Power Supply might be failing

[Wolfstan]

So since I put my computer together in late May 2006, everything has been fine with the exception of my power supply. (ENERMAX Whisper II EG465P-VE FMA(24) ATX12V 460W) From the very moment my PC turned on, the power supply emitted a high-pitched whine. It stopped after a minute or two and I figured it was fine. Throughout the months, however, the whine would start up again and last for hours unless I turned it off. (Which I did many times, as I was afraid of something getting short-circuited.)

I couldn't figure a pattern, it just comes and goes. The only difference now is that it sounds like the fan is stuttering. The voltages appear to be stable. I figure it's time to replace it unless there is something I can do to fix it, which I doubt.

Should I go for the exact same make/model, or should I go for a different PSU altogether?

 

[olmer]

Make sure where the noise is coming from.

Make a listening tube by rolling up a sheet of paper.

If it is a fan ? you can replace it. You can make sure by applying pressure to fan casing to absorb vibration or stopping the fan altogether (before you switch on/jump start psu). To replace a fan power off pc and disconnect it from the socket, press power on button (to discharge capacitors), disconnect and dismantle the psu, check connection find a suitable fan (you may need to do some soldering if fan has no removable connection).

If it is a coil or capacitor then a new psu is a must.