Why is a pin missing on 2x12 PSU cables?

I just noticed that finally entry model PSUs are now giving 2x12 power leads rather than needing to use a 2x10 in addition to a snap on 2x2.

For the first time I actually looked at one and I thought I had a broken one, or one with a weird/wrong connection... It looked like a pin was missing in the middle and two cables going in to a single socket on the left most (what would be part of the 2x2 extension).

Anyway... I tried to Google this, and couldn't find any information, but, when I did a picture search, I saw the same thing... so, I can only guess it is meant to be this way!

Anyone know why this is like this?

There are two versions of the ATX power supply connector.

Version 1, was a 20 pin connector (2x10), and Version 2 is a 24 pin connector (2x12): .

The -5V pin is no longer present on the version 2 connector, but otherwise pins remain in the same relative location (although numbered differently for pins 11 upwards). For backward compatibility, some power supplies carried on with a V1 connector, with an additional jumper for V2 compatibility. It is probably a commercial decision to remove that backward compatibility, as demand will have waned.

The -5V pin was actually removed from requirement even on the old 20-pin connectors in ATX12V version 1.2 way back in 2002, although it was not prohibited by the specification. Guidance for the pin was phased out over the next few revisions.

Per the ATX12V 1.3 Specification

Section 1.2.1 Key Changes for ATX12V Version 1.3 :

-5V removal: Guidance for –5V has been removed. This legacy voltage was in support of ISA add-in cards. ISA cards are no longer used for a majority of the industry, but custom applications my still exist, refer to Version 1.2 for –5V recommendations.

I am no ATX genius, but a Google search revealed the same thing being discussed in several forums. It is the Pin-20 that is missing, which earlier was used to provide -5 volt supply. It is not present in most recent PSUs, as it is no longer used! So, your new PSU is pretty much safe to use! :)