A technician is installing a replacement motherboard into a workstation case and preparing the system for first boot. Which of the following motherboard power connections must be secured to ensure the system board and processor receive proper power? (Select TWO.)
- The primary 24-pin ATX power connector to supply operational voltage to motherboard components and expansion buses.Answer
- An auxiliary 4-pin or 8-pin ATX12V/EPS12V connector to supply dedicated power directly to the CPU voltage regulator.Answer
- CA 6+2 pin PCIe power connector plugged into the main system board power header.
- DA 15-pin SATA power connector plugged into the system board front-panel header.
Answer
The correct connections are the primary 24-pin ATX power connector for overall motherboard circuitry and an auxiliary 4-pin or 8-pin ATX12V/EPS12V connector for dedicated CPU power.
Standard desktop motherboards require two main power supply connections to operate correctly: the primary 24-pin ATX main power cable, which powers motherboard logic and expansion slots, and the dedicated 4-pin or 8-pin ATX12V/EPS12V connector positioned near the CPU socket, which supplies isolated +12V power to the CPU voltage regulator.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Motherboard Power Connectors (24-pin ATX and 4/8-pin EPS12V)