Antec Power Supplies Suck!

[eskimo2]

I know that they have a great reputation; until you dig deep.  I just got my shipment today and assembled my machine, with an Antec Truepower Trio 550W.  After running for 5 minutes the machine started clicking.  I opened the case and determined that the noise was coming from the PSU.  I shut it down and did some research.  This is one of many problems known from Antec.  I’ve been reading Antec horror stories for the past hour.  Some customers have paid more in shipping back and forth a few times than the POS is worth.  Their customer service apparently sucks; many customers have been given the run around.  Many customers have complained about all kinds of problems.  

The worst part is that I bought it from Mwav in a retail box.  Their policy for retail box items is that you deal with the manufacturer.  Antec says deal with the retailer if within a month or two.  I don’t want an Antec replacement after what I’ve read; I want something else.  I have a feeling I’m just going to eat this $82 (+ shipping) piece of %#*.

My PSU research left me more frustrated than all other parts combined; nothing sounded surefire.  Antec is one of many with a good reputation: until you dig deep.  

Before you buy Antec, read what all consumers are saying, not just the lucky ones.

[Skuzzy]

It is a shame.  Antec used to have some of the best power supplies on the market, then they moved their manufacturing to China and the quality of their product has gone into the toilet.

Design wise, they are still good supplies.  It is the components and manufacturing where they are hurting themselves.

The Trio line is probably the worst of thier product line.

[airspro]

Yep I read all about this on newegg before buying .

I got the one Eagle told me too . Nice so far

Seasonic 500 watt .

[eskimo2]

Originally posted by Skuzzy
It is a shame.  Antec used to have some of the best power supplies on themarjet, then they moved their manufacturing to China and the quality of their product has gone into the toilet.

Designed wise, they are still good supplies.  It is the components and manufacturing where they are hurting themselves.

The Trios line is probably the worst of thier product line.

In that case:

China Sucks!

[wabbit]

In China you don't get a raise for good work. Instead your name is taken off the 'organ donor' list...

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Clicking is one of the common side-effects of having a PFC controlled PSU..

[Krusty]

How to choose a power supply

It's an older site, so ignore the "Antec" on the "good products" list. It might help you find one that's good for you.


Can't you return for a refund, rather than a replacement? Won't the store do that?

[eskimo2]

I just bought a CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX from Comp USA.  $180-$20 mail in rebate.  It's pretty slick and got great reviews:

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/958/4
"Corsair HX620W Modular PSU - The best Power Supply ever?
...
SUMMARY: We could quite possibly be testing the best Power Supply we've ever seen. Is Corsair's HX620W Modular model for you?"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

Most importantly, windows is loading now and my PC isn't clicking, smoking, or shooting out flames.

[38ruk]

My last antec (430w) was purchased 4 years ago , it still runs like a champ in my wifes machine . I've steered clear of them since that due to some of the tests ive seen online , it really is sad because they used to be rock solid . The Thermaltake 680 (REV.2!)psu i'm using now has been steller , despite the bad rep they got when they launched the Rev.1's that were terrible. It's been running my overclocked AMD's for the last 2 years along with a water cooling setup. If i had to buy a PSU today i would look at PC power and cooling .

[DREDIOCK]

I replaced my PSU with a "MAD DOG Sure Power" 430W

$59 and comes with a 5 year warranty
So far Im very pleased with it

Suckers quiet as hell too

http://mdmm.com/products.php?categoryid=21

Supports Intel Pentium 4, AMD Athlon XP, Athlon 64 and Opteron
Intel ATX 12V Specification 2.03 & 1.3 Compliant
PCI-Express Adapter
Dual SATA Power Connectors
Automatic Fan Speed Control
120mm Cooling Fan
I/O Short Circuit & Overload Protection
5 Year Warranty

Model Number
 MD-430WPS
 
Application ATX +12V Power Supply Design
Guide Ver. 2.0
ATX 2.03 and 1.3
Intel BTX 1.0a
 
Input Voltage 115VAC / 230Vac (Select Switch)
 
Input Frequency 50 Hz - 60 Hz
Input Current 10 / 5 Amps
Peak Power Output
 480 Watts
 
P.G. Signal
 100 ~ 500 ms
 
Over Voltage Protection
 +12V trip point <+15.6V
+5V trip point <+6.8V
+3.3V trip point <+4.5V
 
