Another Faulty Corsair PSU

[Thorbog]

Started getting problems with my PSU on my new Vengeance Z68 OC system once it was a week old.

Makes a grinding noise as per this youtube video I made:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKmjOoPoSqc

It starts randomly - the PC could have been on for 10 minutes or 10 hours. It is completely unrelated to the load as it can start when I am gaming or just idling at the desktop.

It happens in standard or overclocked mode.

Once it starts making that noise the only solution is to shut down. That will often fix it. Sometimes I have to shut down a couple of times to get it to shut up. Has to be a full shut down, simply restarting does nothing.

Absolute pain in the arse as the system is fantastic and barely audible when the PSU isn't playing it. Definitely needs replacing.

Edit: It is doing it again now and I can't even stop it by shutting down and turning it on again. It may stop on its own as it has done in the past but it is making it hard to hear the TV so I will have to shut it down permanently for this evening at least!

[Ben @ Scan]

Hi Thorbog

From the Youtube video it sounds like the fan in the PSU can you make sure that there is nothing catching the fan, if the issue persists drop us an email at systemsupport@scan.co.uk and we will get the PSU replaced for you

Regards

Ben

[Thorbog]

Just carried out a thorough visual inspection with a torch.

I can't see anything fouling the blades, there are no signs of rubbing such as dust or marks on the blades.

When powered-on this evening the PSU fan appears to spinning cleanly and quietly again. No doubt it will start grinding again at some point tonight though.

So I suspect it is a bearing issue as it doesn't sound like coil whine based on my experience with previous units and of course it is unrelated to load.

So we can proceed as agreed.

Cheers

G

[Thorbog]

You won't believe this

Had the new PSU fitted some months back and it has been operating reliably and quietly since that time. I have been running the machine in the standard settings ever since that time as I haven't been playing anything that would remotely push it. In other words the PC has been cruising along nice and cool with no load on it at all.

Today my PC was working just fine as per usual and I shut it down to play on the PS3 for a couple of hours. 2 hours later I go to turn the PC on and......nothing. Dead.

Pushing or holding the On-button and nothing is happening at all.

Now I discover if I switch if off using the switch on the back of the PSU or if I switch it off at the mains....and then turn the switch back on again....when I then press the On-button I find the machine comes on for literally half a second if that.

So the lights briefly flash on, the fans turn one revolution but then it is off and completely dead. Repeatedly pressing the On-button again does nothing.

If I then turn it Off/On at the mains/PSU switch again then when I press the On-button I get the same half a second of activity and then nothing. (Edit: just thought I would add it has to have the power completely cut off for around 20 seconds presumably for any residual charge to dissipate and the system to fully reset before I can turn it on and get that half second of activity.)

I can't believe it!!!!!!!!

Any chance you can send that chap out but this time with a PSU that doesn't have Corsair written on it?!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The new Corsair CX range uses sleeve bearing fans as opposed to the ball bearing fans in more expensive units.

[Rob @ Scan]

Hi Thorbog,

Sorry to hear you're having further problems!

If you could mail your invoice number and build number to systemsupport@scan.co.uk along with your hexus username.

We will contact you tomorrow to arrange a replacement and can swap the PSU to another brand if you would prefer.

Regards,

Rob

[Thorbog]

To be honest I'd gladly pay the difference to update it to a higher quality unit if it would stop these constant PSU failures.

I did ask when the chap came to replace it last time if I'd be better off with a 1000 rather than a 600 as the 600 must surely he operating at close to its maximum all the time? Could that be the reason for these failures? A 600 does seem to be cutting close to the bone but then I am not an electrician so what sounds right in theory may actually be nonsense!

I've moved it to another room now and tried it in a different wall socket. Still dead even with all peripherals unplugged from the machine although I only had a mouse, KB, headphones and obviously the monitor anyway.

Edit: Just saw Robs message, will do mate cheers.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The noise in the original unit is the cheap sleeve bearing fan giving out prematurely. I would check if the fuse is still fine on the second unit though.

I would suggest one of these units:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/650w-...-quiet-fan-atx

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/620w-...et-fan-atx-v23

Both are made by Seasonic and use ball bearing fans. The first PSU is semi-modular and has 4 PCI-E power connectors and the second is more efficient,is not modular and has 3 PCI-E power connectors.

[Rob @ Scan]

Hi,

We can look at your system specs tomorrow and see what the best replacement would be for you.

Both suggestions from CAT-THE-FIFTH are good options

Regards

Rob