EPS 8-pin + 4-pin... do I use both?

[atomicus]

My MSI X99A Titanium motherboard has both an 8-pin and 4-pin ATX connector at the top... should I be using both of these? The motherboard does not say, it simply refers to them as ATX connectors. My PSU (EVGA G2 850w) comes with x2 ATX cables, both 4+4 pin, so I could run an extension of one of the 4-pins to the 4-pin on the motherboard (in addition to the 8-pin, making 12 total). I'm a bit baffled as to why the manual doesn't say what to do here.

[Ichi]

Only the 8 pin is needed.

The extra 4 pin is just to supply extra power for overclocking stability or something along those lines.

It's not needed to make the pc work but if your PSU have 2 EPS cables then I don't see any harm in plugging all 8+4 in.

[atomicus]

I will be OC'ing (it is a full custom loop), and the PSU has x2 4+4 CPU cables, and I'm using extensions, so easy enough to attach a 4-pin to one side of the 4+4 and plug that in also. If it's going to potentially offer better stability then I might as well do it.

[DexterSmythe]

1 minute ago, atomicus said:

I will be OC'ing (it is a full custom loop), and the PSU has x2 4+4 CPU cables, and I'm using extensions, so easy enough to attach a 4-pin to one side of the 4+4 and plug that in also. If it's going to potentially offer better stability then I might as well do it.

You do not need the 4 pin EPS but if you have them on your PSU connect it all because it will allow more overhead for the motherboard and also be good if you are going to be overclocking which I would highly recommended if you are going to be doing a custom loop because it will allow for a lot of thermal headroom if your loop is big enough.

[atomicus]

Great thanks for that, good to know!

[done12many2]

8 minutes ago, atomicus said:

I will be OC'ing (it is a full custom loop), and the PSU has x2 4+4 CPU cables, and I'm using extensions, so easy enough to attach a 4-pin to one side of the 4+4 and plug that in also. If it's going to potentially offer better stability then I might as well do it.

 

Even the 4 + 4 by itself is plenty for overclocking.  My x99 Deluxe/U3.1 only comes with one 4 + 4 header and I've been known to run an absurd amount of voltage on my 5960x.  Never had an issue at all hitting some really high clock speeds.

[Enderman]

Use everything they give you if you can.