Need Opinions: ATX PSU repair. Worth it or Not?

[ctcsoft]

Its a 400w Powmax PSU.

It appears to be 2 big leaky capacitors. Everything else *looks* to be fine.

It powers on for a slight mili-second ( just long enough to make the cpu fan spin ), then it cuts off. If you unplug the power cord from the PSU and plug it back in. Then it does the same thing repeatedly.

So is it worth it for me to run down to radio shack and try replacing the leaky caps? I know you can get PSU's for say $15-$25 but if I can fix this one for <$5 then why not.

 

[Algere]

Hell why not if you know what your doing but if your partially clued out and in some way it goes awry & fries your components after the "fix" it'll cost you a whole lot more than $15-25 to replace those components. Anyways make sure the power supply is unplugged if your gonna do it, electricity is bad for ya.

 

[JBT]

Is it still under warrenty? can you RMA it? If you are confident that you can fix it go for it. The problem with other 15-20 PSU's is the will likely die too.

 

[Brian48]

The PowMaxs are probably the cheapest PSUs you can find. I think the 400w model goes for about $30 or so over at newegg. I wouldn't bother trying to repair it.

 

[volrath]

Same symptomps as when I fried my PSU. If you repair it, its just going to blow up again when you do the same thing to it. I upgraded to a real psu instead of repairing.

 

[Davegod]

I'd replace, basically because like Algere says the risk isnt just killing your PSU again but it might take something expensive with it. For the puny $10-15 saving it's not worth the expensive risk IMO - though personally I'd replace it with a better quality PSU anyway.

 

[SilkySmooth]

Originally posted by: Algere
Hell why not if you know what your doing but if your partially clued out and in some way it goes awry & fries your components after the "fix" it'll cost you a whole lot more than $15-25 to replace those components. Anyways make sure the power supply is unplugged if your gonna do it, electricity is bad for ya.

Power supplies like monitors, TVs, etc. will hold a residue charge even after it is unplugged. If you do not know what you are doing, you can get seriously injured. There is a proper procedure for discharging electronic equipment prior to maintenance. My advice is to either RMA it or buy a new one.

 

[PanzerIV]

It would be like putting a new engine in a rusty, old Pinto. Sure it would have a new engine but it's still a POS! Get a cheap, yet reliable model like the Thermaltake line or Fortron.

 

[Cerb]

Get a new one. A Powmax isn't worth fixing.
A Fortron 300w will be a far better PSU, and only around $33 or so. For $45 or so, you can get a decent 400w--real 400w, not Powmax 400w.