Can a power supply overheat?

[hyrum]

I'm not well versed in computer hardware at all so when I come across issues like this I haven't the slightest clue.

Recently my computer was having some sort of issues where it would shut itself down. After some digging I discovered it was only when I had the World of Warcraft loading screen up for a period of time that it would shut itself down. So immediately I figured something odd was happening with my video card as browsing the web or playing other games wasn't causing a shut down at all.

I loaded my ATI tools (Radeon 2600HD is my card) and noticed that in fact the fans were going full out and the temperature was climbing over 80c.

I avoided the loading screen but now I am getting a crash a couple of weeks later in a specific area in the same game. After a shut down, I reached around my computer and noticed that the vent of the power supply was extremely hot. I popped off the side of my case and notice that both the power supply and video card were very hot to the touch.

Nothing else seemed too bad but I have no idea what is going on. Can a power supply overheat? Would an overheating video card push heat up into the power supply area?

The power supply is just some cheapy 550w (or 600, I forget which).

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: hyrum
Can a power supply overheat?

Yes

 

[corkyg]

Yes - that's why they have fans built in. If the fan fails, the PSU will likely overheat.

 

[hyrum]

So is there a way to tell which one is causing the issue?

 

[Blain]

Do you have a can of freeze spray around?

 

[hyrum]

No, but what are you suggesting if I can get some? (I've never heard of freeze spray)

 

[Blain]

TexT HerE

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Blain
TexT HerE

Mr. Blain sir, how does this differ from regular compressed "duster" air?

 

[corkyg]

Freeze Spray quickly lowers surface temperatures to below zero °F so you can locate hot or defective electronic devices. Cools components to test for defects or intermittent failure. Blow Off(TM) Freeze Spray, Component Cooler lowers component temperature to -65 F. Cools components to test intermittent faults. Detects defective transistors, capacitors, ICs and other components. Protects components during soldering. Evaporates fast, leaves no residue and is anti-static

Compressed air just blows air. True, the can gets cold when used, but the air does not freeze what it contacts.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Freeze Spray quickly lowers surface temperatures to below zero °F so you can locate hot or defective electronic devices. Cools components to test for defects or intermittent failure. Blow Off(TM) Freeze Spray, Component Cooler lowers component temperature to -65 F. Cools components to test intermittent faults. Detects defective transistors, capacitors, ICs and other components. Protects components during soldering. Evaporates fast, leaves no residue and is anti-static

Compressed air just blows air. True, the can gets cold when used, but the air does not freeze what it contacts.

Ahh thank you very much. I've never even heard of this stuff and I've been building pc's for a while. This stuff could come in handy.

 

[yh125d]

Spraying something very very cold on something that is very hot as well as very delicate and fragile..... that a good idea? :\

 

[Zap]

I'd say just try to find out if any of the fans are dead, such as the power supply fan. Use a plastic straw to stick into a fan. If it buzzes loudly, then it is at least spinning. If it doesn't, then the fan is dead and needs replacement.

 

[corkyg]

Yep! And I recall having to replace a PSU fan a few years ago. It's not hard. Zap's straw is a good idea - much better than a finger.

 

[hyrum]

I still haven't looked into resolving this yet. I will try the straw thing tomorrow and see if I can figure it out. ATI Tool says my fan is running up to 100% and the temp keeps rising way up there and at the same time the outside of the power supply is getting hotter. All of this with the case wide open. I have some co-workers that think it's power supply so I guess I can go buy a new one and see if that is the culprit as well.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you have the side of the case open, and running it causes the exhaust air from the PSU to get hotter and hotter, then it is the PSU, because the heat from the video card should just dissipate into the air around the card if the case is open.

That alone doesn't say whether the problem is the PSU or the video card, but it could give you some idea.

 

[hyrum]

Ok excellent, will look at that as well. it's not a great PSU so maybe that is the issue