How Hard Is It To Change The PSU?

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Buck Turgidson

I suspect the PSU on my ...ahem... Powerspec PC is failing. Is it difficult
to replace a PSU? I've installed network cards, and a disk drive a couple
of years ago, and it was do-able for me.

Is the PSU much more difficult? Any brands to avoid? IIRC, mine is about
700w or so.

Thanks.
 
In message <[email protected]> "Buck Turgidson"
I suspect the PSU on my ...ahem... Powerspec PC is failing. Is it difficult
to replace a PSU? I've installed network cards, and a disk drive a couple
of years ago, and it was do-able for me.

Is the PSU much more difficult? Any brands to avoid? IIRC, mine is about
700w or so.
Click to expand...

PSUs aren't too bad in a well designed case, especially if the system
was assembled to make it easy.

Depending on how the system was originally built out, you may find it
turns into a far more ambitious project then you'd expect.

A few gotchas that may end up with a complete disassemble and rebuild
(or at least removal of the motherboard);

- Some assemblers will route fan or PSU/case connections under the
motherboard or in other difficult to reach spots. Getting these wires
out isn't a big deal if the PSU is junk though, you can just cut them on
the PSU side and re-run the wires elsewhere.

- Some case+motherboard combinations don't allow enough clearance to
remove the PSU without first removing the motherboard or CPU's fans, or
sometimes the entire mobo.

Either of these can turn the project into a far larger one then you
might expect.

Personally, I tend to go for higher end PSUs with the intention that
when I build a case, the case, PSU and motherboard are built and stay
together for life, although obviously defective components don't always
allow that.
 
I suspect the PSU on my ...ahem... Powerspec PC is failing. Is it difficult
to replace a PSU? I've installed network cards, and a disk drive a couple
of years ago, and it was do-able for me.

Is the PSU much more difficult? Any brands to avoid? IIRC, mine is about
700w or so.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
A word of caution about buying a PSU off the shelf before checking
their suitability. I don't know how Powerspec PCs are put together but
if parts are specific to their own design then components may be
non-standard. At one time Compaq and other big players used Power
Supplies that could not be replaced by anything other than their own
make.


km
 
I suspect the PSU on my ...ahem... Powerspec PC is failing. Is it difficult
to replace a PSU?
Click to expand...

The removal of old and installation of new PSU is fairly
straightforward. The other issue is whether it is an OEM
proprietary design, so it would be prudent to pull the PSU
and note the casing shape and dimensions, the ratings on the
label, and the type of connectors (hopefully standard ATX).

If it's a standard form factor a replacement will be much
easier to find. If proprietary you will need to search for
replacements for your specific system or the larger
model-family that all shared the same PSU, or search for the
specific part # on the PSU label, or contact the OEM.

I've installed network cards, and a disk drive a couple
of years ago, and it was do-able for me.

Is the PSU much more difficult? Any brands to avoid? IIRC, mine is about
700w or so.
Click to expand...

It is very unusual to find a 700W PSU in an OEM "PC", except
possibly some very expensive gaming systems from specialized
OEMs. Check the label and go from there.
 
I suspect the PSU on my ...ahem... Powerspec PC is failing. Is it difficult
to replace a PSU? I've installed network cards, and a disk drive a couple
of years ago, and it was do-able for me.

Is the PSU much more difficult? Any brands to avoid? IIRC, mine is about
700w or so.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

very easy, no big problems..

Good makes are Antec, and err.. some others, and are expensive. Google
for that. FSP is an OK make, is cheaper.

Cheap makes should be avoided. Some PSUs are so bad you can see with
a multimeter - backprobing.

AT PSUs were long ago, and i heard had an issue that when you plug the
2 cables into the MBRD, you have to do black with black. Otherwise,
MBRD smokes. AT is maybe 10 years old. We've been ATX for a long
time. ATX doesn't have that problem, and it's one big cable going to
MBRD.

With anything after the old ATX, ATX has another cable there 2x2 or
4x4. But this won't cause smoke if you mess it up. You just plug it
into the MBRD.

