Need PCIe power...

Hi, 

To better assist you, can you confirm the name/model of the sound card you want to install.

PCIe power is of course 'video-cable' power. You could post an ~500Kb photo here of the adaptor cable provided with your sound card, post a link with photo etc.

The posts below discuss a splitter for the 4pin molex-peripheral in the case. Molex 4pins have 5volt / 12volt / ground present:

Area51 R2 Modular Power Supply / Area 51 Power supply to Molex?

PCIe power is of course pure 12v / ground; if your case has one or two pair of video cables, you can shop for a splitter, but if you do not have that 3rd pair of grfx cables the power supply can use, you can grab the part# off of one of your vid-cables & buy that 3rd set from Dell Sales in order to tap into. Report back b4 u shop?

I do have an open set of PCIe grfx power cables available - it's unlikely that I'll ever add more video capability to this box (but, there IS another empty power supply jack if I should change my mind later).

The cable end I need would be a 4 pin standard inline Molex (female) - the polarized kind with cut corners on one side and no other keyway. Just wasn't sure which connector to use - there are a few leading out from the PS.

That would have been helpful to include...
It's an ASUS XONAR-DX.

I believe the posts I linked u too should cover it; 4pin Molex will have 5volts present typically on the red wire, sounds like you need a y-split 'dual molex' adaptor; unplug your dvd drive's white 4pin male connector (it's a male due to the sharp pins), patch/tap into your Molex-peripheral power supply cable female connector with your adaptor, then you can power your dvd & new sound card & Fio board all from the same psu cable. There are all kinds of adaptors online, choose what looks best

That's what I was looking for - I guess I'll just need to fish it through the chassis. No other way to get power from something on the MB side?

Hi, 

I don't believe there is another way. You could also try posting this on the Notebook Review and Alienware Arena forums for assistance. 

Thanks for your responses. I ordered a Y splitter already and should get it in a few days. Hopefully it'll have enough length to fish back to the audio card - otherwise I'll have to delay yet again and grab an extender too. It'll be SO nice to finally be Windows-free again...

Thanks for your responses. I ordered a Y splitter already and should get it in a few days. Hopefully it'll have enough length to fish back to the audio card - otherwise I'll have to delay yet again and grab an extender too. It'll be SO nice to finally be Windows-free again...

Hello, What was the exact Y splitter cable that you ordered? (Model, length, brand, etc) I am attempting to do the same thing with the same ASUS Xonar PCI card in my Area-51 R2. Do you have an amazon link that I can use? Thanks,