Has anyone tried one of the Modular PC power supplies? Are they just as reliable as the regular PS's? I'm building a new computer and I got a regular power supply with the barebones kit and I'd rather go modular. The NEW regular one is for sale for $9 less than I paid for it.
All depends on your case size and how many peripherals (things that take power) you have. The more peripherals you have the more wattage you want. If you bought a barebones kit it is most likely a Mid-Tower case. If you have 2 CD/DVD drives and 2 hard dirves and a floppy, things could get tight inside that case. Lots of wires reduce "air flow" in a case. Hopefully the PS came with a braided wire kit. I think it's a good investment meerly for the ATA connection for the newer hard drives if you have case space. If it's a tangled mess in there buy a cheap case fan. For $9 I suggest you throw that replaced PS in the closet. The day you blow a power supply and have to stop and go get one will be the day you wished you kept it. PS: Make sure it's an approved PS for your motherboard & CPU manufacturer warranty. If you bought the kit with a "boxed" CPU you have a 3 year warranty. That would be blitzed by an unapproved PS. Rarely do they enfore that rule but they will ask you for the PS model and wattage on the RMA.
I know you're right about keeping a spare...had that problem before. Mainly what I wanted to do was go modular with a PS but it looks like I'll just be buying wire sleeves. I wanted the cleanest case I could manage...modular PS would be nice. I'll have to dig out my wire ties :lol:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1273337&Sku=ULT31845 39 bux
