What happens if you RMA and OcUK can't replicate?

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sharingan_sasuk

sharingan_sasuk

sharingan_sasuk

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About RMA and worried maybe OcUK can't replicate?

Hi all, I've requested an RMA on m Gigabyte Odin GT 550W power supply as it's been making some ticking noises for over a month now. Original thread was here: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17977613

I was originally planning to post the PSU today but I decided to do another test to make sure, as I know I would be charged £10 to have it mailed back to me if OcUK finds nothing wrong with it.

However, I know the noise is coming from the PSU, I've even taken 2 videos which I've uploaded to YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUruOvBydmw and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3s4-EhyJKE BUT after running the PC for about an hour today, I haven't noticed the noise at all! Now this has happened before, it stops ticking for a few hours to day and all seems fine, then it happens again.

What I'm worried about is if OcUK receive it, run some tests and can't find the noise, only to mail it back to me, charge me £10 and THEN the noise returns. Should I be worried about that at all? I mean the videos I uploaded should make a strong case right?

Also, I have an Antec 300W case in which case the power supply is mounted at the base, with the fan grill facing up. I should hope this wouldn't be a factor when it comes to testing the PSU?

Regards
 
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Have you tried stopping the fan spinning, and seeing if this kills the noise? Sounds like the blade is whacking something.

That or you have something resting on the case, and the vibration is making it wobble!! :P
 
Well, I explained on my original thread anyways but I'll repost here.

I've used some compressed air to clean the insides and it doesn't seem like anything is touching the blades. It's not a constant 100% uptime sound (which it would be if something was causing it to vibrate constantly). Rather it occurs every 30 seconds at its 'peak' time, aka when it occurs more frequently at the end of the day after a few good hours usage. That's why I'm worried if say OcUK receive it, and don't find anything after 30 minutes testing as it's not long enough.

I've also unscrewed and unmounted the PSU from the case, having it just lay on my desk on my cloth mouse mat, with only the essentials connected to it (ie. mobo, HDD, graphics card) so that I can eliminate the noise more reliably. I've done this with the PSU facing up and down, and the noise is definitely from the PSU.

Anyways, back to the main question regarding RMAing. I've got an hour before my Post Office closes and I need to make a decision, lol. Should I just mail it anyways and not worry about it further?
 
I would send it, detailing the problem, and how it occours.

They will more than likely power it up on someone's desk and leave it for the day, and see if they can hear it.
 
mail it back with printed information on how they should test it to get it to fault. Include some notes with links to your vids/posts on the site.
Then call them and see if they are able to test for long periods of time etc.
 
Hey guys, update on the PSU situation and I am not impressed to be frank.

Received an e-mail to say my PSU would be replaced on Thursday, and I received it earlier today on Friday. However, they did not tell me what was wrong with my previous one. All I got in the e-mail was that they were sending me a B-grade replacement, but no mention if it was pre-tested or not.

Just installed the PSU. First time I booted up, the blue LEDs came on and the fan started spinning, but nothing came up on my monitor. DVD-RW and hard drive wasn't receiving any power, but CPU fan, case fans (2 of them) and graphics card fan were spinning. What I noticed immediately was that it seemed the blue LED light going through the fan wasn't as smooth or it was choppy compared to my previous PSU. I have a feeling the PSU may not be running at full power and that the fan isn't spinning as fast.

After a few times powering it on and receiving the same response, I unplugged the hard drive and DVD-RW, and reconnected everything including reseating the RAM and graphics card. Still no change. Then a few tries later, the PSU now just flashes its blue LEDs twice while the fan spins lightly for 2 seconds, and then it stops, no power. It's been like this for an hour now.

Overall, I'm very disappointed with this PSU, I've had nothing but bad luck with it so far. I'm now curious as to whether this B-grade was even tested before it was shipped to me, and what exactly was wrong with the previous PSU. Would it be fair to ask for a complete refund on this PSU if I mail it back? I mean this would be the second time I'm RMAing it now, bringing my postage costs to 24 pounds via Royal Mail! I don't think I will want to bother receiving a 3rd Gigabyte PSU, and will look to acquire a Corsair one or something instead.

Overall, I will never use Gigabyte PSUs or ever recommend them again.
 
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Why are you getting a B-grade replacement? Was your original purchase a B-grade? If not, you should be getting a brand new one....
 
cje: I have no idea why I got a B-grade replacement. My original purchase was a brand new one. I assume this is because they no longer stock this particular PSU, and it's only available in the B-grade clearance section. I assumed that after testing it was faulty, they would have contacted me to give me an option of either another Gigabyte one, or a swap for another (with me paying extra if I needed), in which case I would have gone for a Corsair VX450 as they are same-priced at 50 pounds.

Vicious: I have not received anything from OcUK indicating that they would refund my postage for the RMA of my previous PSU. All I received was a 'Replacement Order' to say that my previous PSU would be replaced along a new Order Number, and a second e-mail 'Your order has been shipped' stating that a B-grade version is being dispatched to me with a tracking number.
 
Just tried holding down the power button on the case for 30 seconds, and the blue LED would flash/fan spins like every second. Kinda like when you try start a car by turning the ignition and the engine doesn't power up properly if you know what I mean.

UPDATE with some videos:
- I press the power button twice here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT0HbVq6SH4 (0:13 seconds long)
- I hold down the power button for about 10 seconds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-xEeAOLu1U (0:15 seconds long)

I apologise for the poor camera phone quality but camera battery ran out lol.
 
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I would phone them up mate. Even if the replaced psu now worked, you shouldn't be getting a B-Grade. Your PSu was bought new, and should be replaced like for like. Provided it was still under full warranty.
 
Psypher5 said:
replace with like or better, not bgrade crap.

im losing trust in ocuk recently.
Click to expand...

What do you think bgrade is? Assuming its not gone faulty within the first month of purchase, the manufacturer can replace it with a refurbished unit.

OCUK are no different in this respect from any other retailer out there. All will supply some brands that choose to do this.
 
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