Power Board Wiring Guide & PSU Recommendations

Recommended PSUs

Note: Recommendations are based on fully built systems with 100% SSDs and no GPU installed.

Note: If using HDD backplanes, fewer PCIe connections may be needed due to splitter capability. Please see below explanation for more details.

For Hako-Core: CORSAIR HX1500i (2025)

For Hako-Core Mini: CORSAIR HX1000i (2025)

We recommend these based off a full SSD build which requires greater power considerations and more PCIe connectors. Note these recommendations do not account for any GPUs installed in the system. For systems with GPUs you must account for how many PCIe connectors your GPU requires.

Power Board Wiring Explanation and Examples

When looking at the powerboard you will see that the PCIe connectors are labeled J1, J2, J3, and J4. These connectors send power to the adjacent 16 pin connectors. Each 16pin connector provides power to an entire row. For example the J1 PCIe connector will power the J1_A (#1) and J1_B (#2) boards.

Any PCIe connector that is supplying power to an SSD backplane:

• Must use dedicated 1:1 PCIe cable
• This applies whether you have SSD on both A and B positions, or mixed SSD/HDD
• Example: J1_A = SSD, J1_B = HDD → J4 requires 1:1 PCIe cable

Any PCIe connector that is supplying power to an HDD backplane:

• Can use a split PCIe cables (1:2 or 1:3 splitters)
• Multiple PCIe connectors with only HDDs can share power from a single PCIe cable
• Example: J1_A = HDD, J1_B = HDD, J2_A = HDD, J2_B = HDD → Can use 2x 1:2 splitter for J1 and J2

Power Limitations

• 150 watts maximum per PCIe connector
• This limit applies to each individual connector on the board (J1, J2, J3, J4)

Max System Configuration Requirements

Hako-Core Mini (1 Power Board, Max 2 Rows)

• 1 power board with connectors J1, J2, J3, J4
• Maximum: 2 rows = 8 backplanes total = 4 PCIe connections required
• All SSD configuration: 4 × 1:1 PCIe cables needed (J1, J2, J3, J4)

Hako-Core (2 Power Boards, Max 3 Rows)

• 2 identical power boards, each with connectors J1, J2, J3, J4
• Maximum: 3 rows = 12 backplanes total = 6 PCIe connections required
• All SSD configuration: 6 × 1:1 PCIe cables needed (3 connections per power board)

Wiring Examples

Understanding Power Board Distribution:

• Each power board acts as a splitter/distribution hub
• PSU connects to power board J connectors (J1, J2, J3, J4) via PCIe cables
• Each J connector splits internally to power 2 backplanes (A and B)

SSD Configuration Example:

• J4_A = SSD, J4_B = SSD → J4 requires 1:1 PCIe cable
• J3_A = SSD, J3_B = SSD → J3 requires 1:1 PCIe cable
• Result: 2 dedicated PCIe cables needed

HDD Configuration Example:

• J4_A = HDD, J4_B = HDD → J4 can use splitter
• J3_A = HDD, J3_B = HDD → J3 can use splitter
• Result: Single 1:2 PCIe splitter cable can power both J4 and J3

Mixed Configuration Example:

• J4_A = SSD, J4_B = HDD → J4 requires 1:1 PCIe cable (SSD drive requirement)
• J3_A = HDD, J3_B = HDD → J3 can use splitter
• J2_A = HDD, J2_B = HDD → J2 can use splitter
• Result: 1 dedicated PCIe cable for J4 + a 1:2 splitter cable for J3 and J2

Why This Matters

SSDs typically have higher instantaneous power demands and more sensitive power requirements, necessitating dedicated power connections. HDDs have more predictable power consumption patterns and can safely share split power connections. The presence of any SSD backplane on a J connector requires that entire J connector to use dedicated 1:1 PCIe power - this ensures the SSD gets clean, dedicated power while the HDD on the same connector benefits from the stable power delivery.

System Power Requirements

Hako-Core Mini: 1 board, 8 backplanes (2 rows), 4 PCIe required (all SSD), 1-2 EPS required for CPUs, 1 × 24-pin ATX for motherboard power

Hako-Core: 2 boards, 12 backplanes (3 rows), 6 PCIe required (all SSD), 1-2 EPS required for CPUs, 1 × 24-pin ATX for motherboard power

Additional Considerations:

• Add GPU power requirements based on your specific graphics card
• Add power for any additional peripherals or expansion cards
• Consider future upgrade headroom