Broken power supply?

[Sheenthesheeps]

Hello, I have a store bought PC (couple years old), I believe it is this one to be exact https://www.amazon.com/Gateway-DX4870-UR3D-Processor-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00EY524JC .  The other day it refused to turn on, I could be wrong but I'm guessing the power supply died, so two questions.  Is it possible to safely test if the power supply is broke?  Also if a replacement is necessary, is it possible to get one that's too powerful (current ones 300W), say risk frying the motherboard or something?

[STRMfrmXMN]

12 hours ago, Sheenthesheeps said:

Hello, I have a store bought PC (couple years old), I believe it is this one to be exact https://www.amazon.com/Gateway-DX4870-UR3D-Processor-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00EY524JC .  The other day it refused to turn on, I could be wrong but I'm guessing the power supply died, so two questions.  Is it possible to safely test if the power supply is broke?  Also if a replacement is necessary, is it possible to get one that's too powerful (current ones 300W), say risk frying the motherboard or something?

It usually will turn on if the PSU is dying, it just won't run for very long under any amount of stress. If it has a dGPU then take it out and see if it runs without it just fine. That's usually a telltale sign it's gone.

 

Also no, no such thing as a PSU that's capable of outputting more wattage doing damage due to that. The PSU will give out what's required to power the system.

[Sheenthesheeps]

On 12/31/2016 at 4:33 PM, STRMfrmXMN said:

It usually will turn on if the PSU is dying, it just won't run for very long under any amount of stress. If it has a dGPU then take it out and see if it runs without it just fine. That's usually a telltale sign it's gone.

 

Also no, no such thing as a PSU that's capable of outputting more wattage doing damage due to that. The PSU will give out what's required to power the system.

It doesn't have a GPU, only an i5 3330 with integrated graphics.  Now that you mention it, for maybe a week before it completely shut down, i believe that it would shut down moments after turning it on.  However after repowering it, it would run like normal.  When it died, I'd be lucky if the LED on my mouse flashed.  I've read that either it's the power supply or the motherboard, but based on what you've said, I'm assuming that it's a safe bet to get a new reliable power supply.

[Sheenthesheeps]

Just wanted to confirm that the PSU was dead and thanks for the help, works just like new now!