Think my psu just blew

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
airwalkrr

airwalkrr

Distinguished
May 25, 2012
96
1
18,665
I left my computer on for a few hours today and then came back and the screen was blank and it seemed to be in sleep mode, which is normal as I have it set to go to sleep after 20 minutes inactivity. Anyway, when I came back I could not get the computer to boot. The fan on the psu won't come on nor the lights, though the lights flicker three times if i unplug the computer. The CPU and gpu fan appear to be running but the main power light on my mother board is not on. The psu fan has been clicking intermittently for the last several months like the fan grazing the side of the box, but I figured it wasn't a huge problem. Maybe I was wrong.

First question: how do I make sure it is the PSU and not something else?

Second question: with what do I replace it?

Anyway here is what I have.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152031

And here is what I am looking to replace it with:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152035

Or possibly with this (to save 10 bucks and because I don't know if I really need that extra 70 w that badly):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028

Here is my mobo, chip, and gpu:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131227
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150560

This is a gaming box and it runs everything I have (mainly DDO and SC2) perfectly so if that 70 W is really gonna hold me back I will splurge. Money is tight but I gotta have my games.

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Orlean

Orlean

Distinguished
Nov 28, 2011
340
0
18,860
That power supply you have isn't of the best quality. How old is your system airwalkrr ?. Although I do suspect its the power supply at which I will make my recommendation for a replacement but to be certain follow these steps to test the PSU out just to make sure.

Here's a simple way to test out the power supply, remove the 24pin connector from the motherboard and using a paper clip or wire jump the green wire ( PWR on) to any black wire ( GROUND ) if the PSU fan starts spinning it indicates its working, ideally the proper way to test it if it turns on would be with a multimeter to test voltage readings if you have one on hand.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
inzone

inzone

Champion
Mar 12, 2011
14,971
1
51,960
Not sure why your hooked on Raidmax power sopplys but if the one you have just died then I would try another brand.

CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$69.99 and a $10 rebate makes the final price $59.99.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Only $10 more than the one you want to get for a replacement but a much better brand and quality.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
airwalkrr

airwalkrr

Distinguished
May 25, 2012
96
1
18,665
I own a voltmeter. What kind of voltage should I be looking for and where should I test it?

As for raidmax, it has worked well in this system for over three years and I am hesitant to try something different. But I am willing I go with something different if there is substantial reason to. I have read reviews of most raidmax psus and they are generally positive though. I will investigate the corsair.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
inzone

inzone

Champion
Mar 12, 2011
14,971
1
51,960
If you take the voltmeter and set it to DC and you can test a molex connector by useing the red and black wires. You should get 12v.
There are many power supplies to choose from and everytime you buy one you are rolling the dice as to whether or not you'll get a good trouble free one.The only wat to increase your odds of getting a good one is to buy a top brand that's known for quality and dependability. Naturally the top brands cost more as that's always the way it is , for power supplies the top brand is SeaSonic.

Seasonic S12II 620W EPS12V 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 80+ Bronze 6+8PIN PCI-E W/ 120MM Fan
$63.99
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=52174&vpn=S12II%20620&manufacture=Seasonic%20Electronics&promoid=1371

SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$86.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

You can get a top of the line quality wise SeaSonic 620w psu at NCIX for $63.99. You can see the price Newegg is charging.
I have the SeaSonic 1250w in my computer and couldn't be happier.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

Deleted member 217926

Guest
Raidmax power supplies are junk. They are made by Andyson and Sun Pro Electronics and neither is a good thing.

Corsair, Seasonic, PC Power and Cooling, XFX, Silverstone, Enermax, OCZ and Antec are brands you can trust.

The Seasonic S12 for $63 is an amazing deal. However you only need a 450w power supply for a system with a single HD 6770. The 620w S12 would leave you room to add a second card.

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

This is all you need and on great sale as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

This one is a bit more but it's modular.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703035

I don't know what reviews you read on Raidmax that said they are good but unless those reviewers used professional equipment to actually test the power supplies then it's not a review that matters. There are plenty of "review" sites that unbox a power supply and if it works and looks shiny they will give it a good review. Those sites are a joke.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

Deleted member 217926

Guest



:lol:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Orlean

Orlean

Distinguished
Nov 28, 2011
340
0
18,860


Here's a basic guide on how to use a multi-meter to check a power supply.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDFAQs&op=FAQ_Question&ndfaq_id=28


Raidmax which are made by Andyson are just not know for high quality products but rather units that look good on the outside and catch the eye that have cheap components in them. Understandable that your hesitant to try something different after having good experience with that brand but fact of the matter is for a little more money there are better units out there providing better quality and warranty.

