Failed PSU, upgrade or throw out?

extremedeal on 17/09/2013 - 22:56

So I'm pretty sure the PSU in my desktop computer has failed. It's been randomly locking up lately and now it just won't turn on. The computer is about 4 and half years old. Turns out the PSU was a generic one…
Specs are:
Intel Q8200 2.33ghz Quad-Core CPU (rated on par with the current-gen ivy bridge Intel Pentium G2020)
4gb DDR2 RAM
Gigabyte GTX 9800 GPU
1tb hdd etc.

It was getting pretty slow anyway…

My options are:
A) Give up and donate/throw-out computer (keeping hdd and dvd writer)
B) Just add a new PSU and continue to use the same dusty, slowish computer (maybe re-purpose it?)
C) Add a new PSU, add an ssd (albeit only at 3Gb/s)and change the case to give it new life

Any help will be appreciated!
God that post got long…

Computing

Comments

  • Geekomatic on 17/09/2013 - 23:21

    No way would I toss a perfectly good i7 quad- I don't care what version it is! Just look for a deal on a decent PSU & plug it in there. Get the dust out (I ground myself & use an artist's brush & vacuum).

    Reinstall the OS—> definitely. Look online for some "tuning" tricks to speed up the computer. MS sends them all out w/everything turned on whether necessary or not.

    SSD is fine if you really want to get one. At worst, you can move it to another PC down the road…

    Were it me? I'd load Linux Mint 15 Mate— no question— that thing would be screaming fast. But then, I'm not a gamer (unless you consider 2nd Life "gaming"- lol). No more virus troubles. Mine just works well- every, single day. :)

    Imho,

    Cheers!

    • ProspectiveDarkness on 17/09/2013 - 23:31

      It's a Core 2 Quad, FWIW ;-)

      @OP:

      But I agree with pretty much everything Geekomatic said. The resale value is generally so low, you're better off keeping the computer for one purpose or another. Throwing out the PC would just be madness, IMO.

      I was in a similar-ish situation a while ago (my PSU was intact, though). My desktop was getting quite slow a while ago, and I threw in an SSD and it runs much better now, even at 3Gb/s. When I get a new desktop, I'll just shift the SSD to the new computer and repurpose the old one for a file server or HTPC. IMO you should try to squeeze as much life out of your current desktop as possible (provided that it doesn't have any negative impacts, of course… if you need to upgrade completely, you need to upgrade)

      Either way, I'd be keeping your current desktop and throwing a PSU and SSD into it. If you find that it doesn't meet your needs after that (which you might want to elaborate upon, for some better insight), then you can just upgrade and move the SSD over, and keep a perfectly find HTPC kicking around. You'd find some use for it, I'm sure.

  • retiredfeline on 17/09/2013 - 23:29

    That's a pretty decent computer and still good for normal use. Put in a new PSU. It'll set you back much less than a new machine.

  • aerona on 18/09/2013 - 02:34

    New Psu + Graphic and a z77 motherboard.

    • SF on 01/11/2014 - 21:03

      Why z77?

  • scrimshaw on 18/09/2013 - 06:53

    The 3rd options the best.

    Don't sell it, it's perfectly fine for office and HTPC use. Even if you do not intend to use it as your main desktop, you can still keep it as a Minecraft / FTP server or theatre pc.

  • _Bruce_ on 18/09/2013 - 07:34

    If you can test it with another supply do this first. The issue may be the motherboard.

  • backpaqer on 18/09/2013 - 09:18

    silent PSU = Media PC :)

  • Davo1111 on 18/09/2013 - 10:45

    get new psu, make a media pc. Buy a new rig :)

  • ESEMCE on 18/09/2013 - 10:51
    +1

    Depends what you use it for..
    If just browsing/media playing, then I'd buy a $50 PSU and keep it.
    If gaming, then you may want to upgrade it, depending on how intense a gamer you are.
    Casual - keep it for as long as it runs the games you play
    Average or higher - I'd probably start shopping, but I'd also be buying a new PSU and palming the system off to a mate or turning it into a HTPC.

