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    #1

    Shall I replace?

    I purchased my Thermaltake TR2 XP550NP 430W PSU about two years ago and it has been in regular service since it is in my main PC. At night when I go to sleep I turn my whole PC off and even unplug it so that I don't waste any power to power the +5V SB, also to preserve the life of the 5V SB caps and give the PSU a rest.
    Anyway, the caps inside that PSU are of a variety of brands. There are Ltec (All my Delta PSUs use Ltec caps, so I guess it's OK), Teapo and small Su'scon caps on the secondary side of the PSU. On the primary side it has two 680uf 200V Capxon capacitors.
    I've been closely monitoring the PSU voltages using the Asus PC probe software and also looking the voltages up through the BIOS. The voltages are very stable and don't seem to move at all.
    The 3.3V line is at 3.25/3.26V, 5V line is at 5.06 constantly and 12V line is at 11.87V and does not even jump a single bit.
    My PC is adequately cooled with a large 12cm exhaust fan in the rear, a 12cm intake in the front and also an 80mm side fan for the CPU cooler, so there is not a large quantity of heat that goes through the power supply, even though my TR2 does have 2 fans, an 80mm intake and also an 80mm exhaust and runs quite cool, just a bit warm right now because it's halfway through summer here in Australia.
    So should I save up to buy a new PSU? or just leave it as is? because I feel that it's still OK, but I dunno what everyone else thinks.

    Thanks.
    Don't find love, let love find you. That's why its called falling in love, because you don't force yourself to fall, you just fall. - Anonymous
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: Shall I replace?

    If the caps aren't bulging or anything, I'd say leave it. Inspect every other month or so though.
    A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.

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      #3
      Re: Shall I replace?

      It's probably fine as is. Besides, those units have 3 years warranty (although I've seen some with 5 years... I have the same PSU, but mine has 3). As soon as the 3/5 year warranty expires on yours, open it up and check the caps. If it's running cool, it should be fine though. If any of the caps go bad, you will start seeing bad fluctuation in the voltages.
      By the way, does yours make a high-pitched noise after running for a while? Cause mine does, and I'm a bit worried, though my voltages are solid like yours.
      Last edited by momaka; 12-16-2008, 09:50 PM.

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        #4
        Re: Shall I replace?

        Originally posted by momaka
        It's probably fine as is. Besides, those units have 3 years warranty (although I've seen some with 5 years... I have the same PSU, but mine has 3). As soon as the 3/5 year warranty expires on yours, open it up and check the caps. If it's running cool, it should be fine though. If any of the caps go bad, you will start seeing bad fluctuation in the voltages.
        By the way, does yours make a high-pitched noise after running for a while? Cause mine does, and I'm a bit worried, though my voltages are solid like yours.
        I'm not sure about how long the warranty on my unit goes for, but the store clerk told me 3 years or so if I remember correctly, so I don't really want to open my unit up and recap it.
        As for the high pitched noises, my unit doesn't make any high pitched noises while in operation even though it has to power a very power hungry system (check my signature for details of the system), on a further note I also install these units for my clients as they are well priced for what they are and I haven't heard any high pitched noises on the units I install for my clients.

        Thanks.
        Don't find love, let love find you. That's why its called falling in love, because you don't force yourself to fall, you just fall. - Anonymous

        Comment

          #5
          Re: Shall I replace?

          I don't think you have any issue with power requirements, unless the caps start to go. I have seen failed LTec caps... I believe they're on the "BAD" list.

          My 350watt FSP supply drives a 3ghz P4, three hard drives (a 10k and two 7200's), an 8600gt, 3 gigs of ddr2, and a sata burner. Sometimes, when I'm working on other PCs, it powers a fourth HD as well, with out any problems. I am reaching its limit, though, as under heavy load the +12v drops a little... still within spec. And the thermal controlled fan pops up to high speed quickly under load.
          Ludicrous gibs!

          Comment

            #6
            Re: Shall I replace?

            One thing that I hate about the TR2 XP550NP, though, is that it doesn't state combined watts for any of the rails, just a promise of 430 watts on the sticker. Great ...
            But I guess the good thing is it that it works equally well with 5v-based and 12v-based systems.
            When your warranty expires, make sure to check it out. I'm curious to see how it does in such a long time. I still have 2.5 years left before expiration.
            Last edited by momaka; 12-17-2008, 08:57 PM.

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