[averysadman]

Recently my PSU has begun to buzz under heavy load, it's silent when in normal use, and in some scenarios where it's not being stressed too much, but in scenarios where it's really being pushed it emits an electrical buzzing sound, which can be heard over the fans. 

Is this a sign that it will fail soon? It has been in pretty much constant use for around 5 years.

The model is an Antec Earthwatts 520.   

I've been doing some reading and I think it may be the noise of the capacitors discharging, which apparently does not pose any problem, but I'd like to confirm it, as of course PSU failure can be pretty catastrophic. 

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Buzzing sounds from a power supply are more likely to be from the transformer, which is not really a good sign as it could mean either windings coming loose or worse the iron core coming loose. So if you can afford to replace it I would do so.

 

Nev.

[Plastic Nev]

Buzzing sounds from a power supply are more likely to be from the transformer, which is not really a good sign as it could mean either windings coming loose or worse the iron core coming loose. So if you can afford to replace it I would do so.

 

Nev.

[phillpower2]

Couldnt find a 520W Earthwatts only a 520W High Current Gamer, both however have a 3 year warranty so at 5 years old it is time for a replacement, post a list of your hardware so that we can see what the PSU has and what any new PSU must be capable of supporting.

[averysadman]

It is quite old, they may not be in production anymore, or perhaps the 'high current gamer' is the updated model. 

It's an 80+ Bronze on one 12V rail at 520W, so anything with those specs should be dandy.

I've been looking into the Seasonic M12II EVO (either the 520 or 620) or the Corsair CS650M, the Corsair is Gold rated but I hear Seasonic is the final word in PSUs, and it has a longer warranty than the Corsair. 

I need to power:

-FX-8350

-270X

-two 7200RPM hard drives

-one SSD

-six LED fans

-one optical drive

 

Edit: I can confirm the Earthwatts model I have has been supplanted by the HCG model, and it turns out the OEM for the Antec I have was Seasonic, which is encouraging. 

Edited by averysadman, 13 September 2014 - 12:03 PM.

[Plastic Nev]

I have it from reasonably reliable information that Corsair don't actually make anything, they buy as cheap as they can from wherever they can then stick their own label on it, so you don't really know what you have got. Stick with the Seasonic, might cost a bit more but the warranty is longer as well.

 

Nev.

[averysadman]

I have it from reasonably reliable information that Corsair don't actually make anything, they buy as cheap as they can from wherever they can then stick their own label on it, so you don't really know what you have got. Stick with the Seasonic, might cost a bit more but the warranty is longer as well.

 

Nev.

I've actually got a list of OEM manufacturers Corsair buys their parts from, a few of them are Seasonic but all of the ones I can afford use Channel Well parts, not sure what their reputation is like. 

 

Also, I'm stressing my PSU and it's not making any more noise, yet last night I could hear it over the fans, seems very inconsistent. 

[Plastic Nev]

Are you quite sure the noise is from the PSU?

 

Fans can also create odd buzzing noises, especially if as you say when the system is stressed, the fans will be ramped up to full speed to keep things cool.

I have heard of odd things, such as a bit of fluff, or in one case a stray leaf had been sucked in and when the fan speeded up, the extra suction from the fan pulled the leaf into contact with the fan blades and made a most strange noise.

 

Nev.

[averysadman]

I'm sure it wasn't the unit's fan, or vibration, it was a distinctly electrical buzzing sound, and I was able to put my ear right up against the vent, so I'm sure it was coming from the PSU. 

Today I recreated the same environment that caused the buzzing yesterday (Civilization V at 5760x1080) and the sound did not repeat. 

 

At this point I think a doubt is enough to warrant replacing the PSU, it's too important a part to risk failure. 

Not that I cherish having to postpone some other upgrades, lol.

Edited by averysadman, 13 September 2014 - 03:33 PM.

[phillpower2]

I have it from reasonably reliable information that Corsair don't actually make anything, they buy as cheap as they can from wherever they can then stick their own label on it, so you don't really know what you have got. Stick with the Seasonic, might cost a bit more but the warranty is longer as well.

 

Nev.

 

The PSU database link in my sig is helpful for checking out what if any OEM internal parts make up often used PSUs, as a rule of thumb, if a brand of PSU you are considering using is not even on the database then do not even give it a second thought as the quality/reliability is unknown, database here

 

Channel Well (CWT) is a well known and proven quality manafacturer of PSU components, you can also check out their products on the database.

 

Your video card which requires the most individual source of power will use a maximum 180W at any one time and of the brands that I have checked they each recommended a PSU with a 500W output and 34 amps on the +12V rail, allowing for your 3 storage devices, the 8 core CPU, 2 X 4GB sticks of Ram, 1 X DVD/RW and 6 cooling fans I would recommend the following PSU based on its performance and cost compared to other units both of higher and lower output EVGA 100-B1-0600-KR please take the time to read the reviews at the link.+ the TPU review here

[averysadman]

Oh that EVGA looks nice, I know they make quality GPUs. I can pick the 600B up from Amazon in my country.

Channel Well is a good brand then? That's good to know.

I may make this a straight upgrade rather than a replacement and get something modular, my cable management has always annoyed me. If CWT is reputable, what do you think of the Corsair CX600M? It's semi-modular, uses Channel Well parts, and is €5 less than the EVGA, I can also get it shipped with some other orders to save money. Reviews looks very positive. 

[phillpower2]

The CX600M is fine and preferable to the stock CX600, no brand gets it right 100% of the time and Corsair did have some problems with the CX600 which they did correct.

 

The PSU links in my sig will provide you with various reviews and opinions from different sources, they are intended to help people make a more informed decision 

[khazarian]

Oh that EVGA looks nice, I know they make quality GPUs. I can pick the 600B up from Amazon in my country.

Channel Well is a good brand then? That's good to know.

I may make this a straight upgrade rather than a replacement and get something modular, my cable management has always annoyed me. If CWT is reputable, what do you think of the Corsair CX600M? It's semi-modular, uses Channel Well parts, and is €5 less than the EVGA, I can also get it shipped with some other orders to save money. Reviews looks very positive. 

I just ordered the EVGA 1000w  for $199. I was torn between that one and the XFX as XFX uses many of the Seasonic components. But the ten year warranty on EVGA persuaded me. My Corsair 850w still works good after 3 years but I wanted another psu as a back up.

[averysadman]

The EVGA does look very high quality, I can't find any modular ones in my price range though.

I think I'm gonna go with the Corsair as Phill has blessed Channel Well. 

 

Thanks for all the advice guys. 

[phillpower2]

Apologies for my absence, unfortunately work has kept me away from the forums  

 

A good choice going with the CX600M 

 

Keep us posted on your progress and any questions along the way please let us know.

 

You are welcome btw