I’ve been an idiot - fitting a new PSU
Comments(2) Last week I had a tremendous computer problem, it kept switching off and making wretched noises. Oh no, new PC imminent… has my 12 hours of computer use a day just worn my trusty Siemens Scaleo P out?
Life with this computer hasn’t been trouble free, 6 months after buying it we suffered over heating problems. We didn’t realise but 12 months ago we took it to an expert who diagnosed, demonstrated and fixed the problem by actually connecting the fans.
I fitted a new Nvidia 7600GS late last year, lovely and although my graphics have been lovely and smooth the performance of my computer hasbeen slowly degrading with RAM and processor running at a measly 40% capacity.
With a little help and some reading we fathomed the power supply was to blame, the standard 300 watt (yes, really) PSU. How on earth have I been running a 7600GS on 300 watts?!
Yesterday I ordered a new Antec EarthWatts 430 power supply; 130 more watts than before and apparently very environmentally friendly and run cool. I quickly took everything apart, gave the inside a good clean and re-applied thermal paste and 10 minutes later I was ready to test.
I found a nice cubby hole to hide all the unused cables, I think I did a good job (probably not… you decide) and as you can see I am now running a scenery I’d struggle to get 20FPS in at… just look. Everything is soperfectly smooth, on unlimited I was cruising on 50-60FPS while the processor was keeping cool at 60-65. Idle is now around 40 degrees instead of the old 65. Amazing.
