Computer issues, Motherboard testing, psu reccomendations.

[mountainmachine]

Ok

so have an ASUS A8N SLI 939 board the chipset fan started whining but i monitored the temp, put a fan to blow directly over it etc and ordered some new fans temp never went above 40oC. Installed a new hard drive and all was working fine, until system freezes then on every reboot froze before getting to the first XP Pro loading splash screen, starting in safe mode etc it did the same.

Checked all cabling and disconected all but primary hard drive to see if that would help... it didnt.

Ran a few tests using Hirens Boot CD, but nothing showing as obvious, running extended tests in most things led to it freezing sometimes.

Left off over night, switched pc on with side door off and saw the PSU spark and some smoke an a few pieces of charred plastic come out. Its an EZCool 550W, with a supposed 32Amp 5V. Its never given me any probs and has been on almost 24/7 for 2 years.

I opened the PSU to check the damage, it blew something i can see where its scortched the PCB board and possibly blown some component. It also blew the power kettle lead fuse as far as i can tell.

I think i read somewhere that if i was to get a new PSU and connect it to the MB and it was dead that it would kill my new PSU. I'm looking to get a decent £60 PSU of better quality to cope with the 3 hard drivers etc (spec below) for the new few years.

MB is still under its 3 year warranty and could possible be sent back because of the chipset fan if i said i wasnt willing to fit a new one myself, and i'd get them to test it etc. But not ideal.

Also i need to know what PSU rating to get, i know the cheap ones like my EZCool the wattage and current drops after use, and i know this is what could have cause the overload or freezing in the comp.

The spec is;

ASUS A8N - SLI SE 939
AMD 3700+ Artic Cooler 64(to be upped to a X2 4600 or whatever at latter date)
1Gb Crucial Value Select (2x512Mb) (to be upped to 2Gb at some point when upgrading processor)
2x250Gb Samsung SATA Spinpoint HD
1x500Gb Samsung SATA Spinpoint HD
1x 6600GT Graphics (to be upgraded at some point)
1X PVR Card
1X LG DVDRW/RAM
1x LG DVD
1x 3.5" Floppy
1x Zalman Fan controller
2X120mm Fan
2X80mm Fan
1x250Gb WD External HD 3.5" External power
1XWebcam
1XWireless desktop
1XPrinter
1Xipod dock
1x5.1 Speakers
1xWacom Tablet

Thats about all i can think using any power, i use USB keys etc, and sometimes have 2 displays hooked up.

Please help me get back on here soon, as running on a borrowed PC for now.

Thanks

 

[Stu DemonD]

Tried using an online calculator:

http://web.aanet.com.au/SnooP/psucalc.php

 

[ChrisUK]

Yeah I think you've hit the nail on the head there. If you insist on using cheap powersupply's you NEED to over spec it for a reliable computer. Say your PC needs 450w get a 600w. Similar thing happened to my PSU and had a blown fuse, and capacitors inside, I admit it was grossly overloaded .

What is its output on the 12v rail?.

Also don't worry about plugging in a new PSU into a broken Motherboard it CAN'T kill the PSU. The worst that can happen is that the mobo won't P.O.S.T or fire up at all. I would be cautious though and just plug in the bare essentials to get your PC going once you get a new PSU and then add them 1 by one. So graphics, processor, RAM and GFX to begin with.

 

[mountainmachine]

PSU Was 36A Rated.

Online suggests, 260W Max draw... i was aiming for a 650W To cope with any future upgrades, and i know it only draws what it needs. Do an efficient one will use less electricity etc too.

I've used a few online clacs and they seemed to give me around the 250-350W mark peak draw, some seemed more up to date than others.

 

[Stu DemonD]

260W, seems low - on my new build, I am tempted to go for 1000W

 

[Liam]

Brave chap opening up a PSU!

If the board is dead it won't affect your new PSU, seen E-machines pc's often have dodgy PSU's which take the mobo with them or some onboard function of the mobo.

Sounds like you were just unlucky.

Liam

 

[ChrisUK]

260W, seems low - on my new build, I am tempted to go for 1000W

Good man if its Active PFC it will only consume what it needs anyway .

 

[Stu DemonD]

The one I am looking at states that:

- Stable 1000W continuous output (at 50? operating environment)
- Four independent & dedicated +12V rails(12V1,12V2,12V3,12V4) provides superior
performance for PC system. (combined loading of 82A)
- NEW! Three 8pin and three 6pin PCI-E connectors design supports Multi-GPU Graphic card.
- Supports Dual Core CPU / Quad Core CPU / Nvidia SLI & Quad SLI and all Multi-Core GPU technologies.
- Modularized Cable Management to eliminate clutter and improve airflow inside the case.
- Independent Voltage Circuit: offers unflappable current delivery under heavy load.
- Strict voltage regulation (±3%): provides steady voltage for system.
- Active Power Factor Correction (PF>0.99) and high efficiency (up to 87%).
- Industrial grade components (capacitor, transformer, etc)
- High reliability: MTBF>120,000 hours.
- Quiet and reliable 14cm ball-bearing fan.
- Protections: Over Current, Over Voltage, Under Voltage, Over Temperature, Over Power, and Short-Circuit protection.
- Safety / EMI Approvals: CE, CB, TUV, FCC, UL, CUL, and BSMI certified.

 

[ChrisUK]

:worship:.


I seriously need a rebuild. Going to rob a bank...

 

[Stu DemonD]

Just waiting for my case to come into stock now, decided to move from the Thermaltake VA8003BWS to the Armor+ VH6000BWS:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-072-TT&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=715

Ah, they have one in stock :chin:

 

[ChrisUK]

Just waiting for my case to come into stock now, decided to move from the Thermaltake VA8003BWS to the Armor+ VH6000BWS:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-072-TT&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=715

Ah, they have one in stock :chin:

What you waiting for then, get me one while your at it :nerner:

 

[Stu DemonD]

They only have one :spin:

Plus I am not at home right now, want to add others things to the order [like the rest of the build ] plus compare prices on there, eBuyer and novatech.

 

[mountainmachine]

Remember if your a regular Hexus member you get free next day delivery with Scan for orders over £20 exe vat...

 

[Stu DemonD]

Anyone used these guys before:

http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/

They have a case I want, at a good price; will need to compare on the other items though.