Cooling
 One (1) 120mm Sleeve Bearing Fan
 
Noise
 22 dBA @ 1700 RPM (AUTO)
 
Dimensions
 5.59" (L) x 5.9" (W) x 3.35" (H)
 
Weight
 4 lbs
 
Connectors
 20 + 4-pin BTX/ATX (Motherboard) x 1
4-pin 12V (Motherboard) x 1
PCI-E Graphics Cards x 1
Molex Multi-use x 6
Floppy Drive x 2
SATA x 2
 
Cables 6-pin PCI-Express Adapter Cable
 
Safety
 CUL, cRUus, FCC, CE, CSA and TUV

 
MTBF
 100,000 Hours
 
Limited Warranty
 5 Years

[DREDIOCK]

Heres the onfo for the 650 W version $129

Supports Intel Pentium 4, AMD Athlon XP, Athlon 64 and Opteron
Intel ATX 12V Specifications 2.03 & 1.3 Compliant
Intel BTX 1.0a Specification Compliant
Modular Power Rails
EMI Shielded Dual PCI-Express Connector to Support SLI and CrossFire Dual Graphics Technology
Dual SATA Power Connector
Automatic Fan Speed Control
Redundant Cooling System
I/O Short Circuit & Overload Protection
5 Year Warranty

Model Number
 MD-650SCPS
 
Application Intel BTX 1.0a
ATX +12V Power Supply Design
Guide Ver. 2.0
ATX 2.03 and 1.3
Intel BTX 1.0a
 
Input Voltage 100~120Vac / 200 ~ 240Vac (Select Switch)
Input Frequency 47Hz ~ 63Hz
Input Current 10.7 / 6.2 Amps  
Hold-up Time > 16 ms
Normal Power Output 650 Watts
Peak Power Output 700 Watts
P.G. Signal 100 ~ 500 ms
Over Voltage Protection +12V trip point 13.2V - 14.4V
+5V trip point 5.7V – 6.5V
3.3V trip point 3.7V – 4.1V
 
Cooling One (1) 92mm Ball Bearing Fan
One (1) 80mm Ball Bearing Fan
One (1) 60mm Ball Bearing Fan
 
Noise 22 dBA @ 1700 RPM (LOW)
26 dBA @ 2100RPM (NORMAL)
34 dBA @ 3300 RPM (HIGH)
 
Dimensions 6.4" (L) x 5.9" (W) x 3.35" (H)
163mm (L) x 150mm (W) x 85mm (H)
 
Weight 5.5 lbs.
Connectors
 20 + 4-pin BTX/ATX (Motherboard) x 1
4-pin 12V (Motherboard) x 1
PCI-E Dual Graphics Cards x 2
Molex Multi-use x 9
Floppy Drive x 2
SATA x 2
 
Cables 6-pin (2 PCI-E) x 1
4-pin (3 IDE) / (1 Floppy) x 2
4-pin (3 IDE) x 1
15-pin (2 SATA) x1
 
Safety CUL cRUus, FCC, CE, CSA and TUV
 
MTBF 100,000 Hours
Limited Warranty
 5 Year

[MrRiplEy[H]]

The only problem I've ever faced with powersupplies was when 6 workstations at my work blew due to a short circuit in the powersupply.

Each one had a catastrophic failure full with smoke and sparks. All data lost, all hardware blacked out and dead.

The manufacturer never admitted it was a hardware problem even though just one exact type of PSU blew every time. To their defense this happened at an industrial area which is fed directly with 20 000 volt lines and which can have serious spiking in the voltage due to massive processing equipment.

But still only this one type of boxes blew out. All 6 in about 6 months time.

As a sidenote It's quite interesting to climb into a 20kV transformer station to clean it. Yes it was switched off, yes it was safety grounded but still it makes one go kinda hmm..

[Masherbrum]

Eskimo, I have an Antec Smartpower 2.0 NIB that I would have mailed you for nothing in return.   I believe it is either 500 or 550W.   Also, it isn't made in China.

[Skuzzy]

The pre-China manufactured power supplies are really good supplies.

[eskimo2]

Originally posted by Masherbrum
Eskimo, I have an Antec Smartpower 2.0 NIB that I would have mailed you for nothing in return.   I believe it is either 500 or 550W.   Also, it isn't made in China.

That's very kind of you!

The system is up and running well though; a heck of a lot over budget but running well.

Thanks.