Why is Customized Computer Connectors and Cables Better?
May. 26, 2025
Why do modular PSUs use proprietary connectors and cables?
Pardon my potential noobee question, but...
I did search online, but the discussion seems to end with "I don't know, but here are 20 posts that talk about how much trouble you can get into by using the wrong cables from the wrong manufacturer". It doesn't seem to be as pressing for tower builds since there is so much room to hide excess cable length that you rarely need to deal with custom cables (lots of money to be made in cable "extensions", though). This question seems more pressing for SFF builds where standard cables are just atrociously too long. The question when asked in a generic context also seems to revolve around "I would like this so I can easily swap PSUs in my tower case" which isn't very pressing because it is just a convenience, but the issue of "my SFF case is so full of proprietary cables that my fans can't spin" is a bit harder to ignore.
I ran into this with my recent Ghost S1 build, and while luckily there is a supplier who makes bespoke cables for the case, ordering the cables has an unnecessary extra complication of having to specify the exact model of PSU being used. (It would likely need to be specified anyway because the cable lengths are tuned to match the positions of the connectors, but the wiring shouldn't need to be customized on top of that.)
And, here's the thing. The other end of the cables are standardized, and you can buy generic cable extensions as a result. That is OK for tower builds that can easily hide the bulky supplied cable and use an attractively sleeved extender that peeks out through a wiring port, but it isn't the best solution for that use case. And widely available generic extenders don't help at all for SFF builders that need shorter cables. So, if the manufacturers can meet a standard at the far end of the cables, why not meet it at the socket on the side of the PSU case?
I can think of a number of issues that come up with trying to define a standard, such as:
I don't see any monetary reason to be proprietary with these connections, at least not from the PSU manufacturer's perspective. They already have to supply a set of cables in the box because of their proprietary choices anyway and they have to oversupply because not all cables get used in any build. While it may be less convenient to have to buy cables separately, I for one would be quite happy to buy a modular PSU with no cables (hopefully a few bucks cheaper) and then find the specific cables I need at reasonable lengths for my build. That search is difficult, if not fruitless, due to the lack of any standard on the PSU side of those cables. Even if they continued to supply a bunch of cables in the PSU product boxes, it would make it much easier to fully customize a build if you didn't have to deal with the many PSU output standards.
One could argue that some custom cable builders might lose business, but they typically offer much more value than just knowing how to wire for your PSU, and I'm sure the reduced complexity in ordering and making the cables would simplify their business anyway.
What am I missing?
Actually, here is a related question/partial solution. If you can convert from a proprietary connector to a standard connector along a cable, how about just doing it with connector inserts instead? Provide extremely short plugs that convert the "output port type A" to a PCIe connector and then use a PCIe extender. I've seen vendors sell 2-inch long "shorty 24-pin cables" for Corsair PSUs for instance and those could be coupled with an extender if you need something a little longer, but that could easily be done at the PSU case level. You get a PSU, a bunch of plastic adapter plugs (kind of like the Apple power bricks that have a chunk that you replace for international plugs) and possibly some standardized extender cables...?
I did search online, but the discussion seems to end with "I don't know, but here are 20 posts that talk about how much trouble you can get into by using the wrong cables from the wrong manufacturer". It doesn't seem to be as pressing for tower builds since there is so much room to hide excess cable length that you rarely need to deal with custom cables (lots of money to be made in cable "extensions", though). This question seems more pressing for SFF builds where standard cables are just atrociously too long. The question when asked in a generic context also seems to revolve around "I would like this so I can easily swap PSUs in my tower case" which isn't very pressing because it is just a convenience, but the issue of "my SFF case is so full of proprietary cables that my fans can't spin" is a bit harder to ignore.
I ran into this with my recent Ghost S1 build, and while luckily there is a supplier who makes bespoke cables for the case, ordering the cables has an unnecessary extra complication of having to specify the exact model of PSU being used. (It would likely need to be specified anyway because the cable lengths are tuned to match the positions of the connectors, but the wiring shouldn't need to be customized on top of that.)
And, here's the thing. The other end of the cables are standardized, and you can buy generic cable extensions as a result. That is OK for tower builds that can easily hide the bulky supplied cable and use an attractively sleeved extender that peeks out through a wiring port, but it isn't the best solution for that use case. And widely available generic extenders don't help at all for SFF builders that need shorter cables. So, if the manufacturers can meet a standard at the far end of the cables, why not meet it at the socket on the side of the PSU case?
I can think of a number of issues that come up with trying to define a standard, such as:
- Not all MB use a 24-pin, but you typically get a 24-pin cable anyway so with most PSUs you already need to deal with "what if I don't have a 24-pin ATX socket?"
- Many PSUs share connectors for the 4+4 CPU connector and the 6+2 PCIe connectors which have different wiring. This could be dealt with either by just having a dedicated CPU output and separate PCIe outputs, or as my PSU did - just have the outputs set up for the CPU needs and have the 6+2 rewire the connections in the cable bundle.
- Not all builds use the molex or the SATA cables any more and it isn't clear how many of which a given build would need. On the flip side of that coin, though, most PSUs have a single set of accessory outputs that you either plug a cable with 3-5 molex connectors or a cable with 3-5 SATA power connectors on. The conversion seems to be achievable just by cabling, but what doesn't exist is a standard for what the PSU will output so that such cables could be easily supplied by third parties.
I don't see any monetary reason to be proprietary with these connections, at least not from the PSU manufacturer's perspective. They already have to supply a set of cables in the box because of their proprietary choices anyway and they have to oversupply because not all cables get used in any build. While it may be less convenient to have to buy cables separately, I for one would be quite happy to buy a modular PSU with no cables (hopefully a few bucks cheaper) and then find the specific cables I need at reasonable lengths for my build. That search is difficult, if not fruitless, due to the lack of any standard on the PSU side of those cables. Even if they continued to supply a bunch of cables in the PSU product boxes, it would make it much easier to fully customize a build if you didn't have to deal with the many PSU output standards.
One could argue that some custom cable builders might lose business, but they typically offer much more value than just knowing how to wire for your PSU, and I'm sure the reduced complexity in ordering and making the cables would simplify their business anyway.
What am I missing?
Actually, here is a related question/partial solution. If you can convert from a proprietary connector to a standard connector along a cable, how about just doing it with connector inserts instead? Provide extremely short plugs that convert the "output port type A" to a PCIe connector and then use a PCIe extender. I've seen vendors sell 2-inch long "shorty 24-pin cables" for Corsair PSUs for instance and those could be coupled with an extender if you need something a little longer, but that could easily be done at the PSU case level. You get a PSU, a bunch of plastic adapter plugs (kind of like the Apple power bricks that have a chunk that you replace for international plugs) and possibly some standardized extender cables...?