Are the different type of PSU the same?

[Gwenved]

Hi all, I just want to know if the different type of psu are the same between the "standard", the semi modular and the full modular.
As the price is always interesting, which models are the best around 700/800 W ?
Best regards

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Yes they are the same, modular ( full/semi) just means the cables are separated from the PSU and you install only which cables are needed.

 

[dirtyferret]

Hi all, I just want to know if the different type of psu are the same between the "standard", the semi modular and the full modular.
As the price is always interesting, which models are the best around 700/800 W ?
Best regards

Depends on the model, for example the corsair cx550 non mod and cx550m mod are different platforms

Yes they are the same, modular ( full/semi) just means the cables are separated from the PSU and you install only which cables are needed.

Not always true

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Not always true

oh? whats modular mean on a PSU? standard still means all cables attached still, right? or did I miss something?

 

[dirtyferret]

oh? whats modular mean on a PSU? standard still means all cables attached still, right? or did I miss something?

I believe by standard the OP means non modular as opposed to semi or fully.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I believe by standard the OP means non modular as opposed to semi or fully.

I believe they were asking about what the difference is.

if the different type of psu are the same between the "standard", the semi modular and the full modular.

 

[dirtyferret]

I believe they were asking about what the difference is.

OK, I was thinking he wanted to know the units internally as opposed to what the difference is in the cable connection. Without more info from the OP it's hard to tell.

 

[Bill_Bright]

If they are "ATX" supplies, they output the same voltages and use the same component side connectors. And they have the same mounting characteristics so they fit the same "ATX" compliant cases.

 

[Gwenved]

Ok so with a full modular I don't have all the cables as I use only those who are necessary to plug what I have in my system.
I suppose it will help to have a clean installation and propably will help to cool the case.
Thanks to all

 

[Bill_Bright]

Ok so with a full modular I don't have all the cables as I use only those who are necessary to plug what I have in my system.
I suppose it will help to have a clean installation and propably will help to cool the case.

Those are probably the primary reasons marketing departments push them. But it is important to note a quality case with good cable management features can be made to look tidy inside without compromising cooling.

There are downsides to modular PSUs, however. Any time you have an extra connector in the circuit, you introduce additional potential points of failure from damaged connectors, dirt inside the connectors, or loose connections.

But the biggest issue and my biggest complaint is there is no industry standard for the PSU side of those modular cables. This means the cables that come with a specific power supply may be proprietary to that supply and therefore, you cannot mix and match cables from different supplies. This is no big deal if you only have one computer. But if you have several, or even dozens or more, it is a real PITA to control inventory and storage of all those unused cables for the years the computer will be in service.

And another problem with proprietary cables is, what happens if you lose or damage a cable 3 or 4 years down the road and the manufacturer no longer has replacement cables in stock?

I have seen several users who ended up stuffing the unused cables in a bag and tossing it into the bottom of the case just to make sure they don't lose or mix up the cables. That pretty much defeats the purpose for having modular cables as that is not a pretty sight and can collect dust too.

 

[Gwenved]

Those are probably the primary reasons marketing departments push them. But it is important to note a quality case with good cable management features can be made to look tidy inside without compromising cooling.

There are downsides to modular PSUs, however. Any time you have an extra connector in the circuit, you introduce additional potential points of failure from damaged connectors, dirt inside the connectors, or loose connections.

But the biggest issue and my biggest complaint is there is no industry standard for the PSU side of those modular cables. This means the cables that come with a specific power supply may be proprietary to that supply and therefore, you cannot mix and match cables from different supplies. This is no big deal if you only have one computer. But if you have several, or even dozens or more, it is a real PITA to control inventory and storage of all those unused cables for the years the computer will be in service.

And another problem with proprietary cables is, what happens if you lose or damage a cable 3 or 4 years down the road and the manufacturer no longer has replacement cables in stock?

I have seen several users who ended up stuffing the unused cables in a bag and tossing it into the bottom of the case just to make sure they don't lose or mix up the cables. That pretty much defeats the purpose for having modular cables as that is not a pretty sight and can collect dust too.

That's interesting as I didn't saw this problem with the cables. If it's not a standart it could be annoying. Referring to my case its cooling is good. The fact we don't have now cd rom and more SSD simplify it a lot. My extra cable or non use cables are well managed in my case.

 

[dirtyferret]

Those are probably the primary reasons marketing departments push them. But it is important to note a quality case with good cable management features can be made to look tidy inside without compromising cooling.

Unless you were running a bottom to top style cooling system, I never understood how having a few cables zip tied and off to the side was going to compromise cooling.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Unless you were running a bottom to top style cooling system

Even then, I've seen bags of unused cables sitting on top of the supplies.

I never understood how having a few cables zip tied and off to the side was going to compromise cooling.

It won't. But not everyone takes a few minutes to "dress" and tie back the cables. Personally, I think a case where the cables have been neatly dressed looks good.

 

[Gwenved]

I believe by standard the OP means non modular as opposed to semi or fully.

Yes Dirtyferret, this is what I mean. And that's why I was thinking to a modular as I have now less HDD, no dvd players as I use now an external so I have a lot of cables inside I'll not use. My case is quite compact so less stuff inside better for cooling.