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Power Supply Connectors - How to Connect PC Power Connectors

Connecting a power supply? Learn how to identify and connect PC power supply connectors with this full picture guide.power connector function

Let's begin with some good news: All computer power supply connectors have a foolproof design such that they can only be connected in a single direction (so there's no way to mess up here).

And while a power supply looks like a big mess of cables to the untrained eye, there's only a few types of PC power connectors that you'll need to know when connecting a power supply.

Since SATA and Molex power connectors do not have clips, be sure to insert them firmly so that they won't come loose or get disconnected.
1. (20 + 4 Pin) ATX Power Connector
Also known as main power connector
Connects to: ATX motherboard power connectors (see image below)

2. (4 + 4 Pin) ATX 12V Power Connector
Also known as CPU power connector, P4 power connector
Connects to: ATX 12V power connectors on motherboards (see image below)
Note: For most computers, you will just need to connect a single 4 pin connector.
3. SATA Power Connector
Also known as SATA power cable, Serial-ATA power cable
Connects to: power connectors on SATA hard drives and SATA optical drives
Note: Always make sure that your SATA power connectors are fully inserted. Since it doesn't have a clip, this PC power connector tends to loosen and detach itself.
4. (4 Pin) Molex Connector
Also known as peripheral connector
Connects to: power connectors of IDE hard drives and IDE optical drives
Note: IDE drives are going the way of dinosaurs but Molex connectors are still well and alive... thanks to the following adapters that allow them to power SATA drives and computer case fans: