What are the things i should know before i replace my PSU?

[Chadders101]

Hi everyone!

Yesterday I believe that my PSU has finally died, it has served me well over 6 years but as i was using my computer, i heard a loud snapping noise and my computer lost power, then i smelled burning. I am no longer able to charge my phone from my computer and the case lights, which are attached to the PSU do not work when i press the power button.

My PSU is a 6 year old 600w XigmaTEK PSU

Now we have the reasons why i think my PSU is the problem, allow me to ask my questions.

1: I bought my PC custom built 6 years ago and have replaced all the other components quite easily, but the wires attached to the PSU are tucked quite firmly underneath the casing. Does it matter if the wires are attached but loose, hanging a little bit in the casing?

2: do the wires on the PSU differ from model to model? Would i have to do research to make sure I'm getting the PSU i need to actually replace my old one, and not a PSU which doesn't have the right specs? So far I'm assuming that it's the certification and wattage which are the only thing i need to worry about.

3: i have picked out a PSU which i am intending on buying, but i thought it would be a good idea to run it by some experts first to make sure I'm not making a stupid mistake. Could someone tell me if this is a universally accepted model? https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B019KFUYTC/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1492529701&sr=8-10&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=600w+psu+gold

Looking at the wires running out of my PSU, i can see:

- One group of 8 running to a plug named (ATX 12V) on the motherboard

- One group of 24 leading to a plug i think is named (ON/OFF CHARGE) on the motherboard

- Two groups of 8 leading to two plugs named PCI-E on the graphics card

I think those are the only ones worth mentioning, there are more wires leading to the disc drive and my two hard drives, but I'm assuming all PSUs have those wires

As you can tell, I'm not sure of the right way to phrase the computer jargon, but i have i have given all the information someone might need to confirm my suspicions and answer my questions, feel free to ask more questions because I'm certain i have left something out.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Lkaos]

Good grief...Buy something worthwile...What's your budget ?

 

[thx1138v2]

1. The reason the cables are installed the way they are is to prevent air flow restriction through the case which will hamper cooling of the components. It might cause problems if you are running close to thermal limits. There is no way to say for sure without trying different arrangements.
http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html

2. Yes, they differ from model to model and yes they are very important. Certification and wattage are somewhat minor considerations. Keep in mind that the certification is only certifying the efficiency of unit, not the quality. More efficient PSU's typically are better built but not always. Wattage is important but there is a lot more to a PSU that wattage and certfication.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supplies-101,4193.html
http://www.pcgamer.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-power-supplies/
http://www.playtool.com/pages/psurailhistory/rails.html

3. I don't know about that particular model. Read all the revues you can find on it.

 

[LucoTF]

Yes, any atx psu will be compatible.

The one you have chosen is very poor quality.

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/nB3RsY/seasonic-power-supply-s12ii620bronze

 

[Isokolon]

1. There are non-modular, semi-modular and fully.modular units.
With fully modular units you can detached all cables from the unit, with semi-modular you can detach all non-essential cables and with non-modular units all cables are fixed inside the unit and you can't detach them
You have to remove the unit with the cables.

2. Generally they're the same. They differ in terms of additional cables. Basically all ATX PSUs come with the standard connector for mainboard, CPU, for 2-3 sata drives and 1 GPU connector.
For GPU connector this can be a 6 pin or an 8 (6+2) pin. Some come with more than one, in many variations: 1x6+1x8 or 2x6 or 2x8. You gotta make sure you pick the right one, which mostly is an issue with power hungry GPUs or multi-GPU setups.

3. Please don't get this PSU. This is not a brand you want to put into your machine and connect to your grid
If you can define a budget me and others will gladly suggest a better suited unit

 

[madmatt30]

You got 6 years from a xigmatek ???
Christ mate , they normally pop caps after 12 months.
Ac-bel are nearly as bad!!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01C3FFLZ8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492534860&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=corsair+cx550&dpPl=1&dpID=41lIwHsQPTL&ref=plSrch

Can't go wrong with that one.

 

[Chadders101]

Thank you all for your quick and helpful answers. I have now changed my mind and am going to buy the second PSU mentioned by MadMatt30. Seeing as my current PSU is non-modular (which i now believe means that none of the plugs are detachable) I'm assuming i will need to buy some new wires to go with my purchase because I'm switching to semi-modular.

I'm still unsure on how to quality check PSUs, i can see no difference between the one i linked and the ones suggested other than wattage and certification. There is other information i know is useful but i have not understood yet.

I haven't really put a certain price on my budget, but i guess I'm willing to spend around £60 on my PSU

 

[madmatt30]

PSU knowledge comes with experience building mate & research at the end of the day.

The tier list post on here is decent to go by.
Its a minefield for the uniniated because really the only 3 actual manufacturers that you will ALWAYS get a good psu from are seasonic , super flower & delta.

Anything branded seasonic will always be good , superflower have some 2012 units that are fairly average , after that theyre all good , delta units are always rock solid.
You won't find super flower generally in the UK though , you will never find delta as they don't brand their own units but make them solely for antec & for dell & HP.

Not all antec units are deltas though which makes things harder.
Until 8 months ago ALL xfx branded psu's were seasonic , now they do a budget range made by someone else which are crap.

3/4 of evga units are crap, the other 1/4 are some of the best model psu's there are.

You then have cwt & fsp who can do mediocre psu 's or really really good /great ones.

They make psu's for literally every tom , dick & harry to rebadge.

Confused yet ??? Yes I know , aren't we all ;-)

The corsair cx550m is a new model cwt - its somewhere between good & great & probably at a £60 budget your best option.

Need any cables mate ?? No , the corsair comes with the cables in the box (including a mains cable)

You simply plug in what you actually need & keep the rest in the box.