Cables To Go
     Call Us: 1-800-506-9607
Resellers, apply here.
New Tax Exempt Customer? Read this.
Shopping Cart Shopping Cart Log In/Register My Account Order Status
Live Chat
ABOUT US CONTACT US CATALOG CUSTOM CABLES QUICK BUY RESOURCES LIVE CHAT
 
QUICK SEARCH
Adapters
Audio Video Cables
Audio Video Devices
Bulk Cable
Cat5e, Cat6 Cables
CATV and SATV
Connectors
DVI
Fiber Cables
Gender Changers
HDMI
Home Distribution
iPod®/FireWire®
KVMs & Switches
Monitor Cables
Network Cable/Devices
PC Cables
Power Cords & Chargers
RapidRun™ A/V
SCSI
Tools & Testers
USB
VGA
Wall Plates & Premise Wiring
Clearance Sale
New Products
QUICK BUY
Quick Buy Multiple Products
CableGuy
QUICK LINKS
About Us
Custom Cables
Log In/Register
Where to Buy
 
Internal Connector Guide
  Internal connectors are found inside a computer case. There are two primary types of connectors found internally: socket connectors and power connectors. Socket connectors are designed for use with flat ribbon cable, and are generally used to transfer data among devices. A socket connector mates with pins arranged into a header. Usually a header is built onto a piece of circuit board, or integrated into an electronic device. Socket connections are held in place by the friction of the pins. Most socket/header interfaces are built to similar dimensions; header pins are 0.025 inches in width, and spaced 0.10 inch apart. Power connectors are used to supply and distribute power to internal devices inside the computer. They normally use the friction of the connector bodies to stay in place.

10-pin socket


10-pin Female
  
  This connector has two rows of five pins; it is normally used as part of a serial I/O cable. It plugs into a motherboard header to add a DB9 or DB25 serial port to a computer. Products

26-pin socket

26-pin Female
  
  The 26-pin socket connector is used on older motherboards to provide a DB25 parallel port interface. Most of today’s motherboards have parallel ports built into them, or else omit the parallel port completely. Connector

34-pin socket 34-pin Female
34-pin Female
  
  34-pin sockets are used for floppy drive cables. The floppy controller on a motherboard is a 34-pin header, as are the connections on 3.5-inch floppy drives. “Antique” 5.25-inch floppy drives used a card-edge connection to interface to the floppy cable, so many floppy cables will come with both socket and card-edge connectors. For many of today’s computers, floppy drives are no longer standard equipment. Products

40-pin socket

40-pin Male

40-pin Female
  This interface is still in wide use. It is found on IDE/ATA hard drives, optical drives, and tape drives. Many motherboards come with a pair of 40-pin controllers (described as primary and secondary). Each controller can handle one or two drives, so most standard PCs can have a maximum of four IDE drives. A few years ago, the IDE/ATA standard for hard drives was improved, and a new cable was specified. This new standard is referenced by many names—Ultra ATA, Ultra-DMA, Ultra-66/100/133, etc. Ultra ATA hard drive cables use an 80-conductor ribbon cable, although the same 40-pin socket/header interface is still used. Products

50-pin socket

IDC50 Male

IDC50 Female
  50-pin socket connectors are used for basic internal SCSI buses. The connector looks identical to a 40-pin IDE interface, only with more pins. The 50-pin interface is used for older, narrow SCSI buses. Products

68-pin HD

68-pin Male
  
  The HD68 pin internal connection is the same size and shape as the HD68 pin interface used for external SCSI devices and cables. However, the internal flat-ribbon version does not use any thumbscrews or latchclips to hold the connector in place; it is held in solely by the friction of the connector and pins. The HD68 flat ribbon connector is unique in that the connectors on the cable itself are male, and the interfaces on SCSI drives and host controllers are female. This connector is very commonly used for wide SCSI buses. Products

4-pin power (5.25-inch) 4-pin power (5.25-inch Male)
4-pin power Male
4-pin power (5.25-inch) Female
4-pin power Female
  The common 5.25-inch 4-pin power connector is impossible to miss on the inside of a PC case. A computer’s power supply normally provides several of these connectors, which mate to male interfaces on hard drives, CD/DVD drives, and other internal devices. Because these drives often have a 5.25-inch form factor, the power connector itself became known as a “5.25” connector. The plug is also commonly referenced as a “Molex” connection, after the well-known connector manufacturer. The connector is typically white in color, and made from hard nylon or similar plastic material. Cables

4-pin power (3.5-inch)    
  A less common 4-pin power connector is the 3.5-inch plug. This connector is smaller in size than the 5.25-inch, and it is not as widely used. It can be found mainly on 3.5-inch floppy disk drives. Products

ATX 20-pin power    
  This is a 20-pin interface that supplies power to a computer’s motherboard. It has two rows of 10 pins, with a locking tab that holds it firmly in place after connection. Products

ATX 24-pin power    
  Newer computers with ATX-form factor motherboards use a 24-pin power connector. The newer, larger connector eliminates the -5V rail, and adds additional +3.3V and +12V rails. Products

See more connector guides:

Click to verify SSL
Cables To Go offers over 5,000 in-stock solutions, for virtually every need.
Plus, free technical support and a 30-day, money-back guarantee.
  Sign In
  Register
  My Account Profile
  My Order History
  My Favorite Products
  Request a Catalog
  Reseller/OEM Login
  Reseller/OEM Registration
  Create End-User Profile
  End User Log In
  New Products
  Trade Shows/Events
  Custom Cable Form
  OEM Capabilities
  Cables To Go OEM Site
  Distribution Partners
  Distribution Part # Search
  Reseller Partners
  Ask the Expert
  Product Drivers
  Frequently Asked Questions
  Connector Guide
  Product Datasheets
  Company Profile
  Commitment to Quality
  Employment Opportunities
  Contact Cables To Go
  Terms and Conditions