Damaged Modular Cable (CPU)

PinkSpider · 27 Dec 2025 at 19:54

I've managed to damage my Modular CPU cable (the case scraped the rubber off). PSU is a MSI MAG A750GL PCIE5. Really should have attached it before putting the motherboard in the case. My hands aren't massive but the space in trying to get the thing in was not fun.

What are my options? Cheap as possible (Whilst not being too cheap). I don't mind ordering a replacement cable. Don't particularly need anything fancy, the glass panel will probably be facing the wall anyway.

hornetstinger · 27 Dec 2025 at 19:56

Can you post a photo? Can you see the copper underneath?

Gray2233 · 27 Dec 2025 at 19:56

Can you take a picture of the damage? It might not be as bad as you think, but obviously don't use it if you're not confident.

Use this website to host the image: https://imgbb.com/

PinkSpider · 27 Dec 2025 at 20:01

Only noticed as saw the plastic hanging off and then yeah...

Tetras · 27 Dec 2025 at 20:10

PinkSpider said:
What are my options? Cheap as possible (Whilst not being too cheap).

Don't you have 2x cables with this PSU?

Gray2233 · 27 Dec 2025 at 20:11

It looks like it's just the thin outer plastic coating, but that part up top is a little hard to see.

You should have another compatible cable in the box, if so I'd use that just to be 100%.

PinkSpider · 27 Dec 2025 at 20:15

Tetras said:
Don't you have 2x cables with this PSU?

You are correct, thank F for that (Cheers!). As an aside is there a way to get replacements? Just in case. Not doing this tonight now, too much stress (Every time I build a PC, the last would refused to boot for ages and then would reset at the Windows boot screen, only the once and then stable and after a year or so it just stopped).

Tetras · 27 Dec 2025 at 20:19

PinkSpider said:
You are correct, thank F for that (Cheers!). As an aside is there a way to get replacements?

They're PSU (or OEM) specific, that's the problem. You can't buy a generic cable for the modular panel, not like you could with extension cables.

Corsair are the easiest just because their cables are standardised (type3/4/5) and they sell a lot of PSUs and cable kits.

If the manufacturer won't post/sell them direct, then some options:
- Try to find an equivalent cable from another PSU made by the same brand or OEM (risky, can fry stuff if you get it wrong!).
- Get a custom cable or custom set made (very pricey).
- Buy used from someone that doesn't need the spare(s).

PinkSpider · 27 Dec 2025 at 20:24

Tetras said:
They're PSU (or OEM) specific, that's the problem. You can't buy a generic cable for the modular panel, not like you could with extension cables.

Corsair are the easiest just because their cables are standardised (type3/4/5) and they sell a lot of PSUs and cable kits.

If the manufacturer won't post/sell them direct, then some options:
- Try to find an equivalent cable from another PSU made by the same brand or OEM (risky, can fry stuff if you get it wrong!).
- Get a custom cable or custom set made (very pricey).
- Buy used from someone that doesn't need the spare(s).

Cheers. I was worried that would be the case, the PSU was £85 and looking at custom cable sites in a quite oh what have I done the prices appear to be around $20USD which will then require importing I guess and tax. I might as well just buy another PSU and have more cables if that's the case and maybe work on a second build for the living room.

Gray2233 · 27 Dec 2025 at 20:33

PinkSpider said:
Cheers. I was worried that would be the case, the PSU was £85 and looking at custom cable sites in a quite oh what have I done the prices appear to be around $20USD which will then require importing I guess and tax. I might as well just buy another PSU and have more cables if that's the case and maybe work on a second build for the living room.

You could try contacting MSI directly and asking if they can source one to you, but it's a bit of a long shot.

No harm in trying mind you, it's just the case of sending an email.

Another avenue could be to see if anyone is selling a broken same model PSU second hand for parts (or even just the cables, although I'd be wary in that scenario), the cables should still be fine.

hornetstinger · 27 Dec 2025 at 20:36

Not really good that you can't buy replacement cables, I guess pretty easy to damage them if you fiddle with PC a lot, catch it closing the side panel etc.

LuckyBenski · 27 Dec 2025 at 21:36

Gray2233 said:
It looks like it's just the thin outer plastic coating, but that part up top is a little hard to see.

You should have another compatible cable in the box, if so I'd use that just to be 100%.

Are you not seeing what I'm seeing? It looks like exposed aluminium for about 2 inches on one wire.

Mr Evil · 27 Dec 2025 at 22:19

With only one wire damaged there's no risk of shorting between wires, so I would just wrap some insulation tape around it.

