Bad Antec Bad

Not bashing Antec in any way, but just today I had my second True 430 die on me. Needless to say I'm not too happy at the moment & won't be buying another one. I've tried it on 3 other machines & it is indeed dead. I guess maybe it's just following in the same path as the rest of my luck, but to have two identical PSU's die in the same way makes me wonder what exactly is causing this.

I have my machines power run thru a line conditioner & a battery backup & according to those, I've not been having any major power spikes or lose of power. Odd being we have them alot this time of year. Any ideas?

 

wow... that's really weird. try out http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-970&depa=0 as a replacement. this one is an extremely good power supply and should hopefully function properly. if you think it's a power consumption issue (which it shouldn't be) try the 530 watt version from fortron. that thing is as tough as high-carbon steel nails

in case it could be line noise or spikes, check out this surge protector: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=12-120-208&depa=0 it's a very good surge protector that can handle anythign that's thrown against it. it's also ul listed (not just approved) and has a lifetime warranty behind it. this thing is as tough as high-carbon steel nails as well, if not more so.

 

I've lost a couple power supplies, and almost always the culprit was heat related. Once the power supply fan failed and it overheated. If you are having an ongoing problem with powersupplies I would wonder if your case is getting way to hot, but I would imagine that it would harm other components first. Since heat rises and the PS is usually at the top of the case I guess it might be more subjected to heat related failure though, especially if the case is too close to a wall for proper ventilation. Antec typically makes very good products, and I've never known anyone who had two of thier supplies fail.

 

The line conditioner is a Monster & the UPS is an APC. I had all the lines in the house checked after the last one died & had GFI's installed on every outlet. I try to keep the dust out of my computer, but we all know that's an ongoing thing. lol There is no heavy buildup of dust bunnies on it.

I reckon a surge could've gotten through, though I'd hate to think it did. I've felt so comfortable with it all ran through there. I do live in the capital of the mysterious missing grid. lol I will look into that further today.

I do have another box right here on the desk that's not run thru any of that & it's not ever had a probelm. When the first Antec went out it took the MB &CPU with it, so I guess I should count my blessings this go-round.

Heat is not the issue. CPU right now it as 36c & the system temp is 29c. I have an extra fan pullin air from right over the PSU. The temp sensor in the PSU stays around 40c or so. I have it positioned just before the exit fan so it's reading the temps around the components inside the PSU. I will look into the further as well.

Thanks for the replies. I'll get back with yas.

 

OK I'm going with this stuff. Should be by middle of next week. Thanks for the suggestions.

Cooler Master Centurion 2 Silver

Thermaltake Silent PurePower - 420W

 

And this.

 

i have this one and absolutely love it

 

dm it and i just got one and got ripped too 90$ ... but for the 480 watt one .. im hoping you just had bad luck ,,, i hear enermax is good though just something to look into

 

Well I am on an extremely limited budget, so I did alot of research & found that Thermaltake to have very favorable reviews. Right now I'm just lookin' for something reliable & stable. I'm having to dip into money that I shouldn't be spending, so I'm tryin' to go light.

 

that TT that i posted is actually cheaper now then when i bought it.

 

My next PSU will be a QTechnology Ultra-Quiet ATX PSU 400W, cause I'm sick of this beefy yet incrediably NOISY 550W server PSU.

And I think its going to be replaced soon cause I think it got borked when we had a power cut.. maybe a surge before the power went? Whatever it was, my voltages are starting to wobble more than normal (normally they are rock solid). And I'm getting odd problems at start up (instead of a beep i get a feeble *phut* somtimes, usually followed with no power going to the keyboard and mouse )

 

look at either

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-966&depa=0
or
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-970&depa=0

they're the same thing except for the light, basically. Again, i stand by these 100%, considering the stable rails that the company has given my system

 

I just changed my order for the PSU, thanks man. I don't actually require 420 watts with what I'm running, so that should be plenty. Dont need the LED fan either, so I'll go for the first one.