2 blown PSUs in rapid succession

aibkwik · 05-29-2008, 05:34 PM

As briefly as possible -

* home built gaming machine has run well for two years.
* bought new graphics card (geforce 8600 GTS 320mb)
* All was fine for two days.
* PSU (480w) blew and took out the new graphics card

I figured the new GPU required more power so ordered a new PSU at 550w.

Here is the fun part.

* I installed the NEW power supply with the OLD GRAPHICS CARD
* this instance ran well for two days.
* Poof - the new PSU blew up

I thought the old PSU had blown because of the new graphics card but that proved to be untrue since the new PSU blew with the old graphics card.

I have since ordered a new graphics card and a new PSU as well as a new uninterruptable power unit that shows output watts on front panel LED and is supposed to condition the power coming out of the wall.

I'm scared to hook everything up again - what do you guys think bloew out those two PSUs?

Phil

**wrench97** · 05-29-2008, 05:51 PM

What brand and model PSUs did you have and what else do have in the PC?

aibkwik · 05-29-2008, 06:08 PM

My PC has 3 internal drives, one internal DVD reader, 5 USB 2.0 devices, 2gb RAM. I went to the PSU calculator referenced on this site and came up with something like 350w required.

Here is the new PSU's specs:

Model
Brand APEVIA
Model ATX-AS520W-BK
Spec
Type ATX
Maximum Power 520W
Fans 3
PFC No
Main Connector 20+4Pin
+12V Rails Single
PCI-E Connectors No
NVIDIA SLI Support No
Modular Cabling Support No
Power Good Signal 100-500ms
Hold-up Time >10ms at full load
Efficiency >70% under max range load
Over Voltage Protection Yes
Overload Protection Yes
Input Voltage 115/ 230 V
Input Frequency Range 50/60 Hz
Input Current 10A @ 115V, 5A @ 230V
Output +3.3V@30A, +5V@32A, +12V@35A, -5V@0.3A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A
MTBF 100,000 hours at full load/25°C
Approvals CB IEC 950/ TUV EN 60950/ UL 1950/ CSA 950
Features
Features Fan speed controller, full cable UV green Sleeves, 2.0mm aluminum casting; 1x 20/24pin Main Power, 1x ATX12V 4pin, 8x Peripheral, 2x Floppy, 2x SATA
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts 1 year limited
Labor 1 year limited

falco216 · 05-30-2008, 06:52 AM

Maybe your outlet isn't working correctly? Causing ripples and over-voltage? Could just be coincidence as well, I've seen weirder things happen

05-29-2008, 05:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
aibkwik Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP	2 blown PSUs in rapid succession As briefly as possible - * home built gaming machine has run well for two years. * bought new graphics card (geforce 8600 GTS 320mb) * All was fine for two days. * PSU (480w) blew and took out the new graphics card I figured the new GPU required more power so ordered a new PSU at 550w. Here is the fun part. * I installed the NEW power supply with the OLD GRAPHICS CARD * this instance ran well for two days. * Poof - the new PSU blew up I thought the old PSU had blown because of the new graphics card but that proved to be untrue since the new PSU blew with the old graphics card. I have since ordered a new graphics card and a new PSU as well as a new uninterruptable power unit that shows output watts on front panel LED and is supposed to condition the power coming out of the wall. I'm scared to hook everything up again - what do you guys think bloew out those two PSUs? Phil

05-29-2008, 05:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,469 OS: Win7	Re: 2 blown PSUs in rapid succession What brand and model PSUs did you have and what else do have in the PC?

05-29-2008, 06:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
aibkwik Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Re: 2 blown PSUs in rapid succession My PC has 3 internal drives, one internal DVD reader, 5 USB 2.0 devices, 2gb RAM. I went to the PSU calculator referenced on this site and came up with something like 350w required. Here is the new PSU's specs: Model Brand APEVIA Model ATX-AS520W-BK Spec Type ATX Maximum Power 520W Fans 3 PFC No Main Connector 20+4Pin +12V Rails Single PCI-E Connectors No NVIDIA SLI Support No Modular Cabling Support No Power Good Signal 100-500ms Hold-up Time >10ms at full load Efficiency >70% under max range load Over Voltage Protection Yes Overload Protection Yes Input Voltage 115/ 230 V Input Frequency Range 50/60 Hz Input Current 10A @ 115V, 5A @ 230V Output +3.3V@30A, +5V@32A, +12V@35A, -5V@0.3A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A MTBF 100,000 hours at full load/25°C Approvals CB IEC 950/ TUV EN 60950/ UL 1950/ CSA 950 Features Features Fan speed controller, full cable UV green Sleeves, 2.0mm aluminum casting; 1x 20/24pin Main Power, 1x ATX12V 4pin, 8x Peripheral, 2x Floppy, 2x SATA Manufacturer Warranty Parts 1 year limited Labor 1 year limited

05-30-2008, 06:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
falco216 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 19 OS: Windows XP professional sevice pack 3	Re: 2 blown PSUs in rapid succession Maybe your outlet isn't working correctly? Causing ripples and over-voltage? Could just be coincidence as well, I've seen weirder things happen