Upgrading and Repairing PCs

Obtaining Replacement Units

Most of the time, it is simply easier, safer, or less expensive (considering the time and materials involved) to replace the power supply than to repair it. As mentioned earlier, replacement power supplies are available from many manufacturers. Before you can shop for a supplier, however, you should consider other purchasing factors.

Deciding on a Power Supply

When you are shopping for a new power supply, you should take several factors into account. First, consider the power supply's shape, or form factor. ATX supplies are consistent in size, so any ATX supply should fit any ATX chassis. Some systems use the smaller SFX supplies, and those are available from third-party suppliers as well.

Apart from electrical considerations, power supply form factors can differ physically in their sizes, shapes, screw-hole positions, connector types, number of connectors, fan locations, and switch positions. However, systems that use the same form factor can easily interchange power supplies. When ordering a replacement supply, you need to know which form factor your system requires.

Some systems use proprietary power supply designs, which makes replacement more difficult. If a system uses one of the common form factor power supplies, replacement units are available from hundreds of vendors. An unfortunate user of a system with a nonstandard form factor supply does not have this kind of choice and must get a replacement from the original manufacturer of the system—and usually must pay through the nose for the unit. Although you can find standard form factor supplies for under $100, the proprietary units from some manufacturers cost as much as $400 or more. PC buyers often overlook this and discover too late the consequences of having nonstandard components in a system.

Cheaper retail-store systems are notorious for using proprietary form factor power supplies. Even Dell has been using proprietary supplies in many of its systems. Be sure you consider this if you intend to own these types of systems out of warranty. Personally, I always insist on systems that use industry-standard power supplies, such as the ATX form factor supply found in many systems today.

Sources for Replacement Power Supplies

Because one of the most failure-prone items in PC systems is the power supply, I am often asked to recommend a replacement. Literally hundreds of companies manufacture PC power supplies, and I certainly have not tested them all. I can, however, recommend some companies whose products I have come to know and trust.

Although other high-quality manufacturers exist, at this time I recommend power supplies from PC Power and Cooling or Antec.

PC Power and Cooling has a complete line of power supplies for PC systems. It makes supplies in all the standard PC form factors used today. Versions are available in a variety of quality and output levels, from inexpensive replacements to very high-quality, high-output models with ratings of up to 600 watts. It even makes versions with built-in battery backup and redundant power systems, as well as a series of special models with high-volume, low-speed (quiet) fan assemblies. Its quiet models are especially welcome to people who work in quiet homes or offices and are annoyed by the fan noise some power supplies emanate. My favorite models are PC Power and Cooling's top-of-the-line 400W Silencer and the 475W Turbo-Cool ATX supplies, which have specs that put most others to shame.

PC Power and Cooling also has units available that fit some of Dell's proprietary designs. This can be a real boon if you have to service or repair Dell systems purchased between 1996 and 2000 because the PC Power and Cooling units are available in higher output ratings than Dell's. These units cost much less than Dell's and bolt in as direct replacements.

Tip PC Power and Cooling also has SFX-style supplies that can be used to upgrade systems with Flex-ATX boards and chassis, including E-machines, HP's 67xx series, and other low-cost systems. If you have one of these systems and need a high-quality replacement supply to support your upgrades, PC Power and Cooling can help.

The support offered by PC Power and Cooling is excellent as well, and the company has been in business a long time—which is rare in this industry. Besides power supplies, it also offers an excellent line of cases.

Antec, Inc., also offers high-quality power supplies, particularly its TruePower series. It also offers power supplies in both its TruePower and lower-cost Solution series, which feature the popular blue neon effect when plugged in, making them a popular choice for case modding.

A high-quality power supply from either of these vendors can be one of the best cures for intermittent system problems and can go a long way toward ensuring trouble-free operation in the future.