.

 

[Matteo De Vellis]

Someday that's gonna go wrong for someone.

And how.

Actually I have an evga PSU and it has short cables and I could barely extend the pcie connectors in to my GPU and the CPU power didnt reach AT ALL!!! I had to get an extender which, but atleast now its sleeved

 

[Matteo De Vellis]

It's 11A per pin. Which leads to a slightly ludicrious figure of 187W combined power from the 5 and 12 volt lines.

What are you trying to power? Molex is all but phased out.

I need 75w at least

 

[Mr5oh]

So then it comes down to what size wire is going to your molex. 75 watts is ~6 amps at 12 volts, so a wire that needs to carry 7 amps at 12 volts - 12 inches, needs to be at least 18 guage.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Form above link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molex_connector

Type Electrical power connector
Production history
Manufacturer AMP
Produced 1963
General specifications
Width 21 mm (female), 23 mm (male)
Height 6 mm (female), 8 mm (male)
Pins 4
Electrical
Signal Yes
Max. voltage 12 V
Max. current 11 A/pin (30 °C rise)
Pin out
Pin Color Type
Pin 1 Yellow +12 V
Pin 2 Black Ground
Pin 3 Black Ground
Pin 4 Red +5 V
18 AWG wire is typically used.

Smaller would not be OK.

 

[cordes85]

for example the NZXT Grid+ V2 requires Molex connection, and so therefore will determine how many fans using fan splitters i can use, as i intend to use Noctua's Industrial 3000rpm 140mm lines, which are : Motor type Three-phase
Rotational Speed (+/- 10%) 3000 RPM
Min. Rotational Speed (PWM, +/-20%) 800 RPM
Airflow 269,3 m³/h
Acoustical Noise 41,3 dB(A)
Static Pressure 10,52 mm H₂O
Max. Input Power 6,6 W
Max. Input Current 0,55 A
Voltage 12 V
So how many fans could i use from the fan controller, as i intend to use push & pull on the Phanteks Pro M SE tempered Glass and want to use the ODD which limits me to 280mm rads instead of 360mm rads, so on the front x4 fans, top x2 fans, rear 1x fan so 7 in total, i know Noctua include splitters with their fans, does this the 75W from the molex will be enough to run the fans at a deafening 3000rpm ?!

 

[Karadjgne]

18ga wire at 1ft at 12vDC is good for 10A. Regardless if the connector is valued greater. Molex chains use a single 12v or 5v lead, unlike pcie which uses 2-3 12v leads per connector. It's the reason molex to pcie 8pin adapters use 2x molex but a single for the 6pin. 120w doesn't cut it. The directions also say to use seperate chains to power a 8pin, as using 2 molex on the same chain at upto 180w is a fire hazard.