Is A Fully Modular PSU Worth It?

[Flared]

Hello, guys. I hope you're all having a good day.

I am thinking of upgrading my PC build very shortly, but have a question to do with power supplies.

I am going to be using sleeved cable extensions for my new build and was going to purchase a fully modular PSU to replace my CX500, but is it really worth it!?

I am pretty sure that the sleeved extensions simply plug into the original cable from the PSU, effectively extending them.

I will be getting the NZXT S340 case, so would be able to hide the cables, but the question I have for those more experienced than me is would having the extra cables be a big enough inconvenience for me to dish out £80+ for a new PSU, or could I simply get away with the PSU I currently have.

Thank you all very much, have a good day!

Flared

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

If upgrading the PC , I would upgrade the power supply for sure , as the quality of that one is somewhat poor.

I prefer FULL modular so that the build stays tidy.

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/corsair-power-supply-cp9020090na,evga-power-supply-220g20550y1,evga-power-supply-220gs0550v1,evga-power-supply-220gs0550v3/
4 of the best FULL MODULAR to consider.

 

[dudmont]

Hello, guys. I hope you're all having a good day.

I am thinking of upgrading my PC build very shortly, but have a question to do with power supplies.

I am going to be using sleeved cable extensions for my new build and was going to purchase a fully modular PSU to replace my CX500, but is it really worth it!?

I am pretty sure that the sleeved extensions simply plug into the original cable from the PSU, effectively extending them.

I will be getting the NZXT S340 case, so would be able to hide the cables, but the question I have for those more experienced than me is would having the extra cables be a big enough inconvenience for me to dish out £80+ for a new PSU, or could I simply get away with the PSU I currently have.

Thank you all very much, have a good day!

Flared

Well, let's get this part out the way. The CX series is not a really high quality PSU. If you can afford to replace it with a high quality unit off this list, then do so( tiers 1-3 only, preferably tier 1 or 2 http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html).
Next issue is to go with modular or something else. In my mind, the difference between semi and fully modular is not large(I've used both). Focus on the quality of the unit, whether or not it's fully or only semi is very much secondary.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The CX500 is pretty crappy PSU at least for a gaming / enthusiast build... perfectly fine for an office build or for grandma to exchange pics of her grandkids and go on facebook.

Modular has a slight disadvantage electrically... I only go full modular when sleeving the cables myself.
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/power-supplies-psu,8016.html

- Cable extensions make the wires longer and add more resistance.
- Replacement sleeved cables are often thinner than original manufacturers stuff

But Phanteks brought in a new era of case design whereby you just didn't see any of the cables other than GFX card and the new 10xx series of cards have the cable connectors out of view. NZXT cases emulate many of Phanteks features.

If you are not a heavy gamer / workstation user or enthusiast pushing performance to the limit, then you are just fine with the CX series provided that you don't push it too hard. It's pretty easy to hide the cables so if budget is an issue, you can stick w/ what you have as long as it's adequate to support the GFX card you are using and not doing anything more than light overclocking.

Full modular is just silly unless you are sleeving the cables. What is the point of using full modular over hybrid modular if you need to use the exact same cables on both ?

The 24 pin cable is 'there" on both cases... by using a modular cable, you:

a) Introduced a failure point
b) added cost
c) added a small amount of resistance

It doesn't make the build any cleaner cause the cable is there in both cases. You cant see the PSU at all in that case, nor the cables ... the only part you will see is the 1-2" length where the cable comes out from behind the MoBo and plugs into your moBo. You simply can not tell whether the cable is modular or not, so what's the point ?

 

[Flared]

The CX500 is pretty crappy PSU at least for a gaming / enthusiast build... perfectly fine for an office build or for grandma to exchange pics of her grandkids and go on facebook.

Modular has a slight disadvantage electrically... I only go full modular when sleeving the cables myself.
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/power-supplies-psu,8016.html

- Cable extensions make the wires longer and add more resistance.
- Replacement sleeved cables are often thinner than original manufacturers stuff

But Phanteks brought in a new era of case design whereby you just didn't see any of the cables other than GFX card and the new 10xx series of cards have the cable connectors out of view. NZXT cases emulate many of Phanteks features.

If you are not a heavy gamer / workstation user or enthusiast pushing performance to the limit, then you are just fine with the CX series provided that you don't push it too hard. It's pretty easy to hide the cables so if budget is an issue, you can stick w/ what you have as long as it's adequate to support the GFX card you are using and not doing anything more than light overclocking.

Full modular is just silly unless you are sleeving the cables. What is the point of using full modular over hybrid modular if you need to use the exact same cables on both ?

The 24 pin cable is 'there" on both cases... by using a modular cable, you:

a) Introduced a failure point
b) added cost
c) added a small amount of resistance

It doesn't make the build any cleaner cause the cable is there in both cases. You cant see the PSU at all in that case, nor the cables ... the only part you will see is the 1-2" length where the cable comes out from behind the MoBo and plugs into your moBo. You simply can not tell whether the cable is modular or not, so what's the point ?

Thank you very much, you bring up some very valid points!

I will take a look at the price difference between the two types of PSU. If the fully modular is only a bit more expensive, then that wouldn't hurt to either get a gold rating or even future proof the Power Supply.

Thank you very much, looks like I'll be buying a new PSU

One last question... I'll be using an i5 4690k with GTX 980ti, what wattage would you recommend? I don't want to be spending unnecessary money, but don't want to 'cheap out' for obvious reasons...

Thanks again!

Flared

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Gold doesn't mean anything really with regard to quality... it just means it lowers electric cost. The price premium may exceed the electrical cost savings depending upon local cost of power, hours used and load %.

as for wattage ... 600 / 620 / 650for one and 850 for 2 if NOT overclocking

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2311121/power-supply-requirements-nvidia-gpus.html#14243229

Ya may wanna consider the 1070 over the more expensive 980 Ti