20 - 24 pin ATX power converter
 

I just got a new Asus A8N Sli - deluxe motherboard, but it has a 24 pin ATX power supply connector. I was wondering if it'd be safe to use just the 20 pin connector and leave 4 spaces empty. I read on some other forums that people have done this but feel a little unsure about it.
I am just building it at the moment and i aim to get a converter later, but i just want to put all the OS and essential programs on tonight, so i hope it could power up ok for some trivial use with just the 20 pins connected

Thanks :)

NO! Don't even try it.

Odds are, without that connector, your system won't even turn on, those extra four pins are extremely important in giving the CPU enough power to run without destroying itself. So, just wait and buy a new powersupply, or a 20->24 pin adapter.

But, please, don't try and start it.

no you need an adapter or a new power suply with 24 pin atx out.

ok thanks. i wont bother powering it on then :)

its a shame though, i am building it for a friend and i was hoping to play some games on it tonight :p

yeah, you can't go in that direction.

you can go the other direction safely, if the mobo layout fits it ...but that don't help you.

It'll work if your supply has enough +12V. The new pins are +12V, +5V and +3.3V. If your board really needs those pins supplied or you don't like the untidy look you can buy an <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=12-101-121&depa=0">adapter for $4.</a>

For the A8N Sli the 20 pin supply plug should go into the motherboard at the socket end furthest from the PCI slots. The "unused pins" on the motherboard would be the 4 closest to the PCI slots. Doing this wrong woud be very bad. Check the colors for reference.

The generic question gets back to if your power supply can handle the +12V demands. For your AMD it's quite possible if your supply provides 20A or more at +12V, though you won't have much wiggle room for extras or hot days. I wouldn't bother with current P4 boards. (pun not intended)