PSU sounds like a hairdryer

[boing]

My PSU has started sporadically speeding its fan up to what sounds like max speed for 30 secs or so, it's about 5 years old, is this a sign it's dying?

I recently stripped the whole computer apart to hoover dust out, took the Graphics card apart and took the case off the PSU. There was a decent bit of crap in everything but it ran smoothly for a few weeks after then this started, don't know if there's a connection or not.

Here's a grab of CPUID if it's of any use to see if anythings failing or not.

 

[Corsair Joseph]

From that screenshot, looks like your 12v is running way below spec. I understand that SW can be false and not accurate at times, so its best to use a multimeter to confirm those values.

 

[lehtv]

From that screenshot, looks like your 12v is running way below spec. I understand that SW can be false and not accurate at times, so its best to use a multimeter to confirm those values.

The 12V values in the screenshot are definitely not true. The PC would not even function with those values. But it's still possible that there's an issue with voltages, it's just going to be a lot closer to 12V than the screenshot implies.

I don't think testing voltages with a multimeter will do the OP any good, as doing so will not fix the fan issue.

 

[lehtv]

My PSU has started sporadically speeding its fan up to what sounds like max speed for 30 secs or so, it's about 5 years old, is this a sign it's dying?

Yes, it could be a sign that it's dying. Ramping up the fan like that with no obvious reason is definitely not what should be happening, which means it's malfunctioning.

You haven't mentioned exactly what your power supply is... an obviously critical piece of information, don't you think? 😉

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Yes, it could be a sign that it's dying. Ramping up the fan like that with no obvious reason is definitely not what should be happening, which means it's malfunctioning.

You haven't mentioned exactly what your power supply is... an obviously critical piece of information, don't you think? 😉

and heat could be an issue too, he did mention a decent amount of dust in the case. If the PSU is full of bunnies it could cause it to ramp up to try to dissipate the heat. Look in the PSU(with it off) see what the heat sinks look like, if you can see any capacitors check the top see if its swollen looking. If it is dusty you may need to clean it out, or replace it.
If you have access to a compressed air, disconnect it and as best as you can blow it out good. See if it helps.

 

[boing]

Sorry, the PSU is an Antec SG-650UK bought in late 2009 and used pretty much every day since. Not sure what the life of these things is.

As for the dust, there was a decent build up around the fan blades and internally, within the PSU and graphics cards but not that much in the case itself. The thing is, it was a routine clean out, the computer was working fine and this has only happened a few weeks after it was cleaned.

I never actually thought of checking voltages directly, I'll have a look but as the computer itself is stable I wouldn't imagine it'll show anything.

I should add, I don't think it's heat related as sometimes the fan will ramp up immediatley upon starting.

 

[lehtv]

Sorry, the PSU is an Antec SG-650UK bought in late 2009 and used pretty much every day since. Not sure what the life of these things is.

Ahh, a Signature. Nice unit. With 5 year warranty and top tier capacitors used throughout, I would expect way more than 5 years of life, on average. But one shouldn't be too surprised. It is an old unit.

You could ask Antec directly if they'd take it in and replace it even though technically it's not covered by warranty any longer.

 

[boing]

Might give that a go, I know if I do nothing it'll fail in the middle of a tight deadline.....

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Sorry, the PSU is an Antec SG-650UK bought in late 2009 and used pretty much every day since. Not sure what the life of these things is.

As for the dust, there was a decent build up around the fan blades and internally, within the PSU and graphics cards but not that much in the case itself. The thing is, it was a routine clean out, the computer was working fine and this has only happened a few weeks after it was cleaned.

I never actually thought of checking voltages directly, I'll have a look but as the computer itself is stable I wouldn't imagine it'll show anything.

I should add, I don't think it's heat related as sometimes the fan will ramp up immediatley upon starting.

Unless it is regularly left on over 24/7, then Id then suspect its a bad unit. Post back what the voltage test shows you...............

 

[lehtv]

Unless it is regularly left on over 24/7, then Id then suspect its a bad unit. Post back what the voltage test shows you...............

It doesn't matter what the voltage test shows. If voltages are fine, the fan problem still exists. If voltages aren't fine, the fan problem still exists.