How often do new PSUs have problems with grinding fans?

[overstitch]

Howdy LTT peoples,

 

I recently re-built my system for the first time since 2011 and picked up a Corsair AX850 Titanium off Amazon.  Now, the thing to note: I bought the PSU in September.  Initially, I would hear on a cold boot an odd grinding sound from the PSU-but it would stop very quickly (cue "well, dude, you should have returned it back then!").  Fair point!  But I had assumed the problem was related to the 2.5" drive mounting bar on my case (O11D XL) applying pressure against the cable bundle that resided in that "channel".

 

I did some cable management and that seemed to help-the grinding sound wouldn't occur as often on a startup.  I recently installed a new AIO and had to take a lot of what I had managed out.

 

I decided today to try and get to the bottom of things with the few minutes I had away from child ranching.  It dawned on me that my PSU might be in silent mode and the brief grinding sound was a fan test.

 

So I turned off silent mode.  The video is a demonstration.

 

So, the question is does anyone have experience with torsional stress on a power supply causing the internal fan to make contact with components inside it?  I am hoping to investigate later this evening. My first idea is to move the PSU from the middle mount to the bottom mount and looking at installing some foam to help keep the PSU from flexing (if that is the source of the problem).

 

I am planning to shine a flashlight into the PSU's grate first to see if something did come loose inside.  I've worked with computers for 20 years and this would be the first time I've seen any internal components close enough to the fan to possibly make contact.  Though this is also the first side-mount PSU chassis I've ever used-so any peculiarities to it are new to me.

 

Thanks!

Edited January 18, 2021 by overstitch

[WhitetailAni]

Sounds like something brushing up against the grate to me.

[DailyProcrastinator]

Welcome to the forum!

 

While I do not have the specific answer to:

34 minutes ago, overstitch said:

So, the question is does anyone have experience with torsional stress on a power supply causing the internal fan to make contact with components inside it?  I am hoping to investigate later this evening. My first idea is to move the PSU from the middle mount to the bottom mount and looking at installing some foam to help keep the PSU from flexing (if that is the source of the problem).

I would think that the outer casing construction is solid enough to tolerate mounting stress. The Corsair AX850 is also one of the best PSU's you can buy. Any modern high quality PSU that I have dealt with has never had coil wine or fan bearing issues. Some of which are of lesser quality than the AX, even within Corsairs own lineup. 

 

If the issue persists just exchange the PSU. Based on the clip It sounds like something is rubbing up directly against the PSU fan, like an internal wire. It does not sound like a bearing. 

[seon123]

That's... definitely not supposed to happen. It's well within the warranty period, so just RMA it, or even better (if you are able), refund it and get a different PSU.

[overstitch]

Thanks for the input folks!  I spoke with a buddy of mine as well and he has seen an instance where an internal wire was knocked loose from where it was secured inside the PSU.  Now-let me just say I have a fair bit of experience with power supplies and the dangers within.  So I wouldn't advise that anyone try what I did unless they knew exactly what they were potentially getting themselves into!  I'm pretty sure this wouldn't void the warranty-but I've never pushed my luck with a power supply company before.  I just would prefer to avoid an RMA if possible with a little finesse vs being down for a potentially long time with how much havoc covid has wrought on the supply chain.
 

So, using a flashlight to closely look at the fan while it was running, I found the culprit of the noise. A heat shrink wrapped wire along the side of the PSU where the modular connectors are located, beside the modular connector for the fan itself, was rubbing against the fan.  Taking a page from my friend, I used a wooden chop stick to then slowly and gently press against the wire until it seemingly popped back beside the edge of the fan frame.  It is now silent while running with the fan.

 

It looks like a situation where some liberal use of hot glue would have been warranted at the factory.

[DailyProcrastinator]

15 hours ago, overstitch said:

Thanks for the input folks!  I spoke with a buddy of mine as well and he has seen an instance where an internal wire was knocked loose from where it was secured inside the PSU.  Now-let me just say I have a fair bit of experience with power supplies and the dangers within.  So I wouldn't advise that anyone try what I did unless they knew exactly what they were potentially getting themselves into!  I'm pretty sure this wouldn't void the warranty-but I've never pushed my luck with a power supply company before.  I just would prefer to avoid an RMA if possible with a little finesse vs being down for a potentially long time with how much havoc covid has wrought on the supply chain.
 

So, using a flashlight to closely look at the fan while it was running, I found the culprit of the noise. A heat shrink wrapped wire along the side of the PSU where the modular connectors are located, beside the modular connector for the fan itself, was rubbing against the fan.  Taking a page from my friend, I used a wooden chop stick to then slowly and gently press against the wire until it seemingly popped back beside the edge of the fan frame.  It is now silent while running with the fan.

 

It looks like a situation where some liberal use of hot glue would have been warranted at the factory.

Yup loose wire, at least you got it fixed and it was easy enough! As you did not open up the PSU you did not void the warranty by any means, if anything you did Corsair a favor and easily fixed the issue yourself VS the lengthy RMA process.

[Guest]

17 hours ago, overstitch said:

It looks like a situation where some liberal use of hot glue would have been warranted at the factory.

Yeah, but that would cost Seasonic money and you wouldn't want to dip into their profit margin. 

[Seasonic Rep]

12 hours ago, jonnyGURU said:

Yeah, but that would cost Seasonic money and you wouldn't want to dip into their profit margin. 

Hey, happy new year Jon.

We wish you a safe and successful 2021.

 

[Guest]

8 hours ago, Seasonic Rep said:

Hey, happy new year Jon.

We wish you a safe and successful 2021.

 

Thanks!  Right back at you.