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PSU Problems

Kabob

Kabob

Lifer
My PSU died...I think. I blame it all on my old apartment that I just moved away from. It was old and didn't have a grounding hole in the sockets, bad wiring, etc. Now when I hit the power button to my computer nothing happens, then after a second the machine starts (sort of). The HDD working light flickers off and on, the CPU fan comes on, but nothing else starts. Then I hold the power button for 3 seconds to turn it off, same as always...is this a PSU problem to begin with?

If so, I need to get a new one. I'm not running a monster of a machine or anything, so I don't need a 600w PSU to power my dual dual core processors and SLI 7800's or anything. I'm thinking in the 400-500 watt range.

Looking (mostly at newegg) two Enermax's have sparked my interest. I'm torn with which to get though (if this is where I should be looking).

The first is a 420w PSU with 2 12v Rails each with 18 amps.

The second is a 460w Whisper II PSU with 1 12v rail that has 33 amps.

I can get either for about $70 shipped (I'd have to get the 2nd from a different site), so which should I go with? I figure either should be fine.

Also, I'd like to overclock my CPU a bit, don't know if that will affect the choice of PSU's though.

Thanks AATers!!
 
They'll do, enermax is a decent brand. What is your priority in choice?

Modular cabling?
High efficency?
Low noise?
Cable length?
Adjustable voltage rails?
Steady voltage rails?
Pretty lights?

What do you want your PSU to do?

PS. 400W is plenty for that, even with a bit of overclocking thrown in.
 
Both of those PSU's are good, and plenty for your system. I prefer a single 12v rail over dual 12v rails, but either of them are good.
 
I'm mostly about having a PSU that is actually powerful enough and well built enough to run my components.

My last one was an MGE 400w that came with my case...I think it had 14A's on the 12v rail.

Hopefully none of my other stuff is fried...

Based on the symptoms, what do you think is the problem??
 
Well since it sounds like you recently moved it, I would try re-seating everything, things can come loose pretty easy durning a move, even if they don't look like they are. I would re-seat everything, including the CPU. Make sure you clean off the old thermal paste and apply a fresh coat after removing the heatsink. I would also try booting with the bare minimums, 1 stick of ram, cpu/heatsink and fan, video card, disconnect the hard drive, cd/dvd drives, any other PCI cards, etc. I would still definatly get a good PSU, and replace the generic one you have.
 
I'd either go with an Antec Neopower for modular cabling or go with one of the Seasonic S12's because they are supposed to be good quiet PSU's.
 
I tried detaching and reconnecting all the cables several times, I think it's just a dead PSU.

I ordered the 460w Enermax Whisper II for $60 and an Antec Super Lanboy to put it in, my current case/PSU cost me $40 for both...don't think I'll ever try that again. I bought those before I ever joined AAT though, I just heard "400 watts of power is all you need to run anything...blah blah blah."

Learned my lesson...
 
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