Antec Sonata II PSU making high pitch noise

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myrcgarage

Senior member
Feb 2, 2005
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I have had my Antec Sonata II for about 1 1/2 years. I leave my PC on 24 x 7. For the past 2 days, even if my PC is off, but plug into AC outlet, the PSU is making some high pitch noise. If I switch the on/off switch on the PSU from off the on, the high pitch noise goes from low to high. I want to know if my PSU is dying. Will it cause any damage to any of my hardware? Should I turn off my PC and don't turn it on to avoid any damage to anything?

I already submitted a request to Antec, however, it is weekend. So, I guess I will have to wait to Monday to hear anything back.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
 
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crossrode

Senior member
Oct 9, 2006
243
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Try a can of compressed air and blow out the fan as well as the entire PSU real well. Be careful not to turn the car of compressed air upside down when you spray it out.
 
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myrcgarage

Senior member
Feb 2, 2005
360
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But it never did that before. Even if the PC is not on but the PSU is on, it makes that high pitch noise.

How does Antec warranty work? Do they send me a new one without me sending the old one back?

My main concern is that if it will harm the hardware inside the box.
 
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GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
6,986
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Save the RMA for a spare and buy a decent PSU for your system's wattage needs.
Silverstone Element in 500W or Enhance 400~500W like the ENP-5140GH, ENP-5150GH
or a Seasonic in 380 or 430W.

Your Antec is poop! :p
 
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myrcgarage

Senior member
Feb 2, 2005
360
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Thanks! I don't want to spend a tons of money. I would say anything in the $60 to $70. I am out of the hardware loop for a while. I saw some of the PSU have fan on the top and some on the side. The Antec one that comes with Sonata II is on the side (that's what I see). Can I get the ones that have fans on the top as well? Or I have to get the one blowing to the back of the case?
 
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olmer

Senior member
Dec 28, 2006
324
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0
Before buying a new psu - make sure it is not your mobo that is making this noise. It is much more likely.
 
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myrcgarage

Senior member
Feb 2, 2005
360
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I believe it is my PSU since as soon as I switch the on/off switch to on position, I can hear this high pitch noise going from low pitch to high pitch. Also, I put my ear next to the PSU and I can hear it. Any other ways to really make sure?

Also, the PSU fan on the Anten psu is blowing to the back. Do I have to buy the same thing or I can buy one that is blowing upward?
 
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Cheezeit

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2005
3,298
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76
It won't matter which way it blows, but that PSU is dying. The ones that come with the sonata are infamous for that, even the reviews at newegg show that.
 
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Oxides

Member
Sep 7, 2003
194
1
81
Get a plastic straw and start using it to stop the various fans until you find the one the one thats bad, assuming thats what it is.
 
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batmanuel

Platinum Member
Jan 15, 2003
2,144
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The thing about Antec is that they have a lot of OEMs making supplies for the that are rebranded and sold as Antec. The smartpowers are kinda crap now, but the Earthwatts are really nice (rebranded Seasonic, if I remember correctly). The only downside is that they don't have any fan-only connectors. If you have a decent mobo that can thermally regulate your fans, the Earthwatts is pretty quiet. i've got a 380W one in my rig, and it's fine if you have a midrange processor and video card.

You might be able to score a good deal on the higher wattage Earthwatts if you have a Compusa closing near you and can get some good clearance discounts. I've seen the 500W version at Compusa, which has 2 video card power connectors, so it could power a modest SLI rig.
 
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myrcgarage

Senior member
Feb 2, 2005
360
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Thanks a lot for all the help and suggestion. I still don't know if I should use the replacement from Antec or get a new one. Somebody said that Antec fixed this particular PSU problem.

My main concern: the PSU is still working, however, will it do any damage to any hardware since it is dying. I need to waiting till either I get the replacement or get a new one...
 
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crossrode

Senior member
Oct 9, 2006
243
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I'm sure an RMA through Antec warranty service will take a few weeks to complete. Pick up a new PSU and install it while you wait for the Antec replacement. Should your PSU decide to create one last burst of power when it dies it could send overvoltages throughout your system. Yes, it could possible take your CPU, video card, MB, etc. when it goes. Then maybe it wont?
 
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Melectricus

Senior member
Feb 2, 2003
420
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Originally posted by: crossrode
I'm sure an RMA through Antec warranty service will take a few weeks to complete. Pick up a new PSU and install it while you wait for the Antec replacement. Should your PSU decide to create one last burst of power when it dies it could send overvoltages throughout your system. Yes, it could possible take your CPU, video card, MB, etc. when it goes. Then maybe it wont?
Click to expand...

^^very good advice.

I would bet surely the high pitched whine is a coil connection. Crappy little dognut coils can make a lot of high frequency noise.
 
