PSU problem/Best PSU for my needs

[corranjedi]

I'm having a problem with my PSU. About a year or so ago, my computer started making this funny high pitched whining noise. I figured out it was coming for the power supply, so I went to a local computer store, a bought a power supply there. I later figured out the problem was my motherboard, because even after replacing the PSU, the funny noise was still there, and eventually my motherboard burned out, had a bad capacitor. So, I replaced my motherboard, and everything was fine and dandy. Now I am having the problem again, the power supply is making these extremely annoying high pitched noises. Every so often they stop, especially when the computer is "doing something" meaning I'm scrolling a web page, playing a game or something. Sometimes they will stop for a few minutes, but they will always start right back up. Now comes my first question: How can I tell if the motherboard is causing the problem or if the PSU is the problem? I am looking for a way that I can turn on the power supply with out it being connected to my motherboard, so I can see if it still makes the noises. I am at college, and all my friends have laptops or older computers, so I can't test it out with one of their computers. My other question: if the PSU is the problem, and the motherboard has nothing to do with it, what would the best PSU be for me to get, based on my system. Here are the specs:

AMD Athlon XP 2200+
GigaByte GA-7VT600 1394 motherboard
Western Digital 7200RPM 40GB HD
Maxtor 7200RPM 80GB HD
Generic 16X DVD-ROM Drive (not sure what brand)
NEC ND-3500A DVD Burner
Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer soundcard
ATI Radeon 9600 videocard

If at all possible, if a new PSU is needed, I would rather not spend much over maybe 60 dollars, though if need be, I can go over. I found a few on NewEgg that look good, but I wasn't sure about what I needed. Thanks for the help.

 

[Fuzn]

THIS might be pretty okay if you want something good and cheap. These guys might be able to find you something better though. Antec, Enermax, Forton, OCZ, seasonic and some others are the good ones. I know what you mean about the whining thing. I myself just ordered a Ultra X-connect 500w and hopefully it'll fix it.

 

[LifeStealer]

What is with all the PSU posts this week. Please search before you ask

That being said I've been using a Thermaltake PSU for a while now with no problems and its very quiet.

 

[TwoBills]

Originally posted by: corranjedi
Now comes my first question: How can I tell if the motherboard is causing the problem or if the PSU is the problem? I am looking for a way that I can turn on the power supply with out it being connected to my motherboard, so I can see if it still makes the noises.

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Unplug the atx connector at the mobo, jumper the green wire to any black wire, fire up the psu, test w/a meter.



My other question: if the PSU is the problem, and the motherboard has nothing to do with it, what would the best PSU be for me to get, based on my system.

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Check out the Enermax 350w psu on NE. $59+.

 

[corranjedi]

Thanks for the quick responses and the help.

Originally posted by: Fuzn
THIS might be pretty okay if you want something good and cheap. These guys might be able to find you something better though. Antec, Enermax, Forton, OCZ, seasonic and some others are the good ones. I know what you mean about the whining thing. I myself just ordered a Ultra X-connect 500w and hopefully it'll fix it.

The PSU linked to in that article looks pretty good, I was wondering if anyone had anything to say against it, or if there are others that would be a whole lot better.

Thanks again for the help, and I will try out the advice given to test my PSU.

 

[DrCool]

The power supply is one of the most neglected components of new system builders. They figure they'll spend the bulk of the money on the CPU / Motherboard / Video Card. In doing so, they end up getting cheap power supplies, or cheap case/power supply combo's. This decision almost always causes major problems down the road.

The power supply is what regulates the current from the wall to your components and what protects them when the current surges or fluctuates. If the power supply isn't made of quality components, it slowly causes damage to major system components (Processor, Motherboard, Memory, Video Card, etc.) , and eventually kills them. Your power supply also provides protection under extreme conditions. If you have a massive power surge, your power supply (if properly designed) should take the bulk of the trauma and kill itself to save your system components. If it's not desiged properly, not only does it die, but it takes the other components with it.

No matter what your budget, always buy a QUALITY power supply. I've been using Enermax and Sparkle power supplies for a number of years, and have never had any problems. Enermax is known for thier reliablity and low noise. Sparkle is known for producing Quality components that are inexpensive.

This Enermax 350W Whisper power supply should work nicely for your setup.
http://www.directron.com/eg365pfca.html

As i mentioned earlier though, the damage done by your current power supply can not be undone, and even adding a Quality power supply now, you may still have problems down the road.

 

[corranjedi]

Thanks for the help. That PSU looks really good, I think I might get it. I have one other thing I was wondering about, however. I unplugged my PSU from my mobo, and jumped the wires, and turned it on. The sound was nearly gone then, though I think I still heard it faintly. This makes me wonder, because of my previous experience, if the mobo is the problem or the power supply. I am right now going on the assumption that it is the PSU, and the reason the sound is much more pronounced when hooked to the mobo is that when is actually being put under load by a running computer, it makes the sound. I'm also still wondering how just doing things like scrolling with my mouse or typing can cause the sound to kinda stutter, and sometimes even stop for a few seconds. I am assuming the difference is the slight change in the amount of power being pulled by my computer when it has to render the text coming on the screen, or the windows in a web browser or something. The other interesting thing is, generally when I am playing a game on my computer, the sound will completely stop, until I quit the game, then it starts back up. Just some observations that I've had, and I am just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on why this would be. Thanks again for the help.