This wasn't an issue for me, but my buddy had recently bought an EVGA Power Supply (750 G2) and had his old Sata Power Cables still connected to his HDDs. Although they have the same 6-pin connector, the layout of the wires are different between EVGA and Corsair (his old PSU). So it bricked his HDDs. (I'm not tracking if any other components were harmed.)
 
My question is, why isn't power cables/psu connectors standardized? This seems like a HUGE issue for someone who has never don't a computer build before, and a buddy gave him some power cables and they aren't compatible. This is especially concerning, considering all these proprietary cables look IDENTICAL. I know for some manufacturers, they have a label printed on their cables stating what PSU they're compatible with, but I think this is completely unnecessary, just make all the cables the same?  

loveha
I have been wondering the same thing. It's incredibly stupid that they are not. Everything else pretty much is.

Maybe if the connectors were substantially different from each other, but they aren't. I was so sure that companies wouldn't try to intentionally differ from each other in this regard, but they don't. I was totally shocked, especially since they look IDENTICAL! lol 

Cool GTX
The PSU  outputs (pinouts) are where the differences are
 
MFG continue to make power supplies that have different positions for the different voltages and grounds on their pinouts
 
The cables correct /adapt the PSU pinout to fit the Standards used on the hardware end of the cables
 
 
I am willing to bet that mfg all use the standard modular plugs for their PSU outputs for the economy of standard parts - that is why they fit even if they are not wired correctly for the PSU.
 
Always Only use the wires that came with your PSU ----> or confirm they are compatible FIRST

I know, I agree, I do the same thing. I'm just worried about the people who have never built a computer before. As far as they are concerned the 6-pin/8-pin connectors all look the same. I just don't understand why MFG cannot come to some standardization to help consumers. 
 
The thing about building computers nowadays is that they are essentially plug and play, this defeats that notion by saying that the same plugs aren't the same, and they aren't that distinguishable in nature (to someone who is new). 
 
Idk, seems rather stupid to me. That's all.

That is a nasty trap to fall into

Mrquick92
While the cable connectors are almost identical, the internal wiring within the power supplies are not. Some cables from PSU brands even have resistors inside of the cables to reduce noise to the components.

Right, I understand. Just seems odd that they would do that, that's all.

MonkJayn
would make alot of sense to have them standardised and it would make swapping out psu's a hell of alot easier if need be lol

Just had to do a RMA on a PSU and it would have been nice if just the main PSU was needed.
MonkJayn, Are you using any aftermarket cables such as cablemod? I was thinking of replacing the cables once I get a 1080ti.
 

If I had to guess I would most definitely say that it's so you buy whatever manufacturers product. Like Apple and their stupid idiotic USB adapters, why not use industry standard USB connections? So you have to buy their product with a markup of 200% or whatever over what it takes to manufacture and warehouse that particular product. Or Dell and HP power adapters for laptops.
 
A PC power supply outputs very specific voltages, why do the connectors have to be pinned differently? Because they want to be different so you have to buy their proprietary product. I don't like paying $300 for a premium product only to have it cause compatibility issues. Maybe I'm just ranting, but I would expect a certain amount of latitude from manufacturers that produce products for industry standard components.

I use Corsair and I have 2 styles of cable, one are braided sleeved, the other is a banded style.
 
Corsair cables are pretty much interchangeable. 
 
Now what I do not know is how the EVGA pinout varies compared to Corsair?
 

mix cables & PSU @ your own risk ... if your not sure Ask the Mfg if the cable are Safe to use or will cause issues

Mrquick92
While the cable connectors are almost identical, the internal wiring within the power supplies are not. Some cables from PSU brands even have resistors inside of the cables to reduce noise to the components.

Not resistors. Capacitors.

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/psu-cable-compatibility
 
 

Hillguy
https://www.evga.com/supp...AQdetails.aspx?f=59698

 
by the look of it, unlike Corsair, EVGA does not want to come clean with cable differences
 
my AX860i croaked and Corsair gave me an HX1000i as a replacement, all cables are interchangeable, only the oldest PSUs are a worry for Corsair. The Corsair chart is published on their form as well as on their website.
 
 This means I have an abundance of cables, which is not a problem as I use Corsair because they are straight shooters. My old TX850V2 lasted for 10 years before I retired it.
 

I could not determine that from the page. Maybe a clearer page would be better.
 

Man, way to necro a thread like a pro, Xray.
 
I can't really tell you why there's no industry standard for power supplies.  If I had to guess, it's because companies still want to be a bit more careful and have full control over the actual power-side of a power supply; you know, the component that handles a lot of power that converts and puts power into your rig.  I can't imagine a pin-out standard would affect the engineering by any real measure, but companies might want to experiment with options to improve efficiency, compatibility, and ease of use over time.  For example, you can see how the ATX 24pin connector on our power supplies went from 24pin -> 24+4 pin -> 18+10pin over several generations.  That's not including our G2L power supplies with the completely universal connectors which eliminates this problem entirely.  More than a few people here have a soft spot for that arrangement.
 
Regardless, after G3 rolled out, we decided that all new modular and semi-modular power supplies would use the same pinout.  This still leaves a few compatibility issues with older power supplies, but over the long-term, it will become easier to point out the power supplies that are not compatible with the master pinout than the need to post 15 different series that are compatible with each other.