I'm considering upgrading my power supply from a TX550 to an SF850, and I'm unsure if I need to replace the cables as well. If so, how difficult is that process? I'm relatively new to building PCs. Also, if I'm swapping out my GPU at the same time, should I remove the PSU first, then the GPU, and then install the new components in reverse order?
3 Answers
Since the TX550M is semi-modular, you’ll have to replace the cables for sure. It's really best to replace the PSU and GPU together to avoid any compatibility issues. I’d recommend removing the old PSU first, then your GPU before installing the new ones in reverse order, that way everything is nice and clean.
For safety reasons, it’s best to always use the cables that come with your new PSU. Make sure to unplug all the old connections from everything—motherboard, drives, GPU—before removing the old PSU. After that, install the new PSU, connect the new cables (they’ll be labeled), and then plug everything back in.
If you have a TX550 (non-M), the cables are attached and can’t be reused. The TX550M is semi-modular, meaning some cables are hardwired to the PSU and can’t be used with different PSUs. The SF850 requires Corsair Type 5 cables, so you definitely need to get new ones. Also, if your case supports ATX PSUs, I'd recommend sticking with that form factor instead of switching to SFX.
Totally agree! It's much safer to use the new cables, just to ensure everything matches up correctly.