A technician needs to power an older Parallel ATA (PATA) hard drive inside a desktop PC. Which of the following connector types provided by the power supply delivers 5 V and 12 V DC to this kind of internal device?
The 4-pin Molex (often called LP4) connector was the traditional power connector for internal PATA hard drives, optical drives, case fans, and other peripherals. It carries one 12 V (yellow) line, one 5 V (red) line, and two ground wires. Newer SATA drives use a 15-pin SATA power connector instead, but legacy hardware still requires Molex.
Incorrect options:
RJ-45 - an 8-position connector for Ethernet networking, not power.
BNC - a bayonet connector used mainly for coaxial cabling (e.g., legacy 10BASE2, video), not internal PC power.
USB - a general-purpose external serial bus that can supply limited power to peripherals but is not used to power internal drives from the PSU.
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What is a Molex connector used for?
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How does a Molex connector differ from a SATA power connector?
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Why doesn't USB power internal devices like PATA hard drives?