Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU :(

[Just-me]

Hello, first i want to say thanks for this forum and the site, it really is the best place i have ever seen when it comes to PSUs. I just discovered it yesterday night, but i have already learned more in one hour, than all the years of reading at AT, Xbit, THG and etc gave me.

My problem is this.

My pc was acting up, would reboot randomly, was unstable under load and etc.. I emailed Antec, asking if my PSU could handle my system, and i got the answer "Yes, without any problems".
I have a p4 2,4C northwood, 3 SATA drives, 1 IDE drive, 1 DVDburner, no floppy, 1gb DDR ram, a geforce 6800 and a sound blaster audigy 2 zs, a highend motherboard, 1 usb mouse and a keyboard.

Over time it got worse, in the end it wouldn't even let me have more than 3 harddrives attached at one time. Then it got more unstable, but it seemed to help, when i switched the power cable from the DVDburner, with the one on my GFX card.

Then somehow, i did a google regarding how big a PSU i might need, and then i found this site. I started to read about the problems with Antec, their use of bad Fuhjyyu Caps and so. At first i really thought "nah..that can't be, i read a tons of good reviews prior to buying it, from all sorts of top hardware sites. It's probably just some bad apples."

But then i decided to open it, and it turns out my PSU is also full of the bad fuhjyyu caps, that all had started to leak and swell like this http://cayse.trunetworks.com/antec-tp380.jpg.
It's really frustrating because for the first time, i decided to spend a lot of money on a highend PSU ($179 back then), and then it turns out to be just as bad (or worse) than my cheap Aopen PSU

Then i saw an Antec guy here (AntecTechLevel4), who said i should just RMA it, then they would change the bad capacitors, no matter how old it was.
So i did, but all i got from Antec was this

"Hi Martin, The Capacitor problem was not due to a faulty batch of capacitors that exploded but were less resistant to heat. Heat kills electronics, and especially power supplies. Not all of thse units were effected with this issue. This PSU has a serial number dated 2004, if it has been in use for 4+ years then this is the reason the voltages started to slowly degrade. The PSU serial number is out of warranty. Also since you opened the PSU so the warranty is void. We cannot replace this PSU for you. Thank you for contacting Antec, This ticket will now be closed."



So, i'm left with a PC with a very unstable PSU, and i desperately need a new one. I'm done with Antec and never going back, but i have found the following PSU that i might consider, and would like to hear your thoughts on it. If anyone want to help, then these are the only ones i can get, which are equal to or more than 500W.
http://edbpriser.dk/Products/Listpro...28&Submit.y=18

The PSU i'm considering is the CoolerMaster Silent Pro M600. A user that has both the Corsair HX520, TX650 and VX450 is saying it's the best of them all.

1. Modular cables and made the same way as HX520, but then the similarities stop. The cables are really soft and bendable, instead of stiff and hard plastic. He didn't even have to take his motherboard tray or the DVD tray out.

2. No whining (i hope it is the right word :P), high pitch or anything. It makes no electronic noise like his HX520 did. When he look into it, it reek of quality. Huge heatsinks that cover many of the components, and it has a 135mm fan, and a wider and finer honey comb structure in the back, which maks it very silent when air is passing through. His case temp. has also dropped by 1,5*c after he changed to this. It is also a bit less noisy than his TX650 in his other PC, and there is not the humming that the HX520 has.


3) The PSU isn't cheap, it cost $135 but it feels like quality. The PSU has one 12v rail and peaks totally at 720watt. It isnt that big, a little smaller than Corsair VX450.

So, a lot of good words, but i would like to hear what you guys think.
Sorry for the long post, too much coffee in the morning im afraid hehe

[Krankshaft]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

Then somehow, i did a google regarding how big a PSU i might need, and then i found this site. I started to read about the problems with Antec, their use of bad Fuhjyyu Caps and so. At first i really thought "nah..that can't be, i read a tons of good reviews prior to buying it, from all sorts of top hardware sites. It's probably just some bad apples."

That's part of the problem those sites that review PSUs don't conduct extended reliability tests. These PSUs can take upwards of 6 months to a year (depending on load and usage) to show signs of capacitor bulging and eventually if it goes on for too long system instability.

Hooking it to a PC for a few hours and writing a review just isn't enough.

