Should I get a modular power supply as a first time builder?
- Thread starter Brayden_3
- Start date
Solution
getochkn
Polypheme
- Jul 2, 2006
- 12,406
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- 65,040
Doesn't make any difference, if all the specs are the same. Just allows a more clean install as you don't have to plug in the cables you don't need, so you have less cables. OCD people with windows on their PC like them to make it look as purty. Otherwise, it makes no difference performance wise.
- Feb 22, 2015
- 4,102
- 103
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Comparing a model that is non-modular with a same model that is modular (or semi-modular), there is no performance differences, only the cabling system.
Of course, the main advantage of the modular PSU is that you will only plug in the cables that you need. A non-modular, which you already know, has all its cables attached to the PSU and you are forced to hide the cables that you will not use inside the chassis leading to a possible clutter or restricted airflow.
Now, there are also disadvantages of using the modular cables (especially the full-modular ones) based on my experience:
One disadvantage is that the total length of the PSU technically increases because the plugs of the cables will take up additional space when connected to the PSU sockets (as opposed to non-modular cables already connected inside the frame/box of the PSU). This will affect some particular chassis/cases with a bottom mounted fan or bottom mounted HDD cage/s. When the modular cables are plugged, you *might* be forced to bend the cables abruptly in such a way as to eliminate any obstruction with those bottom-mounted components.
Another thing is when you regularly disassemble-assemble your PC for maintenance/cleaning, some plugs experience "wear-and-tear" during the unpluging-plugging process (there are quite some plugs that are very hard to remove, especially if the spacing of the PSU sockets where the plugs connect to are very close to each other).
There is also the rare instance that, due to the modular plugs you will not be using, some PC builders mistakenly use those plugs of that particular PSU and connect them with another PSU. The cables, though will also "fit" with another PSU socket, are NOT with the same pin designation. These are not compatible and we have heard a lot of horror stories that doing this lead to damaged PC components.
Ultimately, a good balance is selecting a semi-modular PSU. This system includes the basic cables (usually, the 24-pin Power, and sometimes, but not always, the 4+4 pin ATX/EPS 12V cable, a 6+2 pin PCIe cable or two, and/or a SATA power cable) as physically attached to the PSU unit while the rest of the cables are modular and can be plugged in only if needed. Note that each PSU brand and model having this semi-modular system differs with each other as to which cables are attached and which cables are modular.
If you select a good semi-modular PSU, knowing which cables are attached (which are located at the side closest to the cable routing at the back of the motherboard), it can possibly end up to look "much cleaner" and "with lesser obstructions" as compared to a fully-modular PSU where all the cables are plugged across the entire width of the PSU.
Of course, the main advantage of the modular PSU is that you will only plug in the cables that you need. A non-modular, which you already know, has all its cables attached to the PSU and you are forced to hide the cables that you will not use inside the chassis leading to a possible clutter or restricted airflow.
Now, there are also disadvantages of using the modular cables (especially the full-modular ones) based on my experience:
One disadvantage is that the total length of the PSU technically increases because the plugs of the cables will take up additional space when connected to the PSU sockets (as opposed to non-modular cables already connected inside the frame/box of the PSU). This will affect some particular chassis/cases with a bottom mounted fan or bottom mounted HDD cage/s. When the modular cables are plugged, you *might* be forced to bend the cables abruptly in such a way as to eliminate any obstruction with those bottom-mounted components.
Another thing is when you regularly disassemble-assemble your PC for maintenance/cleaning, some plugs experience "wear-and-tear" during the unpluging-plugging process (there are quite some plugs that are very hard to remove, especially if the spacing of the PSU sockets where the plugs connect to are very close to each other).
There is also the rare instance that, due to the modular plugs you will not be using, some PC builders mistakenly use those plugs of that particular PSU and connect them with another PSU. The cables, though will also "fit" with another PSU socket, are NOT with the same pin designation. These are not compatible and we have heard a lot of horror stories that doing this lead to damaged PC components.
Ultimately, a good balance is selecting a semi-modular PSU. This system includes the basic cables (usually, the 24-pin Power, and sometimes, but not always, the 4+4 pin ATX/EPS 12V cable, a 6+2 pin PCIe cable or two, and/or a SATA power cable) as physically attached to the PSU unit while the rest of the cables are modular and can be plugged in only if needed. Note that each PSU brand and model having this semi-modular system differs with each other as to which cables are attached and which cables are modular.
If you select a good semi-modular PSU, knowing which cables are attached (which are located at the side closest to the cable routing at the back of the motherboard), it can possibly end up to look "much cleaner" and "with lesser obstructions" as compared to a fully-modular PSU where all the cables are plugged across the entire width of the PSU.
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