Hardware & Technical PC died, won't be playing Elite fo a while

[Dural]

Generally, once a PSU "pops" for any reason you cannot trust it again. It's one of the few components in a pc that can take out the rest of your system.

If it didn't do it the first time, there is a very good chance it would do it on the second.

It is highlighting a problem though, there is no way a decent PSU should be popping within a year. I have a PSU that is around ten years old in one system, still running without issue.

It's a good point although they do have safety features built in which stop them powering up after an issue and that issue may be external to the computer. If it does still work at least OP would be able to check if he needs to save off any data.

Anyway, it's under warranty so no big deal I suppose.

 

[znôrt]

Why wouldn't they [the repair people] just just stick a new HDD in to test that, so the OP doesn't lose data on his hard drive.

user data is the user's concern. i've always wiped my info (nothing to hide, just basic hygiene) when i had to do a rma. however, most users are not concerned/aware of this, and don't even know how to do that to begin with. it would be quite a hassle for retailers to have to educate or instruct users on something that isn't really their responsibility. that's just a lot of potential trouble. unless you request a specific service (data recovery or such), the warranty only covers the hardware.

If some someone told me they had to wipe my HDD to repair something in my PC I'd honestly laugh at them.

they won't necessarily wipe it, but don't give any guarrantees either, which is imo understandable.

the basic issue here is that as technology gets more sophisticated the general public becomes less aware of its implications.

 

[znôrt]

This is why you build a PC yourself.

i would advise against this unless you actually enjoy doing it and want to. i've built/serviced quite a lot of computers (from personal computers to mini mainframes), but i'm just tired of keeping up with all the programmed obsolescence and quirks just for a gaming pc. if you do it only for saving, and don't know what you're doing, you might be in for a surprise. just placing your fans inconveniently can shorten the lifetime of your system or cause issues sooner than reasonable. ymmv, but unless you are really in for it, best to let a professional do it. even more: make sure it's a serious professional. i've seen incredible stuff being sold lately ...

 

[Deleted member 110222]

More I think about, more I think I'll be better off playing the long game and build a whole new system as my upgrade in a year or two.

I mean there's nothing technically wrong with my current system; ED is the newest game I play bar a few few indie games that are built for potato systems.

The 960 is still a great card for ED, and unless that changes... Is there really any need to get a new GPU? Or is the new GPU just a nice to have thing?

I've been looking at my spending habits, and here's my conclusion: I do have a slight spending problem, buying games when they're on sale without thought. But this month at least I have managed to control myself. No new games this month. A few micro-transactions I admit, but we're talking single figure pounds here.

Basically, why get a GPU upgrade only to find in a few years when 2077 is out that my CPU isn't enough... No, I think the wiser choice is to save as much as possible, see the specs for 2077, then determine if a GPU alone is enough, or if I should consider the possibility of buying a new system.

As someone said to me a while back, there is nothing wrong with saving. It's about the only life decision that has no negative consequences.

We'll see where I am in a year.

i would advise against this unless you actually enjoy doing it and want to. i've built/serviced quite a lot of computers (from personal computers to mini mainframes), but i'm just tired of keeping up with all the programmed obsolescence and quirks just for a gaming pc. if you do it only for saving, and don't know what you're doing, you might be in for a surprise. just placing your fans inconveniently can shorten the lifetime of your system or cause issues sooner than reasonable. ymmv, but unless you are really in for it, best to let a professional do it. even more: make sure it's a serious professional. i've seen incredible stuff being sold lately ...

I agree.

 

[Patrick_68000]

A system well built with quality components, and run within spec or given reasonable margins, should be able to operate 24/7 for years in conditions that would kill a person in short order.

Ideally yes

 

[S~P]

Well I did notice when packing the computer back in the box that it actually has a vent on the underside of the case where the PSU is located. Who puts a vent on the underside of the case? It was well clogged with dust, probably contributed to it dying I guess.[woah]

 

[starman]

A system well built with quality components, and run within spec or given reasonable margins, should be able to operate 24/7 for years in conditions that would kill a person in short order.



