Guide: PSU SATA Power Cable Mod/Sleeving

GAM · 7th November 2006, 7:55 AM

[Apologies if this has been done before, but I thought it was worthwhile

]

Pictorial guide on modifying your PC power supply SATA power cable (follow web link for full details: http://www.gam.net.au/pcmods/satapower/index.html.)

Note, the page still requires further updates and enhancements. I figured it was best to get something up rather than nothing

I didn’t like the locations of the SATA power connectors on my ThermalTake ToughPower 750W PSU cables so I modified them to be more appropriately located and spaced. This is nothing new, but as I experimented with various SATA power connectors and took pictures along the way to assist another forum member, I ended up with sufficient material (and experience?) to put together a simple guide.

The objective was to relocate the existing SATA power connectors to the end of the cable, spaced apart accordingly with the power connectors of my mounted hard disks. The distance between connectors is never appropriate for me. For instance, with three drives in a row, I want three connectors about an inch apart, not 3-6 inches! I also want the cable to be long because I am routing all cables and wires in and around the motherboard etc.

Before:

After:

(Please excuse the dodgy picture, but the camera was away so I had to use my mobile phone.)
The overall length of the cable is the same. Note the black heatshrink where the original connectors used to be.

The full guide can be found here: http://www.gam.net.au/pcmods/satapower/index.html

Happy modding!

spikes · 7th November 2006, 8:06 AM

What type of case do you have there. The cabling looks so neat

GAM · 7th November 2006, 8:33 AM

The case is a Chieftec BX-01-01B, but I have modified the MB Tray to accomodate my attempts at anal retentive cable management. I'll be posting info on that particular project later (when I find the time and energy to put it all together

)

ener · 7th November 2006, 9:45 AM

nice write up on how to do it (on link) iv seen it done once or twice in a mod somewhere dont remember that much tho
i also think picture 2-3 are good way to tidy cables if you do not wish to add/rearange existing connectors

dasicvtec · 7th November 2006, 7:43 PM

Can you post up some 'whole system' shots please - like case from side/front/back view

would just like to see what you've done to it

GAM · 7th November 2006, 8:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasicvtec

Can you post up some 'whole system' shots please - like case from side/front/back view

would just like to see what you've done to it

....was just walking away to settle down to some Star Trek Generations and 'falling asleep on the lounge' for the night when 'doot-doot' (email)

.

I intend to publish a full guide on all my mods to this Chieftec BX-01 case but I'm not ready yet. For my convenience, have a browse through the pages of the few links on my site (draft and needing attention), particularly the 'sneak peek' photo gallery page (limited and slightly outdated) for some general pics. Also (and I hate to divert you from OCAU) have a look at my thread on XS here.
[edit: just noticed you have an Antec 1000AMG. Basically the same case, bar the front panel, right?

]

GAM · 15th February 2007, 7:30 PM

BUMP!

I thought I'd bump this for the sake of new modders doing the rounds. Quality info on one of the simplest 'cable management' mods.

wild · 15th February 2007, 7:40 PM

That's a great idea.

I've already done something similar with modifying the cables for length on my server. The real reason was because I was using those molex splitters, and anyone who's had any deal of experience with them knows that after so long they start to get unreliable and will cause drives to lose power with the slightest bump. Having my fileserver hard lock for no apparent reason when I wasn't home to reboot it is not fun.

So I just cut the original molex connectors off, ran one set of cables down to where the drives are, and then soldered the 4 or 5 connectors I needed off that. Looks much neater even unsleeved, and I haven't had any power loss to the drives since I did that, even with my dodgy soldering!

7th November 2006, 7:55 AM	#1
GAM OCAU Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 828	Guide: PSU SATA Power Cable Mod/Sleeving [Apologies if this has been done before, but I thought it was worthwhile ] Pictorial guide on modifying your PC power supply SATA power cable (follow web link for full details: http://www.gam.net.au/pcmods/satapower/index.html.) Note, the page still requires further updates and enhancements. I figured it was best to get something up rather than nothing I didn’t like the locations of the SATA power connectors on my ThermalTake ToughPower 750W PSU cables so I modified them to be more appropriately located and spaced. This is nothing new, but as I experimented with various SATA power connectors and took pictures along the way to assist another forum member, I ended up with sufficient material (and experience?) to put together a simple guide. The objective was to relocate the existing SATA power connectors to the end of the cable, spaced apart accordingly with the power connectors of my mounted hard disks. The distance between connectors is never appropriate for me. For instance, with three drives in a row, I want three connectors about an inch apart, not 3-6 inches! I also want the cable to be long because I am routing all cables and wires in and around the motherboard etc. Before: After: (Please excuse the dodgy picture, but the camera was away so I had to use my mobile phone.) The overall length of the cable is the same. Note the black heatshrink where the original connectors used to be. The full guide can be found here: http://www.gam.net.au/pcmods/satapower/index.html Happy modding! __________________ GAM Mods - PC Water Cooling and Modding Supplies \| Project 'IOU' \| Project '5.25 PC' Last edited by GAM; 27th February 2007 at 8:07 AM.

7th November 2006, 8:06 AM	#2
spikes Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lismore 2480 Posts: 1,610	What type of case do you have there. The cabling looks so neat __________________ E6600 \| Asus P5E \| 8800GTS 320mb \| 4GB Crucial Ballistix PC6400 \| Samsung 500GB\| Seagate 250GB \| Corsair 620W \| Logitech G15, G7, Z5500 \| Asus MW221U \| Lian Li S80 Canon EOS 350D with 18-55mm kit lens[B]

7th November 2006, 8:33 AM	#3
GAM OCAU Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 828	The case is a Chieftec BX-01-01B, but I have modified the MB Tray to accomodate my attempts at anal retentive cable management. I'll be posting info on that particular project later (when I find the time and energy to put it all together ) __________________ GAM Mods - PC Water Cooling and Modding Supplies \| Project 'IOU' \| Project '5.25 PC'

7th November 2006, 7:43 PM	#5
dasicvtec Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NSW Posts: 424	Can you post up some 'whole system' shots please - like case from side/front/back view would just like to see what you've done to it __________________ The Chupacabra Killa.

15th February 2007, 7:30 PM	#7
GAM OCAU Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 828	BUMP! I thought I'd bump this for the sake of new modders doing the rounds. Quality info on one of the simplest 'cable management' mods. __________________ GAM Mods - PC Water Cooling and Modding Supplies \| Project 'IOU' \| Project '5.25 PC'

15th February 2007, 7:40 PM	#8
wild Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,346	That's a great idea. I've already done something similar with modifying the cables for length on my server. The real reason was because I was using those molex splitters, and anyone who's had any deal of experience with them knows that after so long they start to get unreliable and will cause drives to lose power with the slightest bump. Having my fileserver hard lock for no apparent reason when I wasn't home to reboot it is not fun. So I just cut the original molex connectors off, ran one set of cables down to where the drives are, and then soldered the 4 or 5 connectors I needed off that. Looks much neater even unsleeved, and I haven't had any power loss to the drives since I did that, even with my dodgy soldering! __________________ Mikuru is out of the picture. UGBox.net - imagestore, quotes & more!