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View Full Version : Weirdest PSU fault

jpublic
10-04-2009, 03:15 PM
So, I have a new PC. I'm loading up L4D to try that new campaign, and I notice an odd buzzing noise from the computer. As I change my view, the pitch of it changes.

So, I open the case, and start poking around the video card, thinking I'm going to have to RMA it.

Nope, it was the power supply. This is the oddest thing EVER. I've never seen a PSU do this before.

Antec TruePower 650W.

Good thing I have the express RMA service from my builder.
fitbabits
10-04-2009, 04:00 PM
PSU failure isn't that uncommon, actually. Buzzing is usually a precursor to total failure.

Also, 650 watts. Depending on what other components you have in your computer, that may be insufficient when it comes to running intensive applications or games. That could account for the buzzing you are hearing.
Philonious
10-04-2009, 04:05 PM
My PSU (Corsair HX620W) buzzes when my videocard (GTX280) starts having to do heavy lifting... When I looked it up it seemed like it wasn't all that uncommon.
jpublic
10-05-2009, 08:08 AM
PSU failure isn't that uncommon, actually. Buzzing is usually a precursor to total failure.

Also, 650 watts. Depending on what other components you have in your computer, that may be insufficient when it comes to running intensive applications or games. That could account for the buzzing you are hearing.

I considered that I might be overloading it, but according to everything I've seen, my components only need 400W at most. Even including another 25% for safety's sake, it shouldn't be close to overloaded, especially considering it's specifically designed to run closer to full load than avg PSUs.
fitbabits
10-05-2009, 07:33 PM
I considered that I might be overloading it, but according to everything I've seen, my components only need 400W at most. Even including another 25% for safety's sake, it shouldn't be close to overloaded, especially considering it's specifically designed to run closer to full load than avg PSUs.
Look at what your components need at most, then double that number. Overkill? Maybe, but it's better to be overkilled than underpowered.
jpublic
10-09-2009, 08:43 PM
fitty - think you may be right. I got a replacement, and have the same problem. I'm going to try spreading the load around the rails more - I have 4 independant 12V rails, and I suspect if I dump the double PCI-E connections the GTX275 wants onto different rails, this problem will go away.