Is my PSU failing?

[jeffjones66]

I have a 520w Aspire PSU that is about 16 months old, it's connected to a Gigabyte K8N Nforce 4 mobo.

In the last few days the PSU has started making whiny noises, and one of it's 3 fans is spinning down, and back up to a higher pitch, back down, continuously. When it's spinning down, the PSU's internal neon light fades out, when it spins up the light brightens.

I figure maybe it's ready to give up the ghost. I've cleaned it (I clean my case monthly) but it didn't help.

I have a Thermaltake 420w PSU laying around, and would put it in, but it's got a 20 pin ATX connector, and the K8N has a 24 pin connector.

Is it ok to plug the 20 pin connector from the PSU into the 24 pin ATX connection on the mobo?

thanks

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Aspire failing?? Probably...sure sounds like it. Crappy PSU anywho.

Expensive adapters can be bought to go from 20 pin to 24 pin. Try plugging in the 20 pin of the Tt...Odds are it will work fine. It has been awhile and I forgot what the other 4 pins serve. Quite often they are not needed. If they are, then buy the adapter at that time.

 

[BoomerD]

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/413

I have one, and they DEFINITELY aren't very good.

The 20-24 pin adapter is pretty cheap to buy.
http://www.svc.com/glatx2024-11.html

 

[John]

It's not necessary to use 20 to 24-pin adapter. Connect the ATX pwr cable with the clip over the flange on the mobo ATX socket (typical way) so that the other 4 pins are unpopulated.

 

[jeffjones66]

Thanks for all the replies. I did as John and GY suggested and just plugged it in, and voila, here I am. It's up and running fine, and finally some peace and quiet again.

One thing I noticed, my thermaltake 420w psu has higher amp output on the various rails, 40/30/18, compared to the Aspire's 30/29/16.

thanks again all, happy ending here