Modular Psu vs Non-Modular Cable management

Cable management is what you make of it, wait, you knew that  

All depends on how much time you spend on it. I know the thread where you got the top pic from and he said he's still working on it. That said I don't believe modular is all that its cracked up to be. And I don't see the point of a "fully modular" PSU either. You WILL use the ATX bundle. You will use 99% of the time use a 4 or 8 pin cable. You will use at least one SATA power cable and either one more SATA or "molex" cable. (two molex if you are still in the stone ages...) Why make all them detachable? You going to run a computer with no 24pin bundle???

Take your time with a good case and a normal PSU will look just as good as a modular one.

I'm talking with him as well, i did apologise and said I'm the resident Cable monster hehe  
I just thought its a reference for people who blindly swear modulars are the way, or vice versa

its what you put into it that counts  

Moto

Modular PSU are quite more expensive than non modular, but I have a modular PSU and the only cables that is needed in the coonections is what inside the PC Case. It's tidy and good for air flow also. It depends on the PC Case, even if you have a modular PSU but the PC case doesn't allow you re-route the cables outside(usually in the right side of the case if you are facing the front of it). Some cheap PC Case doesn't have an openning on that side then that is a problem.

I'm not that great at cable management, and I do find that a modular PSU helps.

Top picture is a fail just because of the Thermaltake TR2.  


I have done builds with both and overall I like modular better. When I get around to needing a replacement for this 750TX ( old CWT model ) I will probably go with a Seasonic X series for obvious quality reasons but also due to them being modular.

If you have places to hide the cables, non modular is fine. Hell even cables on the floor do not hurt overall performance.

I am glad I have modular just because I have so little place to put the extra cables(FT03 case).

I just put together my computer about a week and a half ago, and it is a good thing I bought a fully modular PSU.

My case is an HTPC case and space is at a premium. If my PSU wasn't fully modular....it would have been a massive headache to route all the wires around.

I would definately go with another Modular PSU, due to the easier cable management (don't need that extra sata power connector? Be gone!, No need for 2 extra 6 pin GPU connectors? Be gone!).

Modular or Semi Modular is a good way to go for cutting down on cable use. But if you have a decent case with plenty of room in the back, and can zip tie like a master masu motto then your set!. the Non modulars are gonna be madusa depending on how many cables you have

^Htpc use, I can understand that being very useful in a tiny case  
Moto

BS. Read my rant above and tell me fully modular help. If anything that plug on the end hurts, not helps in same cases.

Meh I won't argue with you. I made a choice, and I stand by it. Plus I would rather not have extra cables just hanging around doing nothing inside my case, except making it heavier and possibly interfering with something (case fans).

You can route all you want - but if the case isn't big enough, you will be limited to the amount of wire routing you can do. I decided not to get a massive tower like a lot of guys here - which is why I got an HTPC case. I was sick of full size towers, and to me they look somewhat ugly. Granted, the people who take the time to route their wires nicely inside their case - they look amazing.

Also, what do you mean by this "If anything that plug on the end hurts, not helps in same cases."? I can't decipher it...

Next time if I build a computer, I might just use a full size case, and "take the extra time" to route the wires really, really well  

I would guess 4745454b may be stating the plugs on the power supply end actually take a bit MORE space. so in a very tight space, that could in fact be a pain.

In my SG05 i would NOT want a modular power supply due to the small space(but who males a SFX modular power supply....). Hell for that case i removed the extra hard cables from the power supply it self(just have what I need now.).

One of the questions I always ask is: "If you buy a regular PSU, how many cables will you have left over?"

If you have just a couple, modular is not worth it.

This topic got me thinking:

It would be very nice if Modular PSU makers also supplied some plastic covers to attach to the power ports you aren't using. That would be pretty slick.

Not that I would ever recommend one but Ultra power supplies come with those.

Cool, didn't know that.

And why wouldn't you reccomend those plastic covers, something seriously wrong with them? Just thinking it would help stop dust getting into the ports.

Not recommending the Ultra power supplies. Not that the covers are an issue.

I meant recommend Ultra power supplies.  

Nothing at all wrong with the caps.

I think he was talking about Ultra PSUs. Not many of them are worthy of recommendation.

Another brand which comes with plastic covers is Kingwin Lazer, Lazer Gold, Lazer Platinum & Stryker.

FrozenCPU does sell dust covers for internal connectors. You can even get them for the card slots.

I got what has to be the monster for PWS. http://www.guru3d.com/article/pc-power-cooling-silencer...

I stuck that thing in a haf 912. I have "built" it twice and it is never a fun thing to hide the extra cables but it looks a lot better the 2nd time and I am sure I could do even better.

I got the unit for less than 100 buck. For me, I'll deal with cables if the price and quality are right.

omg pic:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/pc-power-cooling-silencer...

I was OK with my original non-modular 750TX.... until the 24-pin WORE OUT and stopped making proper contact. Now, Corsair was happy to do an RMA and I eventually got a new 750TX V2 but I didn't ever want to go through that again.

Why RMA the whole PSU when you could just replace the cable? That's the main reason I switched to fully modular. Cable management was just an added argument.

Cool that's good to know. I might just pick some up.



Ahh ok gotcha.

One more thing I wanted to bring up - I remember when modular PSU's first came out - "hardcore" builder's swore to not use Modular cables due to something like resistance of the plugs - or something to that effect. I wonder if there was any truth to this? Can anyone confirm or deny this?

I'm guessing any "issues" they had with modular PSU's were ironed out a long time ago.

Great conversation guys! I like these types of threads.

I too can show examples of Poorly Managed Modular vs Non-Modular and visa versa, but most folks like me who get either full-modular or semi-modular have less cables to 'stuff' where you cannot see them. BTW - it would be interesting to see the other side that's hidden away and/or different angles. Further, I don't like 'tape wrapped' cables; it might look good in photos but not so much in person and if you need to change out a cable all that needs to be undone.

Another very distinct advantage to Full Modular is if you: (1) Increase the PSU size or (2) RMA/Replace the PSU. In a Non-Modular ALL of that works goes bye-bye and takes you 10X longer to swap-out verses 'plugging-in' a new PSU in a matter of minutes and a few screws - done.

Further, quality PSU's like Corsair's Professional AX series offers you easy options for sleeved vs adding even more cables to hide with oddball extensions.

Corsair Sleeved replacements (not to be confused with crappy extensions) - http://www.corsair.com/power-supply-units/psu-accessori...


To me it's less of an issue of Modular vs Non-Modular, it's a question of the quality of the PSU first.

Modular:


VS

Non-Modular:

Fully modular? Nope - don't see the point

Semi-Modular? Anytime you can eliminate extra crap in the case - IMO - it's a good thing (my personal preference is semi-modular)

Hard-wired PSU... been there, done that. Not really a bad thing if room isn't an issue but, seems room is always an issue...

This wasn't so much a fact as it was a marketing gimmick from the company PC Power and Cooling. Resistance in cheap plugs is real enough... string 8 fans together in a 4-pin molex chain and feel the first plug and you will see what I mean. It will be quite hot.

From
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1036
(and I encourage you to read more, this is just a snippet)

Duh What, Pfff the resistance is by f-a-r in the MOBO itself. People say all kinds of crapolla, and like little kids are afraid of anything new so they feel everyone else should share their delusions, cheapness, poor quality standards -- you name the mediocrity and excuses.