Asrock Z77 OC Formula X-fire plug on motherboard-do you use it?

[havasuphto]

I am planning on possibly using 2 AMD 7970(3gb vram) video cards in Crossfire on my Asrock Z77 OC Formula motherboard. I have a Thermaltake Smart M1000(1000 watt-bronze 80) power supply, which has sufficient power/plugs.
My question is this; Item#39 on my motherboard is labeled "SLI/XFIRE _PWR1". How does the cover on this plug come off? Does it have retaining clip, or do I just pull the cover straight off.
Next question is; in the owner's manual, page 42, it says-SLX-XFIRE Power Connector(4-pin SLI/XFIRE_PWR1); "It is not necessary to use this connector, but please connect it with a hard disk power connector when two graphics cards are plugged to this motherboard".

So, the obvious question is; do I need to plug in a hard drive power connector to this plug, when using 2 cards in X-fire, or not? This manual is so ambivalent and confusing.

[synack]

Mine didn't have a cover. it's a male 4 pin connector on it's side. you plug it in from the "bottom side"

I interpret the manual to mean it's not required *unless* you are using 2 video cards in crossfire/slx.

[- wardog -]

From just now browsing pics on the 'net if you look at the SLI/XFIRE_PWR1 connector from the bottom up you'll find there is no cover.



You'll notice the 4 pins of the molex just visible in the above pic.

As to connect it or not:

From > AnandTech - ASRock Z77 OC Formula Review: Living In The Fast Lane

The 4-pin molex on board for additional PCIe power is not really needed unless you are pushing for competitive overclocks, but I still had to use it to get dual 580s running with a stock system.

[synack]

From just now browsing pics on the 'net if you look at the SLI/XFIRE_PWR1 connector from the bottom up you'll find there is no cover.



You'll notice the 4 pins of the molex just visible in the above pic.

As to connect it or not:

From > AnandTech - ASRock Z77 OC Formula Review: Living In The Fast Lane

The 4-pin molex on board for additional PCIe power is not really needed unless you are pushing for competitive overclocks, but I still had to use it to get dual 580s running with a stock system.

Neener.. I JUST beat you :P

[- wardog -]

synack for the win!

[- wardog -]

Neener.. I JUST beat you :P

Teach me to waste valuable seconds enlarging the pic!

Next time synack. Next time.

[havasuphto]

Thanks all-I see that you plug in the four pin from the bottom, and use it for dual cards-thanks. Could they have put that plug just a little closer to a bottom mounted power supply?? And why bottom up? Why not just straight in? Oh well.....thanks again guys.

[- wardog -]

Could they have put that plug just a little closer to a bottom mounted power supply??

Can't please everyone all the time :)

When they're placed in the middle of the board those who are anal with neat wiring whine because they have to drag a wiring harness across the board to clutter an otherwise neat appearance.

Agreed. It would be a tight fit here too. Neat though.

[synack]

The form factor really calls for a pretty big case. so that little bit of extra space required between the board and power supply isn't that big of a deal. not in my massive 810 anyway.