[MinaseShien]

I'm considering changing my PC power supply because the fan is getting noisy. It stopped making noise once but later it returned. Is it possible to use another model of power supply or I should just stick with the same one I'm currently using?

[TheChaos0]

If your PSU acting up, it's always better to get a new one. Better not take chancing and having it break on you.

Just get something future proof if you getting one, in case you'll need a more powerful one when you upgrade.

[Sonrange]

As long as new supply have enough power and all necessary cabels and so on, anything should be fine. At least on my case, I just bought more powerful one since my graphic card required more power. using 620W personally. It good enoguh on my current setup.

[runeazn]

buy a Antec or a Corsair
they have great reputation.

i myself use a 1150W Coolermaster UCP

[Harry4eyes]

Well depends how expensive (and old) your PSU is in the first place, if it's an expensive one then maybe if you cleaned it out a bit, it could stop making the noise, depening on the location of your PC, the amount of dust the PC can gather is crazy, (As I found out when I opened my sisters desktop recently, over an inch of duch at the base of the case.) But if it's not expensive or you are worried about messing up the internal if you open things up get a replacement PSU. you can get a different brand, but should make sure it's the same size and atleast the same power (though better if more) than your current PC.

Originally Posted by runeazn

buy a Antec or a Corsair
they have great reputation.

i myself use a 1150W Coolermaster UCP

Dude what kind of monster set-up do you have? My PC only has a 500w PSU and it only uses 400w max, its also a Coolmaster. I have learnt that it makes sense to by a decent quality PSU over the years. Usually the first thing I replace if I buy a off the shelf PC, with a generic PSU.

[rabbit01]

To size the PSU, check out the PSU calculator on Antec's site: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[BlackSheep]

My computer started making a bunch of noise this morning. I noticed there were some pretty huge dust bunnies on the air intake for the power supply so I just wiped it off with a kleenex, and blew on it a few times. I'm sure compressed air would work a lot better, but it's a lot quieter now, so I guess it's okay for now.

[Frediloc]

If you're power supply is making noise the fan is probably the culprit, usually due to dust getting in there. Obviously you can go out and buy a sweet new psu, but if you'd rather not spend the money you can try to replace the fan itself - it often is just a simple fan with a connector on the psu board like normal chasis fans, except that it has only two wires (no rpm monitor). Of course you have to be careful when operating inside a psu, so only do so if you're fairly comfortable working inside electronics.

[Duratrix]

Originally Posted by Frediloc

If you're power supply is making noise the fan is probably the culprit, usually due to dust getting in there. Obviously you can go out and buy a sweet new psu, but if you'd rather not spend the money you can try to replace the fan itself

^this.
Try cleaning your fan first and see if that helps.

[digritz]

Originally Posted by Duratrix

^this.
Try cleaning your fan first and see if that helps.

That's step #1. The best way to do this is remove the PSU and blow it out with a compressor or a can of air (Radio Shack or comp. store). Step #2 is a small drop of oil on the power supply fan shaft. Almost 90% of all fans related to computers are all the same, except for size. They are easy to take apart, clean, lubricate and reassemble. Plus if the PSU fan is bad enough to need replacement of the PSU then your not losing anything by trying the above step #2.

If your computer is not custom built or you do not intend on any major upgrades there is no reason to drop a bundle on a new PSU.