I am currently upgrading my main unRAID server and decided to go with the Corsair 450 Watt SFX PSU (over the Silverstone 450 Watt SFX PSU) replacing my Corsair CX430 to provide a bit more room and better airflow.

 

Anyone who is planning on using this PSU in the Lian-Li PC-Q25 case should have at least two 4-pin molex extenders handy.  Depending on your motherboard and the number of fan headers it has, one extender with a 3 or 4-pin fan connector included will also come in handy.

 

The modular cables on the Corsair SFX PSU are very short; especially the 4-pin molex cable.  The PC-Q25 needs 3 for the 5-HDD hot-swap bay.  The PSU cable has four molex connectors, but, the first does not reach anything on the backside of the drive bay.  With the three others, one will be short.  I used a molex extender (they can be short; three inches is fine) on the second connector to plug into the top molex on the drive bay.  The third cable connector reached the second molex on the drive bay without an extender. I used a second molex extender with a fan header to connect to the bottom molex on the drive bay and to connect one of the case fans.  You may need only one extender depending on your MB and fan configuration, but, it wouldn't hurt to have two on hand.

 

Good to know.  Too bad the cables are so short -- it's a shame they don't simply include a couple different lengths with the unit (since it's modular you could easily simply choose the length you needed).    Fortunately extenders are readily available and inexpensive, so that's a reasonable work-a-round.

 

In my current configuration, not all the SATA connectors (4 on a single cable) are needed, however, if connecting drives with SATA cables on the bottom tray, a similar problem would likely occur.  I don't think all of the three connectors needed would reach drives placed across the bottom of the case without at least one extender.

Definitely appreciate the info => I'll stick with the Silverstone PSU's for any future builds ... the only extender they need is a molex -> SATA cable to provide a couple extra SATA connectors.

 

FYI, there have been some horror stories about using cables from another PS, even from the same vendor.  Don't do it, mixing and matching is a recipe for disaster unless you know what you are doing.

FYI, there have been some horror stories about using cables from another PS, even from the same vendor.  Don't do it, mixing and matching is a recipe for disaster unless you know what you are doing.

 

Agree ... but there's been no such suggestion here.  Hoopster simply used some molex extenders => using these, or molex to SATA cables, are fine, and are often needed in many systems where there are a lot of drives.

 

Yes, completely agree and didn't mean to imply that was being considered.

 

But, I could easily see myself thinking "gee, I wonder if I can just swap in this longer SATA power cable from another power supply" to make it easier to work with the Corsair so it seemed like a good time to mention - that's a bad idea.

I have some extra modular cables lying around from a Corsair ATX power supply in my desktop machine that are much longer.  It would be tempting to think, "hey, they are from the same manufacturer and should work; let's give them a try!" 

 

Fortunately, the connector on the PSU side is different enough that it is apparent that it would not fit; however, with a similar connector I could see someone thinking that should be no problem. Having read the horror stories posted in these forums, I know enough to not try that even with cables from the same manufacturer.

Agree with a caveat => IF you are CERTAIN that the pinout on both the PSU connection end and the plug end is identical, there's no problem using other cables.    Best to confirm that with a multimeter, although a careful comparison of the wire colors should normally be enough.

 

But if there is ANY doubt at all, DO NOT DO IT !!!

 

If you are competent with a multimeter, then repinning may also be an option. I'd rather use a properly soldered and insulated extension or a correctly repinned modular connector of the correct length than deal with multiple slip joints of normal extension cables. I've had bad experiences with low quality splitter / extensions.

 

Repinning tools are readily available for most standard type connectors.

Agree => Personally, I simply make any custom cables I need; but many folks aren't comfortable with doing this.  I agree that you have to be sure extension cables are very well seated or they can induce problems of their own.

 

I have a number of PSUs for Corsair.  The CS semi-modular and the RM units use the same "Type 3" cables, and are interchangeable. The AX860i has cables that fit in the CS and RM, but are wired differently.  They have "AX860 only" printed on them.

... They have "AX860 only" printed on them.

 

That's good, as long as those markings are very obvious.  If they don't "stick out" so you'll be sure to see them, I suspect it could be easy to inadvertently pop them in the wrong PSU.

 

I keep all of my spare cables for modular units in small bags with the model # of the PSU clearly written with black magic markets on the bags.

 

 

Hi...i am a new user here. I have the same issue. In my case i used some molex extenders. Using these or molex to SATA cables are also good to use, and are often needed in many systems where there are a lot of drives.

 

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Edited September 8, 20178 yr by RickyTerzis

6 hours ago, RickyTerzis said:

Hi...i am a new user here. I have the same issue. In my case i used some molex extenders. Using these or molex to SATA cables are also good to use, and are often needed in many systems where there are a lot of drives.

 

Be careful with those extenders. Every push fit connection is a potential trouble spot, and not always immediately. I have seen connections that worked for years suddenly give issues, possibly because of corrosion, possibly mechanical stress or vibration, or whatever. If the connection isn't solid, it can lead to strange errors and data corruption. I would always recommend getting a power supply with the correct number of native connections if possible, or make custom cables with good soldered joints instead of push fit connections.