Is my Antec BQE PSU broken?

rickardh · Post by **rickardh** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 3:41 pm

Hi!

I use the following:

Antex BQE case
Barton 2500
Arctic Cooling Copper silent 2 http://www.arctic-cooling.com/en/produc ... _silent2l/
(at 1500rpm)
Seagate IV 160GB
Nec 1300A DVD+-R
Asus KT400 mainboard
geforce4 mx-440

I think my system is a bit too loud. When using the asus probe software I get the following values:

CPU-temp = 46C/114F
MB-temp = 35C/95F
PSU-fan RPM = 2122
CPU-fan RPM = 1500

I have tried to determine from which component the sound is coming from and Im positive its the PSU. Is it really normal to have such a high rpm value for the PSU-fan?
My case is placed directly on the floor below my desk.

Thankfull for answers!

/Rickard

Talz · Post by **Talz** » Sun Mar 28, 2004 5:18 pm

Never had one, but my impression from others reviews etc is this is a quieter power supply than average. BUT not one for those trying for a silent pc, simply quieter than average.

AntecRep · Post by **AntecRep** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:06 am

RPM should be around 1200-1500. If it's really 2200 then the PSU thinks it's pretty damn hot.

I'd check the airflow in the case, although going by your CPU temps that shouldn't be an issue either.

AntecRep

rickardh · Post by **rickardh** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:10 am

Ok, could it be that the ASUS probe software shows wrong? I can here the case pretty clear standing like 15 feet away from it (silent room otherwise), is that normal?

Tim_U · Post by **Tim_U** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:34 pm

Hi Rick,

I have a similar setup, and am getting similar temps (but slightly lower) & PSU RPMs, read with Motherboard Monitor 5.

I've got a 120mm L1A @ 5v as the exhaust fan, & the PSU fan sits just above 2100RPM. And yeah, it's definitely the loudest thing in the system.

If I up the voltage on the exhuast & 120mm intake fans to 12V, the PSU fan drops to about 1900RPM.

I've done the "Tom Brown slat bending mod" to the PSU, and it helped a little, but not a great deal.

I'm pretty sure i've got goot circulation in the case, so i'm really not sure whats going on.

The only thing i can think to do is to make a PSU air tunnel with fresh air from the outside of the case...

Hope this helps!

Tim.

Tim_U · Post by **Tim_U** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:38 pm

AntecRep wrote:RPM should be around 1200-1500. If it's really 2200 then the PSU thinks it's pretty damn hot.

Hmm, if that's the case, then perhaps I won't be doing a PSU fan swap for an L1A... Is there a acceptable temperature range that can be measured by the exhaust temps?

Maybe I've just got a hot-spot in that top section of the case...

chylld · Post by **chylld** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 8:30 pm

my bqe's fan was up around 2000+ rpms as well, pretty much straight away. my computer was under the desk too - i agree, even then it's pretty loud for a "quiet" psu.

i swapped it out for an l1a which is happily running away at 7v, it keeps the psu plenty cool (cool to the touch, and voltages within check)

i did this mod end of last year and it's still going strong, never showed signs of instability.

Tim_U · Post by **Tim_U** » Mon Mar 29, 2004 8:40 pm

Just the man I was waiting for a response from!

Thanks Chylld.