PSU Fan stopped!

Ivrytwr3

Hey all,

My power Supply Unit fan has stopped (completely dead )

Questions are (and bear in mind i can operate a pc but when it comes to the inside of the tower i'm a complete noob)

1. Do i need to buy a fan or a whole new PSU?

2. How do i know what model my current PSU is?

3. How do i know what is compatible?

4. Can i fit it myself? (i have actually had the PSU out)

5. Any offers on or recommendations for a new one? (i have seen 300w, 400w, 500 watt etc and am unsure what is best).

Ta all!!

marka87uk

I would buy a new PSU. If you open it you'll be endangering yourself as a lot of current is stored in them.

Go by the rating of the old one, they are all a standard size mostly I think, should say the rating on it. If you post your specs though people will be able to show you one which will cope with your system ok.

I wouldn't continue to use it much longer as it is because if it blows it could take down the whole system with it!

nickmack

Ivrytwr3 wrote:

1. Do i need to buy a fan or a whole new PSU?

You should buy a new PSU. Although you can, it's not recommended you open up a PSU to install a fan.

2. How do i know what model my current PSU is?

It should be on a sticker on the back or side, it may be hidden and you won't see it until you take it out.

3. How do i know what is compatible?

You need to check the type of connector to the motherboard and the number of power leads coming out of the PSU to determine a suitable replacement.

4. Can i fit it myself? (i have actually had the PSU out)

If you can take it out, you shouldn't have a problem, putting a new one in.

5. Any offers on or recommendations for a new one? (i have seen 300w, 400w, 500 watt etc and am unsure what is best).

Unless your PC is ancient, you should be looking at at least 400W. The quality of the PSU is very important though, as voltage rails can be become easily overloaded on cheap models. Antec, Enermax and Thermaltake all make good ones.

This guide provides a useful way of assessing your power needs.

Ivrytwr3

my specs, hope you can help!

superscaper

If I was to buy a new psu for myself I'd get a Tagan I think, I've heard good things about them. I'd probably go for something higher than the 300W rating you originally had, 300W is the absolute minimum nowadays and you want to leave yourself open to add additional drives if you want to etc.

Ivrytwr3

I see i have a Mesh ATX midi tower case + 300w PSU. So i need an ATX PSU do i? I've been advised to get minimum 400w. I have seen these are they compatible and would you recommend them?

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=22168

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=18026

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=19869

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=20590

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=16697

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0726874213.1153849126@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfdaddigjfddiecflgceggdhhmdgmi.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=675349&category_oid=

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0726874213.1153849126@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfdaddigjfddiecflgceggdhhmdgmi.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=529740&category_oid=

niceguyrichy

depends what you want from your PC.

If you want it to be cool and deathly quiet, as well as reliable, something like a Hiper Type R might be appropriate (around the £60 mark, and great psu's).

if you just want the thing to work, and you're not bothered about how loud it is etc, then go buy a dirt cheap 500W Ebuyer own brand psu and be done with 12 quid and bob's your uncle.

Little_John

Its proberbyl a bit over powered for your ssytem but I like these
http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=21014

Ivrytwr3

bought the 450w levicom and got a mate who can fit it for me.

Thanks all

Kilty_2

Ahh a Mesh.

Yes their desktops are great, yes their PSUs suck

My Mesh desktop is on its second PSU, first one was replaced under warranty when it blew out. TBH I can tell this one is on its last legs, on a cold start I get a nice buzzing noise and voltage errors in the BIOS .

Going to replace it soon, hoping I dont push it too far until then .

(If you see a "I need a cheap motherboard and CPU" thread, you'll know why )