Do I need a more powerful PSU or was i just unlucky?

[bluxa]

I have an Antec P150 and therefore a NEO430w powering the system as outlined below. The PSU is now sending out a high-pitched whine under load which seems to suggest there is a problem with it. I will take the PSU back and hopefully get a replacement in the next few days.

It has been suggested that the problem could have been caused by the PSU being underpowered for the rig. Out of interest I used the extreme power supply calculator at it came out saying that I need a PSU rated at 298w, hence 430w should be ok.

My question is this - is the PSU underpowered and therefore being pushed too much - hence I need to get a more highly rated PSU?

or

Is the PSU fine for this rig and I was just unlucky with the PSU unit that I got?

Q6600 (GO) - overclocked to 3.2Ghz @ 1.4v
P5K-E/Wi-fi
2 RAM sticks (1GB x 2) DDR2 800 RAM (1.95v)
Asus EN8600GT silent (passive - no fan)
Samsung HD501LJ SATA HD (500GB) x 1
Asus DVD RW
2 x 120cm fans (1600RPM - currently 1100RPM)
1 x 100cm fan (1500RPM - currently 1100RPM)
Antec spot fan (2200RPM currently 1300RPM)
scythe Karmameter fan controller
floppy drive with card reader
Antec P150 case

 

[MarcVenice]

How long have you been running that PSU. Not sure of the qaulity of the NEO PSU's, I do know some antec psu's had the dreaded fuhyuu capacitors which might be causing your problem. Just send it back to antec if it's still under warranty and they'll replace it with something decent ... In terms of power, it should be fine.

 

[s44]

From your description, it's probably the caps. I believe if you RMA they'll send you a new Earthwatts unit (with better caps!) back. :thumbsup:

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: s44
From your description, it's probably the caps. I believe if you RMA they'll send you a new Earthwatts unit (with better caps!) back. :thumbsup:

I believe they will send you an EW PSU. I just had a 350w 1 year old PSU die out of the blue. Only 12 days after the 1 year warranty, so they say they will send me a 380w EW PSU!!! This PSU can easily handle your requirements, but you should be getting a 430w EW PSU, if I'm not mistaken. The 380w EW PSU can handle a e6600 OC'd and a 8800gtx, so that should be enough proof to you that you have a decent PSU (other than the high pitch whine you have now). Here's the link for proof:
8800gtx on 380w PSU!
http://www.overclockers.com/articles1452/

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Lunyone

Originally posted by: s44
From your description, it's probably the caps. I believe if you RMA they'll send you a new Earthwatts unit (with better caps!) back. :thumbsup:

I believe they will send you an EW PSU. I just had a 350w 1 year old PSU die out of the blue. Only 12 days after the 1 year warranty, so they say they will send me a 380w EW PSU!!! This PSU can easily handle your requirements, but you should be getting a 430w EW PSU, if I'm not mistaken. The 380w EW PSU can handle a e6600 OC'd and a 8800gtx, so that should be enough proof to you that you have a decent PSU (other than the high pitch whine you have now). Here's the link for proof:
8800gtx on 380w PSU!
http://www.overclockers.com/articles1452/

That is not really proof the OP has a descent PSU.
That is only proof that for the time being the PSU can handle the load the OP wishes to place on the PSU.

6 months to a year down the line who knows??