PSU

[Coco15]

Last year I bought a case and 350w PSU bundle for $85.00 AU and in the last 2 months the power supply fan won't spin sometimes when you turn on the computer and other times it will and sometimes when using it in games it will start to smell bad. Is this my PSU on it's way out? or it just cheap and don't like the rest of the system. the case/PSU combo is only a year old so it shouldn't be out yet.

I also notice I have to press the start button twice every time to power on. See my specs for more.

Thanks in advanced.

 

[JazzSus]

I wouldn't take chance and replace PWS as soon as possible specialy if it smells. Might be worth to contact store/retailer in case you still covered under waranty? Also might help to open case and take vacum cleaner and undust inside case. Be careful dont break anything. In case you'll buy new.... Look for some good brand name and get something about 5-600W Hope this help

 

[PsychoClown]

yes it is going. just went through this with my roommate. 550 or above is what i suggest.

 

[CarlTR6]

I echo these suggestions. I went through this about three months ago.

 

[JamesR404]

I can only repeat the suggestions given. Don't take any chances with your PSU - a poor one will cause more harm than good.

Also vacuum clean it, perhaps an overdose of dust & cobwebs is preventing it from functioning properly. .. could be, although it's more likely it's defective, be sure to check the warranty.

 

[Coco15]

Yes I have already got a vacuum cleaner through the whole computer and PSU I took it to work and used work's (I Work at a computer repair store) compressor to blow anything else out. still no good. I give computer good clean every 6 months. I got a touch and shone in the back of the PSU and both the capacitors are bulging. (Not Flat). I'am still using the computer all is good but PSU still smells and having problems. Can anyone recomend a PSU, I think I need to toss this one and get another.:sarc:

Edit: I have continued to look for problems and found the 4 pin CPU connector brown and melted. I have stopped using this computer. For saftey reasons and to look after my hardware.

few minutes ago while using my other computer which is P II the bad one made a loud funny noise like metal falling onto metal. Is this somthing falling in my power supply because I haven't heard this noise (Ever). in my life of working on computers.

 

[CarlTR6]

It sounds like it is time to ditch the PSU ASAP and also replace the motherboard. I would not turn that computer on again.

 

[JamesR404]

"a loud funny noise like metal falling onto metal". Sounds like it has to be something mechanical, and therefore it may be a fan - ... or a component in your power supply simply melting and falling apart...

"4 pin CPU connector brown and melted". Omfg. Never seen it that bad, seems like there may have been a surge or consistent overheating. This may have damaged the motherboard as well.

It does sound terribly bad! After replacing your PSU you may want to consider using a surge protector, the root cause may also be an unstable power supply...

 

[Coco15]

I already have been using a powerboard with in built surge protector. I bought it at the same time as the computer. See below

The motherboard is alright the 4 pin socket is perfect it's just the plug on the power supply thats all brown and melted. And the load noise was the CPU Heatsink and fan fell to the bottom of the case that I forgot to place back on properly after taking it to work and blowing it out. Can anyone reccomend a PSU.

I know of:
Antec
Coolermaster &
Corsair.

Are these good brands. are threre any others? Because I think I better toss this PSU and get another before any more problems.

 

[smarteyeball]

Corsair = yes
Antec = mostly yes
Coolermaster = Very much model dependent

 

[Coco15]

Now I can't afford anything real high or with LED's. What sort of wattage should you suggest (look at my specs) but I used antec's PSU Calculator and added everything right. It came back with 250w (total) for my specs. But I want to upgrade later anyway. As I said I have a 350w PSU (Dead) and someone recommended a 550w PSU. Do anyone thinks this wattage would be allright. too much or Too small. I want a MID GAMING PC (Not a HIGH END PC). So what does anyone think.

 

[smarteyeball]

550w would be a sweet spot if you were thinking of future upgrades.

Have a look through Whirlpools user recommended PSU's:

Power Supply Recommendations

 

[Coco15]

What should I get Modular or Non Modular or sleeved. and at the 550w there's not many modular PSU's. But all I Need is the normal connectors including, ATX 20/24pin 4/8pin, couple of Molex, Couple of SATA and one or two PCI-E. and a floppy or maybe two but not really needed. (I don't have a floppy drive but for fan controllers or the other odd thing). But I don't find people need modular if all cables are sleeved and routed and tied.

 

[Coco15]

PSU's I've Found are

Coolermaster:
eXtreme Power:
eXtreme Power Plus 500w
eXtreme Power Plus 550w
eXtreme Power Plus 600w
Real Power:
Real Power Pro 550W

Corsair:
VX550w

 

[Kipper]

sleeveing, modular, lights, all aesthetics.

Try to find a PSU that is 80% rated and 500W is more than sufficient with your system specs. Just remember that all those other component are very sensitive so that PSU is a dam important component.

 

[Coco15]

What happened to my old one though???? I Only had it for 12 months Why did it give me problems and die???? It was only brand new with the case when I bought it. It wasn't overloaded and was well ventilated and clean. Why did the capacitors bulge, fan stopped and smelt funny and got very hot.

 

[smarteyeball]

Generic brand = poor build quality / cheaper components

I'd go for the VX550w over any coolmeramster.

 

[Coco15]

Must of been otherwise it would have still been here. Can't even find the mercury website any where on the net for my computer. got support number, model number and case mfrg date of 25/2/2009

and how rubbish is this? Got onto support and they said the case/PSU was only covered under a 12 month warranty only. On 12/6/2009 they had a recall for the PSU's as they blew up on some of these combos. I wasn't even told or aware of the recall. They replaced the PSU's under warranty. But becase it was a year and 1 month pas warranty they won't replace mine under the recall. By the way the recall was only for two weeks plus the manufacture is no longer in existance said the support girl. Only support desk is still there for support purposes they were bought by DELL.

 

[Coco15]

Generic brand = poor build quality / cheaper components

I'd go for the VX550w over any coolmeramster.

Ya but it wasn't being pushed to the maximum had a good 150w spare. the PSU that I've got has only 1 20pin ATX, 1 4Pin CPU two floppy and 4 molex. No SATA or 6 or 8pin PCI-E So I better get one with all of these and all the new connectors aswell and toss this one out!!!! the deal worked out to be Case $55.00 and PSU $30.00

Edit: My freind accidently bought one too many PSU's when he was building some mid range gaming PC's so he is giving me that one. it is a coolermaster eXtreme Power Plus 500w brand new. But this will be a temp one for about a month and I'll get a Corsair VX550w or their HX650w one. I Have heard no one get's past 6 months with the coolermaster eXtreme Power Plus 500w and they break down, catch fire, blow up, break and distroy the hardware!!!! they have a very noisy Fan and very noisy themselfs, So won't use this for very long.

 

[CarlTR6]

I already have been using a powerboard with in built surge protector. I bought it at the same time as the computer. See below

The motherboard is alright the 4 pin socket is perfect it's just the plug on the power supply thats all brown and melted. And the load noise was the CPU Heatsink and fan fell to the bottom of the case that I forgot to place back on properly after taking it to work and blowing it out. Can anyone reccomend a PSU.

I know of:
Antec
Coolermaster &
Corsair.

Are these good brands. are threre any others? Because I think I better toss this PSU and get another before any more problems.

I'm glad to hear your motherboard is OK.