Did ANTEC F up THEIR OWN power supply?

[imported_stev]

I just ordered the Enhance ENP-5140GH. I couldn't find out anything bad about it. Also, it was cheapest at eWiz.com, which is based in San Jose so I have a shot at getting it to my doorstep in Seattle before the weekend (if they ship it today). All told, $70 and a bunch of time looking at stuff today might solve my computer problems.

A big thanks to everyone who responded. I'll post here when I install the PSU and let you know if anything else was damaged.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: DrMrLordX
I'm surprised nobody here has mentioned Enermax. They make good PSUs as well (or at least the Liberty series is pretty good).

I've got a 500W Liberty and love it. People don't mention the Liberty line because they cost more than $36.25 shipped.

People will spend hundreds of dollars on...
SLI, 4GBs of memory, 4 HDs in RAID 0. But when it comes to a PS, their thinking is that $40 should buy them all the PS they will ever need.
Then after scoring their bargain PSU they post in the General Hardware forum asking for help in tracking down reboots, lockups, etc, etc, etc.

 

[maluckey]

Long-term stability and lack of dying in less than three years under hard use makes a good PSU.

As far as ratings.....opinions are just that. Short term tests, and reviewer/testers still cannot see long-term failures in the week that they have the unit. Some testers see what they want to see anyways. Some still rave about PSU's with crap-caps.

Reviewers should mention the type of internal compnents used so that readers can better understand the pros/cons of that PSU. The car analogy used in this thread is dead-on. Chevy is losing cash because it made a car that lasted three years before dying. Car magazines tell you about motor design, as well as material quality, not just the HP rating and quarter mile results. PSU reviewers should do the same...but they don't

I speak from experience that even my personal favorite...Sparkles, sometimes use crap-caps. My FSP 460 server unit (ATX GES) had a few Fuhjyyu and several Teapo caps. The Fuhjiyyu caps died in one year. I recapped the PSU with a mixture of Nichicon, Panasonic and Rubycon caps...... it has run without complaints since, despite being under-cooled and stressed by a healthy OC'ed setup.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Not everyone is willing, ready, or capable of recapping their own PSU though. It's nice to buy a unit that has good caps from the start.

It's interesting to me that people here are actually starting to mention the shortcomings of FSP power supplies. I usually hear raving about them being stable, no-frills PSUs that get the job done. If some of their low-end models use low-end capacitors, this probably puts them in line with many Antecs in terms of quality and reliability.

 

[maluckey]

DrMrLordX

I differ slightly on you analysis... I feel that most people would be capable of soldering in improved caps, but most people wouldn't be willing to do so.

Some FSP units will undoubedtly will fall along the lines of Antec quality (AX series). The rest of the FSPXXX badged units are still alot of PSU for the money (Green in particular are good deals). I did notice about two, maybe two and a half years ago that they (FSP) changed their rating system. They used to rate everything as "sustained" at max temperatures at max load (40C +/- depending on model). Now they rate as "Peak" at the same levels. Heat was obviously becoming a factor. Why? my guess is that they looked for a dollar on profit by using cheaper caps. Cheap caps can't stand the heat or abuse related to heavy loads as well as quality units.

I personally would pay 150 dollars for a rock-solid 500 watt PSU without any looks or frills. Most won't though. that is a problem for manufacturers.

 

[imported_stev]

I would be physically capable of soldering caps, but I would need to get a soldering iron and get the right solder, learn some technique, and gain some confidence so I would feel alright about putting my computer hardware at the mercy of a PSU modded by my own hand.

I will say this, though. On a relatively inexpensive piece of hardware such as a PSU, the warranty is truly irrelevant. If it breaks, you're out a computer for a couple weeks to RMA the unit so getting it fixed for free doesn't mean very much. It also doesn't cost the manufacturer very much to fix it so there's no huge incentive for them to imrove their product until people stop buying it. I certainly would never have any reservations about voiding my warranty if I gained confidence in fixing my own PSU, but I would still rather have one that doesn't break in the first place.

 

[maluckey]

stev

I learned in ten minutes the proper soldering technique. As far as the "modifying" part...you really don't need to modify anything to improve on some bad-caps PSU's. You find caps the right size, capacitance and voltage from a reputable manufacturer. Go for the lowest ESR/highest ripple for PSU's. For the beginner, Panasonic caps are a good all-around, relatively easy to find choice. Go for the highest temperature and voltage rating that meets the original parts dimensions and capacitance.

I'm no expert in electronics, but three PSu's, two Adcom stereo power amps, two motherboards and a Fender guitar amp are testament that being amateurish doesn't stop me. Besides, I wait until theya re already dead...what can I lose other than a boat-anchor P.O.S. anyways?

BTW!! ALWAYS DISCHARGE THE PSU BEFORE WORKING ON IT!!!

 

[Slammy1]

Antec's are near as bad as people are making out. My Antec Tru 480 has served me admirably, though point taken on a mistake in manufacturing (save a buck, cost a customer). My previous PSU was an Enermax 350W which has been working great for ca 5 years. I've had a lot of luck with PSUs I suppose.

 

[Mattd46612]

After researching all day today I really found that the brand with no bad reviews yet seems to be Enhance. With Aska and Silverstone being the same as Enhance you cant find much bad on those 2 names either. I bought a antec case and psu combo and the psu was doa, Ive had a logisys that blew up on me, a coolermaster thats still runnin strong, and a thermaltake that just isnt cuttin it for my power hungry rig not really its fault. And i have a 650W Enhance on the way for $95 from ewiz, i feel very confident in my choice.

