Tech heads: Replacing a power source, job for an amateur or?

[Joe]

Although I spend my time on pc's all day long due to work I very rarely venture inside the cases so this is really not my area of expertise at all (never been interested in building PC's etc)

Just wanted to know if any of you guys are experienced enough to give your opinion on if you think it is wise for me to attempt replacing the power source on my tower? The fan has packed in, it still boots and actually I only noticed today (nice smell coming from it..) which forced me to jump on the laptop before I got smoke!

Did check all the connections and everything seems to be ok but after booting it up again I get no life from the fan at all. It does need a good clean which is my first option but if that doesn't work I guess it's just a case of buying a new one and replacing it, just trying to figure out if that is a good idea for Mr bean here or if I should just get someone else to do it that won't electrocute themselves!

LMK!

 

[Richard_H]

Is the easiest thing to do in a tower. Open it up, unplug the leads from motherboard, media drives etc, unscrew the power pack from case, usually 4 screws on the outside of the case. Then take it to a local shop to match it up. Looking for 500 watts I'd say approximately £10

 

[plantman]

dead easy mate, just make sure you get enough connections for the ports on your computer, open up the case unplug the psu and unscrew it from the back, check how many connections you have ie sata/molex (sata are black and molex are white) and go buy another one, get a good one if your environmentally friendly get an 80+ rated one as it saves you on electricity prob be about £40 though, if you buy a cheap **** one it will sound like a chavs car.

you wont electrocute yourself, unplug it from the mains and touch the metal case to earth yourself before you go in ive never had a shock in 20 years and i dont even earth myself lol, plus it would only be a static shock if you did.

dont pay anyone to do it mate, it tales 3 mins max.

 

[Joe]

Thanks guys, I may try to do this then, this is what I currently have:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l2736&_nkw=ATX-400PNF

The ones on ebay are all reconditioned though, could you guys let me know of any alternatives that would match the one I have so I don't buy a secondhand one?

Appreciate it thank you!

 

[plantman]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350W-be-quiet-System-Power-S6-BN081-80-PLUS-Fan-ATX-v2-2-PSU-/360568954752?pt=UK_Computing_PowerSupplies_EH&hash=item53f3959f80

i would get an 80 plus silent one, we have cad machines at work with 300w psu's fitted and you cant hear a thing, this should be ok

if you wanted a cheap one then go for it, just search 350/400w atx psu

 

[Joe]

Cheers Andy I might have to take a chance on that one you linked to then and give it a go! Might PM you if I get stuck haha

 

[plantman]

once you take the original one out you will see how easy it is mate, but yeah PM me if you need to, i can give you my nob number too if you wanted to txt or ring me.

 

[plantman]

Oooo i forgot mate, you can also test your PSU quite easily if you unfold a paperclip (use the big main 20 pin connector) and stick one end where the green wire is and one where a black wire is you can jump start the psu, this will let you know if its a power button failure ect.

http://www.overclock.net/t/96712/how-to-jump-start-a-power-supply-psu-test-a-power-supply-and-components

i have a spare old psu but it doesnt have any black sata connections on it, you can buy adapters but your more than welcome to have it if you pay postage.

obviously dont plug the paperclip in when the power is in the psu

 

[Joe]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350W-be-quiet-System-Power-S6-BN081-80-PLUS-Fan-ATX-v2-2-PSU-/360568954752?pt=UK_Computing_PowerSupplies_EH&hash=item53f3959f80

i would get an 80 plus silent one, we have cad machines at work with 300w psu's fitted and you cant hear a thing, this should be ok

if you wanted a cheap one then go for it, just search 350/400w atx psu

Andy - can you email me pls mate?

 

[plantman]

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