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Recommend a power supply

dude8604

Platinum Member
The fan on my current power supply is dying (as did the last one in this computer). It is a 300W P4 power supply, and 300W seems to be enough power. I want one where the fan won't be likely to break. Are there any good relatively inexpensive ones that you would recommend? I could also use some good instructions on how to replace the old one. My system specs are:

P4 1.9ghz
60gb 7200rpm hdd
512mb rdram
dvd-rom
dvd-rw

detailed specs

Thanks!
 
Most PSUs have 80x25mm fans in them. It's very simple to wire in a new fan. Simply remove the PSU from your computer, remove a few screws to release the "case" of the PSU and then take a look. If your fan looks like a regular case fan, all you have to do is cut the wires from the fan and solder a new one in its place. Just make sure not to touch any of the capacitors and you'll be fine.

I've replaced the fans in 2 of my power supplies with Panaflo L1a's.
 
Unfortunately in order to keep costs down most of the fans used in PSUs are not top spec. Luckily they are easily replaced. Cut, solder, shrink wrap - good as new. I've even used butt splices, crimp caps or small wire nuts instead of soldering - makes it easier to replace the fan again down the road.
.bh.
:moon:
 
I agree with the posts above, it's pretty easy to replace the fan. I just want to emphasize - discharge the capacitors before you open up the PSU. Unplug your computer from the wall and try to turn it on. The fans will start to spin up; this uses up the charge in the capacitors. Also, some heatsinks are live in addition to the capacitors, so if you don't discharge the capacitors, you need to be wary of the heatsinks as well. I speak from personal experience. You do not want to be shocked by a PSU!
 
If you'd rather have a new psu, get a Fortron or Sparkle unit from Newegg, for example. They're the same thing, just different labels. The Fortron xfpn model w/ 120mm fan is extremely quiet, and the fan should last a very long time because of the low rpm operation. Can't beat 'em for the price....
 
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