I turned off my PC last night, but when I tried to power it on this morning, I heard a loud pop as soon as I touched the metal case. Now, the power button isn't doing anything, and the Ethernet port LEDs are off. I'm pretty sure the power supply unit (PSU) might have failed. Is there a way to confirm this? Also, are there any tips to prevent this from happening in the future? I shouldn't have to ground myself every time I use it, right? I was considering a non-metal case for easier handling.
Initially, I wanted to get a 1kW SFF Corsair PSU, but I couldn't find it at a reasonable price. Would a higher wattage typically provide better decoupling capacitors or ESD protection? This is my first SFF build, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
2 Answers
It sounds like your PSU is the culprit, especially since a loud pop often means a capacitor blew. You definitely need to replace the PSU to see if your other components are still good. Just be careful with the metal case, too; some people find it a bit tricky to work with.
I think you're right about the PSU. While it's possible the motherboard could've been affected, a popped PSU is more common. As for the wattage question, you're probably dealing with a defective unit rather than wattage issues affecting ESD protection. If it’s under warranty, definitely pursue that! Just be aware that second-hand purchases may not always qualify for such claims.
That's a good point! If you do replace it, make sure you get something with a solid warranty, especially if it’s been through a lot already. Sometimes a high wattage PSU isn't necessary if your components aren't constantly pulling that much power.
I totally agree! I ran into similar issues when my PSU let out a pop. But I also found the Meshlicious case to be a hassle when it came to managing cables and airflow. Good luck with the replacement!