P180 Motherboard / PSU compatibility List

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 4:21 pm

I'm starting this thread to hopefully collect in one place info on how various MB and PSU fit in the P180. I notice lots of people asking such questions. I'll start:

Motherboard : Asus A8V Deluxe, XP-120.

PSU : Seasonic S12-430 installed upside down.

Issues : ATX12V too short.

Notes : ATX12V is too short even when untwisted. It has to go across the PCI slots and under the AGP card. The XP-120 is part of the problem due to its size, but even a smaller cooler will contribute only an extra 15mm at most, not enough to route it neatly.

By the way, the CPU socket location aligns perfectly with the top and rear case fans, just like the MB shown in the Ninja review.

Does anyone know where to get ATX12V extension cables? I had to build my own...

Pgh · Post by **Pgh** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:34 pm

http://www.bestbyteinc.com/prodinfo.asp ... BL-ATX-18E

Post by **MikeC** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 8:02 pm

I think Lenny is not looking for a main ATX cable extender but one for the 4-pin AUX12V. IO have a couple but can't tell you where I got them. The position of the AUX12V socket on that mobo seems odd -- so far away from the main ATX and off in that corner.

Edward Ng · Post by **Edward Ng** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:14 pm

The DFI LAN Party nF3 250Gb works fine with S12-600 in my P180.

-Ed

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:31 pm

Mike's right, the 4 pin ATX12V extension is the cable I'm looking for. The main ATX cable is long enough.

I notice that Asus motherboards tend to have the ATX12V connector in that location. It works quite nicely when the PSU is above the MB in conventional cases - it's out of the way and easy to route. I guess the rationale is to have the ATX12V close to the CPU to cut down on distance.

Digging into my old parts box I found an Enermax Whisper 365 something or other (350W). It has a much longer ATX12V, and the best part is the side of the PSU facing the mid case fan is *very* open. I don't expect efficiency to be anywhere near the S12 though, and it's either passive or non PFC, so that part sucks.

JerryT · Post by **JerryT** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:38 pm

lenny wrote:Mike's right, the 4 pin ATX12V extension is the cable I'm looking for. The main ATX cable is long enough.

I notice that Asus motherboards tend to have the ATX12V connector in that location. It works quite nicely when the PSU is above the MB in conventional cases - it's out of the way and easy to route. I guess the rationale is to have the ATX12V close to the CPU to cut down on distance.

Digging into my old parts box I found an Enermax Whisper 365 something or other (350W). It has a much longer ATX12V, and the best part is the side of the PSU facing the mid case fan is *very* open. I don't expect efficiency to be anywhere near the S12 though, and it's either passive or non PFC, so that part sucks.

Lenny. If you have your S12 out of the case, could I ask you to measure the length on the main ATX cable? I'm looking at the S12, but the 500w version, and the review here shows the length at 16" which seems like it may be short.
Thanks.

Pgh · Post by **Pgh** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:38 pm

Is this it?

http://store.pchcables.com/12atx4pinmaf.html

Out of stock though.

Pgh · Post by **Pgh** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:51 pm

Here's an extension set:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/ ... 7947b8416a

It's more than you need but I think it's in stock.[/url]

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:27 pm

JerryT wrote:Lenny. If you have your S12 out of the case, could I ask you to measure the length on the main ATX cable? I'm looking at the S12, but the 500w version, and the review here shows the length at 16" which seems like it may be short.

The S12-430 review said 18" but I'll try to get you a better measurement the next time I have the case open. I'm not sure if I'll remove it, but I'll try to use a piece of wire to estimate the length.

Pgh : yes, that's exactly it! Thanks!

JerryT · Post by **JerryT** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 9:34 am

lenny wrote:
JerryT wrote:Lenny. If you have your S12 out of the case, could I ask you to measure the length on the main ATX cable? I'm looking at the S12, but the 500w version, and the review here shows the length at 16" which seems like it may be short.
The S12-430 review said 18" but I'll try to get you a better measurement the next time I have the case open. I'm not sure if I'll remove it, but I'll try to use a piece of wire to estimate the length.

Pgh : yes, that's exactly it! Thanks!

Sorry Lenny, I was thinking of the S12-500w review. It shows the ATX12 as 18, but the main ATX as 16. In the picture though they both look the same length. I sent an email to Seasonic to see if I can get it clarified.
Thanks for the help.

Freelancer77 · Post by **Freelancer77** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 3:31 pm

Lenny,

Thanks for starting this thread. I just received the P180 for my new rig, and I have to say it's all that and a root beer float! I already have an A8N SLI Deluxe and an A64 3700(San Diego) waiting to stuff in it, and have been reading very carefully to decide about the PSU and HS.

