Advice needed please.

[Axion]

My computer inexplicably died today - spent 6 hours fiddling around under the hood trying to figure out what was wrong:
- the fans were on, the leds shining but nobody was home!

After much toil and swapping of components I discoevered, of all things, it was the PSU which was faulty! (3 year old 550w CWT model which was the same as the antec TP550w)

I obviously was surprised it had stopped working - thought id bought myself a solid component.

Anyway the pc in question is:
2500xp amd 'barton' cpu
9800pro 128mb gfx
2x512mb corsair ram
1x120mb ide primary hdd
2x dvd drives
2x sata 300gb storgage drives
a handful of usb pheripherals (mouse, k/b, printer, wireless adapter)

the questions is - do i buy a reasonable 400-550w replacement and when I look to build a brand spanking new super computer in 6-12 months time (core 2 duo, a dx10 card etc) get a better 650-750w psu (using the older one in a file server made from the old components)

OR buy a Etasis/Corsair now, and buy something smaller when I build my new rig to go into the file server.

I've read a lot from these forums, and my more usual source of info (ocforums) and begun to appreciate that the Etasis/Seasonic are the best psu's available to me in UK.

I like the idea of a modular PSU - seems clean (got a windowed LianLi PC-61B case). But the Etasis/Silverstone PSUs are not Modular.

The obvious compromise would be to get a 520w Corsair - but i feel these are too expensive @ £88 to not just go and get the 620w (£117) - or rather the Etasis 750w (111.61) or better yet 850w (£129). The Seasonic M12 600w is also £117).

The 'cheaper' option I'd rather cost no more than £40-£50...
Id be really interested in people's opinions, and even suggestions for the 'cheap' option.

Also any ideas if the WCT could be repaired?

Thanks!

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Also any ideas if the WCT could be repaired?

Probably - you likely are running into the bad capacitor issue. Open it up and look for bulging and leaking caps on the secondary side.

As far as a replacement goes, since you're running a Barton yet, we'd need to know whether or not your motherboard has a 12v connector for the CPU. The Seasonic made units at the least will not handle a heavy 3.3v/5v load presented by an older 5v oriented board.

[CAD4466HK]

I'm not to good with the pounds,being from FL.:p
But how bout this,it's not modular,sorry:o http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817256001

[madmat]

What mobo are you using? Asus A8NX or Abit NF7S? Something else? If you're using a mobo with no 4 pin "P4" ATV 12V connector you're better off getting an old school ATX 1.03 ( 1.3, I'm not sure) single 12v PSU with most of the ass on the 3.3V and 5.0V lines to use with it. The good news is that you can find them pretty cheap, the bad news is that the remaining few that are that spec are generally shoddy.

If it has the "P4" connector you can use any ATX 2.x spec PSU and not worry about crossloading due to one 12V rail not being loaded. I'd say that if it's a non "P4" 4 pin equipped mobo try to find a quality used PSU (I've got a 480W Antec that's simply solid as new I'd sell cheap) and save the money on a good PSU right now and wait until the newer PSU's are all out. Ultra has some ass kickers coming out that won't break the budget but will power just about anything you'll need until you need a dedicated nuclear reactor to power the vid cards.

[Axion]

its an NF7-Sv2 mobo

its a 12v 4-pin connector for the cpu separate from the 20pin mobo power adaptor


since posting found the Corsair 520w for £77 excl delivery (prolly £6 or so)

Considering Akasa/FSP for the 'cheap' option. 450w FSP for £48... equally there is a 430w Seasonic for £48 too.

[CAD4466HK]

What mobo are you using? Asus A8NX or Abit NF7S?.

ASUS A8NX? Not with a Barton;)

[Oklahoma Wolf]

its an NF7-Sv2 mobo

In that case, you're fine with any of the Corsair, Seasonic, or Etasis options you're considering. I'd put Akasa before FSP if you're thinking about them.

[Axion]

I'm not to good with the pounds,being from FL.:p
But how bout this,it's not modular,sorry:o http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817256001

Thats £63 here - tbh at that price id either go cheaper (sub £50 and get the seasonic/fsp) or spend the extra £15 and egt the corsair - its a bit in limbo!