  • ethereal88 on 18/09/2013 - 11:20

    I use a celeron every day on my work box with Win 8 and sure its slow, if you compare it to say an i5 and a grunty GPU. That slowness however is irrelevant in this basic box (and its very subtle anyway in desktop usage), and the chip was $44. If you want to chuck the quad for a modern system that sucks way less power, uses less heat, and is quieter for around the same speed (equivalent basic desktop box, no gaming, no heavy duty encoding):

    • Haswell G3220 - $80 (or wait a while for Haswell celeron's for $50 or so)

    • H87 board (avoid H81 as a lot have no front USB 3 headers, avoid B85 as they don't have full 6 SATA 3 ports) - $110 or so

    • 4GB/8GB RAM depending on your usage - $40+

    Sell it for scrap parts for a few $$$.

    • _Bruce_ on 18/09/2013 - 11:30

      avoid B85 as they don't have full 6 SATA 3 ports

      .. Because more SATA 3 ports is exactly what someone upgrading to a celeron needs.

      • ethereal88 on 18/09/2013 - 12:55

        Think Brucie, think - OP's last system was nearly 5yrs old. In 5yrs, would you want 3 or 6 SATA ports?

        • _Bruce_ on 18/09/2013 - 13:00

          Of course this is probably the most useless thing to consider for a 'do I want something better for more money' argument.

          You get 2 ports on H81 how many do you think you need? It hardly even makes any difference anyway.

        • ethereal88 on 18/09/2013 - 16:20

          Few have USB 3 headers, and this is 2013 not 2000. I already have a system filled with HDD's and adding more than 2 SSD's is easily possible.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/09/2013 - 19:28

    My rigg is basically the same as yours
    q8200
    8GB RAM
    1TB HDD
    1 DVD drive
    6850 HIS GPU (I got it for skyrim and such but funnily I just end up playing low res games)

    I should also note that my PC got a huge speed boost from the use of Windows 8. If it was me I would load windows 8 on your HDD and dual boot it with Linux Mint if you want or give back to community and get Ubuntu and throw some money their way while you're at it.

  • peteru on 18/09/2013 - 20:10
    +2

    Those symptoms could be the PSU, but just as likely is the mobo itself.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2013 - 00:23

    Start fresh. With random lockups it might be the PSU… or something else. Keep the HDD as a storage drive and go from there.

    If you don't have the cash just don't get a graphics card at first. Make sure you get a decent PSU. The arguments about SATA ports look irrelevant to you considering the single 1TB you've been packing.

  • extremedeal on 19/09/2013 - 17:33

    Thanks for all the advice guys!

  • umartsydney on 27/09/2013 - 17:49

    Vote for Option 3!

    But please clean the dust and check the condition of capacitors.

    A faulty CPU might damage the electrical elements on motherboard!

    Thermaltake PSU 600W would be good

    http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2…

    SSD
    Samsung 120GB SSD 840 Series

    http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?bid=2&id=…

    Mod: edited to remove self-advertising

  • love2buy on 29/10/2014 - 17:31

    For those whose using linux mint i want to ask if its any good as a windows pc replacement. Thanks.

  • chengjianer on 02/11/2014 - 21:49

    Just get a new Powersupply, it's cheap anyway.

    You are lucky that it's the power problem not the motherboard. I had a pretty decent 3-4 years old rig but the motherboard died on me and since it's so old, i cannot get a new motherboard replacement unless i get the used ones online but those things are not cheap at all and i have no idea if they will work or how long it will last…

  • Kenman on 03/11/2014 - 15:55

    +1 for option C)

    If you want a "cheap" CPU upgrade, have a look at http://www.delidded.com/lga-771-to-775-adapter/

    A Xeon E5450 is faster than an i3-3220, and costs around $80 for the cpu + sticker.

    Better than paying ~$180 for a Q9650.

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