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Solve : How hot can a power supply run?? |
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Answer» Well today I went to check on my friends computer, They have Windows Firewall install by default on Windows XP and said if they should get a better one.. I thought they did. Long answer short yes thats what I plan to do replace it with a larger size. My concerns were that, I thought all power supplies would have some sort of malfunction detection in it so it would shut down and not operate if something was not working properly. They was lucky I was there and realized that the fan in the back was not working. It could have been a real fire hazard! They were also lucky to have an old computer case which was huge and metal and for the most part manage to absorb most of the heat through out the case. Also lucky that the fan they have upfront also was working overtime trying to keep air inside the case and it was a pretty cool week in the summer. I just wonder how hot a power supply can get before something real bad happens. I mean the capacitors inside the power supply could have warped from the heat or at least melted based on how hot the actual power supply was. I know these new power supply have voltage regulators, but I was wondering if anyone knew if power supplies have any self detection, if something is not right it wont turn on/work. Quote I know these new power supply have voltage regulators, but I was wondering if anyone knew if power supplies have any self detection, if something is not right it wont turn on/work.Probably depends on the quality of the PSU (power supply unit). The price range for a new PSU can be quite wide and buying the cheapest is really not the best thing to do. I once bought a PSU that got very hot even though the fan was working. The computer case got so hot right above the PSU that it was almost too hot to touch. I returned it and got a different one; with this one, the case gets only mildly warm on top. So, even with a new PSU, observe it closely for awhile to make sure it's not running too hot. I do agree that a 300-350W PSU is probably adequate for that computer. As you said, the existing one is probably only 230W -250W. Regarding replacement of the fan, this reference has some useful information: http://www.instructables.com/id/Computer-Power-Supply-Fan-Replacement/. Beware of the warning there: "Power supplies have dangerous voltages inside, even when completely disconnected. Capacitors on the line side usually RETAIN their full charge even when unplugged, and can inflict a painful or even lethal shock. Please proceed only if you know what you are doing." I suggest you also review the case fan configuration in that computer and verify that they are moving air the right direction. For example, if a case has a fan in front and a fan in back, the fan in front should usually be drawing air in and the one on the back should be exhaling air out of the case. Regarding placement of the directly on carpet, that's a bad situation since the computer may normally pull in some air from small holes in bottom of the computer case. I have a tower system sitting on a carpeted floor but I have a wood board under the computer; therefore, the computer is not actually sitting directly on the carpet. Quote from: Windows98 on September 12, 2010, 08:03:49 PM ...I just wonder how hot a power supply can get before something real bad happens. I mean the capacitors inside the power supply could have warped from the heat or at least melted based on how hot the actual power supply was.Unless it has OTP (Over Temperature Protection), which very few of them do. This would be a good test for the Myth Busters. Disconnect or STOP the psu fan and see how long it takes for the computer to catch on fire.Extremely high temperatures can damage consumer grade electronics, it doesn't take an actual fire, but just high temperatures can either destroy, or drastically shorten the life of consumer electronics. There are electronics that are made for extreme conditions, but you won't find them in the average PC.Well, lets just say the power supply was hot enough that if you were touch it you probally get burned. Considering the metal cover which allows your motherboard connectors/ports to go through so you can plug things like the mouse, keyboard.. Don't know what that piece is called was to hot to touch also. As for ventilation, this a pretty old computer with one of those large metal cases with pretty bad air circulation. There is a huge fan in the front of the case right next to the "speaker" and there is no room to put a fan in the back. It was horrifically covered with dust everywhere since they don't vacuum a lot and it was mostly clean last time I left it. The computer doesn't have that well of a ventilation to be honest, it is what you expect in an older model computer. No holes on the side, the only holes are right underneath the front panel, those small holes which the fan takes in air, and the small metal back in which there are those very small holes again just to let air out.. I guess because the computer is somewhat tall and big it allowed the heat to flow around without causing so much problems... As for internal damage.. Hmm, I don't know. you usually get booklets that says do not use under these number temps that no one normal will ever reach, but who knows I guess we will find out in the long run. I might head back out Saturday to help put in a new power supply, if she has trouble. I explained to her it was not that hard just unplug the giant connector in the motherboard and the ones connected to the hard drive and CD drive first, unscrew the 4 screws HOLDING the power supply(it slides out) and just do the opposite of what you did to get it out with the new one. short reading: From my experience I have never had a power supply fan go out and have a computer with so much heat before! I have had power supplies that just don't work or they just make a loud pop sound and nothing comes on. I guess I should be grateful that it was a 230-250W power supply, imagine if it was a 350+W that had a failed fan, I am sure a fire would really have happened. Also whats the difference between a Microwave Watts? and a power supply Watts? Quote from: Windows98 on September 14, 2010, 12:56:17 PM Also whats the difference between a Microwave Watts? and a power supply Watts? There aren't different kinds of watts. They all measure the rate of transfer of energy. one watt is equal to one joule of energy being transferred every second. Quote from: Windows98 on September 14, 2010, 12:56:17 PM ...Also whats the difference between a Microwave Watts? and a power supply Watts?Watts are a measure of the rate of energy conversion 1 Microwave Watt = 3.4 BTU's/hour PSU Watts = Volts * Amps |
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