A modular power supply for a computer is a unit on which there are no built-in wires. Next, a description of the modular unit and its difference from ordinary power will be presented. At the moment there are three varieties of PSUs - these are the common standard, semi-modular and modular power supplies.
Standard power supply
Standard power supplies are the most common: they can be seen in almost any store. They are used both in stationary computers and in specialized gaming ones. They are widely used even in server systems. The minimum power of such a power supply is 350 watts, which is enough to work with office equipment. However, its dimensions are more suitable for ATX format cases, that is, the largest size.
Cables for a standard power supply were designed in such a way that they could not be accidentally pulled out of the unit. That is why, if you disassemble such a power supply, you can see that they are firmly soldered inside. The disadvantage of this unit is that some of the cables may be useless and will take up space in the case, creating confusion from the wires.
Semi-Modular Power Supply
This type of power supply has a slightly different structure and arrangement of cables. Built-in wires are intended only for the most necessary - the motherboard, processor and video card.
Other cables that may come in handy are included, but they are already attached separately, making it possible to save space in the case.
The advantages of such a power supply unit are that the remaining cables are connected through certain connectors in the unit, which significantly improves the performance of the cooling system.
The negative side is hidden not in the blocks themselves, but in the places of sale of this product. The fact is that many sellers and owners of such modular power supplies present them as full-fledged modular ones, which leads to misleading potential customers.
Modular PSU
The modular power supply has one significant difference from previous representatives - this is the absence of wires at all. The fact is that there are simply no cables built into the unit, as they are delivered separately.
Cables for the modular power supply are connected each to its own socket, thereby saving space in the case. This option is ideal for those who appreciate compactness, because such a unit will not have to lay a lot of cables that not only spoil the appearance, but also pose a threat to the system unit in the form of overheating. Excessive wires will interfere with the normal circulation of air flow, which can lead to heating of the equipment. The presence of such a unit will allow you to install it even in a miniATX case without losing space in the system unit.
The cost of a modular power supply for a computer is several thousand higher than the price of a regular one. This indicator is justified by the fact that manufacturers create such blocks, placing inside only the necessary "stuffing" and of exceptionally good quality. At the moment, such PSUs can be freely purchased at any computer electronics store.
Types of cables and their connection
The wires for the modular power supply can be braided or simply flat. Braided cables are called shielded, as they are able to protect the wires from electronic interference, which can disrupt the signal to this or that equipment.
Flat wires appeared relatively recently, but have already managed to gain popularity among owners of modular power supplies. Their advantage over “beams” is that they do not take up much space, lend themselves well to bending and are difficult to damage. Despite this superiority over conventional wires, these cables cannot be purchased separately - only complete with a power supply.
The way to connect to a modular power supply is simple - you need to look at the cable and count the number of contacts on it, and then connect the wire to the connector. For inexperienced users, a reverse contact arrangement system has been created that eliminates improper connection.
Many users are inclined to believe that cable integrity is more important than saving space, so their choice falls on standard power supplies. Such a statement is fundamentally wrong, because if the cables on a conventional PSU break down, they will have to give it all up for repair, when in a modular power supply unit in the same situation it is enough to simply replace the faulty cable.