What do you mean by modular cables? Cables that have the same connector on their end as the PSU does?
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Power Supply 500W FlexATX PSU
- Thread starter iFreilicht
- Start date
Yeah something like that but more elegant and compact. So you can branch of the main cable. I can't think of a suitable connector for this though.
So for instance:
A rough sketch but it might work better if the same connectors exist on the PSU's modular plugs as do on the in-line connectors, so you get to use the short cables too if needed for even more flexibility. But the Mini-Fit Jr plugs most modular PSUs use are very bulky for in-line. Maybe something less bulky for SATA at both ends, but use more robust and higher rated connectors for PCIe for instance.
Just a random brain fart, I haven't really thought this through much.
So for instance:
A rough sketch but it might work better if the same connectors exist on the PSU's modular plugs as do on the in-line connectors, so you get to use the short cables too if needed for even more flexibility. But the Mini-Fit Jr plugs most modular PSUs use are very bulky for in-line. Maybe something less bulky for SATA at both ends, but use more robust and higher rated connectors for PCIe for instance.
Just a random brain fart, I haven't really thought this through much.
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Yeah something like that but more elegant and compact. So you can branch of the main cable. I can't think of a suitable connector for this though.
So for instance:
A rough sketch but it might work better if the same connectors exist on the PSU's modular plugs as do on the in-line connectors, so you get to use the short cables too if needed for even more flexibility. But the Mini-Fit Jr plugs most modular PSUs use are very bulky for in-line. Maybe something less bulky for SATA at both ends, but use more robust and higher rated connectors for PCIe for instance.
Just a random brain fart, I haven't really thought this through much.
I mean it's a very interesting concept, certainly, but it will take up space which quite a few won't have. The best solution to implement this would actually be to use regular SATA connectors inline, because those are compact and up to the task.
Maybe the best way to make this modular SATA business happen would actually be a SATA power socket on the PSU itself so stock expansion cables work with it.
I think for GPU or CPU power it wouldn't really give any benefits whatsoever because the connectors that are rated for the power required are quite bulky, so you might just make the PSU modular itself or include all needed connectors on the PSU cabling.
As there are conflicting opinions on whether the wires for non-modular connectors should be black or colour-coded, I've made a strawpoll.
Current Poll: Black or colour-coded wires for non-modular connectors?
The advantage of all black wires are of course the looks, and there isn't really a disadvantage in having them on the modular cables, because they are easy to shorten, but the ATX 24pin connector is complicated and its cable will come out of the PSU directly, there's no chance it will be modular. So if it was colour coded, that would make it a lot easier to shorten the cable. And if someone really wanted all cables to have the same colour, they could still dye, paint or replace them all.
Current Poll: Black or colour-coded wires for non-modular connectors?
The advantage of all black wires are of course the looks, and there isn't really a disadvantage in having them on the modular cables, because they are easy to shorten, but the ATX 24pin connector is complicated and its cable will come out of the PSU directly, there's no chance it will be modular. So if it was colour coded, that would make it a lot easier to shorten the cable. And if someone really wanted all cables to have the same colour, they could still dye, paint or replace them all.
Nope, and there probably won't be. There's about 30 people that would buy one of these, we need at least 300, even without any modifications to the design.
TBH, there's little motivation for me to spend more time on this. The FSP400-60FGGBA is available from amazon right now and has enough power for most builds. Sure, the 500W would be even better, but there isn't a reasonable expectation anyone of us could handle the beurocratics and logistics of distributing this PSU.
Your best bet is to write to distributors and ask them whether they've got a unit left over from a client order or ask for an evaluation unit.
TBH, there's little motivation for me to spend more time on this. The FSP400-60FGGBA is available from amazon right now and has enough power for most builds. Sure, the 500W would be even better, but there isn't a reasonable expectation anyone of us could handle the beurocratics and logistics of distributing this PSU.
Your best bet is to write to distributors and ask them whether they've got a unit left over from a client order or ask for an evaluation unit.
That is a 1U unit, which is a fair bit larger. Short FlexATX PSUs are 150mm*81.5mm*40.5mm. This 1U unit is 220mm*100mm*40.5mm, so wider and much longer.
It is even available as a 700W unit (FSP700-80UEPB), which is nice, but the power density is just 785.6 Watts per Liter, instead of the 1000 Watts per Liter the FSP500-50FSPT can offer.
It is even available as a 700W unit (FSP700-80UEPB), which is nice, but the power density is just 785.6 Watts per Liter, instead of the 1000 Watts per Liter the FSP500-50FSPT can offer.
