Newish Antec True430 smells and sounds funny

[Muse]

I bought it maybe 8 months ago but only used it a day or so until a couple weeks ago when I swapped out the PSU in one of my boxes for this Antec. There's a fairly strong smell that suggests that something or things is overheating and I assume it's the Antec PSU. An hour ago when I turned on the machine it made a weird noise and I don't think it's one of the fans. I haven't checked them all yet, it could be the video card fan or northbridge fan but it could be the bottom fan in the Antec. Anyway, is it normal for these to smell or am I forewarned? What can I do to identify whether or not this is defective other than waiting for a failure? Thanks for your reply.

 

[Syborg1211]

First feel how hot it's getting. And second identify exactly what is making the noise.

 

[jagr10]

If you're able to, try testing the ps in another computer. See if it happens there too.

 

[cheapgoose]

is it still under warrenty? it's 3 years right? maybe you can get it rma'ed just in case.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: cheapgoose
is it still under warrenty? it's 3 years right? maybe you can get it rma'ed just in case.

Yeah, I figure the task is proving it's defective. I'm worried it will blow and fry all my components before I can prove it's defective. Can I just tell them it stinks? The noise went away 5 or 10 minutes after I started the machine this morning. There was nothing in my DVD or CD drives. I can poke my finger into the side intake fan, the back exhaust fan and the fan at the back of the PSU to stop them, and the sound persisted, a whirring sound that I figure for a fan. That leaves the CPU fan, the bottom fan of the PSU, the northbridge fan and the video card fan. I'll have to take the cover off the case and start it cold and poke my finger in those to identify the fan, assuming it's a fan making that noise. The smell is what really alarms me. You know the smell of new electronics? It's like that only more intense.

 

[Fallen Kell]

I have read that most of the Antec's have that smell. It seems that it goes away after a few weeks of use, but never entirely. Some PSU's smell more then others, but I have not seen any other problems related to the PSU's. As for the noise, that is something to look for, as it could be a possible problem... Hope you figure out what is the cause of the noise.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
I have read that most of the Antec's have that smell. It seems that it goes away after a few weeks of use, but never entirely. Some PSU's smell more then others, but I have not seen any other problems related to the PSU's. As for the noise, that is something to look for, as it could be a possible problem... Hope you figure out what is the cause of the noise.

I removed the cover this morning before turning on the box and it made that noise again. There's definitely something wrong in there. It doesn't seem to be any of the fans, though, since I stopped each one by one and the noise persisted. All except the video card fan 'cause I couldn't get at it, but I don't think it's that. I don't think it's a HD, either. Not sure, but I think the noise is coming from the PSU. Is it possible? I stopped both fans in the PSU (one at a time) and the noise was the same. How can a PSU make a whirring periodic sound if not by the fans? Good to know the smell is "normal". It hasn't abated even after about 3 weeks, though. I wish I had a stethescope to help me isolate the noise. I have a microphone. Maybe I'll hook it up to my soundcard - it might help me isolate where the sound's coming from.

It's kind of funny. This is the first PSU I've ever bought. I have had 4 others but they came with the cases and they were nothing special but none of them has ever given me any trouble. But people say you shouldn't gamble on a PSU and that the PSU is the most neglected component inasmuch as it can blow your box out of the water, destroy everything in it, etc. Well, it IS a crapshoot. I guess your odds of failure are really decreased if you buy a PSU with a great reputation.

 

[bergenvr6]

The smell is normal, the noise most likely isn't. I would RMA it asap.
I had the smell for the first week and a half after installing it, but it went away shortly thereafter.

 

[AtomicAlien]

Those always make a smell like that for a couple of days, nothing to worry about. I dont know about the noise though...

 

[FluxCap]

I was in the same boat as you with my 430 and:

Smell = normal
Sound = not good, get it checked.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: FluxCap
I was in the same boat as you with my 430 and:

Smell = normal
Sound = not good, get it checked.

Hate to say this but it looks like the noise may be intermittent. This morning I didn't hear it. The smell continues and it's been around 3 weeks. I guess I'll have to monitor the situation. I have another PSU that came with the case but it's a cheapo - L&C A350ATX, 350 watt. I mean I paid $28 for the case which included the PSU at a computer show. I swapped out the fan with a Panaflo to decrease the noise and drilled a bunch of holes in the bottom to increase the ventilation. It seemed to work fine but I had the Antec True430, and with it's autocontrol of case fans I figured it would quiet the box even more and add a level of assurance against PSU failure. Now I'm not so sure.