I very much favor the XP-120, by all of the pics I've seen it should put that monster heatsink right between the P180's TriCool 120 fans, and Thermalright's site claims it's a good fit for that MOBO.

On the power front I like the looks and price of the Enermax EG565P-VE, since it has 4 SATA and 2 PCIe ends, and will never leave the system hungry.

My concern about either is fit and reach issues with the bottom-mounted PSU. I can't seem to find any specs on cable length for the Enermax, so if someone else has tried that combo I'd like to know, yay or nay.

Thanks all.

JerryT · Post by **JerryT** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 6:50 pm

Freelancer77 wrote:My concern about either is fit and reach issues with the bottom-mounted PSU. I can't seem to find any specs on cable length for the Enermax, so if someone else has tried that combo I'd like to know, yay or nay.

Thanks all.

That seems to be the biggest problem. Non of the PSU manufacturs list cable lengths in their specs. With the new batch of lower bay PSU cases out there I think it would be a good thing to list all cable lengths in the spec sheet.
Would sure make it easier to pick out a new PSU.

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 5:27 am

PSU: Seasonic SS300

Mobo(s): Every ATX and m-ATX board (all Intel, FWIW)

ATX power cable easily reaches the connector on every board I have here. All the ATX connectors are roughly in the same place, approx 1.5" below the top edge of the board and around .25" to .75" inboard from the right edge of the board.

JerryT · Post by **JerryT** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:00 am

Just an FYI. I confirmed with Seasonic that the ATX cable length on the
S-12 500/600w units is 16".

Freelancer77 · Post by **Freelancer77** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:04 am

JerryT wrote:Just an FYI. I confirmed with Seasonic that the ATX cable length on the
S-12 500/600w units is 16".

Oh boy. I just ordered an S12-500. A different thread here had a post from someone saying they had a P180, A8N SLI and that the connectors on an S12-500 fit just fine. But I measured the case, and 16" wouldn't make it. Guess I'll be ordering that Silverstone extender kit next.

As soon as the PSU arrives and I manage to get it wired, the signature changes to this:

Antec P180; Asus A8N SLI Deluxe
Athlon64 3700+ San Diego; Corsair TWINX1024-3200XL
Asus EN6600GT TOP; 2x WD740GD RAID0

And my kids get the K7 machine.

JerryT · Post by **JerryT** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:41 am

Freelancer77 wrote:
JerryT wrote:Just an FYI. I confirmed with Seasonic that the ATX cable length on the
S-12 500/600w units is 16".
Oh boy. I just ordered an S12-500. A different thread here had a post from someone saying they had a P180, A8N SLI and that the connectors on an S12-500 fit just fine. But I measured the case, and 16" wouldn't make it. Guess I'll be ordering that Silverstone extender kit next.

Oh well, I just ordered the S-12 500w also. I just added the extender cable to that. This is the unit I really wanted so I will make it work. I was looking at the Phantom 500w, but they want to much cash for it right now.

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:53 am

Guess I'm too late with this info - I measured the S12-430 ATX 24 pin connector and it's at least 18 inches. 18 inches should reach without any problem. 16 inches is a little iffy. Give it a try and let us know. You can also try the PSU in both fan up and fan down orientation to see if it gives you a little extra reach.

JerryT · Post by **JerryT** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 6:36 am

lenny wrote:Guess I'm too late with this info - I measured the S12-430 ATX 24 pin connector and it's at least 18 inches. 18 inches should reach without any problem. 16 inches is a little iffy. Give it a try and let us know. You can also try the PSU in both fan up and fan down orientation to see if it gives you a little extra reach.

Thanks Lenny. I'll just use a wire strecher on it.

yacoub · Post by **yacoub** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 7:22 pm

Can I ask why some are mounting S12 Seasonics upside down? I'm looking into a 500W S12 to power a DFI Ultra-D NForce4Ultra board. Think the power cables will reach the connectors on that one alright? And do I mount the PSU right-side-up or upside-down? =P

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 8:43 pm

yacoub wrote:Can I ask why some are mounting S12 Seasonics upside down? I'm looking into a 500W S12 to power a DFI Ultra-D NForce4Ultra board. Think the power cables will reach the connectors on that one alright? And do I mount the PSU right-side-up or upside-down? =P

Well, I have a few reasons, some of which I'm not sure are the right ones:

1. I removed the mid case fan, so the PSU is the only exhaust in the lower compartment. I don't want the warmer air to stick around the top of the compartment.

2. Having the bunch of cable from the PSU come out at the end farther from the side panel makes it a little neater.

3. I've read that sleeve bearing fans last longer when blowing down. Of course, I've also read that they last longer mounted vertically, so this might be total hogwash.