UPDATE!
Let's try this again! I've grown tired of looking on amazon every week to see whether this get's stocked.
We have to do this ourselves or it will never happen! So, I redid the first post and took a good amount of time to compile a form that gives me an idea of the interest in the PSU itself and its potential features:
FSP500-50FSPT Wishlist TEST FORM
This is a test-form to gather feedback on the way the questions are asked and whether their descriptions are understandable! The results from this form will be wiped when the final version of it goes live!
Please tell me if you find anything unclear or missing from this form!
I know that some of this was already discussed, but starting from a blank slate will be very helpful here.
If there are other forums where this could be of interest, please PM me and tell me about them! I'd like to get a good amount of exposure on this thing!
Let's try this again! I've grown tired of looking on amazon every week to see whether this get's stocked.
We have to do this ourselves or it will never happen! So, I redid the first post and took a good amount of time to compile a form that gives me an idea of the interest in the PSU itself and its potential features:
FSP500-50FSPT Wishlist TEST FORM
This is a test-form to gather feedback on the way the questions are asked and whether their descriptions are understandable! The results from this form will be wiped when the final version of it goes live!
Please tell me if you find anything unclear or missing from this form!
I know that some of this was already discussed, but starting from a blank slate will be very helpful here.
If there are other forums where this could be of interest, please PM me and tell me about them! I'd like to get a good amount of exposure on this thing!
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I'd skip the "Are you interested?" question. If they're filling out the form they almost certainly are. The better question would be "How interested are you?" to gauge if they're just idly curious or desperately wanting this PSU.
Most everything else looks good but then again I'm not the target market for this.
Most everything else looks good but then again I'm not the target market for this.
Yeah that's a good point. Would you make that question a "On a scale from 1-10, how interested are you?", or a short text field?
I don't find 1-10 scales good for this because most all the responses will be lumped at one end of the scale or the other with little in-between. Maybe just a 1-3 scale from "extremely interested" to "somewhat interested" or something like that.
Edit: The link says "Whishlist"
Edit: The link says "Whishlist"
Thanks, changed all of that. 1-3 actually seems like a good option, everything above that is prone to generate noise over the data.
Oh damn that's confusing. 4 is left on the modular connector question but the highest value. I think it makes sense that the lowest value equates to the lowest interest, but I'll reverse the order of columns on the modular connector question. Good spot!
For me, I'd prefer a question of how important modularity would be.
I'll take what I can get, so if it's all that's available, I'd get a non modular power supply, but modularity is still a high priority for me when it comes to power supplies.
Similarly, color I'd rate as unimportant, which is not an option either.
I'll take what I can get, so if it's all that's available, I'd get a non modular power supply, but modularity is still a high priority for me when it comes to power supplies.
Similarly, color I'd rate as unimportant, which is not an option either.
So again, a 1-3 scale from "not important at all" to "very important"?
If you don't care about colour, the question "Would you still get the unit even if it's not the colour you want?" covers that nicely, don't you think? You don't have to pick a preferred colour either. Maybe I should add an "I don't care." option there.
Ideally this will go into retail at some point, but you're right, it might never get there so getting it while you can is a safe option in that regard.
Maybe it will convince other manufacturers that FlexATX is a viable form factor (just like they do now with SFX), in which case I don't really care about making a second run. Unless all those units are garbage, of course.
I just answered the poll.
When it comes to corporate communication, I feel that it's best to keep answers the most simple possible.
I would only keep the top 3 items, and gather the secondary questions in an annex, for marketing purposes.
You could try to persue a PSU maker, that could persue FSP to sell this PSU rebagded to their brand name ?
I guess an enthusiast-DIY oriented company, sensible to internet communities opinions. Lian-Li ?
When it comes to corporate communication, I feel that it's best to keep answers the most simple possible.
I would only keep the top 3 items, and gather the secondary questions in an annex, for marketing purposes.
You could try to persue a PSU maker, that could persue FSP to sell this PSU rebagded to their brand name ?
I guess an enthusiast-DIY oriented company, sensible to internet communities opinions. Lian-Li ?
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Thanks, but it's not the final version, so you'll have to answer it again at some point. Did you find anything that could/should be changed to get more/better information?
The only thing that seems to be missing is a question about whether an SFX or ATX adapter bracket is desired.
What is this related to? The first post?
That's an interesting option that wasn't brought up yet. I'll explore that once the final poll has brought relevant results.
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