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**washu** · 12-02-2009, 12:07 PM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

The problem you are having is likely bad caps in the supply. You could either repair it by replacing the caps or get a replacement PS.

You don't need a more powerful PS, just a good quality one. 450W is lots for your system, you could probably get away with a bit less even. A good quality 350W is much better than a crappy 500W+. If you want to stay with Antec then an Earthwatts 380 is fine. I have a more power hungry system than yours running of a 350W Seasonic with no issues. Getting a PS that has more watts than you need is just a waste of money and power (ie, more money).

Any standard ATX PS will fit in your case.

**370forlife** · 12-02-2009, 02:42 PM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Smartpower probably is plauged with Fujiyuu (or however you spell it)

They are probably all failed and I can almost guarantee you that it is what is causing the random BSOD's. If you want, you can go the cheap sane route and try your hand at recapping.

As to why it would be the caps and not overloading:

1. 450W if a lot for your system
2. This unit has protection circuits that would shut it off if you were pulling too much current from it, by shut off I mean like if you pulled the cord out of the back not BSOD your computer.

**XPreNN** · 12-03-2009, 02:19 AM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Thanks for the replies, guys, very good info.

The reason I thought the power supply might not be powerful enough, is because I had unexplained power failures before. If I plugged in extra USB devices, like a memory stick or a wireless internet connector, some of my hard disks would drop out (not physically drop out of the casing, but drop out as in disappear from windows explorer and the disk management console

) .

I fixed that by getting a USB hub, which has its own power supply. About two months after that, the PSU began making the high-pitched noise.

So if you're telling me it's not because of a PSU which is too weak, then what did cause it?

**XPreNN** · 12-03-2009, 03:21 AM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Oh and I forgot to mention: when I shut down the Pc, it automatically restarts a few seconds after shutting down, this happened at the same time the squealing started, so it's almost certainly related. Or is it?

**Toasty** · 12-03-2009, 04:00 AM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Contact Antec via their site and check into an RMA. Tell them you are aware of the capacitor problems with their supplies. You should qualify for a replacement under their warranty and the known problems with the SmartPower PSU's.

It can't hurt to try. If you are going to do that, don't open the unit and break the seal.

I have that case and had that PSU replaced last year along with it's twin that lives elsewhere.

@370forlife - He needs one of those 550w AcBel's from HyperMicro...

Toast

**PCBONEZ** · 12-03-2009, 05:39 AM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

The early revisions Smart Powers were famous for squealing.
The culprit was a cap with poorly chosen specs.
- The AntecRep mentioned that in another thread just before we ganged up him, nailed him to a stake, and set it on fire.
Unfortunately he didn't specify which cap...

**XPreNN** · 12-03-2009, 07:59 AM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Thanks Toasty, I'll give that a try and mention the capacitor problem.

Thanks again to everyone who replied.

**ratdude747** · 12-03-2009, 09:06 AM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Originally posted by PCBONEZ

The early revisions Smart Powers were famous for squealing.
The culprit was a cap with poorly chosen specs.
- The AntecRep mentioned that in another thread just before we ganged up him, nailed him to a stake, and set it on fire.
Unfortunately he didn't specify which cap...

and there's a reason why i don't use antec any more...

**kc8adu** · 12-03-2009, 09:24 AM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

let us know what (if anything)comes out of this.

**Toasty** · 12-03-2009, 10:37 AM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Including smoke, fire, or stinky brown fish oil....

(sorry)

**PCBONEZ** · 12-03-2009, 02:06 PM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

OH! OK!
I didn't know that was fish oil.

**i4004** · 12-03-2009, 04:11 PM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

if they won't rma
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139003

**370forlife** · 12-03-2009, 04:19 PM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Originally posted by i4004

if they won't rma
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139003

Aww man, limit 9,999 per customer? There goes my plan to by 10000 of them.

**c_hegge** · 12-03-2009, 05:14 PM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Originally posted by PCBONEZ

The early revisions Smart Powers were famous for squealing.
The culprit was a cap with poorly chosen specs.
- The AntecRep mentioned that in another thread just before we ganged up him, nailed him to a stake, and set it on fire.
Unfortunately he didn't specify which cap...

It's a small 22uF 50v cap near the rear fan (usually either Cheapo Teapo or Fuhjyyu). The problem is that it's not a Low ESR cap. I had the problem with an SP-400. I replaced it with a Nichicon HE and it seems better now.

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8262

**i4004** · 12-03-2009, 05:40 PM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Originally posted by 370forlife

Aww man, limit 9,999 per customer? There goes my plan to by 10000 of them.

true, true..you're cheap...

btw. as the OP has said, unit is over 3 years old...how will he rma it?
it's not the top model for which antec gives 5 years, right?

will they take any old smartpower?
hehe....

**Toasty** · 12-03-2009, 06:08 PM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

i4004 >>unit is over 3 years old...how will he rma it?<<

XPreNN >>The unit is a little over three years old<<

True. But because of the KNOWN issues, and I said to mention them, they may allow it. I think I still have the CS reps name and number around here someplace who I dealt with.

My first one got burned up in a UPS truck fire. Too funny. Pre-cooked.

I sent her the pic of the truck from the TV news story and they Overnighted a new one to me. LOL!

"LAWNSIDE, N.J. - February 11, 2009 (WPVI) -- A UPS truck caught fire along the southbound lanes on I-295 in Lawnside, Camden County this morning. Authorities say the fire spread from the engine and then into the interior. The driver managed to get out without getting hurt. UPS officials are sifting through the packages to see if any were damaged."

Ya Think?!

Attached Files

**XPreNN** · 12-07-2009, 09:44 AM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Been 5 days, no reply yet...is this normal?

**XPreNN** · 12-07-2009, 09:46 AM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

Originally posted by i4004

if they won't rma
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139003

Thanks for the link! Looks good.

**Toasty** · 12-07-2009, 10:45 AM

Re: Power Supply upgrade question

If you used Antec's online RMA, all info is in there. They contact you through that. Make sure you login and check on THEIR RMA/Support site. They send a notice saying something has happened on your status and you need to go there and find the response.

You did have to enter your serial number at some point, correct?

IIRC the system should have assigned you a case number which you use to check status.

Toast

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