PSU Woes

shadowhawk · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:24

Out of the 5 different pc's I have owned, starting with a Pentium 75 (in the early 90's) and my current pc (bought 2 years ago) I have had issues with 3 of the PSU's making an almighty racket that is akin to an old VW Beetle engine.

I had replaced them in the past and decided I would do the same but go for a branded PSU this time. I opted for http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-119-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1084 and ordered it late Friday. It arrived yesterday and I was pleased with that.

However, this PSU doesn't actually fit properly, it slides into the vacant slot but will not go flush with the back plate and can't be secured. Also after checking the plugs I found that it doesn't have a 12 volt 4 pin plug to connect to my mother board, it has an an 8 pin which my motherboard can't use.

I am now left with PSU that after delivery has cost me over £75 that I am unable to use and doubt I could return since my dog chewed the Corsair packing to shreds.

I still need a PSU but am skeptical on buying another.

ubersonic · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:30

does the 8 pin not split into a pair of 4 pins?

HeX · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:31

What case are you using? No reason it shouldn't sit flush, PSU's are all built to fit the standard case backing plates.

As for the mobo cable, the 8pin should split into 2 x 4pin.

ExRayTed · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:37

The PSU you've linked has the 8 pin 'EPS' connector. This is, in fact, 2 12v 4 pin connectors stuck together. Just plug it in one side or the other. Providing you have the physical space for it, it will work fine.

shadowhawk · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:42

Ok now I am embarrassed. I had no idea the 8 pin plug could be pulled apart and split. All the other PSU's I bought only ever had the 4 pin plug. It did split into 2x4's

As for the case, I have no idea and I can't find the paperwork that came with it 2 years ago. The old PSU has the fan in the rear along the same panel as the AC switch and cable socket. For what it is worth the pc was made by a company in Sussex (not sure if I can post the name here though) and was fairly cheap. This new PSU cost more than 25% of what I paid for the machine.

Dimensions of the case are 450mm long, 410mm high, 180mm wide.

Now I know the until will work with my motherboard I will re-try and fit it.

Thank you for the quick replies.

ExRayTed · 12 Mar 2013 at 11:46

If the case is a standard ATX case it will fit (although cheaper cases can be a bit of a poor fit). Bear in mind it will only fit one way. If you have a bespoke case from the likes of compaq / dell / hp etc then it may not fit, as they sometimes use odd measurements. This is to try and tie you into an expensive upgrade path exclusively with the manufacturer. If this is the case, then buy a new one.

shadowhawk · 12 Mar 2013 at 13:01

Cheers guys. It was a very tight fit but eventually it went in. For such chunky PSU it really is quiet. I can hear the fan on my HD 7750 2 GB grahicis card over the fan inside the PSU. No wonder it is so quiet, the fan isn't spinning when my pc is just idling.

HeX · 12 Mar 2013 at 13:32

Yup modern PSU's are designed so the fan only ramps up at certain power loads/temperatures.