So i did, but all i got from Antec was this

"Hi Martin, The Capacitor problem was not due to a faulty batch of capacitors that exploded but were less resistant to heat. Heat kills electronics, and especially power supplies. Not all of thse units were effected with this issue. This PSU has a serial number dated 2004, if it has been in use for 4+ years then this is the reason the voltages started to slowly degrade. The PSU serial number is out of warranty. Also since you opened the PSU so the warranty is void. We cannot replace this PSU for you. Thank you for contacting Antec, This ticket will now be closed."

A pure corporate smoke canned answer. Less resistant to heat my ass. They are sub standard crap caps that should be replaced on sight. But I guess it sounds nicer the way they put it.

Hehe should have removed that sticker with a blowdryer. Even though they won't cover your PSU anymore. They would probably have given you an Antec Earthwatts with OST caps in them and while they aren't horrible they are marginal in PSUs at best.

Haha I love how they say (and tiptoe around it mind you) that it's normal for the PSU to go belly up in 4 years. Sorry buddy but I'm not buyin that.

[acstech]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

Yes Antec sucks. I dealt with many of them over the years, and they all developed bad caps. Every _______ one of them. I refuse to touch them with a 3.048 meter pole.

One thing some online reviews of PSU's are good for is the pictures. You can see what's in it before you buy. Look for the capacitor brand.

While Corsair PSU's are generally a good choice, I'd go the extra money for a Seasonic. Their M12-600 would probably be the way to go. In the retail Seasonics you're pretty much guaranteed quality Japanese capacitors. It would be more than you'd ever need for that machine, but if you upgrade you'll be glad you have it.

[Just-me]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

Hm..they both look so good. And they cost the same. Is there a site where you can see what MTBF is for a PSU, the efficieny, db and the like? =)

[acstech]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

I usually just google for reviews until I find one that has the info I need. I try and not tie myself down to one site. The trick with reading online reviews is that you have to run it all through a BS filter. As mentioned, it can get the super mega ultra uber gold kickass award, but that doesn't mean it won't blow up in a month.

Sometimes you are going to have to hunt for the specs you listed. It's just the way it is.

Off the top of my head:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/
http://www.hardocp.com/
http://www.jonnyguru.com/

[i4004]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

mtbf doesn't mean much...(look up the discussion we had about it...pcbonez said some good htings about it).

corsair, fortron, silverstone, seasonic...those are good.

cooler master is not good. and the price seems like a rip off.

oh yeah, antec earthwatts is now made by delta, so that should be ok too.
you have review on jonnyguru.....

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...print&reid=110
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...=print&reid=35

any of psus i mentioned here should be free of fuhjyyu caps.
seasonic and corsair should have all premium grade caps, while others have medium grade, but in a psu that's not a problem.
they should all easilyl outlast antec that had fuhjyyu.
(offcourse, you can also be unlucky with any of those and had them blow up in first year...but chances for that are very slim)

[willawake]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

i am into seasonic (not oem type) and corsair. havent tried silverstone. i am finished with fortron unless its a cheap build. passive-pfc fortrons were more reliable than active.

[Just-me]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

Ok, thank you both of you. I think i will try a Seasonic this time, since you both recommend it. Going to read a few reviews now =)

Thanks again for your help!

[bgavin]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

I walked away from Antec, and will NEVER go back. They have no end of capacitor complaints, yet choose to do nothing. Their multi-hundred dollar Signature series has better caps.. but too late.

You will do just fine with Seasonic or Corsair. Give Antec the finger and put them in the rear view mirror.

[TahoeEd]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

If the Antec specs meets your needs, why not just recap it and keep using it? Its a lot cheaper than buying a whole new power supply, and with decent caps in it its a pretty good unit. I just recapped a True380S (from a Sonata case), and its working fine again.

[Krankshaft]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

If the Antec specs meets your needs, why not just recap it and keep using it? Its a lot cheaper than buying a whole new power supply, and with decent caps in it its a pretty good unit. I just recapped a True380S (from a Sonata case), and its working fine again.

I just pick up the marginal units (powers up but it unstable) for dirt cheap off E-bay and recap them.

But I would NEVER buy a new Antec again especially since my conscience wouldn't allow me to operate it without recapping it .

I HATE OSTs and Teapos which they use in their newer units.

My Sonata case came with a TP 2.0 350W when I opened it back in June or so the Fukyuus weren't bulging (they had 2 Teapos on the standby side) I've been running it 24/7 for at least 3 to 4 years now. They even used Fukyuus on the primary side now thats scary. The SP series' used Panasonics on the primary.

Maybe they knew these caps were crap and didn't want to start a fire when the 120V line caps decided to pop their tops? A full recap was in order including the line filters.