One thing that can cause smoke.. IS if in uk.. some PSUs have a switch
that says 240v/115v 240v is the UK voltage. THe 115 may be 110 or
whatever the US one is. That switch is set to the voltage you want the
PSU to expect. If you're in the UK(240v land) and choose 115v. Then
there's a white flash from your PSU, your PSU goes, and i've heard it
can take the MBRD with it.

Changing a PSU is very easy. Even easier than changing disk drives.
There's no jumpers. And it's easier than changing a network card too.
No drivers.

Best to unplug mains cable when doing it.

You won't electrocute yourself. The PSU is an AC-DC converter. outside
is low DC. Inside is a dangerous high AC, but you'll only hurt get
electrocuted if you open the PSU and touch certain parts inside while
the PSU is on. If you touch inside the PSU when the power is off, you
may just get a zap from the capacitor charge if you haven't left it
long enough for it to drain. But you prob wouldn't be touching inside
the PSU anyway.

I'm not an electrician, so may be wrong. But it's easy to change a PSU
 
It is very unusual to find a 700W PSU in an OEM "PC", except
possibly some very expensive gaming systems from specialized
OEMs. Check the label and go from there.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Kony. I pulled the cover off and see that it is an Enermax 535W.
I don't know where I got 700 watts. It seems to be a standard ATX.

I opened the box and took it outside and blew it out with my air compressor
(the one I use on my car tires). It blew out a huge cloud of dust. Maybe I
gave it another week of life, or two.
 
Buck said:
Thanks, Kony. I pulled the cover off and see that it is an Enermax 535W.
I don't know where I got 700 watts. It seems to be a standard ATX.

I opened the box and took it outside and blew it out with my air compressor
(the one I use on my car tires). It blew out a huge cloud of dust. Maybe I
gave it another week of life, or two.
Click to expand...

Assuming that your 535W output PS is running at "normal" efficiency then
700W of input power at the mains seems about right at that max load.
 
Assuming that your 535W output PS is running at "normal" efficiency then
700W of input power at the mains seems about right at that max load.
Click to expand...

I doubt it's as high as 76^ efficient at 535W, but then it's
also unlikely the system is using anywhere near 400W of
power let alone 535W.

Since Enermax didn't make OEM proprietary PSU it should be
no problem to replace it with a reasonable equivalent.
 
Good makes are Antec, and err.. some others, and are expensive. Google
for that. FSP is an OK make, is cheaper.
Click to expand...


FSP just makes more models than Antec, and less overhead
since Antec is actually a middleman not a manufacturer like
FSP. There are enough grades of FSP that it would be easy
to find one worse than a given Antec model, or better. The
best FSPs are better than the best Antecs, IMO, or to put it
another way you get more for the $ with FSP, would have a
better product for the same price unless you get lucky and
find the Antec you want, offered with a rebate.

IMO, this rebate factor (Or really, getting a good spot
price) is the best way to buy, focusing on what you can get
for the same budget instead of the other way around to
fixate on any one brand or model and see who has the best
price on that one model. Sometimes it means buying a PSU
before you need it, but it won't go bad sitting on a shelf
for a few months and doesn't depreciate like a CPU/etc
would.
 
Buck said:
I suspect the PSU on my ...ahem... Powerspec PC is failing. Is it difficult
to replace a PSU? I've installed network cards, and a disk drive a couple
of years ago, and it was do-able for me.

Is the PSU much more difficult? Any brands to avoid? IIRC, mine is about
700w or so.
Click to expand...

It really depends on the computer design. For example, if you have a
standard PC one can get a new PS almost anywhere. If you have some sort
of "slimline" or "mini" design it may be very difficult to find a
replacement PS, if one can find one at all. For example, I'm currently
posting from a super mini tower and the PS is in two parts. I have no
idea where I'd get a new PS if I needed one.

However, chances are that you have a standard PS as you say its 700
watts which aren't used in the "mini", and/or "slimline" cases. If
you're wondering why I'd be using a proprietary pc with a proprietary PS
it because its part of my job to test out new equipment. I probably toss
out more PCs in the dumpster then most people buy on a regular basis.
 
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