Is modularity worth it

[Rylyguy]

Hi. I’m getting a new 550w power supply and I’m wondering which of these to get. 
This one isn’t modular - https://www.newegg.com/corsair-cx-series-cx550-550w/p/N82E16817139202

This one isn’t modular - https://www.newegg.com/corsair-cx-series-cx550m-550w/p/N82E16817139147

They are the same psu but one is semi modular and costs $13 more. Is the semi modular psu worth the extra $13 or should I not bother. 

[sub68]

I will say yes because you don't have to have extra cables you can remove them

[For Science!]

3 minutes ago, Rylyguy said:

Hi. I’m getting a new 550w power supply and I’m wondering which of these to get. 
This one isn’t modular - https://www.newegg.com/corsair-cx-series-cx550-550w/p/N82E16817139202

This one isn’t modular - https://www.newegg.com/corsair-cx-series-cx550m-550w/p/N82E16817139147

They are the same psu but one is semi modular and costs $13 more. Is the semi modular psu worth the extra $13 or should I not bother. 

What would do with your saved $13? Will you regret not having a modular PSU later? Only you know what those $13 are worth for you. 

[Rylyguy]

Just now, sub68 said:

I will say yes because you don't have to have extra cables you can remove them

And I saw that they are technically labeled as different series. Would the modular be the same on the inside 

[artuc]

Depends.

 

Modularity can make for a neater case, so better aesthetics, both by reducing the amount of excess cabling and also making it easier to route cabling.

 

It can also make changes/upgrades easier, add or remove the cables you need, also again with easier routing it can be quicker and easier to do so.

[Rylyguy]

Just now, For Science! said:

What would do with your saved $13? Will you regret not having a modular PSU later? Only you know what those $13 are worth for you. 

Yes that’s true. I think I will get the modular but it’s kind of like what Linus showed in the recent video where I would probably go for the sketchier pc if it got more FPS than the new pc with warranty. 

[sub68]

1 minute ago, Rylyguy said:

And I saw that they are technically labeled as different series. Would the modular be the same on the inside 

its still the cx series the m stands for modular

[Rylyguy]

Just now, sub68 said:

its still the cx series the m stands for modular

Thanks

[Stahlmann]

I'd personally get a modular unit because it can make the building process much easier and you can just completely remove any unneeded cables from your case. It's worth the small premium imo.

[Praesi]

Oh yes. Its worth it.

[Akira Shimazu]

yes. you dont want those messy cable with electricty running around dont you

[CommanderAlex]

Modular units are a lot easier to handle and you only plug the cables in for what you need. I had a Corsair CX750 before getting my modular PSU and I will tell you, it's a nightmare dealing with the extra cables that you don't need, especially the molex cables. 

[Fasauceome]

The CX and the CXM aren't technically the same PSU, the CX actually has slightly better guts 

 

Non modular isn't as bad as people make it sound, I'll be honest. I've used the CX in a few builds and tucking away cables isn't rough

[Moonzy]

8 minutes ago, Fasauceome said:

the CX actually has slightly better guts 

see, this is why i didnt say anything and lurked 

 

modular unit: you can stash unwanted cable in the box, and you can get custom aftermarket cable to fit your needs

 

non-modular: cheaper, you can stash the spare cables somewhere, you can still use adapter and splitters for more connection, it's just messier.

[Rylyguy]

14 minutes ago, Fasauceome said:

The CX and the CXM aren't technically the same PSU, the CX actually has slightly better guts 

 

Non modular isn't as bad as people make it sound, I'll be honest. I've used the CX in a few builds and tucking away cables isn't rough

So should I go with the non modular

[Fasauceome]

1 minute ago, Rylyguy said:

So should I go with the non modular

I personally like saving the money, putting cables behind your motherboard tray is really not the worst thing in the world. really, it just depends on your priorities

[Rylyguy]

Just now, Fasauceome said:

I personally like saving the money, putting cables behind your motherboard tray is really not the worst thing in the world. really, it just depends on your priorities

Ok I guess I’ll go with the non modular psu. Though in my pc case it’s not easy to put anything behind the mobo tray

[CommanderAlex]

20 minutes ago, Fasauceome said:

Non modular isn't as bad as people make it sound, I'll be honest. I've used the CX in a few builds and tucking away cables isn't rough

The only problem was for me, I used a prebuilt at the time and the cables were tight do to the clearance between the PSU and the 5.25" bays. Was a HP p7-1534 with a 270X..hardly any room for error. 

 

Although, using the PSU in a case when I built a rig a couple years ago wasn't that bad at all, just place them all behind the mobo tray. 

[Bad5ector]

Modular 10000%. Back in the day they had a bad rep, but that isn't really the case now. I tell you nothing displeases me more than having to tuck cables away behind the mobo tray. But if you don't mind and have the space and the 13dollars is make or break the bank. Then go with the non-modular.

[Fasauceome]

42 minutes ago, Rylyguy said:

Ok I guess I’ll go with the non modular psu. Though in my pc case it’s not easy to put anything behind the mobo tray

what case are you using exactly?

[aisle9]

1 hour ago, Rylyguy said:

Hi. I’m getting a new 550w power supply and I’m wondering which of these to get. 
This one isn’t modular - https://www.newegg.com/corsair-cx-series-cx550-550w/p/N82E16817139202

This one isn’t modular - https://www.newegg.com/corsair-cx-series-cx550m-550w/p/N82E16817139147

They are the same psu but one is semi modular and costs $13 more. Is the semi modular psu worth the extra $13 or should I not bother. 

The new CX units are actually a different, somewhat better platform than current-gen CXMs.

 

My thoughts on modular are as follows: you're paying more for looks and convenience. If you've got a case with a window or any case with no room behind the mobo tray, it's almost always worth modular to me. If your case doesn't have a window but it does have a convenient place to stash extra cables (5.25" bay, hard drive cage, etc.) or room behind the motherboard, I would just buy the non-modular unit and save a few bucks for pizza while I build it.

[Rylyguy]

19 minutes ago, Fasauceome said:

what case are you using exactly?

It’s a dell vostro 470

[ravenshrike]

The one truly major benefit to a modular PSU is that if the PSU craps out on you switching it out is dead easy. Not likely to be an issue, but for those times it is...

[Fasauceome]

9 minutes ago, Rylyguy said:

It’s a dell vostro 470

Well, in a case like that the best place for the extra cables is in the front area, under the drive bay. If you only have one hard drive, you should have tons of room to work with.

 

The layout is extremely similar to the optiplex, I've used exclusively non-modular PSUs in those. Since there's no real concern for airflow from a front fan (unless you add one) all the space to the right of the motherboard is fair game for spaghetti cables, or at least draping them side by side if you need to move them put of the way of other components. Also, the disk reader bays at the top are a great place to stuff a couple molex cables.

[Rylyguy]

4 minutes ago, Fasauceome said:

Well, in a case like that the best place for the extra cables is in the front area, under the drive bay. If you only have one hard drive, you should have tons of room to work with.

 

The layout is extremely similar to the optiplex, I've used exclusively non-modular PSUs in those. Since there's no real concern for airflow from a front fan (unless you add one) all the space to the right of the motherboard is fair game for spaghetti cables, or at least draping them side by side if you need to move them put of the way of other components. Also, the disk reader bays at the top are a great place to stuff a couple molex cables.

Yes I’ve modded a clear side panel but I guess I could route the extra cable under the window and into the drive bay