Newbie needs a new PSU. What do I do?

nutty88 · May 8, 2004, 11:15 PM

It's time for me to get a new PSU as this one has started making funny noises. Taking this one out and putting the new one in is no problem as I take it's just unscrewing it and disconnecting all of the cables. Can I just go out and buy a new one or do I need to get a specific one for my combination of hardware. All I know is my current one is 350w. Will any one do

Asmoday · May 8, 2004, 11:16 PM

Yeah basically....just be sure to get a good guality one...like Antec, Enermax etc, etc....and to be sure get atleast a 400-500w one...

WildChild · May 9, 2004, 06:40 PM

400/500 watt would be my suggestion.

Matth · May 9, 2004, 09:37 PM

Cleaning or replacing the fan in the other one may be all that's needed, but the internals of a PSU need to be treated with respect, the capacitors can deliver quite a jolt for some time after disconnection (if you unplug the mains and then hit the power button, it should deplete the charge).

If you are running with a standard 350w, and do not plan to install extra power hungry components,, then I wouldn't go overboard on the replacement - a top name, high power model would be quite expensive.

Tom's Hardware have reviewed PSUs from time to time.
http://www17.tomshardware.com/search...s=power+supply

Take a wander through the good, the bad and the ugly!

http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/2...pplies-08.html
I've seen this style around, first reaction is that the large fan would be quieter, though it appears this is not the case!
In fact, it's the worst in the power group for noise level.

No name, unknown name models are usually not too bad, if you don't flog them to within a few watts of their rating, the exception being the cheap 300w units usually destined for cut-price cases, which are built down to a price and then some.

nutty88 · May 10, 2004, 02:15 PM

I know that it is the fan that needs replacing. I took a look inside the PSU (carefully) and it's connected directly onto the board. To replace the fan I would need to splice the wires and tape them together. I currently have 2 hard drives, 1 cd drive and 1 DVD-RW drive. Maybe I'm better getting a new PSU ?

~~HawK~~ · May 10, 2004, 02:28 PM

I personally would not bother with the old one, buy a good & somewhat overpowered PSU for future needs, PSU do not cost that much but a bad old PSU can cost you your system if murphy has his way and he usualy does...

Matth · May 10, 2004, 09:28 PM

If the DH Soldering guide is not your cup of tea, the I wouldn't change the fan

***craig5320*** · May 10, 2004, 09:31 PM

I'd pick up a nice silent (~19dB) 450w PSU, don't skimp on it. But there's no need to get a gold plated one

The_Neon_Cowboy · May 10, 2004, 09:35 PM

no soldering nessacary

just replace the fan if you want, won't cost ya $1-$3 tops
i made a guide for it on the subject, if you want i'll get ya a link

take a quick read here
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/guides/psumod/

**MIG-31** · May 10, 2004, 09:39 PM

any 400 or 500w Antec, Enermax psu will be a very good choice.

particularly if you don't want the hassle of resoldering new fans etc.that has been mentioned.

pr0digal jenius · May 11, 2004, 09:23 PM

get a VANTEC STEALTH...slightly more pricey, but amazing PSUs

nutty88 · May 13, 2004, 04:39 PM

Thanks everyone for all of your comments and advice. I finally went out today and bought a new one. I hope it's a good one. I bought this one - http://www.qtec.info/products/product.htm?artnr=13492

It was on special with £20 off it. Hopefully this one will last longer. My last one was a single fan and this is a duel fan so I'm guessing my temp will be a little lower as well.

krazy1 · May 13, 2004, 04:44 PM

I just built a new PC for a customer and when I pluged in the PSU (Antec TruePower 380W) the capacitors blew up... talk about scaring the #$*% out of you.... I thought a bomb went off in the place. Now I am fighting Newegg for a replacement

and my customer is getting mad....

I am not saying Antec is bad.... That is all I usually buy (Except for my gaming PC, I bought a PC Power & Cooling for that one) and I usually have great luck with Antec.

**MIG-31** · May 13, 2004, 04:46 PM

hope it works fine for you.

i have tried a qtec 400w before and my system constantly kept shuting down,longest it stayed powered up were around 30 seconds into boot up.then would not reboot untill change of the fuse in the plug then pop it went again,around six fuses i went through.

promptly took it back to the store presuming there were a fault with the psu.they tried it in there testing rig and nowt were wrong with it.got my money back.

might be a different thing with yours.

~~HawK~~ · May 13, 2004, 04:49 PM

It is the same one as I have in my system

, and doing his job for almost a year without complains, a bit loud maybe when the fan's get dusty/dirty
Maybe not the best out there, but it is adequate..

