• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Modular Cables - Good or Bad?

B

burningrave101

[H]F Junkie
Joined
Sep 9, 2003
Messages
11,825
I'm starting to wonder just how good of an idea modular cables really are. Especially after reading the response of a PC Power and Cooling CEO in the latest issue of MaximumPC.

His response on modular cables was this -

Because they are popular today, points were given for modular plugs, a feature that actually degrades performance and reliability. Pros specify straight wire. They know extra connectors add resistance, limit power, and create a failure point caused by burned or loose pins. Because PC Power and Cooling customizes power supplies in California we can supply the exact output harness a customer needs.
Click to expand...

I'm sure some of you love them but are they really worth it just to get rid of one or two cables you dont need?
 
I remember reading that response.......I thought it kind of made sense but I am sure at some point, if it currently is an issue, it will be solved. Although if it is an issue has anyone found problems with the antec's? They seem to have been reviewed pretty thoroughly.
 
having the additional connection point should be a concern, as they do build up heat, can come loose, and add resistance. Now, with the amount of juice with the modern psu, the additional resistance should be easy to overcome. The problem is connections. A loose connection can cause reboots, windows BSODs and problems, errors, errata, corrupted data, etc. Worse, a loose connection can cause damage - killing your hard drive, cd drive, addon cards, motherboard, memory, psu, etc. I have seen loose connects start fires in systems.
My opinion is less connects the better.
Also, say you use up all the molex connects that come with the psu. You have to pay extra for more. Or you use up all the connections to the psu itself and need more - most (if not all) of these types of psu's I have seen come with a one psu connect one molex cords. No multiple connects on one cord. This leads to using after market splitters (which are even worse with the problems described above.)
 
It does mandate you use quality parts in the connectors.
A good quality true molex connector really shouldn't be an issue. Rated to 5A, with < .010 ohms contact resistance. Even worst case, you're talking a 50mV drop across the connection. (keep in mind the connector is rated for use at 80C, and must meet resistance qualifications there).

In a more typical example, a 1-2A load at 30C,
I don't know the exact temperature coefficient of tin, but we'll say .003 (towards the low end of the metals).
R = .010 * (1 + .003 ( 30 - 80) )
R @ 30 C = .0085 ohms (max)

Voltage drop with a 2A load = 17mV.

I can maybe see an issue with some of the dedicated high power connections (4 pin 12V connector, graphics card connector, where you can pul 3 or 4 A over a wire), you're starting to see a marginal, but appricable, voltage drop.
With you're typical drive pigtails, you'd be hard pressed to measure the difference.

Now if you go off and use some cheap ass connectors like these I just bought (not for modualizing my PSU and tried to run 4A for your 6800 Ultra acrossed it, I'd be worried. In addition to the meager 1.5A rating, I doubt they have the same high standard for contact resistance as what Molex sells.
 
Why would anybody want removable, excuse me, modular cables when they can't be seen inside the case anyway? I'm assuming that the computer is housed inside a real case, not a fish tank or ant farm.
 
I like the modular connectors because it can get rid of some case clutter. Right now I am only using 3 of my 4 connectors. Also in the futue when Antec releases cable kits I will be able to make custom cables with out the fear of opening up my PSU and slicing up the cables.

I also like Antec and I like the fact that it is quite, unlike the the PC P&C.

BTW the 4pin 12V on the Antec is hardwired, so only the PCIe video power connector would be the only high draw modular cable.
 
larrymoencurly said:
Why would anybody want removable, excuse me, modular cables when they can't be seen inside the case anyway? I'm assuming that the computer is housed inside a real case, not a fish tank or ant farm.
Click to expand...

Clutter...airflow...looks sweet!
 
I'm just wondering about the quality of the modular cables used with the Ultra X-Connect primarily.
 
these found here:
powmax.com (click on "power")
If so, its a powmax psu - cheap not very reliable - try a better name brand (Antec?)
 
HvyMtl said:
these found here:
powmax.com (click on "power")
If so, its a powmax psu - cheap not very reliable - try a better name brand (Antec?)
Click to expand...

Ultra seems to be made by Young Year or something....it is here in the forums. The PSU's have been deemed slightly above crap.........I think the question was are the cables themselves any good.....not the PSU.
 
Bad idea. It introduces additional potential failure points and increases resistance. Interior designers will love them, but people interested only in function will look elsewhere.

oc
 
Bah! Soldering irons are for ninnys. We use arc welders. If you're careful and use enough tin foil, you don't even have to remove it from the case.
 
im loving my super-flower/ttgi PLUG-N psu.....im only using 3 cables, so much less crap i dont need in there :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top