I have an Acer Predator Orion 3000 Gaming Desktop with an Intel Core i7-13700F CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060. My PSU is dead, and the computer shop recommended replacing both the PSU and the motherboard because they said 6-pin PSUs are hard to find, low in power, and unreliable if refurbished. I'm a bit skeptical about this advice, so I'm looking for some insights on whether I really need to replace both components or if there's another solution.
4 Answers
A 6-pin connector typically refers to GPU power, but if your motherboard only has a 6-pin, that's a signal—it's not very powerful. If you can, look for a way to replace just the PSU without changing the motherboard. There's no need to replace both if the PSU is the only issue.
If your motherboard needs a specific connector, you might be stuck. They do make some adapters, but I’d be cautious about reliability.
Most prebuilt PCs like yours tend to have proprietary motherboards and cases, which limits your upgrade paths. Instead of following the shop's recommendation straight away, consider getting a standard motherboard from popular brands like MSI or ASUS, which will make future upgrades and repairs easier. Doing a DIY build ensures you have modularity—it's a lot more flexible in the long run!
Definitely noted! I’ve learned that the hard way with my last build.
Check Acer's support site by entering your serial number. You might find a replacement PSU specifically for your model, which typically costs between $100 and $125. But first, make sure the PSU is actually the issue—could be something else entirely causing the problem. Don't overspend without confirming the real issue!
I can't access my serial number right now since my PC is at the shop, unfortunately. Had some bug issues, so I suspect the PSU is likely the problem.
It sounds like your motherboard has a custom connector, which complicates finding a new standard PSU. Your best bet is either to get the same PSU or consider a complete overhaul with a new motherboard and a quality PSU. Just know, a new motherboard might not even fit in your current case, so you might need to buy a new one too.
Good to know! I want to avoid making this mistake again.
I'm still trying to understand if adapters could work for this situation. Your insights are helping!