Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 500W making a very high frequency noise

[Polishwonder74]

Has anyone seen anything like this before? I've got an Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 500W power supply, and anytime it is plugged in, it makes a really, really high frequency noise that seems to change pitch whenever load changes (hard drive read/write, new USB device plugged in, etc).

The noise sounds a lot like the high pitched noise you hear when you turn on an old CRT TV, or that cell phone ring that kids try to use in high school that they think that teachers can't hear.

I really hope this power supply isn't about to fail me, I was planning on using it to build my dream system when I get a better job.

:beer:

 

[mpilchfamily]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

The Antec SP2 line has been the worst PSUs Antec has ever produced. You have been very fortunate that the PSU has lasted this long. The PSUs have had a bad string of failures due to bad capacitors. Thats where your noise is coming from and you need to keep that system off till you get a new PSU. Otherwise the PSU will fail and there is a good track history of these PSU taking out the motherboard when they fail.

Just so you know its best to buy a new PSU whenever you build a new system. Over time PSUs are less able to support there full specs. Not to mention the new 500W PSUs are able to support better hardware then older ones since there is more power dedicated to the 12V rails on newer PSUs.

Now your current system specs are not very demanding and you can get a really nice repacment PSU for about $40. But you'll need to jump on it soon before the price goes back up. Oh and it happens to be an Antec PSU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371006

 

[F1shF4t]

Even a Earthwatts 380 watt one will be more than sufficient and there's hardly any diff between them. Up to the OP if he wants to save 10 bucks.

 

[mpilchfamily]

I gave him the 430W since it offers more on the 12V rails and he wants the PSU to carry over to his next build. That sould leave enough room for a modest system.

 

[F1shF4t]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
I gave him the 430W since it offers more on the 12V rails and he wants the PSU to carry over to his next build. That sould leave enough room for a modest system.

That is fair enough. However, my reasoning for suggesting the 380 unit is that there isn't enough difference between them to justify getting the 430 one over the 380.

I mean I don't see any scenario where if a 380 is not enough you wouldn't still be pushing it to use the 430. There's only 3amps capacity difference between them. So might as well save 10 bucks or get a higher tier psu altogether.

 

[RallyMaster]

RMA that sucker and hope they ship you an Earthwatts 500W.

 

[WT]

FAIL !!! We have a box of 20+ Smartpower 350s here at work, and it seems that 1 out of 3 are failing and taking the mainboard with them !! Opened them up to find the crappy Fuhjyyu (say it fast, it sounds amusing) caps leaking electrolyte.

 

[Cheex]

I don't like the sound of this.....

I have an Antec TPQ-850. Recently bought from Newegg, less than a month now and I'm having a similar issue. A high pitched sound that changes depending on what you're doing and also, sometimes it goes away, it is intermittent.

I would hate to think that after waiting so long to get this PSU, its already failing. I'm hoping that there might be some simple fix to the problem.

**crosses fingers**

 

[Polishwonder74]

AW, FUDGEPUMPS!!

Dammit all, I got this power supply specifically so I could use it in my next build. I was running an Antec 350 watt, and thought I'd better upgrade, since I was running 3 hard drives (and still am). I figured that since Antec supplies have never let me down that a nice, new Neopower would do me right.

Ok, so I'll be putting in an emergency order to Newegg ASAP. I'm very glad that I asked you fellas. Any suggestions for a power supply that will be good for my system, and the streetlight-dimming, quad-core, one-box-renderfarm that I'm looking to build as soon as I win the lottery or get a better job?

 

[WT]

Corsair ... any model is a good fit for your build. Even the lowly 450w unit would be a good unit compared to the Antec alternative. Note that I am not ragging on Antec specifically, but rather the Smartpower line itself. I just bought an OCZ 600w for $38 AR last week (with a free 4gb thumb drive to boot) so that deal was just too good to pass up.

JohnnyGuru is the essential site to visit to check on power supply quality. He does a superb job analyzing them and providing the need to know details before you plop down your hard earned cash.

 

[Polishwonder74]

Alrighty then, what do you guys think of this Power Supply?

Antec Earthwatts EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371015

JonnyGuru's article makes it look like this power supply does well in high-temperature situations, which is nice. Can you guys prescribe me anything better in the $60 - $90 range which will be good enough to run a quad-core video/rendering supercomputer when the time comes?

