Topic: PICS OF WHY NOT TO SKIMP ON GOOD POWER SUPPLY

[DualBoy]

Why not to skimp on a good PS - Look at the last two pics. This happened today to my XP 1700+ System. Funny thing is I was going to buy another vantec PS for it like I have in my main system because I was going to add on another 80GB next month or so I figured. No worries though. I have a spair Asus P4S333 DDR Motherboard sitting in an empty case somewhere. Just pop that in and get a P4 or C4. Perhaps a Celeron 2.0Ghz and Overclock it for fun. I have the DDR RAM, Video Card, HD, a spair Powersupply all at home. Just need a new CPU and I am back up and running. Or I could just buy a new Motherboard for the AMD XP1700+. The new motherboard would probably cost less though. Its a hard choice though. Get a new board or a new CPU. I have an AMD CPU and a Spair P4 Board LOL

[Adept]

Ouch DualBoy, that's nasty!

How do you reckon that happened then? Was the motherboard drawing more current than the connector could handle or something else?

[bat69]

That looks very nasty DualBoy

I am just about to invest in a 550W PSU so I'm pleased I saw this  :-

Looks likely there was a short somewhere to cause a surge of current sufficient enough to burn the plastic connectors ... PSU would be the culprit I think

[DualBoy]

I doubt it was due to too much power drain. As you can see it looks like pin 11 and 12 and 5 and 7 where where the burnage happened. If it was a problem with power flow I assume it would show a more obvious pattern like burning mainly +12VDC Channels or 3.3VDC Channels. But 11 is one of the +3.3VDC connectors while the 12 is the -12VDC Connector and 5 and 7 where just com connectors (not the com as in com port) None of these had anything to do with eachother. I looked closer at the actual PS unit now though. And have found that #1 the cooling fan is stiff. Perhaps its from a dust build up or heat failure. Or it may also be part of the issue that caused the failure itself. I assume from my best guess its caused buy dust build up over time in the venting of the PS which caused a general heat problem and send really high output to those 4 connectors. But just a guess. Anyone else seen anything like this please let me know what you found to be the cause.

[DualBoy]

That looks very nasty DualBoy

I am just about to invest in a 550W PSU so I'm pleased I saw this  :-

Looks likely there was a short somewhere to cause a surge of current sufficient enough to burn the plastic connectors ... PSU would be the culprit I think

Well if you do Invest in a new powersupply make sure its a well reviewed and high quality supply. I dont want anyone else running a good board (thankfully its an older K7S5A board had it for a year or so) I use Vantec on my higher end systems and have read many positive reviews. But its not a cheap PS. 470W @ $150 CDN (and thats wholesale price). The dead PS was just a generic case PS that comes with most PCs people buy at stores.

Here is a link to reviews for Vantec I recommend them to people but there are many fine companies out there. RESEARCH IS THE KEY!!

VANTEC PRODUCT LINES: HERE - Very nice and detailed specs
REVIEWS: HERE

A note about PS: it does not matter what it is 350 450 550W no difference a 350W can be better than a cheaper 550W if the 550W does not have enough Amps on each of the channels +5, +3.3, and +12. You should make sure to read the Amps on each PS before buying. Also construction is very different and you should pay great attention to cooling ability and material used. Also note that +3.3 is used for the CPU on All P3 and below while the +12 Channel is used on the newer CPUs XPs and P4s. Alot of older P3 PS dont have sufficient +12 Channel amps to deliver a reliable source of power to the CPU and other areas and you should do a general approx on what your system will need before buying.

I could write alot about PS units but I am sure that you are able to find great detail on them via the web and "good" review sites.

[DualBoy]

Oh also the Vantec includes a second Powerconnector on the back so you can plug in your favorite things. Like a coffee maker or a palm charger or a evil pumpkin head light guy.

[bat69]

Perhaps a PSU like this should ensure this doesn't happen again ... there are no less than four fans  


Ohh and its black Simon