funny noises coming from psu when it is under load.

[Barfo]

So I've got this 450w psu with a prescott p4 and radeon x800, couple hds and 2 burners, nothing out of the ordinary but a week ago it started making strange noises when I game or do some encoding, the noises are weird but I can live with them, if the psu dies I can get another one no problem.
But if it dies away and melts my motherboard and cpu it won't be a pretty thing, I don't want to go through the hassle or RMAing the psu and having to use my laptop while waiting for it to arrive so if I can be fairly certain that the psu won't take any other parts with it I can wait for it to die.

So what do you think are my chances guys?

 

[PurdueRy]

What brand?

 

[MichaelD]

Could be a leaking capacitor or possibly a bad winding in the transformer. I wouldn't chance it. You obviously already know that if a PSU dies, it can take everything with it. Time to get a new one. Antec FTW.

 

[spkack]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Could be a leaking capacitor or possibly a bad winding in the transformer. I wouldn't chance it. You obviously already know that if a PSU dies, it can take everything with it. Time to get a new one. Antec FTW.

I agree. I wouldn't chance it. If you've confirmed it only happens under a load, there's a problem waiting to happen.

 

[TSCrv]

just because antec is popular doesnt mean they are reliable... i have at least 2 powersupplies by antec that do this exact problem, and its their newer ones, my few year old 350 is fine.

currently running a seasonic 600, no comment due to no hardware to really test it with... *evil grin*

 

[Auric]

A decent PSU should commit suicide, not murder suicide. There have been numerous posts about el cheapo and/or glam PSU's falling into the latter category (Antec among them).

If it really is going to die then waiting for it to do so will only delay the hassle while also risking damage. In any case it could potentially cause reliability to suffer in the meantime. Here's an idea: just buy a new one and sell the warranty replacement when it arrives or keep it as a spare.

 

[ronach]

A general rule I go by is; when in doubt...swap it out..if you can afford it of course. Should you decide to replace your PS, give some serious thought to your NEXT computer build, and buy a supply that will comfortably do the job for it, with some amps to spare.

 

[NTB]

Here's a hint: All computers run on magic blue smoke. As long as the smoke stays inside the box, you're in good shape. If the smoke escapes, you're SOL

In all seriousness, mine makes some funny noises on occasion too, but I think it has something to do with the fan inside it and the way it's built. It's been running flawlessly for a couple years now.

Nate

 

[Rage187]

consider this a warning sign and swap it out now before it blows and takes more expensive parts with it.

A general rule I go by is; when in doubt...swap it out..

couldn't have said it better