The new connector is for 5v line for the CPU's I believe.
I know one reason this connector was added: The power connector/ power supply cable on the older Athlon Dual motherboards based on the MP chipset would melt if you used CPU's that draw alot of power.

Also have you tried your old Duron CPU in this motherboard. If that works then you know it's the CPU it fails and you put it back in the old motherboard and it works. Then it's the new motherboard.


If the CPU is bad most Athlon motherboards will not beep the PC speaker. Yes this is LAME!