PSU Taking everything with it?

Herecy · 4 Jan 2012 at 08:46

Hey guys, I'm in a right pickle.

My PC started smelling like burning last night, I suspected it was something outside (like a bonfire) so I closed the window, a few minutes later my PC lost all power and black smoke came out the sides of the PSU. Now I pulled it out ASAP and threw it outside to fumigate.

Big question is did my stealth xstream (which had good ratings at the time of buying, now sitting at very low) take anything with it? A quick inspection seems like everything is "normal" then again I'm no electrician and would have no idea what to look for (blown capacitors, scorch marks?)

It seems this is a common problem with cheaper PSU's, not that this was particularly cheap but badly designed! I have a ax2100 coming later today so I can obviously check properly then but it's killing me...

Thanks in advance.

janp · 4 Jan 2012 at 08:54

Unless you can see signs of damage on your other components , the only way to know for sure is test with a new PSU.

RJC · 4 Jan 2012 at 08:54

I had my Enermax blow on me a few years ago and my system was fine with the new PSU installed, hopefully you should be ok, but only way to find out is with a new PSU.

Unless you do a cap blown which is fairly obvious

Herecy · 4 Jan 2012 at 08:57

Yer fingers crossed, will report back later :/

Geeman1979 · 4 Jan 2012 at 09:05

If there are no obvious visual signs of burn marks on your other components or damage, you may of got away with it, unless very unlucky.
Just plumb in your new Psu and if everything powers up and seems ok, just keep an eye on it for a while and monitor your temps.

Nightglow · 4 Jan 2012 at 09:11

Wasn't a Hipper psu by any chance.

Herecy · 4 Jan 2012 at 09:13

Nightglow said:
Wasn't a Hipper psu by any chance.

OCZ stealth xstream 700w

Buy it at 4.5/5 stars, try to RMA at 2/2.5 stars.

geeman1979 said:
If there are no obvious visual signs of burn marks on your other components or damage, you may of got away with it, unless very unlucky.
Just plumb in your new Psu and if everything powers up and seems ok, just keep an eye on it for a while and monitor your temps.

Thanks, I will do anything for it not to be! I now understand the importance of getting a good PSU, hence the £240 on the new, trusted name.

Nightglow · 4 Jan 2012 at 09:37

OCZ isn't a bad name in psu's.

OCZ psu's came with a 3 or 5 year warranty.

cammy5477 · 4 Jan 2012 at 09:43

thats a crap psu buddy
i had one in my kids pc and it lasted a month
rma'd it and ocuk said they never received it so lost £50 on it.

Herecy · 4 Jan 2012 at 09:48

Nightglow said:
OCZ isn't a bad name in psu's.

OCZ psu's came with a 3 or 5 year warranty.

True they come with a 3 year warranty, but does that cover your £1200 of other gear?

I would quote another website where 35% of the reviews are about it blowing up and of them a sizable amount taking other equipment down with them. Considering they have pulled all of those models out I wouldn't be so quick to judge them :/

cammy5477 said:
thats a crap psu buddy
i had one in my kids pc and it lasted a month
rma'd it and ocuk said they never received it so lost £50 on it.

That's pretty bad, was everything else okay? Trying to do my research into how good or bad the failure system is on them, but not turning up much.

cammy5477 · 4 Jan 2012 at 09:56

Herecy said:
That's pretty bad, was everything else okay? Trying to do my research into how good or bad the failure system is on them, but not turning up much.

yeah the rest was fine
i think you would have to be unlucky for it to take out other stuff
got a second hand enermax galaxy from the members market and its been perfect ever since

Herecy · 4 Jan 2012 at 09:57

cammy5477 said:
yeah the rest was fine
i think you would have to be unlucky for it to take out other stuff
got a second hand enermax galaxy from the members market and its been perfect ever since

That's reassuring thank you, I will know within 2 hours...

Nightglow · 4 Jan 2012 at 10:07

I've never had an issue with OCZ psu's, but they wouldn't be my first choice.
Currently using an assortment BeQuiet psu's for the last 4 years.

Herecy · 4 Jan 2012 at 10:11

Nightglow said:
I've never had an issue with OCZ psu's, but they wouldn't be my first choice.
Currently using an assortment BeQuiet psu's for the last 4 years.

I've heard good things about them too.

saintdefender · 4 Jan 2012 at 11:17

lol well I can honestly you say you won't have any troubles with the AX1200 - quite the upgrade!

Herecy · 4 Jan 2012 at 11:30

saintdefender said:
lol well I can honestly you say you won't have any troubles with the AX1200 - quite the upgrade!

Well i'm not taking any chances

. Plus I got some upgrades lined up that may be power hungry...

goodl · 4 Jan 2012 at 11:36

Investing in a quality PSU was a good idea for me, I have had my Enermax Galaxy 1000w for years and 4 system upgrades and only ever needed to change the internal fan when it got a bit noisy.prior to that I'd gone throght 2 PSUs supposedly quality ones. the 150 bones it cost at the time smarted a bit though.

Herecy · 4 Jan 2012 at 12:11

Right everything is safe and working! Thanks to everyone here for their sound advice and support.

Darujhistan · 4 Jan 2012 at 12:43

Happily, this chap didn't lose his rig to a PSU disaster, but it can happen. It just emphasises once again, that you cannot skimp on a PSU.

Narj · 4 Jan 2012 at 12:56

Darujhistan said:
Happily, this chap didn't lose his rig to a PSU disaster, but it can happen. It just emphasises once again, that you cannot skimp on a PSU.

Do any of the major PSU manufacturer guarantees also cover damage to other PC components? I'm sure I read someone post something suggesting that some did a while ago...