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crossrode

Senior member
Oct 9, 2006
243
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0
Yeah, that's an incredibally popular PSU. It has only 1 18amp 12v rail. This one has two 12v rails and looks well constructed with heavy guage wiring.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953

or this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

If you are concened about installing a new PSU, it's pretty easy. Just make a note or mental reminder of everthing you unplug removing the old PSU. Then plug everything in the same way you took it off with the new 8).
 
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sthaznpride17

Senior member
Jul 31, 2005
252
0
0
i reccomend the Thermaltake Purepower 500W PSU. I picked this guy up for 20 bucks at Fry's after my Antec 500W smartpower gave that high ptiched noise and then finally died on me. This one hasn't given me a problem for 9 months so far. It even runs my 8800GTS and 4000+ very well.
 
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stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
7,036
8
81
My Antec power supply that came with my Sonata II started making the high pitched noise right before it died. I deffinatly would not get a thermaltake PSU, they are not good quality, and have weak 12v rails as some one else pointed out already. Go with something good, Forton, Enermax, Seasonic..I had a psu take out a motherboard before, it's not fun..never skimp on the psu.
 
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myrcgarage

Senior member
Feb 2, 2005
360
0
0
I am taking your advice and buying the 2nd one on the list.

Thanks!
Originally posted by: crossrode
Yeah, that's an incredibally popular PSU. It has only 1 18amp 12v rail. This one has two 12v rails and looks well constructed with heavy guage wiring.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953

or this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

If you are concened about installing a new PSU, it's pretty easy. Just make a note or mental reminder of everthing you unplug removing the old PSU. Then plug everything in the same way you took it off with the new 8).
Click to expand...

 
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crossrode

Senior member
Oct 9, 2006
243
0
0
Originally posted by: myrcgarage
I am taking your advice and buying the 2nd one on the list.

Thanks!
Originally posted by: crossrode
Yeah, that's an incredibally popular PSU. It has only 1 18amp 12v rail. This one has two 12v rails and looks well constructed with heavy guage wiring.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953

or this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

If you are concened about installing a new PSU, it's pretty easy. Just make a note or mental reminder of everthing you unplug removing the old PSU. Then plug everything in the same way you took it off with the new 8).
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

The 450 has dual 12v rails of 18 amps each. This would easily run a dual core processor and a couple of mid range Video cards in SLI. I am currently in need of 2 x1 GB PC3200 RAM to complete a micro Pentium 4 build. IWhen I have a little extra cash I'm going to pick one of tese up myself. I can slip a Pentium D in anytime that way. 8)

 
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myrcgarage

Senior member
Feb 2, 2005
360
0
0
Just shipped from Newegg...ordered it late last night...I can't wait to get it working.
Originally posted by: crossrode
Originally posted by: myrcgarage
I am taking your advice and buying the 2nd one on the list.

Thanks!
Originally posted by: crossrode
Yeah, that's an incredibally popular PSU. It has only 1 18amp 12v rail. This one has two 12v rails and looks well constructed with heavy guage wiring.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953

or this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

If you are concened about installing a new PSU, it's pretty easy. Just make a note or mental reminder of everthing you unplug removing the old PSU. Then plug everything in the same way you took it off with the new 8).
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

The 450 has dual 12v rails of 18 amps each. This would easily run a dual core processor and a couple of mid range Video cards in SLI. I am currently in need of 2 x1 GB PC3200 RAM to complete a micro Pentium 4 build. IWhen I have a little extra cash I'm going to pick one of tese up myself. I can slip a Pentium D in anytime that way. 8)
Click to expand...

 
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crossrode

Senior member
Oct 9, 2006
243
0
0
Just shipped from Newegg...ordered it late last night...I can't wait to get it working.
Click to expand...

I think you will like it.

I just got this PSU tonight from Fry's when I purchased a Microfly case. I took it out and put in a cheaper Coolermaster 400 watt for now. If I upgrade to a dual core I will use this 600 watt single 12v rail then. Here:

Ultra 600 watt PSU single 12 v rail

I paid 129.99 at Fry's for this case and the 600 watter came with it. Here:

I paid 129.99 at Fry's for this

And I bought this HyperX. Great deal. $187.99 at Newegg. This is 3-3-3-8 at 2.6 volt, then 2-3-2-5 at 2.6 volt! Nice.

Great deal on 2 GB kit of PC3200 2-3-2-5

I had my new micro built in a couple of hours tonight! I will wait for the optical drives from Newegg on Wednesday or Thursday and fire it up! Gotta' have that HyperX...8).

 
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ROcHE

Senior member
Oct 14, 1999
692
0
0
Mine did the same and died.

And so did a lot of others.

Buy a quality one (check for Fortron 450watts if you are on a budget, cheap and quality).

And RMA / sell the Antec one.
 
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