The primary question is really - buy the 'beast' now and 'cheap' psu later? or vice versa?

Im leaning towards the cheap now since perhaps there will be better 'beasts' later - do you the think the 430 S12 or 450W FSP will be reliable/etc?

Im thinking the Seasonic 430w (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=256335) would be a better option right?

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Go with the Seasonic of those two, I say ;)

[madmat]

Ok, A7N8X That's what I meant, happy? ;)

[Axion]

Go with the Seasonic of those two, I say ;)

Thanks mate - think I prolly will!

When I build my new pc hopefully there will again be a clear winner again!

In terms of the ol' CWT diagnosis - it makes a fizzy humming sound - tomorrow (its late here) I'll crack it open (past Warranty already) and have a gander - if it is fixable it'd be nice as a backup.


/edit damn - all 3 places are 'out of stock' of the 430w seasonic.... i neeeeed my pc back! :S

[madmat]

You might look into the Silverstone ST40EF if it's available where you are. It's well built and very 12V powerful. It'll pump out up to 360W on the 12V rails which is good for modern PC's.

[Axion]

You might look into the Silverstone ST40EF if it's available where you are. It's well built and very 12V powerful. It'll pump out up to 360W on the 12V rails which is good for modern PC's.

Is this as good as the Seasonic 430W?

Its OEM i believe is Enhance - from what I've read is inferior to Seasonic...

[burebista]

Yes, is as good as S-12 430. 80+ certified, same ADDA medium fan as in S-12, maybe you loose 1-2dBA in full-load but Element it's a strong PSU, and a lil' cheaper than S-12 430 (at least in my country)

[Axion]

how about the 400W SilverStone Strider? Better/Worse than the ST40EF?

[burebista]

Element is based on new Enhance GH (http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=24) series (a 9 from jonny means a damn good PSU ;) )and Strider on an "older" series. Both are OK, but I preffer Element since it's more efficient and quiet.

[Axion]

Element is based on new Enhance GH (http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=24) series (a 9 from jonny means a damn good PSU ;) )and Strider on an "older" series. Both are OK, but I preffer Element since it's more efficient and quiet.

Suspected as much hehe
Found a place to buy it for just over £40 making it insanely good (sadly they dont stock any of the other items i want to get - so double shipping for meee!)

[Axion]

cracked the old cwt unit open - wow it stank!

by extension i reckon its properly burnt out - strange really considering that my comp is pretty damn cool, not excessively old and doesnt have a huge power requirement...

i couldnt, however, see any obvious damage - although it really is stuffed in there!

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Got pics?

[Axion]

bit worried about poking around too much under there of fear of electrocution!

anyway I'll get hold of some photos for you tomorrow (after work).

Looks like im certanly going to order the ST40EF, and then get something like an etasis when i make my new rig in 8-12months time (after core duo have gone down in price a bit and hopefully 2nd-gen dx10 cards are around)

sadly the £40 find was too good to be true - and it wasnt.

so im left with:
ST40EF @ £53
ST50EF @ £63
500w Akasa (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=465717) @£61
Akasa 400w (same range) @ £49
Seasonic S12 430w @ £47
Enermax Liberty 400w @ £49

Obviously the Seasonic is the best deal - but its out of stock - so unless I can borrow a PSU until its back in stock I'll have to buy one of the others

[GalvanizedYankee]

Even though it is modular, the Liberty would be my last choice in your list.
Just a gut feeling based on problems posted over at AnandTech Forums.

[CAD4466HK]

Even though it is modular, the Liberty would be my last choice in your list.
Just a gut feeling based on problems posted over at AnandTech Forums.

Agreed;)

[burebista]

Akasa 80+ or Silverstone Element Plus 500/400 are same Enhance GH unit inside.
Personally between Silverstone and Akasa I'll choose Silverstone, but it's a matter of taste.
Boths brands are OK.

[Axion]

I thought screw it and ordered the SilerStone 500w Element PSU... should be here by wednesday

[CAD4466HK]

I thought screw it and ordered the SilerStone 500w Element PSU... should be here by wednesday

Nice choice;)