Corsair AX 850 Two failed in 5 months each

[Snakebite]

High all.



Built a system that included a Corsair AX 850 in July last year, power supply failed by January this year. Replaced with a new Corsair AX 850 that has now failed.



Just to let you know, draw your own conclusions but must say I am disappointed in what I perceived as a quality company and product.

 

[ruthless_villain]

they are supposed to be the best PSU's around, you may have just been unlucky... i use a silverstone unit myself and have never had a problem

 

[Snakebite]

First PSU started to take longer to power up system before it failed. Replacement has just stopped working and showed no signs that it was failing. Have checked it and of course power lead and its dead.

Doubt very much its overloaded only running an unlocked i5-2500k and single GTX 560 TI 111 on an Asus board. So I know system is well over powered as it stands.

I bought the AX 850 for reliability and future upgrading,

 

[dugdiamond]

dust !!!

80% of failing components are down to bad housekeeping of the rig.

a can-o-air is only a few bucks, and can save the outlay of replacing parts, if used about once a month (or more in a dirty environment)

 

[Jadarite]

I would suggest that any new psu you get before you turn anything on that you disconnect all cables and reconnect them and also make sure that the mobo isn't touching anything

 

[Snakebite]

Rig and fan filters are kept clean. MB is not touching anything and I doubt it would take 5 months to show if it was and all cables were replaced when second PSU fitted as first lot had to be returned with original PSU. PSU is fitted to draw air from inside case as per Tom’s preferred way also, so failure is not due to lack of air circulation from beneath the case.

 

[dugdiamond]

you must be EXTREMELY unlucky with PSUs

 

[Liarma]

damn that sucks. as far as i know corsair is one of the most reliable companies for PSU's.

 

[Snakebite]

[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]That’s what I thought and one of the reasons for buying a PSU from them. I think the AX 850 is built for them by SeaSonic; it also appears other people are having/had problems with their PSU’s. What that relates to against the numbers sold I don’t know.

I just wanted to inform the people here of my experience as people on this forum have helped me in the past.

I hope I’ve been unlucky with these two PSU’s as it’s no doubt going to be replaced with a third AX 850 when it goes for RMA.

Like I said draw your own conclusion.[/font]

 

[Carbon20]

Are you using a high end surge and power filter? Is your power source well grounded? Seems unlikely you would have two fail one after another. Be sure to check for shorts, I know you said there's no chance but check again. Also make sure you're not pulling too much current through one of the lower voltage rails as they can't deliver anywhere near as much power as the 12v rail. what's actually happening to them when they fail? Do they let out magic smoke, catch fire, simply refuse to start? I'm honeslty suspecting something's not right in your rig to have two fail like this, either that or you're very unlucky.

 

[SPS]

Are you using a high end surge and power filter? Is your power source well grounded? Seems unlikely you would have two fail one after another. Be sure to check for shorts, I know you said there's no chance but check again. Also make sure you're not pulling too much current through one of the lower voltage rails as they can't deliver anywhere near as much power as the 12v rail. what's actually happening to them when they fail? Do they let out magic smoke, catch fire, simply refuse to start? I'm honeslty suspecting something's not right in your rig to have two fail like this, either that or you're very unlucky.

^ this. Are you running decent power surge protector?

 

[Snakebite]

Hi

Thanks for your replies and thoughts on this problem.

Yes I have a surge protector and the computer I am using now to post this has run through the same protector and mains supply for the last 8 years with no problems.

The AX850 is a single 12v rail design, and it has far and away more output than I am using.

If there were a short to the MB then surely this would have shown earlier than the approximate 5 months that these PSU’s lasted. Would have thought the MB would have failed by now or system would have had other problems if there were a short. Apart from pulling out the MB and starting again I can see no signs of anything touching it that should not be there and everything was checked and double checked on the build and system posted first time with no problems. There have been no faults with the system at all and has run perfectly except for the problem with the PSU’s.

The first PSU started to gradually take longer to power up the system and by that I mean from instant to 20 min or more over a few power ups so was removed and tested and sent for replacement.

Second PSU working one day the next day computer would not power up so power lead was tested and found to be ok then PSU was removed and tested and found to be dead.

There has been no dramatic smoking of either PSU and there is no evidence of burning either visual or smell to the units.

 

[Carbon20]

Has corsair actually confirmed the units are faulty or have they just sent you replacements? You havnt been able to try the psu's in another rig have you?

What do you mean the ax850 is a single rail design? I know the 850 has a dedicated 12v rail but it outputs +3.3 and +5v so it must have more then one rail right?

 

[Snakebite]

Both PSU units were pulled from the system when they failed and tested as per Corsair’s recommendation for a quick functionality test. First PSU was taking up to 50min to power up in the end; second PSU completely fails to power up.

Second PSU has not been returned as yet as it only failed on Saturday. No I have not tested either PSU in another rig I don’t have the luxury of owning another compatible rig and there is no way I’m asking to put a known faulty component in a friends rig.

However the AX 850 is constructed I can ensure you that I am not over powering any rails. Apart from the MB+CPU I have 1 hard drive, 1 GPU, 1 DVD writer and a total of seven fans connected to the PSU.

Perhaps with no disrespect to anyone else as I thank you and respect your replies, if he’s not to busy perhaps Tom Logan can post his thoughts on this as I know I’m not the only one who has had problems with Corsair PSU’s just do a search, and he must have more inside knowledge if there are known inherent problems with the AX850.

I would also like Tom Logan’s opinions or thoughts as to what if any part of my system that may be in someway at fault as I cant see why it would run faultless without showing other signs or taking out another component.

I started this thread to inform others here so they may not end up in the same situation and if Tom can throw some light on the subject then we will all learn.

PS: Just done a quick search and found others describing both the symptoms as I have had on their AX850’s so go figure. Looks like I have been unlucky to have had one of each.