However this computer is in the minority it was in a nice cold basement all year round and the computer is just a personal webmail server / domain controller with a light load on it.

[i4004]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

>I HATE OSTs and Teapos which they use in their newer units.

why?
have you seen them bulging in the psus?

i would buy earthwatts in a heartbeat, as delta and seasonic are making them, and delta is ok..seasonic too.
also, looking at that delta pcb from under....it's a fuckin' piece of art..so neat.
for caps...i have teapos in fortron, and i think it's just fine that way.
no need to recap it...

[i4004]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

delta pcb...yummi!

[acstech]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

>I HATE OSTs and Teapos which they use in their newer units.

why?
have you seen them bulging in the psus?

i would buy earthwatts in a heartbeat, as delta and seasonic are making them, and delta is ok..seasonic too.
also, looking at that delta pcb from under....it's a fuckin' piece of art..so neat.
for caps...i have teapos in fortron, and i think it's just fine that way.
no need to recap it...

I have seen Teapo's bulged and leaking in Dell PSU's. They function well after a recap.

The Antec Earthwats series may be ok considering who's making them, but my conscience will not allow me to support Antec any more.

Teapo's do seem to do ok in a Forton; I've used several lower end FSP units without problems. Any more for my low end builds I use those $27 Acbel's from Hypermicro. They have OST's, but again, no problems. I think those particular units are so overkill for the computers they're powering that there's no way it could cause problems.

[RJARRRPCGP]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

Yes Antec sucks. I dealt with many of them over the years, and they all developed bad caps. Every _______ one of them. I refuse to touch them with a 3.048 meter pole.

One thing some online reviews of PSU's are good for is the pictures. You can see what's in it before you buy. Look for the capacitor brand.

While Corsair PSU's are generally a good choice, I'd go the extra money for a Seasonic. Their M12-600 would probably be the way to go. In the retail Seasonics you're pretty much guaranteed quality Japanese capacitors. It would be more than you'd ever need for that machine, but if you upgrade you'll be glad you have it.

Welp, I got a Fortron 500W PSU now, for my socket 775 setup. (in September)

Thus, should be fine, even if my Antecs have bad caps.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

They have no end of capacitor complaints, yet choose to do nothing.

But they didn't do nothing. They completely changed OEM's from CWT to Seasonic, Delta, Enhance, and FSP. Sure, the OST caps being used in their low end Seasonic offerings are nowhere near what I'd find acceptable quality for my own use, but they're already a huge improvement over Fuhjyyu for reliability.

Personally, the Signature and TP Quattro line are the only Antec lines I'd ever run. OEM Delta and Enhance. The Quattros use Teapo and Nippon Chemi-Con... I have no problem with that, but fortunately I got to keep my Signature 850W review sample, so that was a no brainer

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

Haven't run into Enhance's globby glue problem yet have ya...

[bgavin]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

Sure, the OST caps being used in their low end Seasonic offerings are nowhere near what I'd find acceptable quality for my own use, but they're already a huge improvement over Fuhjyyu for reliability.

To me, this is either posturing or simply chasing a cheaper deal. Same as doing nothing. In the end, it's all academic, as I refuse to use any more Antec power supplies. The signature series is so far over priced as to be a terrific joke.

Antec has never given me the slightest acknowledgment they comprehend their problem and have rectified it. ABit learned this lesson, Gigabyte uses it as effective ad copy. Antec changes suppliers and triples the price. No thanks.

[kc8adu]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

To me, this is either posturing or simply chasing a cheaper deal. Same as doing nothing. In the end, it's all academic, as I refuse to use any more Antec power supplies. The signature series is so far over priced as to be a terrific joke.

Antec has never given me the slightest acknowledgment they comprehend their problem and have rectified it. ABit learned this lesson, Gigabyte uses it as effective ad copy. Antec changes suppliers and triples the price. No thanks.

and then they send antecrep to spread bullshit!

[Krankshaft]

Re: Bad Antec experience, need a new PSU

delta pcb...yummi!

Minimal SMT components I like that.

I just hope they don't use proprietary ICs on it like they did on the Xbox.

and then they send antecrep to spread bullshit!

Of course they've gotta try to blow the corporate smoke up someones ass .

Antec has never given me the slightest acknowledgment they comprehend their problem and have rectified it.

Of course they haven't if they admitted there was a problem they would have to issue a recall which would cost a whole lot of money. But if they just swap PSUs for the minor numbers of customers who complain it's more cost effective. It's pretty obvious that customer service is no where on their to do list.