May 8, 2004, 11:15 PM	#1
nutty88 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Newbie needs a new PSU. What do I do? It's time for me to get a new PSU as this one has started making funny noises. Taking this one out and putting the new one in is no problem as I take it's just unscrewing it and disconnecting all of the cables. Can I just go out and buy a new one or do I need to get a specific one for my combination of hardware. All I know is my current one is 350w. Will any one do

May 8, 2004, 11:16 PM	#2
Asmoday Demonic Join Date: May 2002 Location: In the cold, dark north... Posts: 5,198 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	Yeah basically....just be sure to get a good guality one...like Antec, Enermax etc, etc....and to be sure get atleast a 400-500w one... __________________ How You can help Hardwareheaven by using Digg

May 9, 2004, 06:40 PM	#3
WildChild I'm Still Watching Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey,U.S.A. Posts: 1,068 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	400/500 watt would be my suggestion. __________________ Knowledge is SCARY,Stupidity is REALLY frightening

May 9, 2004, 09:37 PM	#4
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Cleaning or replacing the fan in the other one may be all that's needed, but the internals of a PSU need to be treated with respect, the capacitors can deliver quite a jolt for some time after disconnection (if you unplug the mains and then hit the power button, it should deplete the charge). If you are running with a standard 350w, and do not plan to install extra power hungry components,, then I wouldn't go overboard on the replacement - a top name, high power model would be quite expensive. Tom's Hardware have reviewed PSUs from time to time. http://www17.tomshardware.com/search...s=power+supply Take a wander through the good, the bad and the ugly! http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/2...pplies-08.html I've seen this style around, first reaction is that the large fan would be quieter, though it appears this is not the case! In fact, it's the worst in the power group for noise level. No name, unknown name models are usually not too bad, if you don't flog them to within a few watts of their rating, the exception being the cheap 300w units usually destined for cut-price cases, which are built down to a price and then some. Last edited by Matth; May 9, 2004 at 09:50 PM.

May 10, 2004, 09:31 PM	#8
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 8,575 Rep Power: 445 System Specs	I'd pick up a nice silent (~19dB) 450w PSU, don't skimp on it. But there's no need to get a gold plated one __________________ HardwareHeaven on Facebook

May 10, 2004, 02:15 PM	Thread Starter #5
nutty88 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	I know that it is the fan that needs replacing. I took a look inside the PSU (carefully) and it's connected directly onto the board. To replace the fan I would need to splice the wires and tape them together. I currently have 2 hard drives, 1 cd drive and 1 DVD-RW drive. Maybe I'm better getting a new PSU ?

May 10, 2004, 02:28 PM	#6
~~HawK~~ Banned Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2,092 Rep Power: 0	I personally would not bother with the old one, buy a good & somewhat overpowered PSU for future needs, PSU do not cost that much but a bad old PSU can cost you your system if murphy has his way and he usualy does...

May 10, 2004, 09:28 PM	#7
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	If the DH Soldering guide is not your cup of tea, the I wouldn't change the fan

May 10, 2004, 09:35 PM	#9
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	no soldering nessacary just replace the fan if you want, won't cost ya $1-$3 tops i made a guide for it on the subject, if you want i'll get ya a link take a quick read here http://www.hardwareheaven.com/guides/psumod/ __________________

May 10, 2004, 09:39 PM	#10
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,853 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	any 400 or 500w Antec, Enermax psu will be a very good choice. particularly if you don't want the hassle of resoldering new fans etc.that has been mentioned. __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

May 11, 2004, 09:23 PM	#11
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	get a VANTEC STEALTH...slightly more pricey, but amazing PSUs

May 13, 2004, 04:39 PM	Thread Starter #12
nutty88 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Thanks everyone for all of your comments and advice. I finally went out today and bought a new one. I hope it's a good one. I bought this one - http://www.qtec.info/products/product.htm?artnr=13492 It was on special with £20 off it. Hopefully this one will last longer. My last one was a single fan and this is a duel fan so I'm guessing my temp will be a little lower as well.

May 13, 2004, 04:44 PM	#13
krazy1 Live from the Dungeon Join Date: May 2003 Location: Between the SubWoofers Posts: 1,395 Rep Power: 0	I just built a new PC for a customer and when I pluged in the PSU (Antec TruePower 380W) the capacitors blew up... talk about scaring the #$*% out of you.... I thought a bomb went off in the place. Now I am fighting Newegg for a replacement and my customer is getting mad.... I am not saying Antec is bad.... That is all I usually buy (Except for my gaming PC, I bought a PC Power & Cooling for that one) and I usually have great luck with Antec. __________________

May 13, 2004, 04:46 PM	#14
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,853 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	hope it works fine for you. i have tried a qtec 400w before and my system constantly kept shuting down,longest it stayed powered up were around 30 seconds into boot up.then would not reboot untill change of the fuse in the plug then pop it went again,around six fuses i went through. promptly took it back to the store presuming there were a fault with the psu.they tried it in there testing rig and nowt were wrong with it.got my money back. might be a different thing with yours. __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

May 13, 2004, 04:49 PM	#15
~~HawK~~ Banned Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 2,092 Rep Power: 0	It is the same one as I have in my system , and doing his job for almost a year without complains, a bit loud maybe when the fan's get dusty/dirty Maybe not the best out there, but it is adequate..