My desktop PC has died - I strongly suspect the PSU has blown as there has been a faint almost burning smell for some time coupled with a noisy 'grating' fan - I guess I knew it was only a matter of time!

The PSU itself is marked FSP400-60MDN P/N 9PA4003200 - I have searched for these to no avail. What I was wondering is are any gurus on here that could advise as to a compatible replacement PSU? (You'll have guessed by now hardware ain't my strongpoint!).

I have opened up the case and there are cables running from the PSU to the motherboard (20 pin) plus a 4 pin as well as the HDD, 2 Optical drives, a graphics card and a TV card.

I have looked on Ebay and seen these which look to me to have all the pre-requisite connections I need:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110576018911&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130264264914&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I appreciate both of these are 800w as opposed to the existing 400w is that an issue? There seem to be loads of cheaper PSU's around but few seem to have the PCI-Express(?) connector for the Graphics Card?

If it is any further help the desktop is a Medion running Windows XP, Pentium D processor and has an nVidia graphics card.

Any pointers / opinions / advice welcomed.

(I have all my data backed up but like having the desktop for 'me' time, Ebay sales, Printing, Burning CD's / DVD's etc).

A good PC starts with a good PSU.

Both those are not great.

I presume you need the PCI-E?

Anyway , For very similar money ( if thats all you want to spend ) then get at least a half decent make.

In the sub £50 , something like this would be a far better bet. ( a 400W SATA/PCI-E PSU can be had for sub £30 , but at some point you will regret not spending a few extra yen )

PSU

Have fun.,

If you stick your nose round the back of the psu vents you should be able to smell a dead psu (burnt plasticy smell)

Sounds like your on to it though, I fitted two fo these in recent jobs http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/components/powersupplies/novatech/nov-psg400.html pretty quiet and seem to do the job well

HTH

A good PC starts with a good PSU.

Both those are not great.

I presume you need the PCI-E?

Anyway , For very similar money ( if thats all you want to spend ) then get at least a half decent make.

In the sub £50 , something like this would be a far better bet. ( a 400W SATA/PCI-E PSU can be had for sub £30 , but at some point you will regret not spending a few extra yen )

PSU

Have fun.,

Thanks for the response / advice - I really just want to get the thing back up and running but I don't mind spending a bit to do that. As I said Hardware is not my thing so was hoping folks 'in the know' could give me a pointer - many thanks for doing that!

If you stick your nose round the back of the psu vents you should be able to smell a dead psu (burnt plasticy smell)

Sounds like your on to it though, I fitted two fo these in recent jobs http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/components/powersupplies/novatech/nov-psg400.html pretty quiet and seem to do the job well

HTH

Cheers for this - I think I have been lucky :wonder: as the thing has had a burnt plasticky smell for some time when it has been running although somewhat ironically it doesn't smell now! :yes:

That unit looks neat - as said in my earlier response I don't particularly want to spend a fortune but obviously want to get the unit back up and running and get some longevity from it.

Thanks for the response - much appreciated.

I'd got to ebuyer for a new PSU before trusting someone on Ebay.

Don't get too drawn in by big Wattages. They're often peak load figures and the PSU won't handle that for any length of time.

Rule of thumb for PSUs, a good one will be nice and heavy. If it feels feather light it's probably a bit nasty.

Something like this maybe

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124927

TBH I'd probably get something below the £35 mark myself.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/102994

Edited 2 March, 201115 yr by Aspman

I'd got to ebuyer for a new PSU before trusting someone on Ebay.

Don't get too drawn in by big Wattages. They're often peak load figures and the PSU won't handle that for any length of time.

Rule of thumb for PSUs, a good one will be nice and heavy. If it feels feather light it's probably a bit nasty.

Something like this maybe

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124927

TBH I'd probably get something below the £35 mark myself.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/102994

Thanks for the tip - I think I am going to go for one from EBuyer as I have previously used them in the past and found them to be good - the sub £35 looks like it'll do the job for me! Here's hoping!

I hope it is the PSU -last one of these I had to look at, I found the PSU was full of dog hairs and had that dark brown smell. I bunged in a new one, and........ nothing.

Closer inspection of the motherboard showed the real problem (see attached)

Probably the best picture I've ever taken on a cameraphone, funnily enough.

Phil

Off topic

http://www.reghardware.com/2010/11/26/ventblockers_2/

Off topic

http://www.reghardware.com/2010/11/26/ventblockers_2/

Are you implying our house is manky?