How to Manage Cables – Six Ways to Keep Your Gaming PC Tidy
Building your own gaming PC has never been easier, but even the best graphics card and RGB enclosure can’t always save you from Reddit ridicule. reason? Well, if your rig’s internals resemble some kind of spaghetti monster, it might spoil the overall aesthetic of the build, and its overall performance might be hampered by poor airflow.
Implementing a cable management system in your gaming PC might seem like a hassle, but it can help you get the most out of our gear. For starters, tasks like cleaning cables to prevent upgrading to the best gaming CPU can feel like an action movie bomb disposal scene. Even better, if you want to boost fps in your favorite games, freeing up case space helps keep the CPU and GPU cool when overclocked.
Sure, you can cheat by packing everything behind the best gaming motherboard and re-tucking the side panels, but there are more elegant solutions out there. Follow these six cable management steps and your setup may look like it was done by a professional in no time.
If you’re just starting to master how to build a gaming PC, you’re in an ideal position to think about managing cables. After all, starting from scratch is always easier than unraveling the complex operation of wires that are already in the system. That’s not to say that pre-built systems can’t be saved, but given that we always recommend stripping them first, they require more work.
1. Modular and semi-modular power supplies
With just a little elbow grease, just about any PC can be scrubbed to look good, but if you want something to help you manage your cables, a modular power supply comes in handy. Instead of running cables you’ll never use all over the case or cramming behind the motherboard, modular power supplies eliminate those unwanted wires by making them detachable.
Choosing what you can plug in simplifies the process of building the best gaming PC, not only making things neater, but also getting rid of the headache of a bunch of cables getting in your way when you’re piecing things together.
Corsair RM1000x 1000W Modular Power Supply $189.99 $168.99 Check and View Asus ROG Strix 750W Modular Power Supply View and Seasonic Focus 650W Modular Power Supply $137.27 Check and View EVGA SuperNOVA 650W Modular Power Supply $129.99 $91.00 Check and View Cooler Master V750 SFX 750W Modular Power Supply View $149.99
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If the expense of modular power means that’s not an option for you, maybe turn your attention to the semi-modular options out there. As the name suggests, only some of the cables on these models are detachable, but the permanently installed cables are most likely the ones you’ll be using anyway. Of course, if you want to maximize the space inside your mini-ITX chassis, you’ll also want to consider opting for an SFX (small form factor) PSU so you have plenty of room to work.
If you stick to non-modular power supplies, you can still get pretty decent cable management – it just requires a bit more effort. If all of this sounds intimidating, don’t worry, we can also guide you on how to install a power supply.
2. Choose the right case
Most cases now come with cable routing, but not all are the same. If you’re in the market for a new case, whether it’s an upgrade or a fresh build, you should always be aware of:
- size, as smaller cases tend to be more refined
- Space to run cables through the backplane
- power cover
- cable routing strips
Larger cases aren’t for everyone who takes up a lot of space, but they usually include more features for easier cable management, such as power shields to cover up the shame of any extra cables you don’t need and a cable routing strip, to stay organized. And, let’s face it, when you run the cable through the back, it’s a lot easier to move around.
That’s not to say you can’t find similar features in smaller cases, but if you can’t fit a full tower or even a mid-tower setup in the room, the mini-ITX model were able It’s a little tricky, you’ll want to use all the cutouts and rubber grommets available to you as best you can. Here are some of the best PC cases for cable management:
Cooler Master Cosmos C700P Black Edition E-ATX Full Tower Gaming Case $549.99 $507.99 VIEW VIEW QUIET! Dark Base 700 Mid-Tower Gaming Case $199.90 $179.99 View Fractal Design Define 7 Mid-Tower Gaming Case (Black) $205.62 View ViewNZXT H510 ATX Mid-Tower PC Gaming Case (Black) $89.99 View View
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Cases with good cable routing no longer cost a fortune, so there’s really no excuse for poor cable management anymore.
3. Arm yourself with cable ties – preferably Velcro
Sometimes dealing with cables can feel like wading through the jungle, especially if you’re using non-modular power supplies.Instead of cutting wires you don’t need – we definitely do no RECOMMENDED – You can use cable ties to secure them in the bay and hold them in place when you’re done.
Attmu 100 Piece Reusable Fastening Cable Ties $10.99 View View
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We recommend using velcro ties over plastic zippers or kinks, as they are less cumbersome, reduce the risk of cutting into other wires, and are fully reusable. The best thing is that they don’t cost much, as you can buy 100 Velcro ties on Amazon for around $12/£9.
4. Plan things well
If your gaming PC is already built, your job will be easier if you unplug everything to start over.Once you have a blank canvas, you Can Just grab all the components and install it, but if you don’t have a plan for how to route the cables, you’re likely to run into problems.