Anort3 already beat me to it but I was going to recommend the PC Power & Cooling one he linked. Reputable brand, seasonic unit, modular and a 5 year warranty to boot.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703035&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4176827&SID=xsf26xne85yh


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
airwalkrr

airwalkrr

Distinguished
May 25, 2012
96
1
18,665
Quality of PSUs aside, I have some test results. Thank you to Orlean for suggesting I test my PSU with a voltmeter. I used the guide found here:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/power-supply-test-multimeter.htm

I tested the 24-pin motherboard connector with my multimeter set to 10 DCV and got the following results (my multimeter is analog with the highest degree of precision being 0.2 v so anything beyond that is an estimate):

:) Pin 1 (Orange) 3.2 v
:) Pin 2 (Orange) 3.3 v
:) Pin 3 (Black/Ground) no voltage - note: I did test the black ones anyway
:fou: Pin 4 (Red) 4.3 v
:) Pin 5 (Black/Ground) no voltage
:fou: Pin 6 (Red) 4.3 v
:) Pin 7 (Black/Ground) no voltage
:??: Pin 8 (Green) 3.9 v
:??: Pin 9 (Purple) 0.6 v
:fou: Pin 10 (Yellow) 5.8 v
:fou: Pin 11 (Yellow) 10.0 v
:) Pin 12 (Orange) 3.2 v
:) Pin 13 (Orange) 3.2 v
:fou: Pin 14 (Blue) -9.4 v (that is negative 9.4 v)
:) Pin 15 (Black/Ground) no voltage
:??: Pin 16 (Gray) 0.4 v
:) Pin 17 (Black/Ground) no voltage
:) Pin 18 (Black/Ground) no voltage
:) Pin 19 (Black/Ground) no voltage
:) Pin 20 (open socket/no wire)
:fou: Pin 21 (Red) 4.0 v
:fou: Pin 22 (Red) 4.2 v
:fou: Pin 23 (Red) 4.2 v
:) Pin 24 (Black/Ground) no voltage

I compared this to the following chart for tolerance:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/insidethepc/a/power-supply-voltage-tolerance.htm

According to this chart, those rated :) are within tolerance while those rated :fou: are outside tolerance. I think I may have a bad PSU. Can anyone more familiar with electronics confirm the impending sense of doom I feel for my poor PSU?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Orlean

Orlean

Distinguished
Nov 28, 2011
340
0
18,860
It indeed does look like a bad power supply. Explains why the motherboard LED isn't on the purple wire that's suppose to provide +5VSB is only at 0.6v in addition the +5v(Red) and pin 10 for +12v is out of specification.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
airwalkrr

airwalkrr

Distinguished
May 25, 2012
96
1
18,665

That is what I figured.

Okay so the psu is dead. I have thought about what I want to replace it with a little more. I would eventually like to crossfire this machine and upgrade the ram 4x2 Gb ram for a total of 8 Gb (currently has 4x1). What kind of minimum power is this gonna require and what psu do you recommend if my budget is about $80?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
D

Deleted member 217926

Guest
HD 6770s in Crossfire need a recommended 550w power supply.

Any of these would be great choices. I would get the PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III. Made by Seasonic and very highly rated.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007657%20600014021&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=58%7C17%2D207%2D013%5E17%2D207%2D013%2DTS%2C17%2D341%2D017%5E17%2D341%2D017%2DTS%2C17%2D703%2D036%5E17%2D703%2D036%2DTS%2C17%2D139%2D028%5E17%2D139%2D028%2DTS%2C17%2D256%2D071%5E17%2D256%2D071%2DTS
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
airwalkrr

airwalkrr

Distinguished
May 25, 2012
96
1
18,665
That looks like a solid recommendation, along with some of the others. I have heard several posters mention the Corsair brand. The Best Buy near my house has a Corsair GS700 and a Corsair GS800 which are both reasonably matched in price to Newegg and other online retailers. It is a little outside my price range, but I think I can manage it. It also gives me the advantages of a) getting the PSU today, b) reducing turn-around in the event I get a dud and have to return it (hate doing RMAs and instant-rebates have been a 50/50 affair with me and newegg over the last year). What do you think of those two models?

My Best Buy also carries ThermalTake TR2 brand PSUs in the 600w, 700w and 800w power range which are cheaper, but I know less about the brand and what little I have heard is generally negative.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
airwalkrr

airwalkrr

Distinguished
May 25, 2012
96
1
18,665
Well thank you to everyone for your help and recommendations. I believe I will go ahead and get the Corsair GS800 since it is only $5 more and will give me more potential for the future.

You have all been extremely helpful and I thank you for your advice.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Orlean

Orlean

Distinguished
Nov 28, 2011
340
0
18,860



That's great! glad to hear everything is working now. :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom