4 Pin vs 8 Pin CPU Connector | Which Is Better?

Building a new PC can be very confusing at times since you always want what’s best for your PC. The same goes for the power supply of your CPU. Most motherboards come with either a 4-pin or an 8-pin connector. But which would be better for your CPU to use?

There is no definite answer to this since a lot of it depends on what kind of PC you are building. Here in this article, we will explore what CPU connectors are and what would be a better fit for your PC.

What Are 4-Pin and 8-Pin CPU Connectors?

Among some others, the CPU is one of the components that need auxiliary power other than the one provided by the motherboard. The CPU connectors accomplish this task. These connectors can be a little different depending on the type of PC you are building.

4-Pin CPU Power Connector

A 4-pin CPU connector is known as the standard connector for most CPUs. It has 2 yellow wires and 2 black wires. This connector is connected to the 4-pin socket on the motherboard. This connector can deliver up to 192 watts of power which is enough for standard CPUs.

8-Pin CPU Power Connector

An 8-pin CPU connector is known as an optional connector for high-end CPUs. It has 4 yellow wires and 4 black wires. This connector is connected to the 8-pin socket on the motherboard. This connector can deliver up to 384 watts of power which is necessary for overclocked and high-end CPUs.

Difference Between 4-Pin & 8-Pin CPU Connectors

Let’s have a quick look at the core differences between 4-pin CPU connectors and 8-pin CPU connectors –

4 Pin Connector For CPU	8 Pin Connector For CPU
A 4-pin connector for the CPU is known as the Standard “P4 connector”.	An 8-pin connector for the CPU is known as the standard “EPS connector”.
It can supply 155 to 192 Watts of power.	It can supply 235 to 384 Watts of power
Low-end CPUs with a TDP below 155W need this connector.	High-end CPUs with a TDP higher than 155W need this connector.

As now you know the core differences between 4-pin and 8-pin CPU connectors, let’s see when should you choose which one of these connectors.

Which One Should You Choose: A 4-Pin CPU Connector or An 8-Pin CPU Connector?

As stated before, the 4-pin CPU connector is sufficient for low-end CPUs that required up to 192 watts of power. On the other hand, the 8-pin CPU connectors are suitable for high-end overclocked CPUs that require more than 192 watts of power.

However, whether you should use a 4-pin or an 8-pin CPU connector depends on the power requirement of your CPU. 

Here are the factors to consider while choosing between 8-Pin and 4-Pin connectors:

• Power requirements of your system
• Performance needs
• Budget

For example, consider you have the Intel Core i9 13900K processor that requires 253 watts of power. In this case, a 4-pin CPU connector isn’t enough to provide the required power to that CPU. So, you’ll need the 8-pin CPU connector in that case.

How To Choose The Right Connector for Your CPU?

You can easily identify whether you’ll need a 4-pin connector or an 8-pin connector for your CPU by checking your motherboard’s specifications. Follow the instructions below to choose the accurate CPU connector:

Step 1: Search for the model’s name or chipset of your motherboard on Google.

Step 2: Go to your motherboard manufacturer’s website.

Step 3: Click on the specification tab > detail section and scroll the page to the internal connector section.

Step 4: Check what type and how many connectors your CPU requires.

4 Pin vs 8 Pin CPU Connector: Pros & Cons

Here are the pros and cons of 4 pin vs 8 pin CPU connectors:

	Pros	Cons
4 Pin CPU Connectors	• Less Expensive• Sufficient for most CPUs	• Can’t provide more than 192 watts.• May not be sufficient for high-performance systems
8 Pin CPU Connectors	• Provides up to 384 watts• Improves stability• Recommended for high-performance systems	• More expensive• Overpowered for lower-performance systems

Our Verdict

Since we now understand what CPU connectors do and how more pins benefit your PC more, we would pick the 8-pin connector over the 4-pin any day. Safety before all else. And since heat generation also affects performance, it is always better to go for the one that has more heat control.

The connector manufacturers most likely have a current rating for thermal reasons. The motherboard manufacturers anticipate the voltage drop and then design the number of pins for that. So, if you have a 4-pin, 8-pin, or 12-pin connector, use them all.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I plug an 8-pin into a 4-pin CPU?

Yes, you can plug an 8-pin into a 4-pin CPU. Most connectors come with 4+4-pin connectors. You can pull these types of connectors and split them from the middle and use only one of them on your motherboard port.

Are CPU and PCIe connectors the same?

In most cases, yes. But sometimes it can be different. You can tell them apart by the shape of the cables. If one of them is twisted then no, you cannot interchange CPU and PCIe connectors.

Conclusion

In brief, the 8-pin connectors are superior to the 4-pin connectors. Even if you don’t need 8-pins, you should still use all of them just to make sure your PC stays healthy and performs like it’s supposed to. We hope we were able to provide you with the information you were looking for and helped you understand if you should go for 4-pin or 8-pin CPU connectors.