Tech enthusiasts can now personalize and showcase their rigs with transparent side panels. Even though major components (like the motherboard, CPU cooler, RAM, and GPU) were updated cosmetically, the power supply remained a brutalist eyesore at the bottom.
It became popular among aesthetically-minded consumers to incorporate dedicated covers for PSUs to resolve this visual discrepancy. Why do PSU shrouds exist? Are they worth it?
PSU Shrouds: What Do They Do?
The power supply shroud keeps your power supply and other unsightly stuff out of sight. Most cases have a power supply shroud underneath the other components.
Custom builds look better with PSU shrouds, especially if you use a windowed case and a non-modular power supply. Cuts away allow the PSU cables to be routed into the main section of the case, which is essential for cable management and airflow.
It used to be that PSU shrouds were DIY projects, with enthusiasts experimenting with different materials and designing their own. Shrouds can be made from fiberglass, plexiglass, aluminum, and polymer, while some builders use 3D printing to design them.
PSU shrouds are now part of almost every PC case that comes with a transparent side panel, so manufacturers are catching on. Getting a cool custom build doesn’t have to be a DIY thing anymore, since budget PC cases often come with shrouds built-in.
PSU Shrouds Have 3 Advantages
You don’t need a PSU shroud to improve PC performance, functionality, or cooling, but it can help with cable management and customization. Putting a PSU shroud on has some key benefits.
- A dedicated PSU shroud can streamline cable management in a PC case, which is one of the major benefits of using one. It minimizes clutter and facilitates maintenance and upgrades by hiding the PSU and its cables neatly.
- Ensures optimal airflow: Dust buildup inside a PC case can cause overheating. Shrouds protect the power supply unit and other components (HDDs, SSDs, etc) from dust, reducing the chances of dust settling on them.
- Moreover, PSU shrouds have additional mounting slots (at the top) for 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, and they can support up to three 120mm or two 140mm case fans. Water cooling radiators and pumps/reservoirs come with specialized mounting points on cases like Lian Li and Fractal Design.
PSU Shrouds: 3 Things You Should Consider
It’s possible to get a custom shroud for your PSU from places like Etsy, V1 Tech, and Amazon if your PC case doesn’t include a dedicated PSU cover. Consider these factors when shopping for a standalone PSU shroud since they’re rare in the market right now.
- Always make sure the PSU shroud is compatible with your PC case before buying. PSU shrouds fit in different cases differently, so what fits in one case may not fit in another. Make sure the accessory’s dimensions and form factor match your chassis’ mounting points, and make sure the shroud aligns with them.
- High-quality shrouds made of acrylic, aluminum, and steel are available. Aluminum and steel shrouds provide a durable concealment that complements darker color schemes, while acrylic (also called plexiglass) shrouds are transparent and offer various customization options. To make sure your PC looks good, you need a design that matches it.
- Install PSU shrouds easily without compromising the case’s structural integrity or power supply unit’s integrity. Make sure your options don’t require you to modify your chassis and install them without tools. Corsair and Be Quiet make their own PSU shrouds! They’re available on their websites.
Functionality Isn’t as Important as Aesthetics
In a nutshell, PSU shrouds are a great way to show off your customized build. It’s a good idea to hide parts that don’t match the aesthetics of your PC with PSU shrouds.
Windowed PC cases with dedicated PSU shrouds are a no-brainer if you want a minimalist and tidy setup. It’s better to invest in a modular PSU if cable management isn’t a priority. It has detachable cables so it minimizes clutter.
