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xxgg
02-05-06, 07:13 AM
Hello,

I have a Antec SmartPower II 500W and I am hearing a buzzing sound and I think it is coming from the PSU. It kinda sounds like a cricket... buzz~ buzz~ buzz~ it is just loud enough to really *#%)($ me.

But this is when system isn't loaded. For example if I load any software that start to put some high load on the system... buzz goes away. Like any CPU torturing softwares. Playing videos doesn't make the buzz go away but if I open like 10 at same time, it does start to get lower/less buzz and eventually no buzz after heavy load.

Can anyone help?
Know Nuttin
02-05-06, 08:08 AM
You will first need to ensure that it is indeed the PSU. It could be coming from the motherboard as well.

I'd remove the PSU from the case and jump it without using the PC to see if the noise can be isolated.
xxgg
02-05-06, 03:52 PM
Know Nuttin

Thanks for your reply. By the way which method of installation did you use to isntall BigTyphoon? Because I have decided to put the screw from the top and oh my~ it was pain in the rear and took me so long. Since the fins are so wide that I couldn't really put any screw driver to drive it down. I didn't really feel like putting the screw from button and use those tiny nuts too.

So it is just me or is there a better/easier way or this heatsink installation is really a crappy? But I really do love the performance. Even with my overclocked CPU.

Thanks!
Know Nuttin
02-05-06, 04:08 PM
buy wingnuts.

I put it through the motherboard, using the T Bracket instead of the stock backplate. I then used those small nuts to hold it in place.

I did the installation with the motherboard out of the case. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to put the motherboard back in the case but definitely a ton easier to install the heatsink so I probably save myself about that amount of time anyways.
exceed
02-05-06, 09:07 PM
buy wingnuts.

I put it through the motherboard, using the T Bracket instead of the stock backplate. I then used those small nuts to hold it in place.

I did the installation with the motherboard out of the case. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to put the motherboard back in the case but definitely a ton easier to install the heatsink so I probably save myself about that amount of time anyways.


whatever my io shield took me 10 mins to match up. :santa:
larva
02-05-06, 10:00 PM
It sounds like the noise issue with the supply is a fan problem. Antec uses Top Motor fans, and their quality control does not rival Panaflo, Delta, or Sanyo units. Unfortunately RMAing the supply is your only option short of opening the supply and fixing it yourself--and voiding the warranty.
xxgg
02-06-06, 02:56 PM
Hm... ok
thanks for replies :)
MrGreen
02-07-06, 12:02 PM
Mine came with a fan cable for the 2nd fan, is it plugged into the mobo? Its a 3pin with black and blue wires
larva
02-07-06, 09:24 PM
Hm... ok
thanks for replies :)Do bear in mind that it's must my best guess, your description of the noise just made it sound like there was a cyclic component to the noise. With Antecs that usually means a bad fan bearing. The Antecs speed and slow the fans a lot, and sometimes they will only make a noise when running slow or fast (I've seen both).

The other noise maker in power supplies are oscillations caused by the switching of the magnetic field produced by the transformers, but this is usually a very-high frequency noise at a fairly constant level. It will change with load as well, but has no detectable second-long period that is suggested when you mention the cricket.
xxgg
02-08-06, 12:05 PM
Mine came with a fan cable for the 2nd fan, is it plugged into the mobo? Its a 3pin with black and blue wires


Yes, I have connected to the motherboard.
shilent
02-10-06, 08:30 PM
I'm having a similar problem and have the same PSU as you do. Except mine makes a very high pitched sound or kinda like a whine. But mine only happens when running 3D applications like Half-Life 2, ATI Tool artifact scanner etc...

Some of you might say it's the video card, which I thought so also. So I decided to open my side panel to find the source. Turns out it is the PSU, the whine is much louder when I place my ear near the PSU.

This also happens randomly, sometimes there is no noise when playing games, sometimes there is. Just recently, I opened up ATI Tool with the 3D view opened. The high pitched came instantly, but when I minimize ATI Tool or close the 3D view, the sound is gone. Open 3D view and it's back, close 3D view and it's gone etc...

I think this may be an Antec PSU issue, I'm gonna try and do more searching.