Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

[Kong]

Is it possible for a malfunctioning power supply (PSU) to be the direct cause of blown capacitors on a motherboard?

For instance, say a computer is in use and suddenly the PSU malfunctions and the computer shuts down. Upon inspection it is found that the PSU is no longer functioning and there are some blown capacitors on the motherboard, but there is no direct evidence as to when the capictors actually blew out as it could have happened before the PSU malfunctioned. What would you suspect in this instance?

[toastygoodness]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

they most certainly can. bestec psu's are known to explode motherboards and hard drives.

[Kong]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

they most certainly can. bestec psu's are known to explode motherboards and hard drives.

Are you aware of any other brands that might be have what's considered to be good reputations but have been known to cause similar issues?

[370forlife]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

older antecs

Older sirtec/high power builds (older enlights, jeantech)

Lots others.

[momaka]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

bestec psu's are known to explode motherboards and hard drives.

Well, you shouldn't really say that Bestec made the motherboards explode. Actually it killed them rather quietly - usually due to extreme over-voltage on the 5vsb rail. There was actually only one specific Bestec model that was responsible for this - the ATX-250 12E. Some older Antecs also did this, like 370forlife mentioned.

But as far as the PSU killing the motherboard caps - yes it's possible, but it will usually happen over an extended period of time, not at once (if it does happen at once - which is usually rare - then there's also a big chance that the motherboard and attached hardware may be dead too). Normally the PSU caps will blow first (if they are a known cheap, low quality brand) which will then cause more stress on the motherboard caps causing them to eventually fail after enough abuse. But you can have the reverse scenario, too - that is the motherboard caps die first (either due to heat or due to low quality) and then cause the caps in the PSU to die.

So to answer your question - well, you need to look at what brand the PSU is and what brand caps it has. Then you also have to look at what brand of caps are on the motherboard. If the motherboard had good caps, then you can certainly blame the PSU (although even good caps can die if the computer's case is not well ventilated). Same goes for the PSU.

[Kong]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

So to answer your question - well, you need to look at what brand the PSU is and what brand caps it has. Then you also have to look at what brand of caps are on the motherboard. If the motherboard had good caps, then you can certainly blame the PSU (although even good caps can die if the computer's case is not well ventilated). Same goes for the PSU.

The brand of the PSU would be an OCZ GXS with what may have been CapXon capacitors. The motherboard apparently has a mix of different capacitors but most of the larger blown ones are KZG. The ventilation in the case also seems to be fair to good as it is a large case and thermal readouts for the individual components appeared to be normal.

Also, does a slight tilt or bend at the base of a capacitor indicate that it has failed?

[ratdude747]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

some delta units can do it too... ones with a 2 transistor 5vsb powered by a taicon cap. a user found a 350w that had 12v on the 5vsb... killed the mobo... few brands are safe from the crap-a** design it seems...

[Scenic]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

The brand of the PSU would be an OCZ GXS with what may have been CapXon capacitors.

there's a reason they're usually called CrapXon here...

The motherboard apparently has a mix of different capacitors but most of the larger blown ones are KZG.

nippon/united chemicon KZG are allergic to any amount of heat. using them in CPU VRMs (around the CPU socket) is the worst thing you could do. longevity = 0 (just about long enough to fail when out of board-warranty usually)

Also, does a slight tilt or bend at the base of a capacitor indicate that it has failed?

on some boards, the caps aren't completely flush to the board, so they can tilt a bit (in the milimeter range).

[370forlife]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

The brand of the PSU would be an OCZ GXS with what may have been CapXon capacitors. The motherboard apparently has a mix of different capacitors but most of the larger blown ones are KZG. The ventilation in the case also seems to be fair to good as it is a large case and thermal readouts for the individual components appeared to be normal.

Also, does a slight tilt or bend at the base of a capacitor indicate that it has failed?

GameXstream is a FSP Epsilon build. Not a real good psu but it doesn't have a 2 transistor 5vsb circuit. It uses capxon capacitors though.

[Kong]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

What brands and models of PSUs do you guys think are constructed the best with good price to performance ratios?

