Question Which cables do I use?

[monere]

Hi guys,

I finally received the last 3 components for my new (and 1st time ever) build and I'm stuck at the cables connecting part.

Actually, I didn't mount the MoBo and components into the case yet, I only placed the MoBo onto its box and inserted the CPU, GPU, RAM sticks and M.2 SSD because I saw in a few YT videos that you need to do this before putting everything into the case, to test that it works.

Well, not that I know what exactly to test, but even so, I would like to power up the MoBo to check if it POSTs and let me enter UEFI to have a look around. But the problem is that I'm looking at the PSU and don't know what to do with the cables...

I already connected the 24-pin power cable onto the MoBo, that part was easy (although I still don't understand why my PSU has 23 pins instead of 24 like it's being mentioned almost everywhere)

So, I connected the 24-pin cable to the MoBo because that was the only connector of that size that I have and the only slot of that size on the MoBo so there was no chance for me getting this wrong 😀

But at the other end of this 24-pin cable there are 2 connectors which - apparently - can't be inserted simultaneously into the PSU... at least not without forcing the crap out of these connectors while risking to brake a wire or something.

The 2 connectors at this other end of the 24-pin cable have 18 and 10 pins, respectively, and while both of these connectors have their slots onto the PSU, I have absolutely no clue whether I should connect just one of them (and if yes, which one?) or brute-force both of them into their respective slots. Here's a screenshot of all of the available slots on my PSU:

So anyway, can you please tell me how to connect all of these cables in this initial phase so that I can successfully power up the MoBo and check if everything works?

Also, since I'm already on this topic (of checking whether stuff works), should I update the BIOS to the latest version before installing the OS and everything else (games, programs, media, etc), or should I roll with the current version of the BIOS if everything works?

My build...

Motherboard... AsRock B500M Steel Legend
CPU... Ryzen 5 5600
GPU... XFX Radeon RX 570 RS
RAM... G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32 GB (2x16GB) DDR4, 3200 MHz, CL 16
M.2 SSD... WD Black SN750 SE, 500 GB, PCIe 4.0
HDD... HGST something, 4TB, 7200 RPM (I don't know the cache though, but it's either 128 or 256 MB)
2x Fans (140 mm)... Scythe Kaze Flex Square ARGB PWM (300-1800 RPM) - both will be mounted on the front panel and will act as intake
3x Fans (120 mm)... Arctic AC P12 ARGB PWM PST - 2 of them mounted in the ceiling of the case, 1 at the rear, all 3 of them as exhaust
PSU... MSI MAG A750GL, 80+ Gold
Case... Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L Black (yes, I have purposely gone for a mATX build, should this matter)

Please let me know how to connect those cables because I'm scared [vulgarity redacted] that I might power up the MoBo and see a shortcircuit popping up somewhere and I've saved this money for nearly 2 years to buy these components and I'm literally depleted of finances, I can't even afford $3 thermal paste if you believe me, which I might need anyway since I've accidentally dragged my finger over the CPU's cooler and my fingerprint got imprinted into 1/4th of the square area and I can see the cooler's plate... but anyway, that's not the problem. The problem (which I'd like to avoid) is frying my MoBo (or any other component actually) because of a misplaced cable or something, so please let me know how to handle the connectors...

By the way, I don't think that what MSI are saying on the page of their PSU is accurate because they brag about 16-pin yellow connectors but the only yellow connectors that this PSU has are 12-pin, not 16. So, I'm even more confused what I need to do with each connector now...

 

[Lutfij]

Top left hand corner - ATX24P
+
Bottom left hand corner - ATX24P
are where they hook up. The other end is the 24pin to the motherboard

The 8pin EPS on the motherboard will hook to the connector just next tot he 10pinned ATX24P connector on the PSU labelled CPU&PCI-E.

The next EPS connector for the motherboard will terminate at any one of the CPU&PCI-E connectors on the PSU.