Very rare for everything, or even the majority of the components, in a system to be damaged, even if it's been thoroughly trashed.

Heck, there are people out there that toss hardware that is in perfect condition for software issue.

http://www.computerrecycling.co.uk/about-us/#why-choose-pcd

 

[Patrick_68000]

Well I did notice when packing the computer back in the box that it actually has a vent on the underside of the case where the PSU is located. Who puts a vent on the underside of the case? It was well clogged with dust, probably contributed to it dying I guess.[woah]

It is sure that a clean and well ventilated case makes the life of the computer easier

 

[Morbad]

Well I did notice when packing the computer back in the box that it actually has a vent on the underside of the case where the PSU is located. Who puts a vent on the underside of the case? It was well clogged with dust, probably contributed to it dying I guess.[woah]

Over the last 15 years or so, PSUs have increasingly tended to use a single large intake fan for cooling and bottom mounted PSUs that directly pull cool air from outside the case have been pretty standard.

 

[Shadowdancer]

Well I did notice when packing the computer back in the box that it actually has a vent on the underside of the case where the PSU is located. Who puts a vent on the underside of the case? It was well clogged with dust, probably contributed to it dying I guess.[woah]

Originally, the ATX specification put the power supply at the top rear of the case, so its fan would contribute to airflow inside the case (originally fans were at the rear of the supply too). Then came "silent" power supplies with big fans on the bottom, and it turned out that they didn't provide airflow but would rather keep silent and cook their internal components and everything else inside the case. Case manufacturers decided to put a case fan where the power supply had originally been, and began placing the supply on the bottom of the case; problem was though that the supplies are still made for the old specs, drawing air from the bottom and exhausting to the rear, so cases grew holes in dumb places.

That said, a well-dimensioned quality power supply will need only minimal airflow to stay healthy and should have safeguards against overheating.

 

[Zeeman]

That doesn't make sense to me. We have to wipe the data to fit a new PSU? Get another opinion would be my advice.

Yeah, wiping data is just not necessary...

Z...

 

[Patrick_68000]

Yeah, wiping data is just not necessary...

Z...

Indeed I do not see the link between the data and the PSU

 

[Broon]

This thread just reminded me that I often forget about my PSU fan and dust screen when I do my regular PC dusting. I immediately shut my system down and got it squared away. Thanks guys!

My front fan inlet is quite obvious when it gets dusty and the side window keeps me reminded of the innards but the PSU fan is just hiding down there in the back corner sortof out of sight and out of mind.

Shame on me!

 

[Leadfoot]

This thread just reminded me that I often forget about my PSU fan and dust screen when I do my regular PC dusting. I immediately shut my system down and got it squared away. Thanks guys!

FYI, nylon stockings, properly cut and taped on to the air intake of a computer case, makes a great dust filter.

 

[Broon]

FYI, nylon stockings, properly cut and taped on to the air intake of a computer case, makes a great dust filter.

I'm not sure I want to make my case look like the sweet transvestite from transexual Transylvania.


But actually on my old case I used those little rectangular filters that can be put in your wall and ceiling air vents. Cut to size and taped into place. My current case has pretty good dust screens, I just gotta remember the PSU one on the bottom.

 

[Zak Gordon]

The very second they tell you that, you tell them to stop pretending to be Apple and walk out the door while loudly questioning their heritage. Because it's idiot drivel, a sign of utter incompetence, and a flat-out lie.

Yeah my thought was 'huh? this sounds like something Apple might say/do'. Then i'm wondering just what kind of 'PC' this is? Way to waste your customers time (with having to back up all the saves/games where needed, and just the general time working out what to save or not).

Sounds like you have a console, and not an actual PC. Sell it and buy a proper gaming PC that you can do what you need with to save wasting your time would be my advice to the op.

Edit: Also never sit a PC on a carpet. Always put something under it (plastic mat/large book etc) to avoid the dust build-up (you can more easily see it and clean it on a smooth surface).