[ratdude747]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

how many watts? if 550 will do, i know of a steal...

it is an acbel 550w psu

they are server grade, they are heavy and built like tanks.

i own one myself and plan to get more.

if you are in the us, then i recommend it as it only costs $17... no kidding!

only bugger is it has an 8-pin 12v connection, it will fit a 4 pin but the clip will not line up. it has for ports:

24 pn atx
8 pin 12v
9x molex
1x berg (floppy)
2x SATA

they are here:

http://www.hypermicro.com/ProductDes...LY-BULK&key=it

enjoy!

[370forlife]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

no pci-e connector, only 2 satas, and limited 12v capability. May work for you, but depending on your setup it might not.

[ratdude747]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

it has solder holes for pci-e, and with 9 molex connections, you can use adapters... kinda hard to beat the price...

[Kong]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

Are the Acbels built with good capacitors?

Ratdude747, did you get your Acbel from HyperMicro.com? I ask because in their description for the product they state that it is "NEW BUT SCRATCHED DUE BAD PACKAGING". Are they talking about cosmetic scratching only, or do you think there could be dents in the unit's casing?

What about average retail brands like Thermaltake, Rosewill, and Corsair? How do you guys rate those types of brands?

[acstech]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

Yes, it does have open holes on every rail, even ground. I added 2x PCI-E 6-pin power connectors to mine to run an 8800GTX. It runs that, an Intel QX9650, a P45 board, and 3 hard drives all very well. I've even measured ripple with an oscilloscope and it stays within spec even in a running computer (running 3dmark).

I'm of the opinion that the AcBel will fulfil the requirements of 98% of the computers out there, if you're willing to do a little soldering.

I have pics that I took a while back that I can post if anyone's interested. I think that was before the PCI-E connectors though.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

I never saw the big attraction to the ACBEL API4FS06.
-
They are cheap but only ~70% efficiency, have craps [usually OST], and look like a they are a bitch to recap.

To recap you need:
8 - 3300uF @ 10v - 10x25mm
6 - 2200uF @ 16v - 10x25mm
3 - 1000uF @ 16v - 8x20mm

That shoots any initial purchase savings all to hell.

~~~

Lately for regular PC's I pick up used Earthwatts and recap them.
[Never actually found blown caps yet, just craps I don't like around.]
Easy to recap and 80+ efficiency.
Used 550w can be had for $20-$30 [including shipping] on eBay if you aren't in a hurry.
I've gotten a few 650w for $30-35.

I do have a lot of lower efficiency FSP, Delta, older Antec, HEC, and so forth sitting around that are fine [good caps as original or recapped] that have been replaced by 80+ units.

The servers use Corsair 750-850 watt units.
[Although that's probably overkill for all but one of them.]

.

[c_hegge]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

For sub-500W units, I like the corsair VX450. 80Plus certified, all japanese caps, quiet and fairly affordable.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

Are you aware of any other brands that might be have what's considered to be good reputations but have been known to cause similar issues?

Missed that question...

YES

Almost all older Antecs with original caps. - That includes Neo [without the "HE"] and all the True Power and Smart Power variants but isn't limited to them.

Anyone who's OEM is CWT [which is MANY]

Enermax Liberty and Noisetaker [possibly some others]
https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showth...hlight=ENERMAX

Should note though that what has a "good reputation" somewhere else might not have one here. - We here actually repair them so we know what's inside.

.

[japlytic]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

I've seen a motherboard with a lot of bad caps (Luxon units) being used for filtering the positive rails connected directly to the power supply.
The power supply did not have quality caps at all.

[ratdude747]

Re: Can PSUs Cause Bad Caps?

Are the Acbels built with good capacitors?

Ratdude747, did you get your Acbel from HyperMicro.com? I ask because in their description for the product they state that it is "NEW BUT SCRATCHED DUE BAD PACKAGING". Are they talking about cosmetic scratching only, or do you think there could be dents in the unit's casing?

a scratch on the label. thats all.

idk if the caps are all that bad... nobody has had them fail yets, who knows, i heard newer ost's might be not so bad...

i did buy mine there, i like it, and i think shooting it down just because it only has 70% efficiency is like ditching a car just because it gets 5 mpg less than a car twice the price.