My PSU gonna esplode?!?!!11one

July 31, 2009 6:06 PM

My computer's PSU is rattling, is that a major problem or just an annoyance?

I have a Cooler Master eXtreme 600W PSU on my computer. I bought it with the computer 2.5 years ago. The PSU is the appropriate wattage for this rig, if anything a bit more than I need. I have not done any modifications or adjustments to the CPU or peripherals, but the computer is kept running nearly all the time.

Lately the PSU (I assume it is the PSU) has been making a rattling/rapid clicking sound. The PSU is located at the bottom back of the computer case, which is where the noise is coming from.

It has been happening for a month or so on and off. It now seems to be a dull rattle all the time (can only hear if you are right next to it) but sometimes it gets loud enough you can hear it even when away from the computer, and it is a higher pitch.

It is not "loud", but annoying enough that it bugs me. I dust the computer through the case with Canned Air often, so I tried blowing the canned air directly into the PSU vent on the back, first time I did (few weeks ago) a bunch of dust came out, but did not seem to affect the noise. Subsequent canned air applications have done nothing either. I looked back there, nothing LOOKED out of place, but I never checked before this nose...

So... do I need to replace the PSU ASAP or is the fan just off kilter slightly? If it is just the fan can I fix it or do I just simply deal with the noise?

If it matters the Case is an Antec Cooler Master Praetorian Aluminum Case, standard fan setup circa Early 2007.

Any other questions, ask.

posted by DetonatedManiac to technology (9 comments total)

If you have a look at the reviews for this PSU from Newegg - it looks like this is a very common problem - some people have removed the grill and/or oiled the sleeve bearing. Might be worth a try. I would normally say replace the PSU if you feel that the fan will fail, but in this case some DIY seems to be called for.
posted by clarkie666 at 6:09 PM on July 31

Have you checked that the screws that bolt it to the case aren't loose? I had a PSU a few years ago that had a bit of a vibration that caused the screws to unwind, which caused a more pronounced vibration.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 6:27 PM on July 31

Sounds like your fan is giving out. Who knows if it'll die (the fan, not the PSU, though an overheating PSU will croak eventually.) Noisy fans can die in days or last years.

If it were me I would remove the PSU, take it apart, and replace the fan.

CoolerMaster generally makes good stuff (I own two of their cases, and one power supply) and in this case there is probably nothing wrong with the PSU, but the fan is worn out.

You'll need to measure the fan and then order a replacement. I've had good luck ordering case fans from dealers on eBay. You should be able to buy a much nicer than stock fan for less than $10, significantly less than the cost of replacing the entire PSU (also less wasteful, etc.)

In a pinch I have carefully taken apart fans and applied a little machine oil to the bearings. Sometimes this is possible, sometimes not, and replacing the fan is always a better option.
posted by wfrgms at 6:32 PM on July 31

If you want to verify that it's the fan making this noise (which it usually is) you can jam something plastic into it, like a pen, to stop it temporarily with the power still on. If the noise stops, the fan was causing it. Don't let it run without a fan for more than a few seconds. Once you remove the obstruction, the fan should spin up by itself within a second or two.

Fan noise by itself won't harm the system. But if the fan is worn enough to the point where it won't turn at normal speed any more, the system or PSU could end up without enough cooling, and that, of course, would be bad.
posted by FishBike at 7:16 PM on July 31

Take the whole thing apart, clean it with rubbing alcohol and paper towel, jig-a-loo the fan and put it back together.
posted by PowerCat at 8:53 PM on July 31

Call or email Cooler Master tech support and describe your problem. There is a good chance that they will fix your PSU or provide a free replacement fan.

Cooler Master Support
posted by JackFlash at 9:42 PM on July 31

It's probably failing bearings in the fan. There may be multiple fans so it may not be easy to tell which one it is. Replacing it is certainly an option but please be careful. PSU's contain very large capacitors and will hold a charge even once unplugged. If you have no idea what a capacitor is, you probably should not attempt this repair.
posted by chairface at 11:49 PM on July 31

Certainly sounds like the PSU fan. Bear in mind they're usually not user-replaceable, unlike standard case fans - they use different power jacks inside the PSU, and are often hardwired.
It won't explode, but with a failing fan it will eventually overheat, and then fail.

Coolermaster power supplies carry a 3 to 5 year warranty depending upon model, so you should be within that. Give them a call.
posted by ArkhanJG at 3:56 AM on August 1

Also bear in mind that power supplies get less efficient the hotter they get; a 10 degC rise in temperature can lead to a 20% loss of efficiency, or worse, so the worse it gets the more it'll cost you on your electric bill. Not a big consideration, but something else to add to the mix.
posted by ArkhanJG at 4:10 AM on August 1