Thanks again for all of your help!

:beer:

 

[mpilchfamily]

Originally posted by: Cheex
I don't like the sound of this.....

I have an Antec TPQ-850. Recently bought from Newegg, less than a month now and I'm having a similar issue. A high pitched sound that changes depending on what you're doing and also, sometimes it goes away, it is intermittent.

I would hate to think that after waiting so long to get this PSU, its already failing. I'm hoping that there might be some simple fix to the problem.

**crosses fingers**

Only the SPII series had the problem with the bad capacitors. The TPQ series is a good solid PSU so you have nothing to worry about.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: Polishwonder74
Alrighty then, what do you guys think of this Power Supply?

Antec Earthwatts EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371015

JonnyGuru's article makes it look like this power supply does well in high-temperature situations, which is nice. Can you guys prescribe me anything better in the $60 - $90 range which will be good enough to run a quad-core video/rendering supercomputer when the time comes?

Thanks again for all of your help!

:beer:

Oh nice. Nice unit for a nice price. If you don't care about looks, go for it :thumbsup:

By the way, I might be interested in your old 500W smartpower 2.0. PM me.

 

[dangman4ever]

The EA650 for $65 is probably one of the best deals out for a PSU in the $60 to $90 range.

But RMA that Smartpower ASAP. My Smartpower 450W made the exact same noise. The Antec Rep on another forum told to me to RMA it when I informed him of the noise. Got a Earthwatts EA500D in return. So take advantage of that 3 year warranty and no receipt is required plan to RMA.

 

[Polishwonder74]

Oh, that's a great idea! I'll try to RMA. That would really make my day, I was about to buy a bigger hard drive (maybe one o' them terabyte hard drives), and I was very bummed about having to spend an extra $70 to make sure my power supply doesn't fail and melt my motherboard. Plus, the snow flies very soon, and I was hoping to have enough for snow tires.

 

[Polishwonder74]

Dangman, did you get an advanced replacement, or did you have to wait forever for them to ship the replacement out to you?

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily

Originally posted by: Cheex
I don't like the sound of this.....

I have an Antec TPQ-850. Recently bought from Newegg, less than a month now and I'm having a similar issue. A high pitched sound that changes depending on what you're doing and also, sometimes it goes away, it is intermittent.

I would hate to think that after waiting so long to get this PSU, its already failing. I'm hoping that there might be some simple fix to the problem.

**crosses fingers**

Only the SPII series had the problem with the bad capacitors. The TPQ series is a good solid PSU so you have nothing to worry about.

Well that is very good to know. Although, I wish I knew what was causing the sound and whether or not it could be stopped. At times is gets rather annoying and is messing up the whole silence (at times - when I'm not gaming).

I really hope my PSU is okay though.

 

[mpilchfamily]

If you don't like the sound then RMA the PSU. Its likly a compnent like one of the coils that wasn't glued down good enough so its vibrating in there. It is enpugh of a problem to easily get an RMA for it. So contact Antec about it and see what they can do for you. Be ready to de without the PSU for a couple of weeks since you'lll have to send them the old unit before they send you a new one.

 

[Cheex]

The sound i notice, varies based on the computer's load. Does that suggest anything to you guys??

 

[RiDE]

I have the exact same psu in one of my comps and it did the same thing. I don't know how or why but It went away eventually. Too late for me to RMA it anyway, it's ~2 years old.

 

[Cheex]

Well I hope mine goes away too, sooner than later!!!
Its good to get some feedback from someone with the same model unit.

Thanks RiDE.

:thumbsup:

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Polishwonder74
Dangman, did you get an advanced replacement, or did you have to wait forever for them to ship the replacement out to you?

I also had a SP 2 500 go wonky on me about 6 months ago and I just did their normal RMA. I had the new PSU (NeoHE 500) in hand less than 2 weeks later. I had the choice of this or an Earthwatts 500W but I wanted the modular even though the EA was a slightly better psu.

 

[d94]

same thing just started happening to my 450W!
called up antec and they're replacing it with the 500w EarthWatt's

 

[dangman4ever]

Originally posted by: Polishwonder74
Dangman, did you get an advanced replacement, or did you have to wait forever for them to ship the replacement out to you?

Sorry, didn't see your post till now:

Took about two weeks total since I sent the PSU via the UPS' cheapest and longest shipping option.