Corsair PSU fan issue

[dushvader]

Hello,
I'm using Corsair VX 550W power supply for the past 5 years. Yesterday i removed the PSU's shield(case) to clean the fan+psu inside.
Assembled the system, bootup and the first few minutes usage was fine. But after launching a game the PSU's fan started spinning at high speed (with high-pitched whine!)
Before the cleanup, the PSU fan was perfectly silent regardless of any games/ GPU intensive task. Listed below are a few observations after the cleanup:

• The air blown-out from the PSU fan is cool (while it's running at high speeds) and the surface of the PSU is also cool/ lukewarm to touch.
• When the system is shutdown (but not powered off), the PSU fan spins for about 10 minutes. All the case-fans, cpu heatsink fans are off.
• The graphic card XFX GTS 250 512Mb is powered with a 6pin connector. The PSU has 2 such connectors. With one of them the PSU fan starts to spin without booting the system (just powered on)
• With the other 6pin connector the above issue isn't there, but as soon as any GPU related task is started (even the Windows7 bubbles screensaver) the fan spins at high speed.
• The after-market fan which was installed on the XFX GTS 250 isn't working any more. (after the cleanup).
• When using a PCI-e powered graphic card (without any connection from the PSU) like ASUS GT520, no problems.

Is this because of any mistake done while re-assembling the psu fan? Or is it a case of a old-psu? Or is it perhaps the graphic-card (XFX GTS250) the culprit? System Sherlocks, deductions and remedies please

 

[dushvader]

Weird issue really. Replaced the PSU with a VS450. Same Result!
System bootup is 'quiet' for 10min. After which the PSU fan reaches 100% and full-noise. All the case fans, CPU fan and GPU fan run without any issue/ noise.
I suspect it's something to do with the motherboard (6 year old P5Q-PRO)
Any suggestions?

 

[ElFenix]

PSU fan doesn't communicate with the board at all, so it can't be the board.

 

[C1]

It is possible that a components connected to one of the PSU lines has become defective and is drawing current at or near the maximum of the PSU capability (for that line).

You dont state how the PSU was cleaned. For example, was the PSU removed from the system thereby disturbing all kinds of wiring/connectors.

Probably you will need to pull the system down to minimum to some point that it is able to run normally, then begin adding back pieces. An alternative is to keep swapping components until the issue is uncovered.

 

[dushvader]

PSU (CX550) was cleaned by removing the pus cover and fan > brushed off the dust > fan+psu cover back on. However, there was a transparent plastic sheet underneath the fan in a 'particular' direction. I doubt whether i reinstalled it correctly now.
But the same PSU (CX550) works fine with a different cpu+mobo+ram (set)
Whereas any PSU (VS450/ CX550) connected to the 'Intel Q8400 + ASUS P5Q-PRO + OCZ RAM' (set) has this issue.

 

[C1]

Presumably the PSU was disconnected from house line power before proceeding with the cleaning operation.

Oddly enough, after having to install a new PSU into my old P4, all kinds of germmlins emerged. Most of the issues were found to be due to dirty/aging connectors (including PCI sockets).

Best bet is to pull the system down, vacuum it out, spray out connections with freon, use DEXOIT on all re-installed connections. (Just had this happen to me and re-seating of an 1394 card wasnt enough. Had to blow the PCI socket out with R12 and DEOXIT the 1394 card contacts prior to reinstall. That finally worked. And BTW, changing out the PSU had almost nothing to do with mess,n with the 1394 card, other than re-plugging in the standard FW connector into the card at the case rear access. Other similar gremmlins occurred in addition, but nu'ff said to make the point.)

 

[dushvader]

Thanks for the advice C1.
I checked the VX550 again: the transparent plastic sheet was installed incorrectly causing the fan to run at high speed and noise. (improper airflow within the PSU i guess) Installed the sheet in the correct orientation and now it runs without any issue.
Whereas the VS450 has only a 4pin connector for the motherboard. 8pin is recommended in the motherboard manual. System powers on and works fine with 4pin but i guess it's the 'line drawing full power' causing the PSU fan to run at full speed.
Overall issue is resolved. It's extremely satisfying to get the old systems functioning normally! :biggrin:

 

[Amargorojo]

Hi.

I have the Corsair CX 430M. It was sold to me as quiet/silent but it is the loudest thing in the case.

I know the fan in there is just a basic 120mm case fan. It just so happens Ive replaced a 120mm fan and have a very quiet 120 Cool Master fan going spare and am in two minds to put into the PSU.

Only problem is, obviously, the warranty.

The PSU is budget, and for what it is, its great so I dont feel short changed by Corsair... really

BUT... they cheaped out cut costs on the fan...

While it isnt the loudest ever, its frustrating when I know I have a quieter one doing nothing that I could put in it, without touching anything else or damaging anything, but, by the letter of the warranty... Im voiding it.

Thoughts?

 

[C1]

Amargorojo
You should probably post your question as a new thread.

There will be a number of factors to take into account what you should do. Some of these are:

- How old is the PSU (ie, how much time on the warranty) ?
- How expensive is the unit ?
- What do you believe is wrong with the fan? For example, is it something that you believe is just a defective fan that was put into the PSU (ie, one of a kind) or does the fan belong to a brand/model that seems to be problematic (like the ADDA in my ANTEC gamer model wherein there are lots of complaints about) or there seems to be a design issue with the Corsair because the fans are simply calibrated to run too fast/loud ?

Besides the hassel, depending on the issue, if you RMA the PSU, then you risk getting a bad surprise. A different model replacement with similar or worse issues or the same model that ends up exhibiting the same problematic fan noise.

If it is not a very expensive unit (eg, less than $55) and a third of the warranty time is already gone and if you'll in all probability just get a replacement with the same fan problem, then you should just "bite the bullet & change the fan out yourself". (Many others would say do it for a lot less basis.)

If you decide to make the change yourself, then ensure that you select a fan of similar characteristics (eg, same type: most likely an SP variant; similar static pressure which is a trade between rpm & number of blades; similar current draw).

You may also need to ensure that the start voltage of the replacement is low enough to work in the Corsair if the Corsair uses voltage control for fan speed control like my ANTEC does (eg, a two wire fan).

Anyways, those are some of my thoughts.