Is my PSU killing SSD?

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2006
Posts
11,544
Location
Derbyshire
Hi all.
I have a PC in my garage that consists of a ~2007 case and Corsair PSU, and a low spec AM4 setup.
It is never pushed hard and is primarily for YouTube use and music.

The SSD that I had in it a few years died this year, so I replaced it with a new one.
The one has now died.
In both cases the BIOS did not recognise the SSD. I also checked it on my gaming PC in a hard drive mounting dock - Completely dead.

Is it likely that an old PSU is killing the SSD?
I think so but would like to check before buying a new one. My suspicion is voltage spikes since in 2007 SSDs didn't exist in the mainstream.

Thanks in advance for any help :).
 
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m.2 ssd or sata ssd?

sata ssds operate from the 5v line directly from the psu
m.2 ssds downregulate from the 12v rail provided from the motherboard via the atx 24 pin

if it's a sata ssd, then you'll need a psu tester to confirm the 5v line is faulty
if it's a m.2 ssd then unlikely as the 12v line would probably affect other components too
 
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If the PSU is also from 2007, then I would be looking at the PSU first. The most accurate way to check it's voltages is with a multimeter. Some BIOS have a voltage monitor, otherwise you could use hardware monitoring software (such as HWMonitor), although software methods aren't as accurate as a multimeter.

Test the voltages while the PC is turned on and monitor the voltages both at idle and under load. From memory, ideally the voltages should be within 3%. For example, a safe range for 12v would be between 11.7v and 12.3v. I would bin the PSU if any of the voltages are out by more than 5%.

If the voltages check out okay, then check the capacitors inside the PSU. Make sure none of the capacitors are bulging or leaking. It might be worth checking the motherboard for dodgy capacitors too.
 
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Sorry for the late replies - I had no idea anyone had responded!

It is a 2.5" SATA SSD.
The garage does get damp but not horrendous - I get some fur on the old MX5 steering wheel and that is it. No rusty tools etc.
The previous SSD died this year and so did the brand new one. The brand new one never got damp (of course the PSU has been exposed to that).

Capacitor wise, I will give the motherboard a visual check. PSU wise I think I would rather replace than take it apart when it is old and effectively low value.

I might be barking up the wrong tree, but I cannot see how the motherboard could kill a SATA SSD that is powered from the PSU.

I have an old SSD lying around I could try that I don't particularly care if it dies, I could try that with a new PSU?

EDIT: The PC was in the garage at my previous house that was attached and therefore minimal/no damp. I don't think the PC has experienced a winter in the garage here before.
I have ordered a PSU and shall report back :).
 
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OpenToSuggestions said:
The SSD that I had in it a few years died this year, so I replaced it with a new one.
The one has now died.
In both cases the BIOS did not recognise the SSD. I also checked it on my gaming PC in a hard drive mounting dock - Completely dead.
Click to expand...
Which models are the SSDs?

Not unusual at all for certain bargain basement SSDs to die like that.
 
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