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Recognizing PSU failure

V

veggz

Banned
What exactly are the symptoms of a PSU failure? Is it possible for case lights + fans to go on while the PSU is actually dead? (I'm trying to figure out whether I need to replace my Antec 380W that came with my Sonata- my MB died recently).
 
I don't think anyone wants to touch your post because older Antec PSUs have recieved a
good and proper caning for having killed hardware.

If your getting reboots and shut downs under load=bad sign. Does it take more than one
boot to turn the rig on? If yes=bad sign. If the PSU is out of warrenty, open it up and look
for leaking caps. Bad caps can cause voltage spikes.

For pics of bad caps. http://www.badcaps.net/ or http://www.motherboardrepair.com/

Voltage spikes can disable HDs and MBs but because they are intermittent are next to
impossible to get a diagnosis. PSUs can have bad caps just as MBs can.

You can use a DMM on all voltage lines while the rig is under load and that will give you a
basic idea of PSU health. Buy a PSU tester for $10 to $20 and it has an LED read out that
will give a go or no-go for the PSU. Never had or used one but they are on offer at many
vendors. Antec has one with their name on it 😉

I leave my rig on stand-by over night. If the case temp drops below 18C the Intel Monitor
sends off an alarm that wakes the house. My 3.3V line will drop to 2.27V at around 4:00 AM=not funny.
Strange that cold temps would cause a problem but it does....Go figure.
I have purchased a new PSU but have not switched it out yet.

Check out the Table of Contents in this linked site. I just found it and have not given it my
full attention. These folks also have a similare TV/CRT site.

http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/sam/smpsfaq.htm

EDIT: Yes, replace it with a $60 to $70 Fortron/Sparkle.


...Galvanized
 
Does your motherboard use a 24 pin main connector? The linked PSU has one.

Some PSUs come with a 20+4 so they can service both 20 or 24 pin main connectors.

An adapter can be used to go from 24 to 20 but at point of purchase, why do it?

You should list some of your rig's spec.


...Galvanized
 
My new(er) Antec SP 500 seems to run pretty much rock solid, though my 12v line does drop from 12.35 to 12.22 under heavy load. Galvanized, is it common to have issues with antec psu's? I have a Enermax, Tt, and Antec and so far the Antec is the best out of them but I am a little worried here...

-spike
 
I think it comes with something similar to a converter as one of the reviews suggests. Here is my rig:

A64 3000+ s754
DFI UT Lanparty NF3 250GB MB
2 HD (1 SATA + 1 IDE)
2 Optical (CD-RW + DVD-RW)
NVIDIA Geforce 6600GT
SB Audigy
1 GB Geil RAM (2 x 512)

Thanks.
 
The best bang-for-buck would be the Sparkle FSP550PLG-SLI, it will Froogle @ $83.

The four pins not needed on the 24 pin plug can just hang off the end of the MB's jack.
Read the stickied thread at the top of this page.

This PSU would be up-grade ready, when you are.

This PSU has Active PFC and for me this is a desirable feature and more so if you don't
have a UPS (uninteruptable power supply). Some may come along and link what Dan's
Data has to say about PFC, but read this first.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/display/psu-methodology_8.html

This Sparkle has an 80mm thermally controlled fan. The thermistor is bonded into the left
HS. I bond a 80mm 25cfm fan to the left side of the intake grill of the PSU. Then just hook
it up to 12V, makes for a quiet PSU. Bonding?=four dots of silicone adhesive.

Fortron has a new GRN unit in 400 watt that is worth a look.

I dislike giving direct reccomendations for hardware because there are just too many variables.

The last PSU I bought was a HG-2 6400P Zippy/Emacs from buildtoorderservers.com for
$100 to my door and that was with Ca. tax. Output? 3.3V-28A, 5V-35A and 12V-30A @ 40C.
It's not sleeved but has 18AWG for everything but the FDD, no LED fan and server length
cables.
I have two Fortron 400 watt units that are going into their 5th year.


...Galvanized
 
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