 

[monere]

Top left hand corner - ATX24P
+
Bottom left hand corner - ATX24P
are where they hook up. The other end is the 24pin to the motherboard

that's how I figured, too. But this means that I'll have to force the connectors because their cables are unified, and if I force them I'm afraid I might split them open 🙁

The 8pin EPS on the motherboard will hook to the connector just next tot he 10pinned ATX24P connector on the PSU labelled CPU&PCI-E.

ah-ha, got it!

The next EPS connector

is this the 4-pin connector near the 8-pin EPS one on the MoBo?

Also, what do I do with the 12V2x6 slot on the PSU? What's getting in that slot?

And lastly, where do I connect the GPU? The GPU came with a 8-pin connector that splits into two 6-pin connectors at the other end, what will I be doing with this cable?

 

[Eximo]

is this the 4-pin connector near the 8-pin EPS one on the MoBo?

Also, what do I do with the 12V2x6 slot on the PSU? What's getting in that slot?

And lastly, where do I connect the GPU? The GPU came with a 8-pin connector that splits into two 6-pin connectors at the other end, what will I be doing with this cable?

Yes, one half of an 8-pin for supplemental power. Many 8-pin EPS connectors can split apart. If they don't you might be able to still plug the full 8-pin in, many boards are designed with this in mind.

You do nothing with the 12VHPWR connector, that is a new standard for powering late model graphics cards, some high end Nvidia 30 series cards and many 40 series cards.

For your graphics card you will use one of the PCIe cables that came with the PSU and plug the other end into a CPU&PCI-E spot on the PSU.. You should not need to use the included adapter with the GPU.

 

[monere]

Yes, one half of an 8-pin for supplemental power. Many 8-pin EPS connectors can split apart. If they don't you might be able to still plug the full 8-pin in, many boards are designed with this in mind

For your graphics card you will use one of the PCIe cables that came with the PSU and plug the other end into a CPU&PCI-E spot on the PSU.. You should not need to use the included adapter with the GPU.

yep, I've figured all of this out and had my first boot (yay! 😀)....

When I booted initially (by shortcircuiting the 2 power pins on the front panel header) nothing happened and I freaked out. Like, REALLY freaked out like you had no idea how sweaty and shaky I was when I saw that the GPU's fans didn't spin and the screen stood blank. It was only when I noticed the 2nd RAM stick not seated properly that I was able to calm down,. shut down everything and re-slot the sticks (both of them were inserted poorly) that I got confidence and started again. And it worked!!! Am I a genius or what? 😀 (joking, of course)

Anyway, I booted and I was presented with some crap about fTPM being corrupted and needing some bitlocker something, etc. I don't remember the entire writing but I was basically presented with 2 choices: press Y or press N.

I pressed N and, as it rebooted, I spammed DEL to get into BIOS but no luck. I got presented with that nonsense again and chose N again and pressed F2 this time but still no luck. I decided to try one more time with the F12 key, so I chose N again and pressed F12 and this time I went into BIOS (yay #2! 😀)

Took a look inside of the BIOS, noticed that my CPU temp stood at 48 degrees Celsius (which kinda freaked me out to be honest, because if the CPU has this high of a temperature while doing nothing then what will it reach when I game or do other intensive work?? But then I remembered how I didn't have any fans installed, so I calmed down)...

Also noticed the 2 RAM sticks running at 2666 MHz without OC which is kinda cool since they usually run at 2133 / 2400 MHz. Not sure how much of a difference the extra 266 MHz make, but I'll take it 😛

I did check a few more things (out of curiosity more than anything), but I don't remember what I looked at, but half of the terminologies and settings in BIOS were foreign to me, so I chose to shut it down, packed everything up like it was this morning when the last components came, and tomorrow morning, with a fresh head and eyesight (I wear glasses) I will mount the fans in the case, and put the whole thing together and (fingers crossed) I will be able to install the OS and games, and OC the CPU / RAM / GPU and... I'm so excited about all of these 😛

You do nothing with the 12VHPWR connector, that is a new standard for powering late model graphics cards, some high end Nvidia 30 series cards and many 40 series cards.

I see... Good to know, and thanks for the tip

Anyway, the issue is solved, I guess you can close this thread now.... Cheers!

 

[Eximo]

Congratulations on your first build.