If I recall the layout of the DFI correctly, the ATX12V is close to the main ATX. Edward says that his nF3 works properly with a S12-600, but I don't know if he's using the 24-20 pin adapter (or if his ver. of PSU needs one).
18 in on the ATX12V should be sufficient for that position. Don't know about the 24 pin ATX.

idiot · Post by **idiot** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 4:10 am

yacoub wrote:I'm looking into a 500W S12 to power a DFI Ultra-D NForce4Ultra board. Think the power cables will reach the connectors on that one alright?

I'm using an S12-430 on that board and everything reaches fine (though they're a little tight).

Edward Ng · Post by **Edward Ng** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 4:36 am

I am using the 24-20-pin adapter, as the DFI LANParty UT nF3 250Gb is a 20-pin ATX board.

-Ed

Devonavar · Post by **Devonavar** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 1:02 pm

Another benefit of an upside-down mounting: With the cables against the rear wall of the case, you can get a little more cable slack if you don't close the cover between the two chambers (seal with duct tape instead). With the S12 installed fan-down, the cables have to travel across the width of the case before they reach the motherboard.

K_R · Post by **K_R** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 7:06 pm

If you own the Tagan 550W PSU, you are in for some fun getting the thing into the case!

If you click on the link, you can see how the PSU just barely fits.
http://trippy-purple-cloud.dhs.org/images/inside01.jpg
It has a push/pull fan arrangement, the extra size is to accomodate such. I removed the fan that on the 'inner' side of the PSU and pulled all the cables through the hole left behind as they would not bend enough when coming out of the default cable hole. Then getting the thing to actuall slide in was a struggle...

In sum, do not get this PSU if you have designs on the P180, unless you want to spend an hour or more getting it to fit in.

Post by **MikeC** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 7:45 pm

K_R wrote:If you own the Tagan 550W PSU, you are in for some fun getting the thing into the case! ... In sum, do not get this PSU if you have designs on the P180, unless you want to spend an hour or more getting it to fit in.

The simple solution, which you could still implement now, would be to remove the PSU chamber fan and not use it. The Tagan already has 2 80mm fans -- why do you need any more airflow down there? Remember that the PSU chamber fan is really an option -- use it as you need it.

thetoad30 · Post by **thetoad30** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 9:25 pm

So assuming a Sonata TruePower 380 PSU (one 80 mm fan spinning slow) and 4 Western Digital 250 GB hard drives in the lower bay, would you recommend having the fan installed? If the fan IS installed, do we need to tape off the back vents as mentioned in another thread?

Thank you

Post by **MikeC** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 9:41 pm

thetoad30 wrote:So assuming a Sonata TruePower 380 PSU (one 80 mm fan spinning slow) and 4 Western Digital 250 GB hard drives in the lower bay, would you recommend having the fan installed? If the fan IS installed, do we need to tape off the back vents as mentioned in another thread?

I think it would be worth experimenting. This is a borderline case, the questions being:

1) Is the PSU quieter working with just its own fan to cool itself and the HDDs, or will its fan ramp up?
2) If a 120mm fan is used, how much airflow is needed to keep the PSU fan from ever ramping up and is that quieter than just the PSU fan?

IIRC, the Sonata is not really that quiet even at idle, so perhaps a slow quiet 120mm fan would not add any audible noise while certainly helping both PSU and HDD cooling.

As for your second question -- If the fan IS installed, do we need to tape off the back vents as mentioned in another thread? -- definitely not.

thetoad30 · Post by **thetoad30** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:32 am

[quote="MikeC]If the fan IS installed, do we need to tape off the back vents as mentioned in another thread? -- definitely not.[/quote]

Ok. I didn't think so, but I just wanted to make sure.

Thank you.

K_R · Post by **K_R** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:11 am

MikeC wrote:The simple solution, which you could still implement now, would be to remove the PSU chamber fan and not use it. The Tagan already has 2 80mm fans -- why do you need any more airflow down there? Remember that the PSU chamber fan is really an option -- use it as you need it.

I did think of that, but the PSU fan wouldn't shift as much air as the chamber fan for the same noise level. I took out both fans from the Tagan instead

Freelancer77 · Post by **Freelancer77** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:09 am

Ok, since I am still waiting for the actual build, I took MikeC's advice, and I'm getting ready in case I choose not to leave the 38mm lower fan installed.

I wanted something that wouldn't be too noticeable, and I just can't slap tape on this pretty case, so I need a sacrificial lamb...

You there, you've done your time, on to a new life...

A lightly smoked hard plastic that won't be intimidated by either positive or negative pressure inside the case...

The only way to "cope" with trouble.

Voila

The clear pieces will be mounted on the inside around the PSU with clear silicone sealant so they really do seal, and can't rattle the case. The black piece was part of the body of that same old disk holder, cut to size and painted black, in case I decide to block off the VGA duct.

Tonight I'll paint a little black around the front bezel area in case I leave the filter doors off.