Upgrade/Exchange PSU or not?

[Dplane]

Hello,

I recently upgraded to a Q6600 G0 on an Abit IP35-e mobo with 2gb Crucial Ballistix DDR-2 800, an older 160GB Seagate Barracuda (SATA) and will soon replace my old Geforce 6600 GT with a new gfx card, likely the 8800GT but I'm waiting on benchies. My system has 5 case fans.

Here's the question: after putting the new stuff in my old case with the PSU I bought for it at the time, the Antec Smartpower 2.0 500w I noticed that my intake fan does not spin. The exhaust is only supposed to come on during certain temps and it still works when it does but the intake..which should be spinning at all times is dead.
I voided the warranty by checking the fan but it seems to be beyond repair..cleared out all the dust but its bearings appear to be shot.

Should I either
a. buy a new PSU (was looking at the Corsair VX550)
or
b. mount a regular 80mm fan on the outside of where the intake fan is now and have it push the air through that way? --cutting the old slimline fan on the inside loose and taking it out in the process


Keep in mind this PSU is about 2 1/2 years old by now and I am planning to upgrade both the videocard and O/C the Q6600 on air. Aside from the fan failure the PSU has been operating fine, running an overclocked P4 3.0@3.4 until this week.
I'd rather not spend the money if I don't have to but if "fixing" it as proposed could only lead to more instability on my new components then I assume the VX550 might be a worthy but not too expensive alternative, though I would obviously miss the modular design of the current PSU somewhat!

 

[SerpentRoyal]

The Antec hast two fans but the 2nd one will not come on unless the inside gets very hot. I probably would not trust any SP PSU. Still try to blow up my SP350 so I can swap for Earthwatts 380 but this dog won't die!

The Antec Earthwatts 430 or 500 should definitely be on your shopping list. These are single rail (marketed as dual) Seasonic-build units with +80% efficiency. 430 is only $30 AR at NewEgg. Unless you're going to load up the PC with 5 HDDs, there is no need to step up to the 500 model (often on sale for $30 to $50). Your rig should top out at 320 watts with the 8800GT. Nominal load is around 150 watts.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371006

 

[JEDIYoda]

efficiency means nothing if your going to have to RMA the PSU down the road.....

 

[Dplane]

I am aware of the exhaust fan not always having to be on Serpent, I mentioned that in my post, it is the OTHER fan (the intake one pulling air from the case) that is broken.

I also looked into the earthwatts and other Antecs but after reading a lot it seems that at least with this SP I am lucky it even lasted this long.

From everything I've been reading it seems that the Corsair VX550 is the best bang for the buck (64 AR) with the least ripple on its rails and a 12v rail of 41A along with an active PFC (saving power), 85%+ efficiency and double ball bearing fans (so they actually last!). I understand I may not need the wattage but I am mainly interested in voltage stability for overclocking down the road. The PSU would only be using the wattage it needs right?

So once again I wonder, is it worth it to slap on a new fan on the current PSU or could this only spell trouble later on (knowing it's been stable in the past but now with new components I'll be overclocking) or is there a relatively cheap, better alternative. If there is something in the pricerange of the mentioned VX550 that compares please tell me.
Is antec still the way to go or not?

 

[Dplane]

Edit also found this deal for the mentioned NeoHE:
http://www.directron.com/neohe550.html

comments?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

I've seen a few problems with the NeoHE and IP35 boards at the Abit forum.

 

[MarcVenice]

At clubit.com I think there is a 450vx for 50$. Could also get a EA500w for 50$ AR. Why skimp 20$ if you can buy a PSU that cheap, that will run at only half power, so it won't warm up much and stay quiet. Besides, it also means you can take that PSU with you for your next rig, when you might actually need 500w.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

I use a very simple rule. Buy what you need today with the least amount of $, cause there will be better stuffs down the road at a lower price. Unless an individual is a hard core gamer, a 430 watts PSU should work well for many years. The current trend is less power from CPUs and MBs.

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
I use a very simple rule. Buy what you need today with the least amount of $, cause there will be better stuffs down the road at a lower price. Unless an individual is a hard core gamer, a 430 watts PSU should work well for many years. The current trend is less power from CPUs and MBs.

This is what I believe too. Yes it's nice to have a more power available, but most people don't upgrade too much too often, but as stated above most CPU's/GPU's are now using equal or less power than before. I'd get the 430w EW myself, since it's more than enough for the proposed build. Look at the link below to see what a 380w EW can do. Mind you I wouldn't recommend running your PSU at/near 100% all of the time, but the link makes a point.
8800gtx on 380w Antec PSU!
http://www.overclockers.com/articles1452/

 

[tomoyo]

Get an earthwatts or VX450, that's all you really need.

 

[MarcVenice]

Yeah good rule, save 20$ now, buy what you need, then spend 50$ because you do need a bigger PSU. In the end, you lose 30$ ... I'm not saying, buy the best PSU money can buy, just buy a cheap 500w PSU that's sure to last you several years and will allow a decent upgrade here or there.

 

[Lunyone]

Only problem with that is that if they change to power plugs and you need more or something like that. I know that they'll probably have combo cables, but just a thought.

 

[Dplane]

All right thx for all the comments thus far, I am still considering slapping on a 80mm case fan on the spot where the non operational fan is now but I don't know how smart that would be? (haven't gotten an answer to that one yet) like I said the actual power does not seem to be the prob, cooling will be. If I can save my money not having to buy a new PSU all together then even better! (still have a spare 80mm fan laying around)!

Should the above be a bad idea and the advice be to actually buy a new one would it be better to either

a. buy a Earthwatt 500 for $59.99 (AR) http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371007
or
b. the VX550 for for $63 (AR)http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10006757. The VX450 is 2 bucks more than the VX550 AR -Little cheaper before the rebate.

I greatly appreciate all the input thus far!

 

[MarcVenice]

I don't see plugs changing anytime soon though, pci-e 2.0 is pretty much no longer a secret, normal 6 pin or 8 pin cables can be used. X38/X48 is no longer a secret and also use normal cables. Molex connectors will live forever. So bad argument if you ask me. Can't see everything coming, can you ?

 

[Thump553]

If you want to be supercheap can't you just replace the bad fan inside the psu? Your warranty is already voided. I've done this before, its pretty easy.

Make sure you leave the psu off for at least 24 hours and don't touch anything but the fan & its connections.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Thump553
Make sure you leave the psu off for at least 24 hours and don't touch anything but the fan & its connections.

That isn't necessary, if you'll unplug the psu's power cord, then hold down the power button on your case for a minute or two, all of your capacitors will be discharged, including the caps inside of the psu.

edit: And although I would definitely recommend replacing that psu, especially with a video card that uses more than twice the 12v power of your 6600GT, there's no reason not to replace the Antec's intake fan, is there? You can buy 80mm dual ball bearing fans these days for $10, then you'd be able to either sell the old psu, or keep it as a spare.