PSU Fan clicking then not doing anything

[Richard2001]

Hi there,

I purchased a computer from PC specialist not long ago, however, the PSU started making a strange sound the other night. I used a torch to see what was causing it and noticed the PSU fan was clicking backwards and forwards so I requested an RMA. However, today I have come to collect my data before sending it back and it is no longer clicking, the fan is simply doing nothing at all anymore. I was wondering whether I should still send it back or not.

Specs:

COOLERMASTER MASTERBOX K500 ARGB GAMING CASE - ESL
Overclocked Intel® Core™ i7-10700K Eight Core (3.8GHz @ up to 5.0GHz)
ASUS® PRIME Z490-P (LGA1200, USB 3.2, CrossFireX) - ARGB Ready
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB)
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3070 - HDMI, DP
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
512GB Intel® H10 NVMe SSD + 32GB Intel® Optane™ (up to 2300MB/sR | 1300MB/sW)
CORSAIR 650W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
PCS FrostFlow 120 Series RGB High Performance Liquid Cooler
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
50cm ARGB LED Strip
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
United Kingdom - English Language
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
CoolerMaster Devastator III Combo Keyboard and Mouse
3 Year Platinum Warranty (3 Year Collect & Return, 3 Year Parts, 3 Year labour)
SATURDAY DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (BEFORE 2PM)
Standard Build - Subject to stock availability on pre-order products

 

[NoddyPirate]

The TXm series does not have a Zero RPM mode like higher end Corsair PSU’s - so if the fan isn’t spinning then yes it needs to be RMA’d.

Does it spin at all when the system is under load and higher power draw?

 

[Steveyg]

Honestly mate a 650W is really underpowered for an i7 and 3070 combo

I'd be looking for the 750W RMx minimum for those parts

 

[AgentCooper]

Honestly mate a 650W is really underpowered for an i7 and 3070 combo

I'd be looking for the 750W RMx minimum for those parts

That’s what I was initially thinking, 650w would run the system but it’d be working at the upper limit of it’s capability if it was under load for a sustained period of time. There’s a possibility it’d burn out the fan quicker.

There were a few dodgy TXm units around last year which were failing prematurely but I believe that’s been sorted.

@Richard2001 - When your system goes back for the RMA it’d be worth asking them if you could upgrade your power supply at the same time. It’ll be well worth the spend.

 

[NoddyPirate]

Yes great point guys. It’s the problem with these bloomin’ Intel chips - the 10700K is listed as 125W TDP but actually draws well over 200 W under boost. Add the 3070 at 220W, plus all the peripherals and cooler and RGB and there is less room left with 650W than expected.

Running with little headroom would not have made the fan fail mind you - it’s just a faulty PSU - but seizing the opportunity for an upgrade would be well worth it for the little extra money.... 👍

 

[Richard2001]

Thank you all for your replies. I will leave the RMA in place now I know the fan should be spinning at all times.

Does it spin at all when the system is under load and higher power draw?

I ran a stress test on both my CPU and GPU, they were pulling max load and the PSU fan did not kick in at all. I wasn't sure if it was simply because it wasn't hot enough, but after 30 mins of running the tests I assumed it should have kicked in by that point and stopped it. It was trying to spin originally but kept clicking backwards and forwards. Suddenly yesterday morning the clicking stopped and the fan was just dead.

That’s what I was initially thinking, 650w would run the system but it’d be working at the upper limit of it’s capability if it was under load for a sustained period of time. There’s a possibility it’d burn out the fan quicker.

When I went to confirm the build, the website actually told me the PSU was over powered for the system and to lower it to a 550W. I knew the 550W would be killed trying to run it, so I left it at the 650. I'll ring up PC specialist later today. Thank you for the suggection,

 

[Richard2001]

Oh! Do any of you have any idea on the current RMA waiting times? Although I am in no rush and understand that there are likely to be delays due to covid, I amazingly got my system dispatched within 4 working days (ordered it later Monday, got it on the Saturday). The system is only 9 days old if that has any impact on its position. I am not expecting an RMA to be as quick, but any very rough ideas for something as simple as a replacement PSU would be really helpful.

Also, what do I need to include in the box? All the cables that came with the computer? I am not sure which cable is which if I'm totally honest. Should I just send them alland hope they send me what they didn't want back?

 

[Steveyg]

You can always get them to send the PSU and do the install yourself?

At the minute I think it's about a month on RMA's but not 100%

 

[jamiephillips909]

Out of intrest when the pc is first powerd on does the fan spin at all ?

 

[Richard2001]

You can always get them to send the PSU and do the install yourself?

I'm more likely to break something else in all honesty. I am happy to wait.

At the minute I think it's about a month on RMA's but not 100%

That's ok, I just wanted a rough idea. A month is fine, I know they are busy. Thank you for you response.

Out of intrest when the pc is first powerd on does the fan spin at all ?

Nope, it does nothing at all now. It is completely dead

 

[jamiephillips909]

Y

I'm more likely to break something else in all honesty. I am happy to wait.

That's ok, I just wanted a rough idea. A month is fine, I know they are busy. Thank you for you response.



Nope, it does nothing at all now. It is completely dead

Yeah thats a dead psu alright !

 

[jamiephillips909]

Is it plugged into a surge protector out of intrest ?

 

[Richard2001]

Is it plugged into a surge protector out of intrest ?

Yes it is plugged into a surge protector. I have tried two different sockets and two different protectors, same result on both.

 

[Richard2001]

Yeah thats a dead psu alright !

Oh! and to avoid confustion when I say 'it is completely dead' I mean the fan is completely dead, the computer will start function as intended, no hard crashes or anything so far. Saying that typical British weather has been terrible lately, if we get a heatwave I suspect it will start crashing with no working fan

 

[NoddyPirate]

I ran a stress test on both my CPU and GPU, they were pulling max load and the PSU fan did not kick in at all.

Obviously don't stress it like that anymore until it is fixed. Your PSU will have a thermal cutout which will shut it off if it gets too hot - but that wouldn't be greatest thing for your system depending on what's going on at the time!

 

[Richard2001]

Obviously don't stress it like that anymore until it is fixed. Your PSU will have a thermal cutout which will shut it off if it gets too hot - but that wouldn't be greatest thing for your system depending on what's going on at the time

I have no intention of using it other than to change the password tomorrow. I have stopped all usage of it now, I will (painfully) manage on my laptop until it returns.

 

[Richard2001]

Turns out there was an issue with the rubber foot, it was jamming the fan somehow. Their support team has been amazing, responding to any questions I had within 24 hours, sometimes only a few mins! I will get my computer back (hopefully) tomorrow.