 

[bugsypal]

I have suspicions about the quality of my Antec power supply. I had a TruePower 430W which lasted about 3 years, then catastrophically failed, taking my old 478 motherboard with it. Now I have a NeoPower 430W - and I am becoming increasingly suspicious that it is causing problems. My PC is fine - but every so often, the safety switch on my household power trips, and it always happens when the computer is on. I have tried to narrow down the problem, but it's rather difficult, and the problem is sporadic.

If the Neo is somehow responsible for this, it's of grave concern. I don't see how it could cause the household power to trip off, but then I am not au fait with the workings of these things. But I have read of other probs with Antec Neos - incompatibilities, etc.

Any thoughts on whether the Antec could cause such weird behaviour?

I have a second computer with an Enermax Liberty, and it seems great so far.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Maybe you should try using a different wall outlet that's on a different breaker.
Might consider changing out the breaker, old ones can tend to trip easy, if they have tripped often.
Cleaning and tightening the wiring at the breaker box can work wonders for an older house.
Might consider buying a decent UPS for around $150.
Might consider opening the PSU for inspection, but that voids the warrenty.

Note: There may be others...Enermax, Silverstone and Enhance do not have stickers
over seams or screws


...Galvanized

 

[bugsypal]

Thanks Yankee,
Trying it with a different breaker could be tricky, as it is an infrequent occurrence, and everything is on the same breaker anyway. I will get an electrician to check the wiring in the meter box anyway...

I was just curious to know if there's anything conceivable that could be going on with the PSU that could cause the breaker to kick in.

bugsy

 

[maluckey]

Yeah! A direct short

Seriously, a bad breaker or one that is just overloaded due to the myriad of devices attached to it can sometimes just trip, or after repeated abuse give up the ghost. When I lived in Germany, my 2 main stereo power amps drew so much juice on power-up, that it frequently tripped the breaker!! There was nothing wrong with the amps, just HUGE power draw at startup. The problem was fixed when the landlord installed a slightly larger breaker for his american power-hungry tenants.

I can't see a computer PSU doing this though...not enough draw.

 

[bugsypal]

Thanks Maluckey,

I'm not sure that it's a dodgy breaker... I have a monster Perreaux power amp in my hifi system - 300 watts, with huge capacitors. When I turn it on, the lights dim in the house for a second with the inrush of current. But it's rock solid and it has never caused the household breaker to switch.

Our breaker is flipping when the hifi is not in use - so something else is causing it. More detective work is obviously needed....

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

What about when the refrigerator kicks in, that's a big hit.


...Galvanized

 

[bugsypal]

Yeah, quite right - I'll check it out...

 

[MrUniq]

I learned that TV tuners can draw alot of power in themselves....I sold a guy my ATI TV Wonder and he said it caused half of his lights to go out after installation. I read similar claims after a google search. I don't think SmartPower PSU's are meant for heavy usage..it seems like alot of people try to OC or add alot of compenents with one and it often ends in failure. In that light Antec may be misadvertising the quality of their lines..but they do offer more expensive options. I trust them fair enough, but I don't push my systems and keep my components to a minimum these days to reduce hardware failure.

I'd check the wiring in your house if I were you...then follow that up with a better PSU.

 

[imported_stev]

So, I finally got my replacement SmartPower 400 by UPS today. The replacement took nearly a month!!! This seems way to long, especially since they originally told me it would take around a week and a half.

Anyway, the Enhance ENP-5140GH I bought to replace it has been installed since Aug 18 and it seems to be running great!

 

[MrUniq]

Well here's the whole point of the constant day to day warnings against Antec...which I do believe is warranted but sometimes borders on excessive by bandwagon jumpers. People will go and spend money when they don't have to thinking the sky is falling. Like I said earlier if one of my PSU's go bad I'll admit it..but luckily I've never experienced that. And the truepower is the best PSU i've ever had and it's quiet.

Yea, a month was too long. No PC user is going to wait that long..glad you found a good brand. I'll def consider Enhance in the future as well.

Originally posted by: Unkno
wow....with all these talks about how antec has poor psu, it's really tempting me to trash my less than a year old antec smartpower2.0 450W that came with my sonata2 and get a seasonic. I'm worried that the antec might actually take some components with it when it dies

 

[SingleAction]

All I can say is you are a bunch of worry worts! When it comes to electonics in general, it luck of the draw! I don't care who makes it ,or who farms it out, it will fail, sooner or later! By that time, you will most likely be building a new system.

So give Antec, and me a break, cause I've built 3 machines with Antec power supplies,( the last 2 running for over 3 years) and the last machine I'm posting on now for over a month with no problems.

 

[imported_stev]

Oh, I forgot to mention this: Nothing else on my computer was damaged. At least when the PSU failed it failed the right way

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: stev
So, I finally got my replacement SmartPower 400 by UPS today. The replacement took nearly a month!!! This seems way to long, especially since they originally told me it would take around a week and a half.

Anyway, the Enhance ENP-5140GH I bought to replace it has been installed since Aug 18 and it seems to be running great!

Sell the Antec.


...Galvanized

 

[imported_stev]

Already plan to, Galvanized!

BTW, thanks again for the tip on the PSU!

 

[MrX8503]

time and time again i keep hearing people making threads crying about their antec smartpower. Read up people and stop buying from their smartpower line.

 

[Auric]

Or pass on the brand altogether as they are just another middle-man and thus you are either over paying or getting lower quality, at best. No way around that fact.