- All
- Computer Hardware Installation
Powered by AI and the LinkedIn community
1
Benefits of modular power supplies
Be the first to add your personal experience
2
Drawbacks of modular power supplies
Be the first to add your personal experience
3
How to install a modular power supply
Be the first to add your personal experience
4
Alternatives to modular power supplies
Be the first to add your personal experience
If you are building or upgrading your own PC, you might be wondering whether to choose a modular or non-modular power supply. A power supply is a vital component that converts AC power from the wall outlet to DC power for your motherboard, CPU, GPU, and other devices. A modular power supply allows you to detach and attach the cables you need, while a non-modular power supply has all the cables fixed and connected. In this article, we will compare the pros and cons of both types and give you some tips and best practices for installing modular power supplies.
Find expert answers in this collaborative article
Experts who add quality contributions will have a chance to be featured. Learn more
Earn a Community Top Voice badge
Add to collaborative articles to get recognized for your expertise on your profile. Learn more
1 Benefits of modular power supplies
Modular power supplies offer several advantages over non-modular ones. First, they can improve the airflow and cooling inside your case by reducing the clutter of unused cables. Second, they can make your build look neater and more aesthetically pleasing by hiding the excess wires. Third, they can give you more flexibility and customization options by letting you choose the length, color, and type of cables you want. Fourth, they can make troubleshooting and maintenance easier by allowing you to isolate and replace faulty cables.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
2 Drawbacks of modular power supplies
Modular power supplies are not without their drawbacks, however. First, they are usually more expensive than non-modular ones, as they require more engineering and design. Second, they can add more points of failure and resistance to your system, as each cable connection introduces a potential risk of loose or damaged pins. Third, they can be incompatible with some cases or devices, as they may have different connectors or dimensions. Fourth, they can be harder to find and buy, as they are less common and more in demand than non-modular ones.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
3 How to install a modular power supply
If you decide to go for a modular power supply, here are some tips and best practices for installing it. First, make sure you have the right size and wattage for your case and components. You can use online calculators or guides to estimate your power consumption and choose a power supply with some headroom. Second, plan your cable management before you plug anything in. Decide which cables you need and where to route them. Use cable ties, clips, or sleeves to organize and secure them. Third, connect the cables to the power supply first, then to the devices. Make sure they are firmly inserted and locked in place. Avoid bending or twisting them too much. Fourth, test your system before closing the case. Turn on the power supply and check if everything works as expected. If not, troubleshoot the problem by unplugging and replugging the cables or swapping them with spare ones.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
4 Alternatives to modular power supplies
If you are not convinced by modular power supplies, or if you cannot find or afford one, you can still use a non-modular power supply and achieve similar results. One option is to use cable extensions, which are short pieces of cable that attach to the end of your existing cables and add some length and color. Another option is to use cable adapters, which are devices that convert one type of connector to another. For example, you can use a Molex to SATA adapter to power your hard drive. A third option is to use cable modding, which is a DIY process of cutting, soldering, sleeving, or braiding your own cables. This requires some skills and tools, but it can give you the most customization and satisfaction.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
Computer Hardware Installation
Computer Hardware Installation
+ Follow
Rate this article
We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great
Thanks for your feedback
Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.
Tell us more
Tell us why you didn’t like this article.
If you think something in this article goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
We appreciate you letting us know. Though we’re unable to respond directly, your feedback helps us improve this experience for everyone.
If you think this goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
More articles on Computer Hardware Installation
No more previous content
- How do you check the efficiency rating and certification of a power supply for gaming PC? 1 contribution
- How do you balance performance, reliability, and cost when installing a power supply?
- How do you install and configure multiple monitors for your workstation? 7 contributions
- How often should you replace your surge protector to ensure optimal protection? 4 contributions
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of different power supply connector shapes?
No more next content
More relevant reading
- Computer Hardware What are the best materials for processor cooling?
- Business Operations How do you balance performance and cooling when overclocking your CPU?
- Computer Hardware How do you calculate power supply and battery needs for your PC?
- Computer Hardware Troubleshooting How do you choose between water cooling and air cooling for your CPU?
Help improve contributions
Mark contributions as unhelpful if you find them irrelevant or not valuable to the article. This feedback is private to you and won’t be shared publicly.
Contribution hidden for you
This feedback is never shared publicly, we’ll use it to show better contributions to everyone.