Is replacing my PSU and motherboard necessary, or am I getting scammed?
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TechWhiz473
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.
Answers
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.
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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!
TechWhiz473: 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.
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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!
UnderstandingAdventures: Definitely noted! I’ve learned that the hard way with my last build.
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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.
SupportStruggles: I'm still trying to understand if adapters could work for this situation. Your insights are helping!
PowerTechNinja: If your motherboard needs a specific connector, you might be stuck. They do make some adapters, but I’d be cautious about reliability.
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TechWhiz473: Good to know! I want to avoid making this mistake again.