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Antec's magic smoke

Elixer

Elixer

Lifer
Don't you hate it when you power up the system, then, you see (& smell) that wonderful magic smoke that comes pouring out ?

This was their SmartPower series.
Yeah, I know it is old, however, this unit was never used before, ever since the first unit died, and they sent this for the RMA. It was just sitting on the shelf, since I didn't have a need for it.

Now, when that need finally came around, I plug in the sucker, set everything up, and smoke!

Bah!

Luckily, nothing else was damaged.
 
Normally, the incoming power voltage selector switch is set correctly.
Hmm... I guess there's a first time for everything.
 
Blain said:
Normally, the incoming power voltage selector switch is set correctly.
Hmm... I guess there's a first time for everything.
Click to expand...

I actually checked that... so, that wasn't the issue.
Then I took it apart, and saw a black/brown area, and looking closer, it was a burst CAP. I was thinking it may have dried out or something.
Salvaged the parts I could, and the rest is in the trash.
 
Antec does not use 100% Japanese caps, even on their high-end Platinum series.

I don't use Antec.

The two sentences above are related.
 
blastingcap said:
Antec does not use 100% Japanese caps, even on their high-end Platinum series.

I don't use Antec.

The two sentences above are related.
Click to expand...

Their TruePower New PSUs (no longer sold) advertised Japanese caps. I used one of those for a gamer relative's PC, with a Q9550 and CF HD6870 cards.
 
VirtualLarry said:
Their TruePower New PSUs (no longer sold) advertised Japanese caps. I used one of those for a gamer relative's PC, with a Q9550 and CF HD6870 cards.
Click to expand...
Unsure about TruePower, but this unit, the SmartPower did NOT have Japanese
CAPS, the one that burst was fuhjyu... which is cheap crap.
 
SmartPower? I think my last last computer used that. It was 330W and came with the ALK1650 case I got -- bad choice, I was trying to save money and kept a case with PSU included.

I've been using a modular Enermax since. No problems, fan never goes above 500 rpm if Hardware Monitor is correct.
 
blastingcap said:
Antec does not use 100% Japanese caps, even on their high-end Platinum series.

I don't use Antec.

The two sentences above are related.
Click to expand...


While the second sentence may be true, the first sentence is completely incorrect. Show me where the Antec HCP's (High Current Pro, their top end Plat. line, like Seasonic's XP Plat. line) use anything other than all Japanese caps. I've seen disassembly of at least 4 different HCP's of different outputs over the last year and all have had Jap caps, nothing else.

The HCG (High Current Gamer) that I've seen disassembled, a 900W unit, had all Jap caps in it, too, and that was 4 years ago.
 
the only power supply that i have had serious problem with was antec. this happen some time ago, possibly 8 yrs ago if my poor memory recalls correctly. anyhow, the 20 pin connector that plugs into the motherboard, the power supply burned the plastic off 2 pins, and burned my motherboard. it turned me against ever buying antec again
 
Antec doesn't make their own units. They resell units made by FSP, CWT, Delta, Seasonic, and Enhance.

Saying that Antec doesn't use x_component comes across as ignorant.
 
Tsavo said:
Antec doesn't make their own units. They resell units made by FSP, CWT, Delta, Seasonic, and Enhance.

Saying that Antec doesn't use x_component comes across as ignorant.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure my Antec NeoEco is a rebadged Seasonic M12II, it's 3 years+ and still going strong. I won't hesitate to use their VP series as budget PSU myself, just that the competitors just seem to offer more value at any price point.

Though I just ordered a Seasonic G 650W as a backup PSU.
 
I've only bought lower end Antec power supplies, usually to replace another lower end Antec power supply that failed. I sometimes would rather make a quick run to Staples vs. ordering online. Fortunately when they die they've never taken anything else with them and I usually get about three years out of them. That said, the Antec Basiq 430W in my secondary PC is four years old and working just fine. Its the cheapest one I've ever bought from them and so far has been the most reliable.
 
Leyawiin said:
I've only bought lower end Antec power supplies, usually to replace another lower end Antec power supply that failed. I sometimes would rather make a quick run to Staples vs. ordering online. Fortunately when they die they've never taken anything else with them and I usually get about three years out of them. That said, the Antec Basiq 430W in my secondary PC is four years old and working just fine. Its the cheapest one I've ever bought from them and so far has been the most reliable.
Click to expand...

I had a few Antec Basiq 500W units, one of them developed a SEVERE fan bearing noise after a year, so I ditched them. Have had a few EarthWatts units, those keep on running.
 
My old Smartpower also let out its magic smoke. I looked into it and found that Antec used a primary Cap that was not specced for the temperatures the power supply would see under normal operation. Also, caps go bad over time whether they are used or not, so it may have been just because it was old in your case. These were some of the first PSUs Antec produced if I recall correctly, so they made a few major mistakes on them.
 
VirtualLarry said:
I had a few Antec Basiq 500W units, one of them developed a SEVERE fan bearing noise after a year, so I ditched them. Have had a few EarthWatts units, those keep on running.
Click to expand...

I think mine is made by Delta and the 500W ones are FSP built. Honestly don't know if one OEM is better than the other.
 
Oh god..bad memories of my Antec Neopower 480 that let out the magic smoke back in 2006.

I promptly replaced it with a PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 510 SLI,which is still going strong in my backup Linux PC now..8 years later.
 
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