Motherboard power cables: 24-pin ATX and 8-pin CPU cables, extension cables and adapters that connect a power supply to the motherboard. They suit anyone building a PC, replacing a lost or damaged cable, or wanting a tidier or more colourful case interior. Our range includes Delock, Corsair, SilverStone and Lian Li products.
How to choose a motherboard power cable
Connector on the board. Check which power connectors your motherboard has. Most have a 24-pin ATX connector and one or two 8-pin (4+4) CPU connectors, but server and some workstation boards use other combinations. The exact list is in the motherboard manual.
Power supply compatibility. With modular power supplies, the cables also plug into the unit itself, and the pin layout differs between manufacturers and sometimes between series. A cable from another supply can damage components. Choose a cable made for your exact power supply model or series.
Length. Our range has short cables, from roughly 15 cm to 60 cm. About 30 cm is often enough for an extension, but in a large case measure the route from the board connector to the power supply and add some slack for bends.
Sleeving and colour. Cable colours in our range include black, white, yellow and multicolour. Colour matters mainly in cases with a glass side panel, and a sleeved cable bends more easily and looks neater than a flat ribbon.
Brands we carry
- Delock: a German maker known for computer cables, adapters and connection accessories, so it often has less common cable types.
- Corsair: a power supply manufacturer whose modular supply cables come in separate series, so each cable fits only the series it was made for.
- SilverStone: known for power supplies and cases, including small form factor builds where shorter cables are needed.
- CableMod: specialises in sleeved cables and extension kits made for a neat-looking build.
- Lian Li: a case manufacturer that introduced addressable RGB lighting cables designed to be seen through the glass panel.
- Supermicro: makes servers and server motherboards, so its cables are made for that kind of hardware.
- StarTech.com: known for connectivity accessories and adapters used in offices and by IT professionals.
Also in our range: shiverpeaks, Kolink, InLine, Akasa and Roline.
Frequently asked questions
How many pins does a motherboard power cable have?
The main ATX cable has 24 pins, often made up of a 20+4 pin connector. The CPU cable usually has 8 pins (4+4). The motherboard manual lists how many connectors your board needs.
Can I use a cable from a different modular power supply?
It is best not to. The plugs on the power supply side can look the same, but the pin layout may differ, even between series from the same manufacturer. The wrong cable can damage the motherboard or other components, so choose a cable made for your power supply model.
When do I need a power cable extension?
An extension is needed when the standard cable does not reach the motherboard connector, for example in a large case, or when you want to route the cable more neatly. It is also used to replace standard cables with sleeved ones. Measure the distance first.
What is the difference between ATX and EPS cables?
The 24-pin ATX cable powers the whole motherboard, while the 8-pin EPS cable powers the processor. The connectors are physically different, so they cannot be mixed up. Some boards use two EPS connectors, especially for high-performance processors.
