power supply question

[~Patrick~]

my power supply went out on my pc. My last pc it did also but I had smoke and blue flames. I use a surge protector but I am wondering if I need to do something else? Any ideas or is it just a freak thing I have had two PS go bad????

T-10 complete
10/08/01

[jimnms]

Don't buy cheap power supplies. You should also use canned air to blow the dust out of it every now and then.

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Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

[booster]

If you are not using a 'computer grade' surge protector that can be part of the problem.

The second part would be using a bargan PS, Look at something like http://www.antec.com/us/.

The third part of the problem would be if you are underpowering your comp. What is the configuration of your computer? Are you using atleast a 300w PS?

Lastly, DUST! Dust is horrid. If you feel confident enough, gently remove the old PS, open the case of the PS (gently, without jarring it), and look for burn marks. Is there a lot of dust in the PS, does it smell like burnt clothes? This could be a sign of dust problems.

I recomend to all, use compressed air to blow out the inside of your case, cd/dvd ROMs, PS, and fans. Dust is the second biggest killer of PCs next to surges.

DAMN Jim, posted at same time http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

[jimnms]

Oh yeah, most power supplies have a fues in them. It could be that it blew the fuse, but they don't normally do that unless something is wrong.

_____
Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

[~Patrick~]

I have three case fans with a/c filters on them. A fan in the P/S and one on my motherboard. My P/S is 350w P-4. I run CAD programs with alot of heat from renderings and animations, thats why I went with that many fans. My next step is to go water cooled, if it has to be.

T-10 complete
10/08/01

[booster]

What other components? 350w should be ample.

Also, who makes your current PS?

Dust?

As Jim said there are fuses, but if they are blowing, it is usually indicative of something. More than likely the fault is within the PS.

[jimnms]

I wouldn't waste money on water cooling yet, unless you plan to overclock. The CPU fan that comes with retail Intel CPU's is more than enough to keep the processor cool during heavy cpu loads.

It's not necessarily quieter either, since most of the radiators in water cooling systems have at least two fans.

Your PS wont be effected by the high cpu loads. I stick by my original guesses, either a cheap PS or dust. If you have a quality PS, it could be defective, is it under waranty?

Although in all my years, I've personally never had a PS go out, and I've bought some cheap ones in the past. My oldest sister did have one catch fire, but it was very old.

_____
Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

[booster]

I've had one melt down, yes melt into the case. The fans went out, got real hot, zap, smoke, sizzle, equals mess.

I keep them clean, always goo 100w over what is recomended, good computer grade surge protector or UPS, and do not restrict the exhaust and you shoullld be fine.

As Jim says, CPU cycles don't matter. The core voltage is always a constant.

[jimnms]

You can always build your own power supply (http://www.monster-hardware.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=91). http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

_____
Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.