New build, two extremely faulty PSUs.

[Divader]

At first, everything worked great, then a few days later the PSU (Silverstone ST60F-ESB Strider Essential 600W) either wouldn't let the PC turn on at all or would power it on and off erratically.

 

So I sent it back and they sent a replacement of the same model, then the process repeated - fine for the first couple of days then faulty afterwards. It is also in a different room, so wall power sockets are unlikely to be the problem.

 

I knew the first time that it was a bad PSU because I tested it in a known working computer, and tested a known working PSU in the new build. What are the odds of this happening twice? Could it be a bad batch from the manufacturer? Could the retailer have attempted an inadequate repair and sent the exact same one back? Here is a PCPartPicker link to the rest of the build : http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/H7tgrH

 

Some additional info: I measured the power draw from the wall and the PC only drew 70-something watts while it was (apparently) working stably playing a game during my first day of testing. The PSU is rated for 600 watts; I never really considered this a serious possibility, but can drawing too little power kill PSUs?

 

Another thing, the PSU was cheap as chips (£44), although I considered Silverstone to be a quality brand, so I thought it would be safe for such a modest computer. I'm not sure what to do now; I'm thinking of just trying to get a refund and getting an entirely different model of PSU, but I don't want to keep killing PSUs if the issue is something else.

[ddbtkd456]

Here use this guide

[Clyne]

Seems like something is wrong with that psu or it isn't good. The 12V rails are good and above, use @ddbtkd456 guide on which psu is good and which is not.

also this

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/199255-how-many-watts-do-i-need-check-here/

[Divader]

Thanks for the links. It seems like the ST60F-ESB is made by Sirtec, has a 12v rail of 45 amps with a max load of 550w. Although I can't find a tier for it, as the Strider Essential series is not on the list in the first link. This should be a lot of help if/when I decide to choose a different model.

[ddbtkd456]

Thanks for the links. It seems like the ST60F-ESB is made by Sirtec, has a 12v rail of 45 amps with a max load of 550w. Although I can't find a tier for it, as the Strider Essential series is not on the list in the first link. This should be a lot of help if/when I decide to choose a different model.

If its not on that list don't roll with it. Seriously. You risk starting a fire if you get a faulty one thats not Teir 3 of higher

[Divader]

If its not on that list don't roll with it. Seriously. You risk starting a fire if you get a faulty one thats not Teir 3 of higher

 

I'm now strongly considering the Corsair CX500M, it's tier 3 and the same price as the Silverstone.

 

Still puzzled about having the same fault twice in a row, though.