 

[FluxCap]

3 weeks? Hmm, mine went away in 5 days. I think I would RMA or something

 

[Zap]

All except the video card fan 'cause I couldn't get at it, but I don't think it's that.

You still haven't ruled it out yet so it should remain suspect. In fact, the smallest fans (typically on video cards and Northbridges) are often the first to start making noises.

 

[Lizardman]

just tighten down the screws. And check to see if the noise is comign from a case fan. ALso try to tighten down the fan screws on the power supply.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Lizardman
just tighten down the screws. And check to see if the noise is comign from a case fan. ALso try to tighten down the fan screws on the power supply.

Good ideas. Fact is, though, the last 3 or so times I turned on the machine I haven't noticed the noise. Temperature is about the same, so I don't know why it's not happening anymore. It did for 2 or 3 consecutive boots. The video card fan is the only one I didn't rule out and if the noise returns I'll have to remove the adjacent card so I can stop that fan for a second to determine if it's responsible.

 

[Crucial]

You could rule out the power supply by swapping it out for the cheapo you have and testing it for awhile. If the smell goes away and the noise never comes back you know its the power supply.

I don't see where noise would be coming from inside the psu if the fans in the psu are fine. Unless it's some sort of vibration. Does the system smell all the time or only after it is turned on and warmed up? Can you smell it if it's off and you go close to the psu?

FWIW my True Power never smelled. My northbridge fan did go bad causing to make a periodic whirring sound. I have since gone passive on the north and southbridge. Another fan is starting to make noise when it's cold. I have no doubt it's the vid card fan.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: csaddict
You could rule out the power supply by swapping it out for the cheapo you have and testing it for awhile. If the smell goes away and the noise never comes back you know its the power supply.

I don't see where noise would be coming from inside the psu if the fans in the psu are fine. Unless it's some sort of vibration. Does the system smell all the time or only after it is turned on and warmed up? Can you smell it if it's off and you go close to the psu?

FWIW my True Power never smelled. My northbridge fan did go bad causing to make a periodic whirring sound. I have since gone passive on the north and southbridge. Another fan is starting to make noise when it's cold. I have no doubt it's the vid card fan.

Thanks! Around 3 months ago my northbridge fan started making a lot of noise and I removed the label and put a drop on 3-in-1 oil in the bearing, put the label back and since then it's been OK I think.

I'm not noticing the smell that much today, but maybe I've just gotten used to it. Maybe it's improving. I only noticed the smell when the system was on.

 

[Crucial]

Originally posted by: Muse

Thanks! Around 3 months ago my northbridge fan started making a lot of noise and I removed the label and put a drop on 3-in-1 oil in the bearing, put the label back and since then it's been OK I think.

I'm not noticing the smell that much today, but maybe I've just gotten used to it. Maybe it's improving. I only noticed the smell when the system was on.

I did the 3in1 trick about 3 times before It pooped out on me completely. Once the noise comes it's only a matter of time.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: csaddict

Originally posted by: Muse

Thanks! Around 3 months ago my northbridge fan started making a lot of noise and I removed the label and put a drop on 3-in-1 oil in the bearing, put the label back and since then it's been OK I think.

I'm not noticing the smell that much today, but maybe I've just gotten used to it. Maybe it's improving. I only noticed the smell when the system was on.

I did the 3in1 trick about 3 times before It pooped out on me completely. Once the noise comes it's only a matter of time.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[chocoruacal]

Uh...maybe somebody has suggested this...but have you tried pulling the power supply and starting it outside the case (attached to the mobo or short it with a paperclip)? That would certainly rule out vid card.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: chocoruacal
Uh...maybe somebody has suggested this...but have you tried pulling the power supply and starting it outside the case (attached to the mobo or short it with a paperclip)? That would certainly rule out vid card.

Last 4 or so times I turned on the machine I didn't hear the noise. That's the state of things. Also the smell I'm not noticing like I did a few days ago. So, I'll see how things go.