Gray2233 · 27 Dec 2025 at 22:30

LuckyBenski said:
Are you not seeing what I'm seeing? It looks like exposed aluminium for about 2 inches on one wire.

No PSU or electrical wire will be shielded so poorly to the point you can scrape it down to the bone from rubbing against the edge of a case, at least not in the UK/EU assuming corners aren't being cut to the point of a potential major lawsuit.

It's difficult to tell from the pictures, I wouldn't risk it which I stated but I'm not confident it's damaged in any major respect. You'd need to really cut into those cables to expose actual current carrying wiring (which is heavily shielded) and I'd be genuinely shocked if rubbing on a case edge allowed it, you by rights would need to go out of your way with a tool under normal circumstances.

The only reason I'm being cautious at all is because the OP's pictures are difficult to gauge and I refuse to take chances where high current electrics are concerned, the PSU will almost certainly be running a copper core on wiring. It looks like a layer of external shielding to me, but without seeing it in person I'd not take the risk. Par the upper part of the image it largely looks like the cosmetic black plastic skin has been removed and exposed a layer below.

Mr Evil · 27 Dec 2025 at 23:02

Gray2233 said:
No PSU or electrical wire will be shielded so poorly to the point you can scrape it down to the bone from rubbing against the edge of a case, at least not in the UK/EU assuming corners aren't being cut to the point of a potential major lawsuit.

You mean insulation, not shielding. Cables in a PC are usually insulated with PVC (PinkSpider mentioned "rubber", but the photo looks like PVC to me, not silicone or any other type of rubber), which is pretty tough, but not so tough that you can't strip it against a sharp un-rolled edge of a case if it's pressed hard enough.

Gray2233 said:
I refuse to take chances where high current electrics are concerned

At 12V it's not that dangerous. Simple insulation tape will cover it fine.

Gray2233 · 27 Dec 2025 at 23:11

Mr Evil said:
You mean insulation, not shielding. Cables in a PC are usually insulated with PVC (PinkSpider mentioned "rubber", but the photo looks like PVC to me, not silicone or any other type of rubber), which is pretty tough, but not so tough that you can't strip it against a sharp un-rolled edge of a case if it's pressed hard enough.

I'm still recovering from too much food! But you're right, it looks like a thin plastic/rubber coating to me.

I'd not be concerned personally, I still feel it'd take something oddly extreme to cut into the actual power delivery part of the cable as someone that builds numerous PC's yearly. I'd probably wrap some electrical tape around it and move on to be safe, but I'd not outright suggest doing so to others.

decto · 27 Dec 2025 at 23:30

Personally I'd release the pin from the plug, slide some heatshrink up and be done with it.
Else separate that one wire and wrap the affected area with tape.

freddie64 · 28 Dec 2025 at 07:20

You could get a extension for that cable and then if you ever need to remove the PSU you just unplug from the back of the case. (i have been doing this for years now)

My basket at OcUK:

1 x BitFenix Alchemy 8pin EPS extension 45cm - Green (SKU: CM-022-BX) = £2.87

Total: £6.86 (includes delivery: £3.99)

As for the damaged cable, i would do what decto suggested and use heatshrink, maybe 2 layers to give it some thickness.

PinkSpider · 28 Dec 2025 at 14:18

freddie64 said:
You could get a extension for that cable and then if you ever need to remove the PSU you just unplug from the back of the case. (i have been doing this for years now)

My basket at OcUK:

1 x BitFenix Alchemy 8pin EPS extension 45cm - Green (SKU: CM-022-BX) = £2.87

Total: £6.86 (includes delivery: £3.99)

As for the damaged cable, i would do what decto suggested and use heatshrink, maybe 2 layers to give it some thickness.

Cheers, I might actually go with ordering this. Have the spare CPU cable and with this can avoid any further risk; the cable lenght was a bit short so stupidly avoided the rubber grommets and went via a close pass through which and it's a cheaper case caused the damage (Never been fussed with aesthetics as long as it's functional). With one of these I can just not do that and go through the grommets. £6 or so inc delivery is cheaper than risking it (I might look at a new keyboard too; would not might a clicky/Cherry Blue keyboard with a number pad for work).

freddie64 · 28 Dec 2025 at 16:21

I don't mess about with my PC much anymore, but getting that cable was one of my better ideas.

It is a shame there are no black ones in stock but you did say it didn't matter and even if it did, you can't see much in that corner of a case.