Not sure which socket to plug my CPU power into

[Zarok Aleon]

Hey guys thanks for the help.
I have recently received my MO/BO int he mail and it is a : ASRock Z87 Formula oc http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157380

And my PSU is a : Corsair HX series HX850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

Now I have some time before my CPU and Storage drives arrive, but I am trying to figure things out and I realized that I have a power cable labeled "CPU" and then I have 2 power ports on the top of my board near my CPU that it fits in, however, I am not sure which one it is supposed to go in.

If anyone can figure it out please let me know.

 

[chosen12k6]

From my experience you need to plug all cables into you mobo, looks like 2 8 pin connectors, I hope you have the correct PSU. I could be wrong but go to you mobo manual. Each mobo is different and the one manual you should read COMPLETELY is you mobo, tells you everything and how to do it correctly.

If you really want I can find and download you mobo manual but some people like to learn on their own

 

[Zarok Aleon]

My mobo manual is like the worst manual i have ever read. It does not explain many things or show me where things go.

 

[Zarok Aleon]

it says one is ATXv power connector (ATX12v1) and the other is (ATX12v3)
I was under the impression that these were options for if i wanted to add extra power to the board for over clocking. Now I have a lot of 8 pin PCI connectors. They look identical to the one labeled CPU. Are these the same thing and can I use them or do I need a different CPU?

 

[chosen12k6]

I read the manual it looks as if that is a special design to increase CPU cooling, looks like 2 8 pin connectors. You could just do trial and error, when you receive the CPU and RAM. Install the CPU, Ram, Video Card (unless you have onboard which I think you do HDMI) plug in the connectors to the mobo, connect you monitor, with like the tipoff a flathead screw driver rub against the power pins on your mobo, usually labled PWR on your mobo right net RST (reset) and see if you get a display. If you have a mobo speaker just listen for the post beep.

Directly from you manual
"OC Formula Connector Kit
• Hi-Density Power Connector (8 pin)<------
• 15μGold Finger (CPU sockets, memory sockets and PCIE x16
slots)
• Distortion-Free Sl"

and

"1 x COM port header
• 1 x Power LED header
• 2 x CPU Fan connectors (1 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin)
• 4 x Chassis Fan connectors (1 x 4-pin, 3 x 3-pin)
• 1 x Power Fan connector (3-pin)
• 1 x MOS Fan connector (3-pin)
• 1 x 24 pin ATX power connector
• 2 x 8 pin 12V power connectors (Hi-Density Power Connector)<---- CPU OC power connector
• 1 x SLI/XFire power connector
• 1 x Front panel audio connector
• 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 6 USB 2.0 ports)
• 1 x Vertical Type A USB 3.0
• 2 x USB 3.0 headers (support 4 USB 3.0 ports) (ASMedia Hub)
• 1 x Power Switch with LED
• 1 x Reset Switch with LED
• 1 x Clear CMOS Switch
• V-ProbeTM: 2 x 7-set of onboard voltage measurement points
laid
• Rapid OC Button: +/- buttons to adjust OC frequency
• 1 x PCIe ON/OFF Switch
• 1 x Post Status Checker (PSC)
• 1 x Slow Mode Switch
• 1 x LN2 Mode Switch
• 1 x BIOS Selection Switch"

Those x2 8 pins are definite your CPU power connectors, seems like they did this to increase your OC performace, I am guessing when tweaking the voltage maybe a better output idk. But I did not take the time to find it both 8 pins are required since above it mentions one in regards to the OC feature.

Try the PDF version here http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z87%20OC%20Formula/?cat=Manual
use Ctrl F to search exactly what you are looking for.

 

[Zarok Aleon]

I discovered that my PSU shipped with only one of 2 8 pin connectors. though I did discover that this means I will only be able to use 4 PCIe cables and since i will be using dual GPU that means I only have 2 8pin power connectors. Though happily I have enough room to add a second PSU if I need it.

Though is there any special order that I need to plug the CPU power cables in? or does it matter? the V3 and the V1?
And thanks for looking through all that. It really helped

 

[chosen12k6]

I have only dealt with Mobos that have a 24 pin connection + 4 pin for the CPU.

That being said I have went into rigs to adjust some cable management add new hardware etc. And forgot to plug in that 4 pin connector. PC wouldnt turn on.

I am saying that because their is no special order of plugging things in, you just need to plug them in and make sure they are snug.

Always Always test your components before beginning the build with the way I previously described. Trust me nothing is more frustrating than building a rig to find out you have DOA ram, or video card etc.

I believe you are along the right lines that maybe 1 of the 8 pins is optional. Although I cant say for certain. Idk why they would have you plug in x2 8 pin connectors if it wasnt optional.

PSU- check for (I call them old school 4 pin connectors) you can buy a 4 pin to 8 pin connector like this one here: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-6in-Pin-Power-Adapter/dp/B002O21XHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384521585&sr=8-1&keywords=4+pin+to+8+pin

No need for a second PSU. Let me know if you need further assistance.

*Edit*- previously I stated it seemed as if the x2 8 pin connectors were there to increase Cooling, I meant it in a way that increases the stability of the CPU when overclocked.

 

[Zarok Aleon]

So I found out my PSU had one 8pin that was modular and one with the non modular cables that I had already run through the case, I found that out today whenever I was doing the internal components test. Everything worked with one 8-pin CPU power connector. Now my issue is un plugging the power cables and mounting the board. I cant the the cables out of the board now... and I dont wana break anything yanking on them.

 

[chosen12k6]

Weird I thought I replied to this, I guess the mobile app is not dependable.

Do not worry about apply or exerting pressure for cables, it should feel uncomfortable to unplug but not to the point that you need additional hardware to get it out.

Example: Installing RAM requires a scary amount of pressure to seat correctly into the DIMM connectors on a mobo.

I would worry about it as long as you are pushing that tab in and pulling the connector pins out at the same time.