Ooops!
I just bought <a href="http://www.svc.com/55repcposibl.html">this</a> PS from SVC to use as a backup/bench PS. However, since it's a generic PS (both fans are made by Powmax, tho... so I'm inclined to think it's a Powmax PS, esp. since that's what Newegg lists it as) I decided to test it before I entrusted one of my AMD systems to it.
Normally, the fact that it's generic would make me wary of using it anyhow, but I just had to see if this thing could come even CLOSE to it's rated 550w output since it's got like 20 gauge wires, and the 3.3/5v aux. connector doesn't even have 6 leads (it's got 3, with jumper wires going between the 3 ground pins, and the 2 5v pins).
So, I grabbed my multimeter, and unloaded (except for the PS tester), the PS put out 12.4v and 5.3v, which is enough over spec to concern me.
Then, I started loading it up with misc. crap I have sitting around in an attempt to stress it a bit more:
+12v:
- 2 6.8 ohm 25w wirewound sandstone resistors (~2a each)
- 1 Melcor DT12-4 36w pelt (3.7a max.)
- 1 Coolermaster silent 60mm fan (I'm guessing no more than 0.22a)
- 1 AMD retail 60mm fan (~0.3a)
TOTAL- 8.22a
+5v:
- 1 1 ohm 25w wirewound sandstone resistor (5a)
- 1 2.7 ohm 25w wirewound sandstone resistor (~2a)
- 1 Melcor 6v pelt, advertised as 6v/6a (~6a)
TOTAL ~13a
Other voltages:
Nothing
Under those conditions, it was putting out 11.95v & 5.15v;
Then, I grabbed an old rheostat, which is what did it in. I bought it from www.bgmicro.com about a year ago; it's god-only-knows how old, but it functions perfectly, and is rated @ 150w maximum, with resistance from 0-8 ohms; I set it for 2 ohms, and hooked it up to the +12v line.
The rheostat added another 6a of power draw to the +12v line, and the PS handled it for oh, about 20 seconds, which is pathetic, considering that it's rated capacity @ 12v is 20a.
@ 14.22a, the +12v line hit 11.2v
I'm just pissed that it didn't do anything funny when it died... it just stopped working. I would've rather had it go "bang" and have a flame shoot out the back, like the Enlight PS in an old AT system at work did a few years ago when I plugged it in and turned it on...
So, now I have a bit of a predicament:
Should I take the thing back, and get my $30 back (I ordered a refurbed. 550w Enermax from newegg to use as a backup/bench PS the same day I picked up this POS from SVC... it only took one look for me to realize that this thing wasn't up to handling my dual bartons, should the need arise), or should I take the board out of the case, and put my 350w Antec SL-350 in the case? The Antec is in my print server, and it's the loudest thing in the system. I'm trying to make the system as quiet as possible, but the PS is getting in my way. The PS I bought from SVC has a 120mm fan on the bottom, and an 80mm (poorly placed) fan on the front. It's quieter than the Antec, and it'd be even quieter if I swapped the fans out for low-RPM models.
So what do you think- RMA the stupid thing, or put one of my Antec PSes in it's case?
Normally, the fact that it's generic would make me wary of using it anyhow, but I just had to see if this thing could come even CLOSE to it's rated 550w output since it's got like 20 gauge wires, and the 3.3/5v aux. connector doesn't even have 6 leads (it's got 3, with jumper wires going between the 3 ground pins, and the 2 5v pins).
So, I grabbed my multimeter, and unloaded (except for the PS tester), the PS put out 12.4v and 5.3v, which is enough over spec to concern me.
Then, I started loading it up with misc. crap I have sitting around in an attempt to stress it a bit more:
+12v:
- 2 6.8 ohm 25w wirewound sandstone resistors (~2a each)
- 1 Melcor DT12-4 36w pelt (3.7a max.)
- 1 Coolermaster silent 60mm fan (I'm guessing no more than 0.22a)
- 1 AMD retail 60mm fan (~0.3a)
TOTAL- 8.22a
+5v:
- 1 1 ohm 25w wirewound sandstone resistor (5a)
- 1 2.7 ohm 25w wirewound sandstone resistor (~2a)
- 1 Melcor 6v pelt, advertised as 6v/6a (~6a)
TOTAL ~13a
Other voltages:
Nothing
Under those conditions, it was putting out 11.95v & 5.15v;
Then, I grabbed an old rheostat, which is what did it in. I bought it from www.bgmicro.com about a year ago; it's god-only-knows how old, but it functions perfectly, and is rated @ 150w maximum, with resistance from 0-8 ohms; I set it for 2 ohms, and hooked it up to the +12v line.
The rheostat added another 6a of power draw to the +12v line, and the PS handled it for oh, about 20 seconds, which is pathetic, considering that it's rated capacity @ 12v is 20a.
@ 14.22a, the +12v line hit 11.2v
I'm just pissed that it didn't do anything funny when it died... it just stopped working. I would've rather had it go "bang" and have a flame shoot out the back, like the Enlight PS in an old AT system at work did a few years ago when I plugged it in and turned it on...
So, now I have a bit of a predicament:
Should I take the thing back, and get my $30 back (I ordered a refurbed. 550w Enermax from newegg to use as a backup/bench PS the same day I picked up this POS from SVC... it only took one look for me to realize that this thing wasn't up to handling my dual bartons, should the need arise), or should I take the board out of the case, and put my 350w Antec SL-350 in the case? The Antec is in my print server, and it's the loudest thing in the system. I'm trying to make the system as quiet as possible, but the PS is getting in my way. The PS I bought from SVC has a 120mm fan on the bottom, and an 80mm (poorly placed) fan on the front. It's quieter than the Antec, and it'd be even quieter if I swapped the fans out for low-RPM models.
So what do you think- RMA the stupid thing, or put one of my Antec PSes in it's case?
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