PC started screeching now sounds like a lawnmower.

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richfam

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I was gaming and my PC started to make a really loud screeching sound. I opened it up and it sounded like it was coming from the power supply, i was thinking it was possibly the fan but when i looked inside I couldn't see anything noticeably wrong (I'm pretty bad with computers though). So I shut it down and left it for around half an hour and turned it back on, the screeching sound has stopped but it sounds like a lawnmower now. The PC still works.

Any idea what could be wrong, or would it be best to take it to a shop to be repaired? I really don't have much money either. I built the PC myself but truthfully I don't think I did a very good job, it works fine but its very messy and possibly not put together properly.
 
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mjslakeridge
In all honesty, the Seasonic you had was a good PSU. Just bad luck on your part. I have a Seasonic G series semimodular and it has been great. Look for something from Seasonic, EVGA, Corsair, Superflower on PCpartpicker. You can specify the wattage, efficiency rating (Bronze, Gold, etc.), modular or semi, etc.
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richfam

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I checked all the fans and its none of them, the only one it could be is the power supply fan, but when i opened it up i couldn't see anything near it. It has been fine for about 5 months until this sound started happening.
 
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richfam

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It's definitely the fan in the power supply, I'm pretty much 100% sure. I have opened up the power supply and there's nothing obvious wrong with the fan. But every time I close it back up it's is making the same sound. When I let the fan go freely it is quiet, but if i tap it with the slightest movement it makes a really loud noise, that carries on the entire time. Like a grinding sound. Should I just buy a new power supply, is it risky to use my PC whilst this sound is happening?
 
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richfam

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Ok I opened up my power supply and whilst the fan is unscrewed it runs quietly, i screw it in and it sounds like a lawnmower. I placed it back in the case unscrewed and its making a really loud sound again. If i leave it outside the case, it runs perfectly, but only with the fan facing upward. Should i just get a new PSU? As it seems stupid to buy a whole new one just for a dodgy fan but I've tried multiple times to fix it and I cant. Would i be okay running my PC with the PSU outside the case and of the side of the case off until it gets fixed? (maybe a day or 2)
 
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richfam

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https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/nB3RsY/seasonic-power-supply-s12ii620bronze

Don't think its really high quality or anything, but I'm just a bit low on money atm and my pc is essential to me. I also really dont want to rewire my entire PC, but I guess I'll have to. Is there any reason for a fan to fail like this?

ATM im running it outside the pc with one side of the case open, until I can get it fixed or fix it myself.
 
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bjornl

bjornl

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It is a good PSU. But I cautioned you before and mjslakeridge has as well. Opening a PSU is dangerous. You can replace the fan. But it is risky, as in you should not do it. That PSU has a 5 year warranty. Have you tried contacting Seasonic?
 
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richfam

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I already opened it up to try to fix it so I imagine the warranty is gone now. The fan seems to run fine if it is outside the case facing upwards, without the screws attaching it to anything. I'm probably just best off buying a new PSU, I'm just worried that maybe something else is causing it to fail.
 
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bjornl

bjornl

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The making noise is not a sign that the PSU is going to kill anything else in the system. Until the day the fan stops.... then the PSU may have problems. Even a well built one like yours needs cooling. Even though you have opened it, why not contact Seasonic? Why are you afraid? The worst they can do is tell you what you are already telling yourself.
 
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richfam

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Yeah, I will contact them now.
 
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mjslakeridge

mjslakeridge

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You are probably right about the warranty since you opened it up. Do you have the PSU lying flat on a desk/table? I don't know where the air intake "vents" are on that PSU, but make sure it is getting fresh air while you have it outside the case. If indeed it is the fan bearings that are failing, then nothing else in your system would cause that, unless you have an incredible amount of dust buildup on the fan blades. Probably just bad luck that the bearings are failing. By running it with the fan facing upwards, it is probably taking weight from the fan blades off of the bearings, allowing it to run quieter (for now).
 
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richfam

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Yeah the warranty is gone, guess ill just buy another PSU, any recommendations for a fairly cheap one of similar power?
 
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bjornl

bjornl

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Look over this list:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-psus,4229.html
and this one:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

 
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mjslakeridge

mjslakeridge

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In all honesty, the Seasonic you had was a good PSU. Just bad luck on your part. I have a Seasonic G series semimodular and it has been great. Look for something from Seasonic, EVGA, Corsair, Superflower on PCpartpicker. You can specify the wattage, efficiency rating (Bronze, Gold, etc.), modular or semi, etc.
 
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