Modular and Non-Modular PC Power Supply: What’s the Difference?

August 20, 2024:

If you’re in the process of building your PC, one of the most important components to consider is which power supply unit you will choose for your new computer. While shopping, you might see the word “modular” thrown around a lot as a key feature, and it’s not exactly self-explanatory. In fact, this decision is really important when it comes to your purchase, particularly if you’re building a new PC. Below is everything you need to know, as well as a few product recommendations.

Want to know more about PC gear? Be sure to have a look at our guides on Motherboard Sizes, the Best Gaming Keyboards, Best Gaming Mice, Best Gaming Headsets, and Best Gaming Controllers.

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Fully Modular

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Simply put, the cables on a modular power supply are fully detachable from the brick. You’ll find a row of ports on the interior of the power supply, which match up with an included bag of cables. Both the ports and cables are meant for a specific power supply and use case, so make sure they match up.

The biggest benefit is cable management. Forget dealing with that big tangled cluster of hard plastic cables and oddly similar plugs. Instead, you can take each individual cable and run it from the power supply to its component, and then wrap them up at the end into tidy bundles.

Corsair’s fully modular RM1000e ($160) was updated in 2023 to support the new ATX 3.0 standard. It’s fully modular, well reviewed, and consistently available for below retail price.

Whatever cables you don’t need can also be left out of the case entirely. Any improvement to airflow is a welcome one, even if it’s minor, particularly next to the power supply. If you have a smaller case, or don’t have a dedicated area for the power supply, this can be particularly important.

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