Antec PSU Died

[ClockerXP]

I think Antec has slipped in quality. I bought an SP-500 PSU about 18 months ago. It was DOA out of the box. I exchanged it at my local retailer and it worked good until last night. I shut the computer down and it would not start back up. Not a peep...no fans would spin up or anything. So, luckly, I have my spare 5-6 year old 420W TTGI PSU that was great even for my old dual AthlonXP system. It seems to be running my current system just fine although it's not inaudible like the SP-500's are even though it doesn't have the 24-pin connector.

At least Antec CS is good. They've been great to work with getting case parts etc. I expect the same good service with the RMA request I just filled out on their website.

 

[VinDSL]

Um... let me guess...

Bulging caps, right?

 

[RallyMaster]

guess i should ebay this one and take the 40 or so profit and then buy a Fortron?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
guess i should ebay this one and take the 40 or so profit and then buy a Fortron?

Enhance/Silverstone Element is a MUCH better unit than Fortron, at about the same price.


OP, fully 75% of the power problems on this board are Antec related.
I use Zippy/Emacs, Enhance and a 5+year old Fortron that will be up-graded soon to Enhance.


...Galvanized

 

[ClockerXP]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I won't be popping the thing open to check for bulging caps but I would not be suprised. I heard that Antec was having a lot of issues but never really decided to investigate it more. Hoipefully this RMA goes smooth and I can eBay the replacement.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

If you have a problem with your RMA...PM, AntecCSR and it will be resolved.


...Galvanized

 

[ClockerXP]

I can't find my receipt so I think I'm SOL on getting an RMA. I don't even think the SP-500 has even been in production for three years so this is complete BS.

Apparently, AntecCSR is not interested in helping me. Been a few days since I PM'd him and have not heard from him.

I guess I was wrong about Antec's CS.

CxP

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Re. PM. Your welcome.

Good luck.


...Galvanized

 

[ClockerXP]

AntecCSR was no help, indicating I must have a receipt even though the SP-500 has not even been in production for longer than the warranty period yet.

I guess CompUSA will end up sending the bad PSU back to Antec for me one way or another. That's the last Antec product I'll ever own.

 

[Baked]

Another vote for the Enhance. I bought the 500W from e-wiz.com and has been running my system for the past week in very stable condition, through the dual core torture using SP2004/Orthos and Memtest. And it's very very quiet too. This is the real deal.

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
OP, fully 75% of the power problems on this board are Antec related.
I use Zippy/Emacs, Enhance and a 5+year old Fortron that will be up-graded soon to Enhance.

Yep, yet people keep buying them. That 75% should include other POS names like Rosewill as well.

You generally get exactly what you pay for. Antec has been crap for years now.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I don't buy the "Antec has been crap for years" thing. Recently? From the sound of it they aren't so good anymore. BUT my brother's, my parent's, and my friend's computers are all running on antec PSUs that are anywhere from 1 or 2 years old to 4 years old and work perfectly.

As for my current 4 month old Antec PSU it works fine as well ATM *knock on wood*crosses fingers*

Galvanized, last I knew you were saying that fortron was very good now you are saying to go with silverstone or enhance. Make up your mind

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

At this point in time only the NeoHEs should be considered. I will feel better about them
once we see them nekkid and full load tested. Enen if they pass, there are better units
out there for the same $$ or $$$.

Sparky, do your homework boy! The lower end Fortrons are now sporting Fuhjyyu capacitors.
The same c(r)aps that the SmartPowers and TruePowers use...OK! Pure sh!t over the long
haul.

The higher end Epsilons are sporting OST on the output side :thumbsdown: and at full load
ripple goes out of spec...OK. This is true of the OCZ units...They are based on the Epsilon.
Excessive PSU ripple will work the mainboard, VGA and sound card caps very hard, shortening thier lives.
The $200 high end Sound Blasters are filled with Jamicon craps. Bwahahaha!
Asshats charge $200 for a sound card and use low end caps..Hahaha!

The Topower built Mushkin units are crap...YEP! *nods head*

What else you want to learn about power smart guy?? I've been studying batteries and
lighting for a gas power bicycle project. Should do 30+mph@180mpg on the flat unassisted
I need lights because night riding is fun in SoCal. You betcha!


...Galvanized

 

[SparkyJJO]

Galvanized, I wasn't trying to be a "mr wise guy." Sorry if I came across that way I was teasing about the "making up your mind" part hence the reason for the And I agree that from the sound of it newer antecs aren't so good anymore (and the reason why I am knocking on wood that it keeps working fine). I just was pointing out that it seems from my experience that the older antecs were OK.

again, sorry if I came across wrong...

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Were'er kewl Sparky. I was just strutting and being some what cocky

All I said above is true. jonny gave an honest review of the new Mushkin units
and thier fanboies came out of the woodwork to get him. Tis true! He had to
start moderating his blog because the asshats declared a little war

Everything is in a state of flux. That's why there is no best PSU on the consumer level.

Heat kills cheap caps fast. Most of the low end Antecs the go belly up are probably
in poorly vetilated cases with high ambients.

Best on the server grade...Zippy/Emacs, Delta & Etasis.


...Galvanized

 

[ClockerXP]

My Antec was in a P180 so it was very cool. Although that 'SmartPower 2.0' design may result in higher temps inside the PSU at the sacrifice of longevity.

I guess I will try to sell it (the replacement) while it's still working...