As a modular power user, you can plug in the cables you need for your system first and leave the rest in the package. Don’t lose these as they may be required for future upgrades. However, if you’re using a non-modular power supply, you’d be better off isolating unnecessary cables with velcro cable ties out of the way.
If your case doesn’t have a cutout, use the outline around it
Fan wires are usually quite short, so pointing them directly at the motherboard seems to make sense, but this sometimes introduces extra slack that doesn’t look as appealing. Conversely, placing it too far may mean it cannot reach. The best thing to do is to rotate each fan until the cables are neatly placed around the frame with enough room to plug into the fan headers.
Keep in mind that rotation is fine, but flipping can turn an intake fan into an exhaust fan and vice versa, which can affect your temperature. A typical setup is to have all your bottom and front fans suck in air, while your back and top fans push it out. You can tell which way the fan is going because the air hits the curved part of the blade first.
5. Route the cables in sequence
Since the best CPU coolers, fans, and cables on the front panel of the case are delicate compared to braided power cables and don’t extend particularly far, you should connect them to the motherboard before starting bigger projects. There is nothing worse than routing all the cables because another cable is blocking it.
Once you’ve plugged in any SATA cables you want and routed them through the back of the hard drive cage, you can turn your attention to the large box at the bottom. We recommend tackling the largest cables first, such as the 24-pin motherboard power connector, as these can be difficult to get through when other cables are in place.
All power cables should be routed using the contours along the sides of the case, or preferably through the back using a cutout. This means you won’t block fans, radiators or coolers, improving airflow and even extending the life of your gaming PC.
Take advantage of case-specific features such as cable bars
Once you have all the cables connected, do a final check to make sure everything is in order to avoid panicking by pressing the button when it doesn’t respond.make sure you have really Turn on the power at the back. You shouldn’t be able to see much of the cables from the front, with the necessary cables disappearing behind the nearest cutout. If you used most of the length of each cable, the back of the motherboard should be just as neat.
Once your PC has successfully booted up and everything is in order, and you don’t feel better connecting a particular cable through another slot, you can tie the cable down, reopen the side panel, and be amazed at your hard work.
6. Outside your computer
It’s nice to have a clean-looking PC, but the backs of the best gaming desks should be just as clean. After all, they say “a tidy desk is a tidy mind”. There are some very basic ways to hide cables, like routing power and display cables behind the best gaming monitor stand, or investing in an under-desk cable management system to keep cables away from the floor.
Under Desk Cable Management Tray $20.99 View View
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If cables are really making you nervous, you might consider choosing the best wireless gaming mice and wireless versions of the best gaming keyboards. However, those of you who are stuck with wires might want to consider pairing the best gaming mouse with a bungee to avoid cable drag and guide them neatly where you want them to go.
Those with a busy setup with the best gaming mic don’t have the luxury of going wireless – unless, of course, you opt for Antlion’s wireless Modmic.In this case, you might want to consider drilling holes in your desk so the wires disappear under the desk, but you’ll want to make sure the peripherals really be in the correct position before doing this.
Just like inside your PC, we recommend using the Velcro straps again to organize any excess cables while still allowing easy removal when replacing any peripherals.
What is the best PC case for cable management?
Most of the best gaming PC cases are designed with cable management in mind, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Depending on the PSU you choose, you’ll need to carefully evaluate where the connections and wires are routed, and if you’re using a non-modular power supply, you’ll need to hide any redundant connections in the crevices.
Does the graphics card need a power cable?
Most modern graphics cards require a power connection, and Nvidia’s RTX 4000-series GPUs may require the new 600W PCIe standard. However, there are still options for low-spec gamers and mini-build enthusiasts, as the GTX 1050 Ti and AMD Radeon RX 460 can use the motherboard’s PCI power and they still pack a modest punch.
GameMax 850W Modular Power Supply 80+ Gold w/ RGB View View Asus ROG Strix 750W Modular Power Supply View View Seasonic Focus 650W Modular Power Supply $137.27 View View EVGA SuperNOVA 650W Modular Power Supply $129.99 $91.00 View View Cooler Master Cosmos C700P Black Edition E-ATX Full Tower Gaming Case $549.99 $507.99 View View Quiet! Dark Base 700 Mid Tower Gaming Case $199.90$179.99 View View Fractal Design Define 7 Mid Tower Gaming Case (Black/White) $205.62 View View NZXT H510 ATX Mid Tower PC Gaming Case (Black) $89.99 View View Attmu 100 Pieces Reusable Fastening Cable Ties $10.99 View View Under Desk Cable Management Tray $20.99 View View
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