PSU on its way out?

box · 11 Mar 2008 at 18:02

Hi there,
I've got an Antec TrueBlue 480W PSU in my system at the moment and have had since the beginning of 06. However, as of recently I get the feeling it is starting to die. The main issues are as follows:

I experience problems in games that would hint at lack of power to the GPU. I have an X1950 Pro, which in all honesty should run fine on a good quality 480W supply, especially considering it's not exactly a power-hungry system otherwise.
The unit has started to make an extremely high-pitch whining sound. This is barely audible, but I tend to focus in on the sound when working and it then becomes unbearable.
The LEDs inside the unit that shine out through the fans have failed.

I've been keen to RMA this for a while as it has never appeared to give me more than 11.4V on the 12V rail since purchase. There are 6 months left on the warranty. Worth an RMA or not?

Grumpy · 11 Mar 2008 at 18:25

Do you have / can borrow a spare PSU? Check out the system with that and see if it works OK.

If so, I'd RMA it.

box · 11 Mar 2008 at 18:40

Well I've just upgraded from a 6600GT, and the gaming issues have begun since. It's an ageing system; I built it between 2005/06. My aim is to keep it going until summer at least before spending any more on it.

I can't borrow another PSU unfortunately.

Monkeynut · 11 Mar 2008 at 18:54

RMA it, if anything claim the LEDs are faulty, doesn't matter if they are minor they are part of the product and should work as advertised.

Grumpy · 11 Mar 2008 at 19:03

Monkeynut said:
RMA it, if anything claim the LEDs are faulty, doesn't matter if they are minor they are part of the product and should work as advertised.

Good way of getting it properly checked/replaced at least

box · 22 Mar 2008 at 10:39

Hello again,
I've been in contact with Antec (very impressed with the support service by the way) and they have accepted the fact that I need a replacement. However, they seem to have a very long-winded way of getting this replacement to me in the UK...

To enhance our warranty service Antec has made an arrangement with our valued distributor ENTA Technology that will allow us to get you a replacement within the UK. ENTA can only deal with resellers, however, so you will need to have your reseller contact them on your behalf. If your reseller has further questions for us please have them contact us through [email protected].

Note: You will not send the defective power supply directly to your reseller for replacement. You will actually send the defective power supply to ENTA after your reseller contacts ENTA on your behalf. Other resellers in your area should be able to help you with the replacement also as long as they are willing to contact ENTA first. If for some reason you are not able to get in touch with your reseller or other resellers, the only solution would be to replace the product directly to us through our Rotterdam office. The instructions to return the power supply directly to us are below:

Seems like a lot of hassle to me, but I guess it's better than having to ship it off to Rotterdam!

Once thing I'm slightly concerned about is the fact that I know a lot of the PSUs have changed since I bought my Antec TrueBlue480, and I'm assuming I won't be getting an exact replacement seeing as this PSU is no longer manufactured. I'm gonna need something that will work with my socket 939 motherboard (bought 2005) and have all the right connections. Are there adapters available for newer PSUs, or will it be the case that I'll need to find one with an older style setup? If so, where?