need reccomendations for a cheap PSU

Josh_209

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May 28, 2017
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4,510
So I'm pretty sure my psu just died. I was playing GTA V for the first time in a while after recently upgrading my cpu and fan and all of a sudden the pc just totally shut off and tripped the upstairs sockets too. So after switching the plugs back on I tried turning the pc back on but it seems dead with absolutely no response. Usually there's lights on the front when the Pc is off but they're not on either. When I opened up the side the cpu heatsink was pretty hot so I thought oh sh*t I've put it in wrong and now it's broken, because I had to ghetto rig it and put spacers on either side of the motherboard so the cpu fan isn't loose so I'm a bit worried somethings shorted and damaged the cpu but even so there should be some sort of response from the pc even if it's just one light, right? Aaaanyways I tried the paperclip thing on the psu and got no response so I'm thinking maybe that's it. Does anyone have any other way for me to be sure what the problem is before I go waste money on a new psu? And if it is the psu, does anyone have any reccomendations for a cheap new one, preferably from pc world so I can get it asap. The psu I have now is a 750 watt coolermaster one so I'm wondering if that's a bit much and I can just go for a one as little at 500 watt to save some money.
My pc specs are:
Cpu - amd fx 8350 black edition
Cpu fan - Arctic freezer a11
Motherboard - gigabyte ga-78lmt-usb3
Gpu - nvidia gefoece gtx 970
Also one HDD and 2 ssd's

If anyone could help that'd be great, and thanks in advance
 
Sounds like the PSU died if the paperclip method doesn't turn it on. You won't know if when it died whether it destroyed any other components.

The cheapest PSU I would recommend are Tier 3 or better units. Looking at the PCworld website. The cheapest Tier 3 unit is the Coolermaster G series. If you want higher quality look at the EVGA GQ series. The Corsair RMx is the best and carries the longest guarantee. Bothe the EVGA GQ and Corsair RMx are Tier 1 units. So, the big difference is guarantee length. Steer clear of the Corsair CX they are Tier 4.
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/components-and-upgrades/power-supplies/1113_8408_71555_xx_xx/1_20/price-asc/xx-criteria.html

If you are lucky the PSU didn’t take anything else out with it. Purchase a high end PSU and the odds of another failure are much lower. With the Corsair RMx. You can keep using it for your next few builds.
 


I was not aware until now that UK power cables use fuses. Seems like a dated approach.
 
^ dated ?? Hardly - its an extra form of protection for both the mains circuits & the appliances themselves.

Were it not for the fuse in the plug itself that short on a poor quality PSU could have caused massive electrical component damage and/or a fire aswell.

Only the plug fuse stopped a flow of 240v 13 a (3.6kw) coursing through everything IMO


I wouldn't have it any other way & the UK has easily the most stable electrical system in the world at that.
 

Josh_209

Reputable
May 28, 2017
8
0
4,510
Hi guys, just a quick update. I ordered this PSU yesterday (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CP-9020102-UK-CX550M-Bronze-Certified/dp/B01C3FFLZ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1495972758&sr=1-1&keywords=cx550m) and installed in and now my PC is running as sweet as a nut, so it turns out it was the power supply. Also, luckily all other components are working fine so it mustn't have killed anything off with it. So thanks guys, really appreciate it.