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Geek Culture / Two PSU blown in as many weeks.

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monotonic
19
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Joined: 24th Mar 2006
Location: Nottinghamshire, England
Posted: 9th Jun 2009 12:56
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Howdy folks, I built a new PC a while ago and I fitted it with a 460W PSU (cheapo crap) and it lasted for a few months but I noticed it was getting quite hot and if I playing any games (basically make the computer work for it's money) after a short while the computer would just shut off. Anyway, about two weeks ago the PSU died, so my neighbour loaned me one (400W) and after using for about four days it also died. I'm thinking that maybe it's because they were underrated in terms of power rating, but all of the places I've looked at online say that a 400W PSU should be enough to power my system.

Spec:

Phenom X4 9950 BE
2Gb DDR2 @ 1066MHz
SATA HDD
8800 GT
Gigabyte M750SLI-DS4 MOBO
X2 120mm Case Fans

So, what do you think? Because the PSU is getting hot it would suggest that it is being stretched in terms of power consumption, but the system isn't that power hungry surely.

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Van B
Moderator
22
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Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 9th Jun 2009 13:21
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Well nVidia cards tend to need a decent power source, and you have 2 120mm case fans, so you could probably say that your PC needs twice the leftover power that a standard PC would need.

I say go for a decent 600w PSU, one that will never struggle to provide the juice.


Health, Ammo, and bacon and eggs!
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MSon
20
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Joined: 13th Jul 2004
Location: Earth, (I Think).
Posted: 9th Jun 2009 13:22
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I have somethink like a 750w PSU which i brought from MicroDirect for about 20gbp,

They have a nice 800w PSU on offer, I had a simular problem with my computer when i origionally build it, and it blew a PSU with a large bang, then i noticed that the graphics card recommended a minimum of 600w for a PSU, Maybe some of your equipment has simular requirments?

Everyone Be Cool, You, Be Cool.
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James H
18
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Joined: 21st Apr 2007
Location: St Helens
Posted: 9th Jun 2009 13:23
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My first PSU for my current machine acted pretty much like that(£60). After it blew I took a look inside only to fine a shoddy job had been done cutting the plastic wire mesh stuff back, that held all the wires together(instead of electricians plastic ties) - parts of it trailed over the heatsink and melted over various components making the whole thing run very hot until it eventually blew. I replaced it with a much cheaper one(£25) that had none of the protective plastic mesh on; it has ran unbelievably cool ever since. My old was a 720W and the new only a 600W though like yourself I only need 400W. Perhaps the one you borrowed was by the unluckiest of chances on its way out? Just thoughts really as my rig is not too different to your own(q6600 core2quad, 4Gb ram, SATA HDD, 8800GT, XFX 680i lite mobo, plenty of additional fans)
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monotonic
19
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Joined: 24th Mar 2006
Location: Nottinghamshire, England
Posted: 13th Jun 2009 17:02
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I've been looking at a 650W PSU on the site you suggested, I think gonna purchase that one as soon as the bank account gets out of the red.

I've also been thinking about getting a UPS, I've seen them around for about £100, a nice clean power source for the computer. Because all of those spikes can't be good for it, plus I'm running like four or five devices from an extension cable coming from one plug.

Have any of you guys got or used a UPS, would it be worth forking out for?

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