My computer made a "POP" noise... Oh crap.

[Blammo300]

My AMD 3000+ system made a loud "POP" noise earlier todaysimilar to a gunshot and shut down. I could not get it to turn on afterwards. I took the heatsink off first to make sure my CPU hadnt exploded for some reason but that wasnt it. I tried plugging in an old 300w Power Supply and I did get the computer to turn on. Since it was only 300w though I didnt connect the hard drive and everything else to power the system into windows since I figured I can buy a new PS tomorrow. The PS that popped btw was a Antec 430w.

What do you think would cause a Power Supply to POP like this? Is there a chance it might have screwed up more hardware in the computer?

 

[Ruptga]

You do use a surge protector, right?

 

[Blammo300]

I do use a Surge Protector but is older model at least 5 years old.

 

[henryay]

Sounds like a capacitor popped.

 

[Blammo300]

Originally posted by: henryay
Sounds like a capacitor popped.

A capacitor? Is that fixable?

 

[Ruptga]

Of course, but what would make a capacitor pop, they don't just get old and crap out.

 

[Ruptga]

Originally posted by: Blammo300

Originally posted by: henryay
Sounds like a capacitor popped.

A capacitor? Is that fixable?

How are you with a soldering iron? Even if you could replace it, other stuff is likely fried, it would be too much work to check everything out. Take the hours you'd spend digging through the thing electrocuting yourself and spend them at your job instead, you'll make more money than it'll take to buy a new PSU.

 

[mechBgon]

There was a bad batch of TP430's. Sounds like that was one of them.

 

[bigboxes]

Your Antec TP430 just popped one of it's capacitors. Theoretically, it is possible to repair the psu by getting new caps and soldering them on. First, how valuable is your time. Second, how experienced are you with doing this task. Fiddling around inside a psu is a dangerous task for the inexperienced. At this point I would just get a new psu. That old 300w psu of yours will probably run your pc just fine as long as you are just surfing the web or looking at e-mail. Just don't game or encode until you get your new psu!

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: ADDAvenger
Of course, but what would make a capacitor pop, they don't just get old and crap out.

Yeah they do

When anything heats up it expands, when cooled it contracts, this tiny, but real change in size will over time result in the capacitor degrading. Given long enough eventually when the capacitor heats up it will fail and possibly explode.

Good quality capacitors don't suffer so much from the heating effect, good quality PSUs keep the capacitors relatively cool. Sadly the TP range cannot be considered to have either attribute. Not bad, but not good either.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

The TruePowers and SmartPowers are populated with Fuhjyyu crapacitors and these caps are to be considered the worst of the worst in electrolytic capacitors. Only counterfeit caps are still worse yet.
Hydrogen gas not venting from the cap caused the pop & flash. The aluminum foil used in the cap MUST be unalloyed pure aluminum, no trace elements of any kind.
The electrolyte must be of high quality. The formulations are like secrets.
The assembly rooms must be filled with absolutely dry, clean air.
The above is why the use of Nipponese caps in PSUs cost $5~$10 more than the use of China/Taiwanese brands.

Note: Capacitors do have a service life that is extended the cooler they run.


Yes mechBgon, I realize your experience with TP/SP units has not been bad but most of the PSU issues on this board are with these units.

Blammo300, Bwahahaha! Great nic considering this thread

Go to http://www.badcaps.net/ >PSU Forum >the Antec thread, it might be two pages in.
If you register(to see attachments), please give Galvanized the referral.
PSU advice can be sought at http://www.jonnyguru.com/ >reviews or forums.

NOTE: If the unit is still in it's three year warrenty, RMA it.

 

[Auric]

A couple years ago Antec were de rigeur amongst so-called enthusiasts and it seems that the robot chickens are increasingly coming home to roost, as 'twere, as the pace of failures escalates.

Ah, the great PSU swindle: "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" -John Lydon

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
The TruePowers and SmartPowers are populated with Fuhjyyu crapacitors and these caps are to be considered the worst of the worst in electrolytic capacitors. Only counterfeit caps are still worse yet.
Hydrogen gas not venting from the cap caused the pop & flash. The aluminum foil used in the cap MUST be unalloyed pure aluminum, no trace elements of any kind.
The electrolyte must be of high quality. The formulations are like secrets.
The assembly rooms must be filled with absolutely dry, clean air.
The above is why the use of Nipponese caps in PSUs cost $5~$10 more than the use of China/Taiwanese brands.

Note: Capacitors do have a service life that is extended the cooler they run.


Yes mechBgon, I realize your experience with TP/SP units has not been bad but most of the PSU issues on this board are with these units.

Blammo300, Bwahahaha! Great nic considering this thread

Go to http://www.badcaps.net/ >PSU Forum >the Antec thread, it might be two pages in.
If you register(to see attachments), please give Galvanized the referral.
PSU advice can be sought at http://www.jonnyguru.com/ >reviews or forums.

NOTE: If the unit is still in it's three year warrenty, RMA it.

It's more then just the Fuhjyyu caps, I built 20-30 machines with lower-end Forton-Source PSUs that have several Fuhjyyus in them. Many of these machines are 5-6 years old, run 24/7 and none have failed.

There is clearly something wrong with the design of the failing Antec's aside from their use of Fuhjyyu caps.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: Operandi
It's more then just the Fuhjyyu caps, I built 20-30 machines with lower-end Forton-Source PSUs that have several Fuhjyyus in them. Many of these machines are 5-6 years old, run 24/7 and none have failed.

There is clearly something wrong with the design of the failing Antec's aside from their use of Fuhjyyu caps.

True, a weak/cheap CWT design(dictated by Antec) could add to the issue but weak cooling air flow is probably the major factor. Gotta keep'em quiet Poorly vented cases with high negative air pressure add to the mix also.
Remember, the secondary caps are surrounded by all the wiring soldered to the PCB. Kinda makes it hard for air to reach poor craps

If the Fuhjyyu caps in your Fortrons are under 8mm in diameter, they are probably not highly stressed componets. Plus the Fotrons probably have better air flow.

Note 1: My Enhance ENP-5140GH has some tiny JamiCon caps populating it and this brand is nothing to write home about. They are little guys, about 4mm in diameter. My Zippys have some small Capxcon in the population, they are a mid-range cap.

Note 2: The FSP Epsilons go out of ripple spec as they near full load. There is someone who is going to recap one of these units to see if it improves it's performance.
The Epsilon and units built on this platform use OST caps on the secondary side. A VERY poor choice for output caps on a flagship SMPS.



...Galvanized

 

[Operandi]

The Fuhjyyus in the FSP units appear to be the main output caps, they are about 25-30mm in height. There are a couple of Teapos of various size, and the two input caps are actually Rubycons.

Heat and air flow is surely part of the problem but I'm not sure that's enough to explain the fantastic failure rates of the Channel Well built Antecs.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Antec...Andrew Lee, has $queezed CWT very hard.

CWT did, does and can build very good power supplies but not for Mr. Lee.


Cheers!

 

[SparkyJJO]

Reading threads like this gets me scared :Q I'm running a 7 month old Antec TPII 550W in my system right now (opty 165 @ 2.8GHz, X1900XT are the biggest current suckers) and so far it runs fine, rails are spot on and everything. However if I put my hand at the exhaust of the PSU the air is pretty warm and airflow out of it almost feels like convection only even though there is a single 120mm fan blowing into the unit. I wonder if I should change PSUs as my next upgrade, like to one of those Corsair units I was looking at...

Blammo300 I recommend the Enhance units, from what I've read and seen they are very good units. Relatively inexpensive too, only $67 for a 500W unit at eWiz through Froogle

 

[Markbnj]

When anything heats up it expands, when cooled it contracts, this tiny, but real change in size will over time result in the capacitor degrading. Given long enough eventually when the capacitor heats up it will fail and possibly explode.

That's why I always turn them on and let them run. Doing my part to reduce global carbon emissions.