If I remember correctly, the CORSAIR RMx series one should have a much lower alternating current ripple/noise (thanks also due to caps in the cables themselves), which is the main reason why electrolytic capacitors get damaged.
Ummm, no. Your memory failed you.
First, "
much lower" ripple? Umm, much lower than what? If you mean lower than with a cheap, no-name, off-brand generic or counterfeit PSU, then yes,
maybe.
But if you mean "much" lower than any other half-way PSU from a reliable manufacturer, then NO! In fact, it may not be lower at all!
Second, there is no "main reason" electrolytic capacitors "get damaged" other than, perhaps, through physical abuse - as in, someone hits it with a hammer, or exposes it to excessive heat and/or excessive current beyond its designed capacities. This damage would come either through some other adjacent component or circuit fault, or poor PSU design, or wrong spec (weak or inadequate capacity) cap for the job or (and here's the biggie) inferior quality (cheap in every sense of the word) electrolytic caps chosen to save a few pennies.
That latter two reasons are the primary reasons electrolytic capacitors failed - that is, weak and inferior quality caps, chosen because they cost less.
Point is, there are cheap (poorly made, low cost) inferior electrolytic capacitors and there are high quality-made superior electrolytic capacitors that, naturally cost a little more that are fully capable. Had, back in the day, the PSU makers (and motherboard makers and graphics card makers) used properly sized, superior grade electrolytic capacitors, there never would have been the electrolytic problems, or the subsequent "marketing hype" about solid caps, or the resulting bad reputation electrolytics didn't (and still don't) deserve.
Note that the
electrolytic capacitors failed because the device makers purposely chose inferior quality, undersized electrolytics to save money resulting in those electrolytics bulging and, in extreme cases, leaking, sometimes even "popping" open like an exploding kernel of popcorn.
And BTW, the marketing ploy about "Japanese" capacitors is just that, a ploy to attract naïve consumers. There is NOTHING to suggest Japan makes the best caps or that other countries cannot make equally great caps. Japan just happened to be in the right place at the right time and had sufficient factory capacity to fulfill the urgent need for solid caps. If it had been South Korea or Taiwan, for example, the rage would have been about Korean or Taiwanese solid caps, not Japanese.
dirtyferret is correct. The in-line caps serve as additional filtration to help reduce ripple and other AC anomalies (noise) riding the DC - or at least that is what the PSU marketing weenies want us to believe.
Technically, they can help suppress ripple but a well designed and manufactured PSU made with quality parts will (should) already have decent ripple suppression, well below the requirements of the ATX Form Factor standard. Note the ATX standard allows for a maximum ripple and noise value of 120mV p-p (peak to peak) on the 12VDC rails and 50mV p-p on the 3.3 and 5VDC rails. Any decent PSU can easily suppress those unwanted "signals" well below those maximum allowed levels.
So why do some PSU makers use those in-line caps? Again, dirtyferret is correct. It is all about
marketing fodder. To entice buyers away from Seasonic, EVGA and other quality PSU makers that don't use them.
HOWEVER there is an ulterior motive and that is
more $money$! Or as some may say, "greed". And since we are dealing with marketing weenies, I say, "greed". Understand, and sadly, there is no industry standard for
the PSU end of modular cables.
The connectors used on the component end (motherboard, drives, cards, fans, etc.) are standard - in terms of shape, pin layout, voltages, etc. But from the connector back to the supply, there is no standard.
Because there are no standards, modular cables are NOT interchangeable with other power supplies. And since many "brands" use different OEM suppliers for different models, even among the same brand, those cables are not interchangeable either.
This means PSU makers can use their own proprietary (and more costly) cables. This means if we consumers need to replace a missing or damaged cable, we have no choice but to pay extra for a proprietary,
more profitable, replacement.
***
Yes, all power supplies that get certified/tested (so basically all brand ones), must adhere to a certain standard (which includes AC noise and ripple testing), before they are allowed to be sold
Ummm, no. That is not really correct either. It it not about being "allowed" to be sold. They can still be sold as long as they meet required "
safety" (mainly fire safety) standards for the country or region they are being marketed in. What they can't do is claim to be "ATX compliant". Sadly, the world's good guys don't have the resources to ensure unscrupulous manufacturers and retailers don't dump non-compliant (or unsafe!
) products on unsuspecting buyers. So it is up to us consumers to beware
and hope buying reputable brands from reputable retailers is enough.
Oh, one last thing. Users can help ensure unwanted "noise" is suppressed is by preventing it in the first place. We can help do that by ensuring our electronics is properly grounded by ensuring the wall outlet is properly wired
and grounded to Earth ground. I recommend every home and every computer user have access to a
AC Outlet Tester. Note there are versions for every type and voltage outlet, foreign or domestic. Check your local home improvement store.
Sorry for the long post but there was a lot to say there.
